Greeting from the Neighbourhood Network

“Dear bt13jz,

Sorry for the delay.

Please see the additional response to your further queries where they relate to either Artemis or Minerva. The remainder appear to relate to 'other trades people' or Hull City Council and as such we could not comment.

1. Please see the original response "Minerva has had huge success locally with regards its work with ex offenders but that work is only one facet of the services provided by Minerva". As stated on the Minerva website, we work with many client groups, including disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society.

2. Please see original response "Minerva offers a free service to residents (HU1-HU9) and the choice to utilise Artemis is one they are free to make themselves.". Residents are free to make their own choice as to whether they wish to avail themselves of the services offered.

The remaining queries do not appear to relate to either Artemis or Minerva but are generic questions of Hull City Council or their Call Centre or issues over competition in the local business sector. Once again, if there are any specific questions that relate to Artemis or Minerva, our Gillett Street office can be contacted on 01482 229 666.

Further information can be found ont he Minerva website http://tinyurl.com/9dswrnh”

“still no feedback then?”

“Thank you for your response and i have looked on the website but it does not answer the following.

1. Why is not clear on the website (it does not make any reference) that Minerva is an ex-offender programme? Transparency with public money?
2. How can our most vulnerable residents make an informed choice if they don't know all the facts?
2. The council do not offer a choice of providers on the 300300 number, why? this is unfair competition for other tradespeople
3. If service users are not doing the job as part of 'payback', how can this project be delivered for 'free', as there is no training taking place and its 'paid employed staff" are not generating any income? i thought that social enterprises had to operate like a business?
4. Does the council pay the tradespeople to deliver the work, for the first two hours?

The keypoint for the community safety network is safeguarding. I agree ex offenders should be involved in community work and rehabilitation but I think that offender schemes should be transparent especially when working with vulnerable people. I work with the elderly and I feel that is hypocritical for the council to say that they are regulating and restricting local tradespeople , but sending in 'payback' for free??? how is this justified?

My other concern is that it is unfair competition for local tradespeople. I understand 'social benefit', but people are not receiving training and the council is contracting one company to do the work and local workmen are loosing work through this scheme.

thank you for your time, please can you explain?”

“Thanks for your comments bt13jz.
We asked the Artemis and Minerva projects to answer your questions, so here is some more information. I hope this is helpful. If you want to know more you can call their offices (01482) 229666.

The Artemis project is a free scheme to help the elderly and vulnerable of our city with small odd jobs that they cannot carry out themselves. Clients can book a two hour slot, once each month, where a worker will carry out agreed odd jobs for them.

Minerva offers a free service to residents (HU1-HU9) and the choice to utilise Artemis is one they are free to make themselves. Minerva works in partnership with many local voluntary sector agencies who offer similar or complimentary services within the city. Clearly residents are free to utilise any or all of the services offered where they meet the qualifying criteria.

All Artemis workers have full CRB checks, carry photographic identification and are full time, paid employees of Minerva, chosen specifically for their skills in this field. The project has received high levels of positive feedback in the short time it has been running and has helped a significant number of residents across the city.

Minerva has had huge success locally with regards its work with ex offenders but that work is only one facet of the services provided by Minerva at our Gillett Street site and across the city. Project volunteers are not involved with the Artemis project but are given ample opportunities to be involved in working within the community at many levels on the projects we deliver.

Minerva is a Social Enterprise and a 'not for profit' organisation so profits from our commercial services are reinvested into supporting our workforce and hence the community that we serve.

If anyone would like more information about Artemis, Minerva or any of the projects or services we deliver, they can contact our Gillett Street offices on 01482 229 666.”

“I have a question I would like to ask about community safety team?
I read the article about Hull City Council, protecting residents from bogus workmen.

However the Council are recommending if you are vulnerable or elderly and want a handyman the 'Artemis project'. A partnership between Hull City Council and the Minerva Project.

This is a funded 'Handyman' scheme, undertaking 'odd jobs' for the residents of Hull (HU1 – HU9) who are over 65 years old or vulnerable adults". However I have read that Minerva are a project for ex offenders. How can this be in the interests of our residents most at risk?

This is also unfair competition for local qualified traders. I also thought that british legion 'when poppy calls' and hull council of disabled people ran a similar service ...if so why don't residents have a choice of which charity delivers the work?"
Also is there scope for an approved traders list on the community website which will offer people choice? I am not against the rehabilitation of ex offenders, but I do think people should be made aware and have a choice of exactly who they are letting in their home?”

“I have a point I would like to raise with the community safety Network?

I read the article about HCC, protecting residents from bogus workmen.

However the Council are recommending if you are vulnerable or elderly and want a handyman the 'Artemis project'. A partnership between Hull City Council and the Minerva Project.

As you are aware this is a funded 'Handyman' scheme, undertaking 'odd jobs' for the residents of Hull (HU1 – HU9) who are over 65 years old or vulnerable adults". However I have read that Minerva are a project for ex offenders. Why are they not clear about this on their website and how is this in the interests of our residents most at risk?

This is also unfair competition for local qualified traders. I also thought that british legion 'when poppy calls' and hull council of disabled people ran a similar service ...if so why don't residents have a choice of which charity delivers the work?"

Also is there scope for an approved traders list on the community network which will offer people choice? I am not against the rehabilitation of ex offenders, but I do think people should be made aware and have a choice of exactly who they are letting in their home.”