Welcome to the latest edition of Cottsway Connect. We’ve been busy with community clear-up days and four plays days since our last ezine so have made the most of the good weather and hope you did too. Below you’ll find information, updates and offers for you - we hope you find something of interest.
Be prepared! Test your heating now If your heating has been switched off over the warmer months, early autumn is the perfect time to check that it’s working properly. Doing this means you’ll have time to get any problems fixed before the colder weather sets in.
When you turn your heating on, make sure your boiler and radiators are heating up as expected and no error codes are showing. If you spot any issues, please contact us straight away. Funding support for you and your community Our Community Fund is here to make a difference - not just for local charities and voluntary groups, but also for you and the family members who live with you. Grants of up to £250 are available to support learning, education, and skills development for Cottsway customers. Funding up to £500 is also available to support you to hold a community building event or activity that will be of benefit to your neighbourhood. Beware of quishing - the QR code scam on the rise Quishing - short for 'QR code phishing' - is a growing scam where fraudsters use malicious QR codes to trick people into revealing sensitive information. For example, a scammer might place a sticker over a QR code on a restaurant menu or parking ticket machine. It looks legitimate but takes you to a fake website. As QR codes become more common in everyday life, staying vigilant is essential.
We’re starting to use QR codes on posters in blocks of flats to make it easier for you to access information about our services. Genuine codes from us only link to our official webpages and will never ask for personal or financial information. Double-check the source before scanning a code and don't go any further if anything appears suspicious at any time.
Whether you use QR codes or not, always be cautious online - never enter personal details on unfamiliar sites.
Have your say on the future Decent Homes Standard The government is consulting on major changes to the Decent Homes Standard, which sets the minimum quality benchmark for homes in the social housing sector in England.
For the first time, proposals include extending the standard to cover private rented homes as well as updating what the standard itself requires. The consultation runs until 10 September 2025 and is open to everyone.
There are 53 questions in total - some aimed at landlords, but many that give tenants and residents the chance to share their views on what decent, safe and good quality housing should look like. Our Scrutiny Group has already taken part to make sure Cottsway customers’ voices are represented, but why not add yours too? Find your local GP and see what patients say Looking for a GP or want to check patient feedback? The GP Patient Survey tool makes it easy. Simply enter your postcode or practice name to view detailed insights, including patient satisfaction scores and overall experience ratings.
Whether you’re new to an area or thinking about changing your GP, this tool helps you make informed decisions about your healthcare. FREE Mental health first aid training Previously, we offered customers the chance to take part in free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England accredited training. Eight customers have successfully completed the course and shared very positive feedback - and we now have funding for a few more places.
You can choose between adult or youth courses, and attend online or in-person. This is a great opportunity to improve your knowledge and skills in supporting mental health. The Four Million Homes programme - free training The Four Million Homes programme, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, aims to empower social housing residents by providing free knowledge, guidance, and training on resident rights and how to stand up for them.
From Tuesday 16 September to Tuesday 11 November, the programme is offering free online training sessions on a wide range of topics. Each session runs on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 12.30pm.
Cottsway customer Carole recently attended one of their workshops about setting up a residents' association. She said: "It was really informative with some good pointers, including about legislation that needs to be adhered to. It was great to talk to representatives of other resident associations and share their ideas and experience. I’d highly recommend attending if you’re interested in any of the topics on offer.” Join our Scrutiny Group Are you interested in reviewing performance and helping us improve our services? We currently have a vacancy on our Scrutiny Group and are looking for a new member to join.
It’s a great opportunity to get involved, have your say, and make a difference. | 
