Homelife Issue77 December 2017would be able to own my own home. Right to Part Buy is a unique scheme...
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Wandsworth Council’s housing newsletter Issue 77 December 2017 www.wandsworth.gov.uk/housingnews Home life New homes named after local WW1 heroes page 11 Home ownership open day success page 4 Fire safety bedding for vulnerable residents page 13 Estates get spruced up See page 16
Transcript of Homelife Issue77 December 2017would be able to own my own home. Right to Part Buy is a unique scheme...
Wandsworth Council’s housing newsletter Issue 77 December 2017
www.wandsworth.gov.uk/housingnews
Home lifeNew homes named after
local WW1 heroespage 11
Home ownership open day success
page 4
Fire safety bedding forvulnerable residents
page 13
Estates get spruced up See page 16
Doing it onlineThere are a range of housing services and information available on our website wandsworth.gov.uk/housing
Talk to us online Report It app
Housing contacts
Apply for housing and transfers wandsworth.gov.uk/hcs/housingoptions
Report a repair to a councilpropertywandsworth.gov.uk/repairs
Report a waste problemwandsworth.gov.uk/waste
Report graffitiwandsworth.gov.uk/graffiti
Pay your council taxwandsworth.gov.uk/paycounciltax
Pay your rentwandsworth.gov.uk/rents
Other paymentswandsworth.gov.uk/payments
Housing Customer Centre 90 Putney Bridge Road, LondonSW18 1HR
Western Area Housing Office38 Holybourne Avenue, RoehamptonLondonSW15 4JE
Housing hotline: 020 8871 6161
Housing Area Teams Central: 020 8871 5333Eastern: 020 8871 7439Southern: 020 8871 7288Western: 020 8871 5530
If you do not know your area team email: [email protected]
Wandsworth Emergency Control(housing emergencies, out of hours)020 8871 7490
Home [email protected]
Downsizing [email protected]
Landlords looking for [email protected]
Other council contactsAdult social services 020 8871 7707
Births, Deaths, Marriagesand Voting 020 8871 6120
Child social services 020 8871 6622
Environmental services (includingpest control, private housing)020 8871 6127
Finance (including council tax,benefits, rent, service charges)020 8871 8081 To make a telephone payment 0800 021 7763
Parking and Streets 020 8871 8871
Rubbish, recycling and litter 020 8871 8558
weekly e-newsletterwandsworth.gov.uk/e-news
Wandsworth Report Itmakes it easier for anyone toreport problems like flytipping,
graffiti and other environmentalissues. Search for the WandsworthReport It app on the Apple, Android or Windows app store.
My AccountCreate an account and you will onlyhave to sign in once to access themain council services.wandsworth.gov.uk/myaccountfacebook.com/
wandsworth.council
twitter.com/wandbc
Battersea, Clapham and Central Wandsworth (orthroughout the borough if your heating is supplied by acentral communal boiler.)Smith and Byford Ltd 0800 028 0824
Putney, Roehampton and TootingT.Brown Group Ltd 0800 977 8472
To find out your gas contractor 020 8871 7040
For breakdowns, leaks and servicing of heating/hot water systems speak to your gas contractor:
Wandsworth has the largest number offull fibre-enabled homes in the capital,and we want to make the serviceavailable to more than 10,000properties by the end of the year.
Wandsworth is working with acompany called Community Fibre Ltd toinstall ‘Gigafast’ broadband in council-managed blocks. So far more than5,500 homes across the Savona,Patmore, Carey Gardens, Doddington,Kambala, Rollo and Surrey Lane estateshave the capacity to access the service.
The council has now announced thatproperties on the Winstanley and YorkRoad estates, St James Grove, theAshburton, Wendlesworth, Arndale,William Willison and Alton estates willbe next in line. Work will be carried outover the next few months.
The Gigafast service has clockeddownload speeds of over 1,000megabits per second – around 47 timesfaster than the UK average of 22.8megabits per second (Ofcom figure). Ituses optical fibre cables installeddirectly into people’s homes, ratherthan the old copper technology.
Using Gigafast broadband means thatfamilies are able to download films,music and browse on multiple devices
at the same time with no drop inperformance. Equally, those who workor study from home could benefit fromincreased internet speeds and betteraccessibility.
