News

Magenta Living recently partnered up with their material suppliers Travis Perkins to donate 10,000 hand sanitisers as well as cleaning products to Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral.

Arrowe Park Hospital had contacted Travis Perkins as their supplies were running low and they were desperately in need of more hand sanitisers. Travis Perkins managed to source a large number and Magenta Living stepped in to help fund the essential products. Arrowe Park were ‘absolutely delighted’ with the much-needed donation. Magenta Living have also donated tubes of hand creams for staff at the Hospital following a request via a staff member.

The Magenta Living Board have approved a community funding budget which will be used to help out local organisations or individuals in need during this ongoing crisis. Some of the budget has already funded toasters and kettles for Wirral Ark, a local homeless support and accommodation centre, so that individuals have facilities in their own living space following a plea on social media.

Pauline Cox, Fundraiser at Wirral Ark said: “The items will be such a help to us, not just at this time but for future projects after the current crisis is over. Magenta Living has always been a tremendous support to Wirral Ark and it is very much appreciated by both staff and service users.”

Magenta Living has also donated Wii games, specialist soaps and hand creams to a local community special school, Meadowside School in Woodchurch. This was again following a request via a staff member.

A representative from Meadowside School said: “Even knowing that the hard work of the staff is being recognised goes a long way to support their wellbeing, and I know the children will be delighted with the Wii games. When they are happy and engaged, the environment is safer, so thank you.”

Brian Simpson, Chief Executive of Magenta Living said: “In these trying times, it is very important for the community to pull together and Magenta Living is committed to helping out in our local neighbourhoods on a daily basis. We have over 100 staff on stand-by to volunteer in any way they can to help any local community groups that need some help and support.

“We hope the community fund will help support our partners and the communities in which we work across Wirral and West Cheshire during a very difficult period.”

We received some fantastic news on Tuesday, 31 March 2020, that Homes England have approved a £2.15million funding claim to proceed with our biggest scheme to date, Three Sails Point in Widnes, Halton. Planning permission was granted in March 2020 by Halton Council though due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the start on site is yet unknown.  Everything is now in place to start as soon as possible, when it is safe to do so.

 

Three Sails Point will be developed along with Halton Housing Trust and Mulbury as the contractor with Magenta Living having the most units on site. The development will see 243 new homes be built across two phases providing homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sale, with the breakdown as follows:

Magenta Living - 153 homes: 76 in Phase 1 and 77 in Phase 2

Halton Housing Trust -  90 homes: 26 in Phase 1 and 64 in Phase 2

As you are no doubt aware the coronavirus, COVID-19, is currently spreading in many countries, including the UK, with more being confirmed each day.

Current advice is to ensure that we all regularly wash our hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser.

The Government`s latest advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

 

What is Magenta Living doing in response?

All our employees are being briefed regularly with updates as more information comes available from the Government and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

We are ensuring good standards of hygiene across all offices and blocks with particularly vulnerable residents.

Any employees returning from travels to specific countries are following the Government’s advice by ringing NHS 111 for advice about possible self-isolation.

All employees who visit your home are adhering to existing guidelines around infection control.

 

What can you do to help?

If you are unwell, please do not visit us and call to re-arrange any appointments you may have already agreed. If your query can be handled over the phone or via our web-chat service, please use these options. All our methods of contact can be found here.

We are also equipping entrances to our blocks with particularly vulnerable residents and the Customer Hub at Partnership Building with hand sanitiser, so please make use of this when visiting.

 

Contact with us

When arranging appointments at your home for such issues as repairs, inspections or ASB investigations for example, we may ask you about your health and any recent travel abroad. This is to ensure we deliver the right level of service to protect both you and our employees.

If you are self-isolating, please let us know before any appointments are arranged by phoning our Contact Centre on 0808 100 9596 (all calls are free). Also, if a Magenta Living employee or representative appears unwell to you, feel free to ask them similar questions to ensure your own safety.

We will continue to monitor the situation and update this guidance information if and when we need to, based on Government and WHO advice.  Please regularly check our website.

Over the past four years all social housing tenants have benefited from a rent reduction of 1%. This was a direct result following a decision made by central government. This year along with most other social housing providers Magenta Living are proposing to increase rents by 2.7%, which again mirrors central government regulations.

Following the 2.7% increase, the average rent charged for a Magenta Living home as at April 2020 will be £87.03. However, as a result of rents reducing over the previous four years, this 2020 figure is still lower than the average of £88.22 charged in April 2015.

Like most similar organisations, Magenta Living faces increased costs each year due to inflation and by increasing the rents we charge, this enables us to cover these costs and maintain the services we offer. This additional income will ensure Magenta Living continues to:

• Re-invest in existing homes, providing safe and warm homes for all tenants
• Build much needed new homes
• Create over £16million in social value through local job and training opportunities, community regeneration activities and the provision of community properties
• Deliver day-to-day neighbourhood management and supported housing services and financial inclusion advice and support
• Deliver our Vision of Vibrant … homes, lives, neighbourhoods

Click here to read further information about the rent increase.

