Is the service free?

We must charge a fee in order to cover the cost of running the service. New Charter makes a contribution to these running costs, so we can keep this fee as low as possible. Newscape is a social enterprise, or not-for-profit business, so it is not designed to make a profit.

How much does the service cost?

The service costs are priced individually, which is added to the rent you pay New Charter.

How do I pay for the service?

The weekly charge for the gardening service will be added to the rent you pay New Charter. Please note that the service will be cancelled if you do not keep up with your payments to New Charter.

How do I join the service?

If you would like to join or leave the service please phone Leanne on
0161 214 8303, email Leanne.Bold@stpeterspartnership.com

You will receive a letter from Newscape to confirm that you have been accepted onto the service. This letter will include the start date (which will always be a Monday), and details of your payments. Please note that you must join the service for a minimum period of 6 months.

If for any reason you cannot be accepted onto the scheme, you will be notified in writing of the reason for this.

How do I make a complaint if I’m not happy with the service?

If you have a complaint please phone Leanne on 0161 214 8303, email Leanne.Bold@stpeterspartnership.com , or write to Newscape, St Peter’s Partnerships, Clyde House Business Centre, Clyde Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. OL7 0NQ. Leanne will send or email you a copy of the Newscape complaints form. All complaints must be submitted in writing on this form, and will be investigated by Mick Brickell, who is the senior manager in charge of Newscape.

How do I leave the service?

If you would like to leave the service please phone Leanne on
0161 214 8303, email Leanne.Bold@stpeterspartnership.com
you must give 1 month’s notice to leave the service.

Under certain circumstances, New Charter may decide to terminate the service. Any decision to do so will be final.

Can Newscape plant some flowers for me?

Unfortunately Newscape is only able to provide a basic garden maintenance service, which includes cutting the grass, trimming hedges and removing weeds from paths.

If you would like to have any additional work done in your garden, such as planting, fencing, or paving, our St Peter’s Partnerships’ landscaping service Greenscape would be happy to give you a quote. Please phone Mick Brickell on 0161 214 8301, or email Mick.Brickell@stpeterspartnership.com

How often will you come to do my garden?

Newscape will come to do your garden as requested.

How long will you spend doing my garden?

During the summer, we spend up to 30 minutes doing your garden, depending on the size of the garden. If it is the first time we have come to do your garden, we will spend a maximum of 45 minutes on it.

During the winter, we spend up to 15 minutes doing your garden, depending on the size of the garden. If it is the first time we have come to do your garden, we will spend a maximum of 30 minutes on it.

Is there anything else I need to know about the service?

We remove all green waste for recycling at no extra cost.

We will not remove any household rubbish items that have been left in your garden. Please be aware that you may be fined by New Charter if your property is not maintained to a satisfactory standard.

Section 6.11 of your tenancy agreement states: “You, those who live with you and/ or those who visit you must not cause or commit any act of violence or any form of harassment or intimidation against any member of our Staff, or any person authorised to act on our behalf.” This also applies to Newscape staff

Do I need to be there when you come to do my garden?

You do not need to be at home when we come to do your garden, if it is possible to get access to your garden when you are not there. If we arrive at your property and can’t get access to your garden, we will phone you to re-arrange. If it is still not possible to get access, we will carry out the work the following month.

How will I know it’s definitely Newscape when you arrive to do my garden?

All our staff carry an ID card and wear Newscape uniforms, which comprise of a green polo shirt with the Newscape logo on the sleeve and black trousers.

To protect the safety of New Charter tenants, we also carry out CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks on all staff before they join us.

How can I get a job with Newscape?

Absolutely anyone can become a Newscape trainee, as long as they live in the St Peter’s ward of Ashton. To find out if your address is in this ward, go to http://www.tameside.gov.uk/forms/wards.php3. All of our Newscape trainees come to us via the St Peter’s People Learnscape course. There are no exceptions to this rule, so if you are interested in becoming a Newscape trainee, you must enrol on the course. Please phone Sandy on 0161 339 9403, or email Sandy.Gort@stpeterspartnership.com

The course costs nothing, and covers a range of key areas:

• health and safety in the work place (accredited)

• manual handling (accredited)

• COSHH (accredited)

• RIDDOR (accredited)

• personal protective equipment (accredited)

• ergonomics on site machines (accredited)

• fire prevention (accredited)

• risk assessment (accredited)

• stress awareness (accredited)

• customer care, communication skills

• writing a CV

• filling in application forms

• interview techniques