Customers don’t have to pay a linerental charge as with other providers,and downloads are unlimited. TheGigafast service costs residents £50 amonth to subscribe to the unlimited‘gigabit per second’ speeds, with otherpackages also available for residentswho do not need a full speed service.
The council’s Cabinet Member forHousing, Cllr Clare Salier said:“Ultrafast broadband means residentson our estates will be able to usemultiple device, easily work from homeor run a small business, stream as muchmedia as they want and truly make themost of fast online access.
“I’m delighted that our partnershipwith Community Fibre has alreadyconnected so many homes, and I wouldurge residents on the next wave ofestates to find out what this servicecould offer them.”
To find out more or sign up for Gigafastbroadband in your home visitwww.communityfibre.co.uk
Our annual home ownership open daywas a great success again this year withover 1000 visitors dropping by to talk toour dedicated Home Ownership Team.The Civic Suite was bustling withresidents keen to find out about thedifferent schemes available to help thembuy a home, including Right to Buy andShared Ownership (see pages 4-5).
I am pleased to announce that thecouncil successfully bid for funding fromthe London Fire Brigade to helpresidents prevent fires in their homes.The funding has been spent on fireretardant bedding for elderly andvulnerable residents. The fire brigadevisited residents at the Lennox ShelteredScheme in Roehampton to deliver setsand offer fire safety tips (see page 13).
As Christmas approaches, I amdelighted to see that the RotaryChristmas Day party is celebrating its55th year. This is such a wonderful eventwhich provides elderly residents with afree meal and entertainment onChristmas Day. The event would not bepossible without the volunteers whomake the day so special. If you’d like tobe involved see page 19.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Homelife. Ifyou have any suggestions please contactme at [email protected]
Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity towish you all a very Merry Christmas anda Happy New Year.
Welcome to the winteredition of Homelife.
More council homesget gigafast broadbandMore people living on estates in Battersea, Wandsworth andRoehampton are getting the chance to sign up for broadbandoffering some of the fastest connection speeds in London.
Cllr Clare SalierCabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration
Testing broadband speeds in Battersea
Home Ownership TeamImproving purchase options for council tenants
Residentsflock toopen dayIn October, the council hosted their annual affordablehousing event at the Wandsworth Civic Suite. Over 1000visitors turned out to find out more about low cost homeownership options in the borough.The council’s Home Ownership Team gave one-to-one advice about getting onthe property ladder.
Independent financial advisers, legal experts and housing providers were all onhand to advise on topics such as mortgages, the buying process and to showcasebrand new shared ownership units emerging in Wandsworth.
One lucky visitor won a £100 Argos voucher when her details were picked atrandom from over 100 exit surveys filled in by visitors on the day.
The lucky winner was Chamairy Wilson from Battersea. She said: “The open dayhas been good. There was lots of information about the different routes you areable to go down to buy a home.”
020 8871 6161Email: [email protected]
www.wandsworth.gov.uk/homeownership
If you want more information about the council’s home purchase schemes, an information pack or application form, please contact:
Right to Part BuySarah from Battersea spoke tothe team about buying a share ofher council property through theRight to Part Buy scheme.
Buying my propertyoutright is not anaffordable option for me,
but the team have just told meabout Right to Part Buy where Ican buy a percentage of my flat. Iam definitely going to look intothis as I never thought Iwould be able to own myown home.
Right to Part Buy is a uniquescheme which allowsWandsworth Council residents tobuy either 25% or 50% of theircouncil home at a discount andpay a low rent on the rest. To beeligible to apply, you must be asecure tenant with at least threeyears tenancy. You must not havereceived Housing Benefit in the 12months before your applicationand you must pass an affordabilitytest. This is a great scheme tohelp council tenants take theirfirst steps towards buying ahome.
Shared Ownership helps locals who cannot afford to buy a home at fullmarket value. It allows you to part buy, part rent a home. Shared Ownershipcan help you invest in your own home at an affordable rate. To be eligible for aproperty in Wandsworth you must live or work in the borough.
Turn to page 6 to see some of the latest Shared Ownership propertiesavailable in the borough.
Virginia said:
I have lived in the boroughfor 11 years and now andwant to find out about
buying my own home. I came tothe open day to find outmore about SharedOwnership.
