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Talkback competition winnersTalking back means prizes for mhs customers

"Talking back" meant that a couple from mhs homes won a huge basket of fruit after they entered a competition to name the first newsletter specifically designed for our sheltered scheme residents.

Brian and Brenda Barnes from Thorndike House, one of our sheltered schemes based in Chatham came up with the name "Talkback" for the new magazine. Brenda said, "We were really surprised to hear that our suggestion had won. The name just came off the top of my head, we thought it was catchy and covered what mhs wanted, but we never thought we would win the fruit. Having our own newsletter is great, it keeps everyone in touch and lets us know what’s going on in the different schemes too."

Last year all residents were asked about the type of the service they would like to receive and one of the suggestions was to introduce a newsletter specifically for sheltered scheme residents. The newly named "Talkback" magazine will be launched in April and will be produced every quarter for all mhs customers living in our 21 sheltered schemes.

Angela Darling, Senior Support Officer for Links, the supporting arm of mhs homes, presented Brian and Brenda with the basket of fruit, she said, "The name "Talkback" was chosen from a wide range of suggestions because it was short and punchy and covered exactly what we wanted. We will be encouraging our customers to get involved with the magazine, through an editorial team. They will be able to give their views and suggest possible topics for future issues, so we are covering what our customers want to read."

mhs homes’ recently named support service, Links enables customers to have contact with voluntary and statutory agencies as well as mhs homes departments to gain access to health services, benefit and employment advisors, training and community resources and maintain social networks.