Salix Homes Newsletter
April 2025
Welcome to the April 2025 edition of our customer newsletter, aiming to keep you updated with the latest news from Salix Homes.
In this edition:
• Upgrade your electricity meter: Switch to a smart meter before 30 June
• Update your online Universal Credit account
• Membership at Salford Youth Zone is now open for sign up!
• Worried about bills or need assistance with applying for benefits? Salford City Council can help!
• The UK digital phone switchover – What you need to know
• National Trust Sky Gardening Challenge has launched
• Our Easter weekend opening hours
• Secure a plot at Heath Avenue community allotment
• Action day in Gloucester Street and Rudman Drive Alleyway
• Supporting Pet Health in Greater Manchester
Upgrade your electricity meter: Switch to a smart meter before 30 June
Did you know the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) will be permanently switched off by 30 June 2025? If you have an RTS electricity meter, you’ll need a smart meter upgrade to keep your heating and hot water running.
What happens next? If you do have an RTS meter, your energy supplier should contact you as soon as possible to arrange a free smart meter upgrade.
Visit the Ofgem website for more information by clicking the button below:
Update your online Universal Credit account
If you’re in receipt of Universal Credit, you must update your online Universal Credit account with your new rent figure to ensure that your increased housing costs are covered.
If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to update your information today.
Membership at Salford Youth Zone is now open for sign up!
Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) is the place for young people to discover, grow, and connect – offering over 20 exciting activities each session, a free hot meal, and a safe, supportive space, all for just 50p per visit!
From music to sports, arts to gaming, SYZ have something for everyone to enjoy and explore, all while being supported every step of the way by the SYZ incredible team of youth workers.
Young people can join SYZ today and become part of an incredible community.
Sign up now:
Worried about bills or need assistance with applying for benefits? Salford City Council can help!
You can reach out online or visit your local gateway centre to chat with the Salford City Council Better Off team.
For more information, visit salford.gov.uk/betteroff
The UK digital phone switchover – What you need to know
The UK is changing from traditional landlines to digital phone services. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s happening: The country is moving away from the old phone system to a new digital system. This means traditional landline phones will no longer work as they did before.
What you should know:
• Your landline isn’t disappearing, but how it works may change.
• Many customers are already switching when upgrading to full fibre broadband.
• Your telecom provider (BT, Virgin Media O2, etc.) will contact you if you’re affected.
When is this happening: The switch is due to happen in stages over the next few years, to complete the move over by 2027.
What you need to do: If you have a landline, you will need to upgrade your phone or service to one that works with the new digital system.
How it affects you: Most people will need to make some changes. If you or someone you know rely on a landline for telecare services (fall monitors, lifelines, or personal alarms), contact your landline provider and check with your telecare supplier to make sure your device is compatible.
Important note: Digital landlines may not work during power cuts. If you have concerns about contacting emergency services during outages, contact your telecom provider for potential solutions.
To stay up to date, keep an eye out for updates from your service provider.
Please also feel free to share this information with others.
National Trust Sky Gardening Challenge has launched
National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge launched on 3 April, encouraging Greater Manchester residents to get greening on their balconies and welcome nature to their skyline spaces.
We’re working with them to encourage you to give greening a go – whether you’re a nature novice or gardening pro.
Together, all the balconies in Greater Manchester cover an area the size of more than 33 football pitches. Greening just 1/4 of these could host enough flowers to support 1.4 million pollinators – so your small space could make a big impact.
You can sign up to receive a free expert balcony gardening guide and monthly Sky Gardening Challenge newsletters via email or post. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/sky-gardening-challenge
As we’re working with the National Trust on this project, you’ll also be able to sign up for local Salford Sky Gardening Challenge workshops. These are running throughout May – you can find out more at nationaltrust.org.uk/sgc-events
Get updates about National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge and access extra balcony gardening advice by following them on Instagram or Facebook @NTSkyGardeningChallenge
Our Easter weekend opening hours
Reception at Diamond House will be closed from 4:30 pm on Thursday 17 April until 8:30 am on Tuesday 22 April.
The Customer Service Centre (phone lines) will be closed from 9 pm on Thursday 17th April until 8 am on Tuesday 22 April.
We will still be available for emergencies throughout the bank holiday period. If you need an emergency repair, please call 0800 218 2000.
You can continue to book routine repairs or report any issues through MySalix.
Secure a plot at Heath Avenue community allotment
Did you know about our community run allotment?
In partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, we run a community allotment in a patch next to the Broughton Trust Humphrey Booth Centre, M7 1NY.
We hold regular drop-ins for you to come along and learn with us how to grow your own fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers, grow wildlife friendly plants, and how to make crafts out of natural materials.
For more information and to secure a plot at the allotment, email madison.plaister@salixhomes.co.uk
Action day in Gloucester Street and Rudman Drive Alleyway
During this year’s Great British Spring Clean residents, Salford City Council, and Salix Homes teams joined forces for a clean-up day in Ordsall.
Gloucester Street and Rudman Drive alleyway is a fly-tipping hotspot, causing worry among residents and prompting the need for change.
We joined forces with our partners and residents to organise a day of action to coincide with the Great British Spring Clean, which is a national event run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy to encourage people to help clean-up where they live.
Thanks to everyone’s hard work, the action day focused on cleaning up the area while also improving security and raising awareness about recycling.
Supporting Pet Health in Greater Manchester
We’re proud to support PDSA with a £1,500 donation from our Springboard Community Fund to help provide essential care for poorly pets across Greater Manchester.
For many pet owners, it’s heartbreaking when their furry friends fall ill or get injured. PDSA is a lifeline, offering vital support through 49 Pet Hospitals across the UK. This funding will help cover consultation costs at PDSA’s Manchester Pet Hospital, ensuring pets get the treatment they need and owners receive the support they deserve.
Read more about this heartwarming initiative:
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