Virginia (left) and Suzanna (right)
Shared Ownership
Right to Buy Right to Buy is a popular option for council tenants wishing to purchase the homethat they live in. Tenants can receive a discount of up to £104,900 off the marketvalue of the property. You must have at least three years tenancy to apply.
To read our helpful Right to Buy information booklet and to find out more aboutthe home purchase process visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/homeownership
If you want more information about the council’s home purchase schemes, an information pack or application form, please contact:
020 8871 6161Email: [email protected]
www.wandsworth.gov.uk/homeownership
Vista, SW8 - Peabody A brand new scheme to be launched in the new year with 54homes available (19 one-beds and 35 two-beds). For furtherinformation you can contact the sales team on 020 7021 4842or check the website www.peabodysales.co.uk
Falcon Road, SW11 - Thames ValleyHousing A combination of nine modern one and two bed apartmentsin Battersea. Located in SW11, with great rail connections,the development is ideally placed.
For further information you can call 020 8607 0550, [email protected] or sign up for updates on the websitetvhsales.co.uk/properties/search
New shared ownership developmentsin the borough - apply now!
Please note:, Wandsworth Council tenants with over two years tenancy can use the House Purchase Grant towardsbuying a shared ownership property and will receive a high priority.
To find out more about new shared ownership homes sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at wandsworth.gov.uk/e-news
Embassy Gardens, SW11 - Optivo A new scheme consisting of 14 one-bed and 24 two-bedhomes will be launching shortly. This contemporarydevelopment in the Nine Elms regeneration area boasts alocation close to the Thames with excellent transport linksinto central London. For further information you can call0800 012 1442, email [email protected] orwww.optivo.org.uk
Council awarded foranimal welfare work National animal charity, the RSPCA, has awardedWandsworth for its commitment to animal welfare. Wandsworth achieved the gold standard in both the stray dogs and housingcategories – both of which the council has consistently achieved since the awardsbegan in 2008 - for animal-friendly policies and for going above and beyond thestatutory requirements for animal welfare.
Wandsworth has a dedicated Animal Welfare Team which helps track down lostpets, responds to complaints about dangerous or nuisance animals andencourages responsible pet ownership. Their work includes school visits and awork experience programme, courses in safety around dogs, a free neuteringservice for registered dogs (in partnership with the Wandsworth and Wimbledonbranch of the RSPCA) and one-to-one advice for residents whose dogs may causeanti-social behaviour or nuisance to others.
Wandsworth was also the first council in the country to introduce compulsory petmicrochiping for council tenants and leaseholders which helps to curb anti-socialbehaviour on your estates and reuniting dozens of lost pets with their ownerseach year.
The council reunited 65 stray dogs with their owners in the past year. A further19 were taken to rescue centres because their owners could not be identified. All19 of these dogs had not been microchipped or their microchip details were notup to date, both of which are now legal requirements. The council provides freemicrochipping for council tenants and leaseholders.
Free chippingand neuteringAll dogs aged six weeks or overmust be microchipped by law.
Council tenants and leaseholderscan get their dogs microchippedand neutered for FREE whilestocks last.
Book an appointment today!
Free pet health checksIn the near future, the council willbe holding FREE pet healthsessions on estates across theborough.
If you live in a Wandsworthcouncil property bring your cat ordog along for a free check-up.
For more details [email protected]
Healthworkshopsin yourcommunityThe council recently ran healthand wellbeing workshops withthe Al Muzzamil Mosque inTooting.
The workshops which were open tothe whole local community were funand relaxed. They were well attendedwith locals keen to find out more aboutimproving their health and wellbeing.
The four two-hour workshops covereda range of topics, including support forparents of children with learningdisabilities, healthy eating, physicalactivity and mental health andwellbeing.
Wandsworth Council’s Health Trainersaim to empower and help participantsto improve their own wellbeing andpromote the wellbeing of their family,friends and wider community.
As part of Wandsworth Council’scommitment to health and wellbeing,we are offering free health workshopsto individuals and organisations basedin the borough.
Health Trainers can help you find yourway to a happier, healthier futureeither through one-to-one or groupworkshops. The team explore varioushealth and wellbeing topics such ashealthy eating, getting active, stoppingsmoking, setting goals andsignposting to other services.