Formed in February 2005 following the successful housing stock transfer from Wirral Council, it then re-branded from Wirral Partnership Homes in 2014 to Magenta Living.

To celebrate this landmark birthday, Magenta Living is launching its year-long ‘15 years of’ birthday celebration campaign, which will see various planned activities throughout the year involving tenants and residents, stakeholders and staff. To kick start the celebrations, staff will be getting involved on Friday, 7th February by entering the ‘Great Birthday Bake-off’, baking birthday cakes which will then be sold with proceeds donated to Magenta Living’s current corporate charity, Wirral Mind.

Staff will also be able to test their knowledge on all things Magenta Living with a quiz, based on the past 15 years of Magenta Living, as well as spotting themselves in a ‘showcasing memories’ video along with some ‘blast from the past’ music!

Brian Simpson, Magenta Living’s Chief Executive, said: “The past 15 years have flown by, yet we have achieved so much as an organisation. We have been able to respond effectively to many changes, which, I believe has made us a better organisation all round and has prepared us well for the next 15 years! 

‘I’m really looking forward to celebrating throughout our birthday year along with our tenants and residents, stakeholders, board directors and staff and want to thank everyone who has been on our journey so far. Let’s make 2020 a year to remember as we continue to deliver our Vision of Vibrant … homes, lives, neighbourhoods.”

Look back and explore memories from the past 15 years of Magenta Living in our showcase gallery.

Visit our showcase gallery, here: https://www.15yearsofmagentaliving.co.uk/

Throwbacks will be released periodically by year, starting with 2005 and working towards Magenta Living's 15th Birthday on 7th February 2020. 

Wirral is set to take part in world-wide commemorations on Monday 27 January to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The extermination camp was liberated by Soviet soldiers on 27 January 1945 – 75 years ago to the day. 

The date is recognised around the world every year as Holocaust Memorial Day. Each year 800 local schoolchildren attend a special service of learning and remembrance at the Floral Pavilion. This year will see additional activities to mark the milestone anniversary.

75 lanterns – one for each year since the liberation of the death camp – will be lit around the boat pond in Port Sunlight as the sun sets at 4.15pm to mark this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day. 

A silver birch tree will also be planted in Birkenhead Park to provide a long-term reminder of the anniversary. The silver birch has been especially chosen as they grow all around Birkenau and, like Birkenhead itself, it is likely that Birkenau’s name derives from the area’s birch trees – Birken means birch in German. 

The Holocaust saw the systematic murder of millions of Jews during the Second World War. Jewish people from across Europe – from Jersey to the Greek Islands – were rounded up and sent to German death camps in Poland and eastern Europe, where they were subject to unimaginable cruelty including forced labour, medical experimentation and murder. Around seven in every 10 European Jews were killed. Other groups of people were also cruelly targeted based on their ethnicity, political outlook, disability and sexual orientation.

Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Tony Smith, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a day for everyone to reflect on those terrible events in our recent history. I would encourage as many people as possible to join me and the Mayoress at the boat pond in Port Sunlight, which will provide a calm and reflective setting for everyone to take a moment to remember to all those who were killed or suffered Nazi persecution.”

Lanterns containing memorial candles will be displayed at the boat pond outside the Lady Lever Art Gallery and Port Sunlight Museum from 4.15pm until 7.00pm on Monday 27 January.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) are warning people not to turn to loan sharks to cover the cost of Christmas. 

These unlicensed lenders charge extortionate amounts of interest and have been known to use threatening language, intimidation and even violence when demanding payments from their desperate victims. 

Using the hashtag #StopLoanSharksXMAS this year’s online campaign is providing the public with useful information and advice to ensure they stay safe and don’t fall victim to unscrupulous lenders. 

A series of videos including a Sharks Flashmob and catchy festive jingle will be shared from the Stop Loan Sharks Facebook and Twitter accounts to raise awareness of the issue. 

Tony Quigley, Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team said: “People may feel under pressure to borrow money in the run-up to Christmas but might not realise the situation they will find themselves in if they use a loan shark. 

“Our advice to residents in need of financial support would be to turn to a Credit Union rather than a loan shark who could take advantage and charge exorbitant interest rates. 
“We hope by turning the spotlight on loan shark activity we can help more people spot the dangers signs and seek help if they are affected.” 

All money lenders require proper permission from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to lend money and those who do not are acting illegally. 

The national team continues to investigate and prosecute loan sharks, which in past cases has included instances of blackmail, threatening behaviour, violence, kidnap, drugs offences and rape. 
 

