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Empowering customers at Scott Grange Find out how the Home Achievement Programme (HAP) is transforming lives
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Smart ways to save Learn how to save money by making smarter choices
Your money
Your safety
Home Group's customer magazine
Autumn/ Winter 2025
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Stay safe this festive season Advice on keeping you, your family, and neighbours safe
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We have refreshed the magazine based on your feedback, with a design that’s easier to read while still delivering the content that matters most. This issue also incorporates the winter tips guide, bringing everything together in one place. Inside, you will find:
Welcome to the new edition of Homelife
Spring 2025
Your voice
Spring/Summer 2025
Many households could save £1,000 a year by making smarter choices.
Clever ways to save
Check your benefits
Take 10 minutes to check your benefits. Even if you are working or retired, you may qualify. Use our benefits calculator, or ask our financial inclusion team.
Stretch your food Cook in bulk and freeze portions. Turn leftovers into soups, stir fries or lunches. Always check unit price not the actual price.
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Hunt for bargains Look for yellow sticker discounts and only buy what you’ll use. You can freeze bread, meat and dairy.
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Cook and eat wisely Use slow cookers, air fryers or microwaves to save energy. Packed lunches can save you around £20 a week per person. One pot meals are cheap and quick, try these recipes.
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Use technology Use Too Good To Go and Olio for cheap or free food. Some supermarket apps give discounts, vouchers and points.
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Make a list Lists keep you on budget. Use supermarket apps for coupons and offers. Compare prices with the Trolley app.
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Plan ahead Plan meals weekly to save money and cut waste. Try these cheap meals and free plans: Savvy Savings 4 Mums and The Family Cookbook.
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As a mum of two, Chanelle knows how quickly the weekly shop can add up and how hard it can be to find the time (and energy) to plan nutritious meals that everyone will enjoy. Over the years, she has learned a few tricks to make her food go further without sacrificing quality or taste.
Shop smart, eat well
Food banks can help We can refer you to the Trussell Trust and issue vouchers. Speak to your support worker, housing manager or our financial inclusion team.
Start saving habits Put aside £5 to £10 a week Use “round-up” savings apps or cashback Save windfalls and any spare change
Discover how you can also support your local food banks if you would like to donate.
Set a budget Track spending with free online tools or simply use a pen and paper Check bank statements and cancel unused subscriptions
Cut energy costs Use comparison sites (such as Uswitch, Compare the Market) Ask about better tariffs, even if you can’t switch. Check eligibility for Warm Home Discount, a one-off £150 payment
Lower your water bill Ask suppliers about Social Tariffs (you could get up to 50% off) Install free water-saving devices, your supplier can provide these Consider a meter if you use less water than average
Reduce Council Tax Single occupants get 25% off Check if your property is in the right band Apply for Council Tax Support if you are on low income
Citizens Advice StepChange Christians Against Poverty Or contact our financial inclusion team
Review insurance and bills Loyalty rarely pays. Compare insurance (car, home, life), broadband and mobile contracts yearly
Cut non-essentials Cancel or downgrade subscriptions Quit smoking. This could save heavy smokers around £4,000 a year Cut alcohol spend by alternating with soft drinks
Tackle debts early Average unsecured debt is £4,000 per adult. You can get free advice from:
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms Test them regularly to stay safe when using heating.
Timers Programme your heating to come on around the times you need it most, like mornings and evenings.
Thermostat Test it’s working properly and set it between 18–21°C.
Radiators Bleed them if they have cold spots and move furniture so heat can circulate.
Boiler Switch it on for a short time to make sure it’s working before cold weather sets in.
Checks to make before winter
To report a problem to us immediately, you can contact us online.
Do you have a problem with your heating?
As the weather cools and the nights draw in, it’s natural to wait before putting on the heating. However, now is the right time to get ready and test your heating system before it gets too cold.
Check your heating now
Sockets and plugs If using electric heaters, check leads and plugs for wear and avoid overloading sockets.
Insulation Close curtains at night, seal draughts, and keep doors closed to hold in heat.
Knowing how much energy your appliances use helps you understand running costs and find ways to save money.
Your energy usage
Kitchen
Actual costs vary by brand, features, and efficiency. You can also calculate exact costs using the Citizens Advice energy calculator.
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If anyone in your home is older or has a medical condition, don’t wait until it’s too cold. Health is more important than saving a few pounds.
Oven 52p–£1.30 per hour Dishwasher 47–78p per cycle Hob 26p–52p per hour per ring Air fryer 36p–44p per hour Microwave 18p–31p per hour Kettle 5–6p per 5 minutes Toaster 2–3p per 5 minutes Fridge freezer 1–4p per hour
Router/modem 3–12p per day Desktop PC 0.5–16p per hour Games console 2–5p per hour LED TVs 1–3p per hour Soundbar 0.5–5p per hour
Living room
Electric blanket 2–8p per hour Phone charger Less than 1p per hour Bedside lamp (LED) Less than 1p per hour Alarm clock Less than 1p per day
Bedroom
Immersion heater 78p–£1.17 per hour Tumble dryer 65p–£1.04 per cycle Lawnmower 26–65p per hour Washing machine 10–65p per cycle Iron 7–20p per 15–20 minutes
Utility/outdoor
Electric shower £1.82–£2.34 per 10 minutes Hair dryer 5–9p per 10 minutes Electric towel rail 2–5p per hour
Bathroom
Setting heating wisely Having the right thermostat settings matters. Aim for 18-21°C so your home feels comfortable without wasting energy. Lowering the thermostat just 1°C could help you save around £90 a year. Timing is important Turn the heating on about 30 minutes before you wake up and switch it off 30 minutes before you go to bed. When you're out, there’s no need to heat an empty house.