Stay safe, borrow responsibly and start saving for next Christmas

• Remember: loan sharks should be avoided because they will make a difficult financial situation much worse.
• If you need to borrow money, check the lender is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
• There are legitimate services you can access for help with money, such as credit unions, which offer safe saving and affordable loans options. Find your nearest Credit Union.
• Start preparing your finances for next Christmas and open a savings account with your local credit union.
• For advice on all money matters, including debt and loans, contact the Citizens Advice Bureau advice line on 03444 111 444. 

You are not in trouble if you have borrowed cash or have been paying back a loan from an illegal money lender, the loan shark is. They are the people committing a crime, not you. 

Nationally, Illegal Money Lending Teams have secured more than 394 prosecutions for illegal money lending and related activity, leading to nearly 480 years’ worth of custodial sentences. They have written off £74.9 million worth of illegal debt and helped over 29,000 people. 

You can safely report a loan shark to the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222 or fill out the online form. 

1 in 3 children are living in poverty

You can help Cash for Kids make sure they have presents to open on Christmas morning

Mission Christmas is back to make this Christmas Day different for local children living in poverty. It’s a heart-breaking thought, but there are thousands of children living right here in our community who are in danger of waking up to no presents on Christmas Day. For some families, Christmas is a luxury they just can’t afford.

If you’re able to, please buy an extra present this year and donate it to Mission Christmas. Reliant the Robin will make sure it gets to the Big Man in time for Christmas Eve. We’re looking for new and unwrapped gifts suitable for children and young people aged 0 to 18.

When you donate your gifts Cash for Kids make sure they get to disadvantaged children near you.

All gifts should be new and unwrapped, and you can drop them off at Magenta Living's Partnership Building, click here for directions. 

Check out Radio City's map to find other drop-off points: www.radiocity.co.uk/mission

Thank you for making a difference to local children this Christmas!

The Journey of the Gift

 

A long serving tenant and Board Director of Magenta Living and local volunteer, Muriel Wilkinson was presented with her British Empire Medal by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Mark Blundell, on Friday 18 October at The Athenaeum in Liverpool.

Muriel was awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to housing having been officially involved with Wirral based Magenta Living since 2005. Muriel became a Company Member in 2008 and was officially appointed to the Magenta Living Board in April 2013.

Muriel has many years’ experience of voluntary work in various communities and has also run her own business. She is still an active member in her neighbourhood providing support and advice when needed to fellow tenants and residents. Muriel still arranges luncheon clubs and charity events where she lives, providing an opportunity for the community to come together.  

Muriel is Chair of the Wirral Residents Umbrella Association, which was set up in September 2010. The Umbrella Association as it’s known, is an independent group of Magenta Living tenants and residents representing the neighbourhoods where they live. By chairing this group, it provides an opportunity for Muriel to have real knowledge and insight into the neighbourhood activities and provides a voice for those involved direct to Magenta Living’s Board.

Muriel said: “I am so honoured and proud to have been awarded a British Empire Medal and to have it presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant. It has been an absolutely wonderful day and I’m so glad I got to share it with my family and chair of Magenta Living’s Board, David Clark. Volunteering and helping people is what I love doing and I’ll keep going until I have to retire!”

Muriel has recently been instrumental in helping develop and set up the Magenta Communities Committee. Magenta Communities oversees the delivery of activities which create social value in local neighbourhoods, something about which Muriel is extremely passionate.

Brian Simpson, Magenta Living Chief Executive said: “I’m so pleased that Muriel has been recognised for her services to housing in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s list. This is such a testament to Muriel’s service not only to Magenta Living but to her volunteering and community work too. Muriel is a fundamental part of our Board structure and continues to support our work within the neighbourhoods that we serve in.”

Demolition work has already begun on the site, which sits between Halton Road and Halton Court.

The £6.3m joint scheme will see Onward develop 18 two and three-bedroom homes for affordable rent and 30 two, three and four-bedroom homes for shared ownership, while Magenta Living will develop 16 three-bedroom homes for shared ownership sale and 55 two and three-bedroom homes for affordable rent.                       

Lin Powell, head of development at Onward, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Magenta Living to deliver these affordable homes in Halton.  

“As well as providing much-needed housing for local people in the area, we are proud to be giving this unused and derelict site a new lease of life.

“We already have strong roots in Runcorn and this latest development underlines our commitment to building and improving communities in the town.” 

Hannah Mahoney, trainee project manager at Magenta Living, said: “This is a really exciting development for us as it’s our first scheme in Runcorn and one of my first projects since recently joining the Development Team at Magenta Living. I’m really looking forward to seeing this taking shape. It’s great that we are able to offer a mix of shared ownership and affordable rent properties which will ensure significant regeneration in the area.

“We are proud to be working with Onward to create these high-quality homes. This project is the result of the partnership working ethos that has been developed through the Cutting Edge Framework.”

Cruden Construction Ltd have been appointed by Onward and Magenta Living to build the homes, which are due for completion in 2021.

The development has been part-funded by a £2m grant from Homes England.

All the properties for shared ownership, including those for Magenta Living, will be sold by Onward’s sales arm, Onward Living.