You'll usually feel it’s time to turn the heating on once indoor temperatures drop to about 15°C.
Click to view video
Click to learn more
Condensation, damp and mould are issues that can affect any home, but they should never be ignored.
Under Awaab’s Law, housing associations have a duty to respond quickly and effectively to reports of damp and mould. This law was introduced to make sure all customers are living in homes that are safe, healthy and well-maintained. In the video to the right, we’ve shared some simple condensation prevention tips to help you reduce moisture and protect your home.
We're here to help with condensation, damp and mould
Washing machine 10–65p per cycle Tumble dryer 65p–£1.04 per cycle Immersion heater 78p–£1.17 per hour Iron 7–20p per 15–20 minutes Lawnmower 26–65p per hour
Bedside lamp (LED) Less than 1p per hour Phone charger Less than 1p per hour Electric blanket 2–8p per hour Alarm clock Less than 1p per day
LED TVs 1–3p per hour Soundbar 0.5–5p per hour Games console 2–5p per hour Desktop PC 0.5–16p per hour Router/modem 3–12p per day
Air fryer £0.36–£0.44 per hour Oven £0.52–£1.30 per hour Hob £0.26–£0.52 per hour per ring Microwave £0.18–£0.31 per hour Kettle 5–6p per 5 minutes Toaster 2–3p per 5 minutes Fridge freezer 1–4p per hour Dishwasher 47–78p per cycle
Actual costs vary by brand, features, and efficiency. You can also calculate exact costs using the citizens advice energy calculator.
65p-£1.04 per cycle
Less than 1p per day
£1.82-£2.34 per 10 minutes
1-3p per hour
5-6p per 5 minutes
7-20p per 15 minutes
Less than 1p per hour
1-4p per hour
If the tips in the video have not helped, or you have a case of damp and mould (rather than condensation), you can report damp and mould by calling 0345 141 4663 (select the dedicated option) or online: Renters: report damp and mould online Homeowners: report damp and mould online
How to report damp and mould
You can visit our website to find out more about condensation, damp and mould, including what happens next, how we deal with it, and damp and mould in numbers.
Find out more
You can report anonymously, but sharing your details helps us gather evidence and keep you updated.
How to report issues
At Scott Grange, our short-term accommodation service, we’ve seen first-hand how the Home Achievement Programme (HAP) is transforming lives.
Empowering customers at Scott Grange
Designed especially for Home Group customers, HAP is a free training programme that helps people gain essential life skills, build confidence, and improve their overall wellbeing. Running for more than 15 years, the programme now supports over 1,000 active learners, with around 11,000 customers benefitting since its launch. It covers a wide range of topics, from budgeting, healthy eating and managing relationships to understanding benefits and volunteering opportunities. We recently spoke to several Scott Grange customers who shared their experiences of the programme and the difference it has made to their lives. “I learned how to budget my money and manage my tenancy better,” said one customer. Another added: “I now eat healthier and have completely changed my diet. The support I received throughout made such a difference.” For many, HAP is more than just a training course. It’s a pathway to stability and self-belief. Topics such as understanding social behaviour, drug and alcohol awareness, and positive relationships help participants rebuild confidence and resilience. Looking ahead, Home Group is developing a digital learning system that will allow customers to access the programme from their mobile phones, making it easier than ever to take part and learn at their own pace. When asked if they would recommend HAP to others, the response was unanimous. “Yes, definitely. It’s amazing what you can learn and the difference it makes to your day-to-day life.”
I now eat healthier and have completely changed my diet. The support I received throughout made such a difference.
Want to learn more about HAP? Email our team and begin your journey.
We've recently published our customer report for 2024/25.
Customer report 2024/25
The report has useful information about our mission, how we are performing, how we spend your money and ways customers can get involved with Home Group. Read the full report here.
What is ASB? It is any conduct that causes harassment, alarm, or distress to others. Examples include:
Online Call us on 0345 141 4663 In an emergency, always dial 999
Harassment or bullying Hate crimes Drug use or dealing Vandalism or graffiti Violence, threats, or theft Fly-tipping and damage to property
What is nuisance noise? Noise becomes a problem when it’s excessive or persistent, disturbing neighbours and the wider community. Common issues across winter include:
Loud parties indoors when people gather more often Music and shouting from late-night get-togethers Barking dogs left indoors for long periods Car alarms going off in cold weather DIY or noisy repairs during darker evenings
What happens after reporting We assess and investigate each case according to risk. We may ask you to keep a diary, make recordings with the noise app, or share photos. Sometimes mediation can help neighbours reach an agreement. If issues continue, you can request an ASB case review through your local council.
What isn’t ASB? Some disturbances are normal daily life, especially in winter when people spend more time indoors. This includes children playing, doors closing, cooking smells, DIY at reasonable times, or one-off celebrations. If these affect you, try a calm chat with your neighbour first. If problems persist and feel unreasonable, keep notes and let us know.
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) and nuisance noise
Stay safe this festive season
We know the festive season is busy, but it’s also a time when fire risks increase. A few simple checks can help keep you, your family, and neighbours safe.
Christmas trees If you have a real tree, keep it fresh by watering daily. Place it at least three feet away from heat sources like radiators or fireplaces.
Decorations and lights Many decorations are flammable. Keep them away from heaters and always check lights for damage. Use the right lights indoors or outdoors and switch them off before bed.
Candles Never leave candles unattended or near flammable items. Consider flameless LED candles as a safer option.
Sockets and cooking Avoid overloading plugs or using multiple extension leads. Never leave food cooking unattended and keep fabrics away from flames.
Smoke alarms Test your alarms regularly and call us on 0345 141 4663 if yours is faulty.
Stay vigilant and enjoy a safe, happy holiday.