If you are interested in booking aHealth Trainer workshop for the newyear please contact 020 8871 5052 [email protected]
Stewarts Road, Thessaly Road and Savona Street,in Battersea A total of 57 new council homes, across the three sites on thePatmore and Savona Estates, are under construction to helpmeet local housing demand. The 57 new homes, which are afew minutes’ walk from Battersea Power Station, areexpected to be complete from the summer 2018. Theserented houses will be prioritised for local estate tenants whowant to downsize, or overcrowded households - once thesehouseholds move in, the homes they leave behind will beoffered to other local people in need, creating chains ofbeneficial moves.
The homes are to be named after local First World Warheroes who were awarded the Victoria Cross. (See page 11)
Nutwell Street, Tooting Two new three-bedroom, semi-detached council houses forrent are being built and are expected to be complete laterthis year, when they will be offered to local people on thecouncil’s housing register.
Limpsfield Avenue, near Wimbledon Common Two brand new, three-bedroom semi-detached houses inLimpsfield Avenue have now been let out to their newtenants. The properties include high-efficiency boilers andphotovoltaic panels to reduce energy bills.
The council’s housebuilding programme has seen morethan 250 homes built on under-used spaces of council landwith a further 260 plus homes in the pipeline all for low costrent. Twenty-three sites across the borough are either in theearly stages of construction, or have been granted planningpermission. These are expected to become available for localresidents in the next three years.
By building on council land, Wandsworth Council saves landpurchase costs and achieves exceptional value.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Clare Salier said: “Formany years Wandsworth has built new council homesthrough its Hidden Homes programme on under-used plotsof land, an approach which other local authorities have sincetaken up. However, we recognise that we need to do more toprovide local homes and have tasked officers not just todeliver the 260 homes in the pipeline but to identify othersites where homes for rent and for sale, prioritised for localresidents and workers, can be built.”
New council homes takingshape across the boroughThe council’s housing department is building more and more council homesfor social rent in Battersea, Putney and Tooting.
Building work on the Stewarts Road site has reached two storeys
New family homes on Limpsfield Ave are now complete
Building works underway on Nutwell Street, Tooting.
Crackdownon tenancyfraud saves£2.8millionForty eight council andhousing associationhomes were recoveredfrom tenancy fraudstersand let to people ingenuine need fromSeptember 2016 toSeptember 2017.The crackdown has saved the councilan estimated £2.8million in temporaryaccommodation costs.
Figures from September show that268 investigations took place in theprevious 12 months, with a further 82still in process.
Tenancy fraud can take many forms,including unlawful sub-letting,keeping a council home while livingelsewhere, or falsifying a claim tosucceed a property.
Cabinet Member for Housing, CllrClare Salier said: “We won’t hesitateto take action against fraudsters whoare not only depriving homeless andovercrowded households of a home,but who are also cheating other law-abiding, rent-paying tenants andWandsworth taxpayers.”
The investigations were the result ofjoint working between the council,South London Legal Partnership andSouth West London FraudPartnership.
The council rents out around 17,000properties in Wandsworth. Each yearthousands of spot checks are carriedout to ensure that these flats areoccupied by their legitimate tenants.
Anyone with information about councilhomes being sub-let or misused canreport this to the South West LondonFraud Partnership on (020) 8871 8383or email [email protected]
In September this year, councillorsbacked proposals to replace theexisting 1960s library building with anew larger and better public libraryand community centre offering awider range of services.
Following public consultation, thelatest proposals are for a modernthree storey library, incorporating animproved children’s section completewith buggy parking space, enlargedstudy accommodation, upgradedcomputer areas and a coffee outletnext to the area for newspapers and magazines.
The new library building would alsoincorporate a separate communitycentre for use by local groups,including a nursery. It would alsocreate a new business suite on itssecond floor offering small businessesand the self-employed work spaceand meeting rooms for hire.
The existing library building thatfronts Northcote Road is now nearly50 years old and was built at a time
when library services were much morelimited in their scope. Its design isoutdated by modern standards withlimited space for computers, poorventilation and no space for prams or buggies.
Last year was another record year forlocal libraries with the largest numberof book issues in the capital. Recentfigures from CIPFA showed that in2015/2016, Wandsworth residentswere London’s most dedicated library users, borrowing more than1.4m books.
Earlsfield Library has recently beencompletely redecorated, BatterseaLibrary has been upgraded and thechildren’s library at Tooting has beentotally refurbished. Work has nowstarted on a brand new WandsworthTown Library while plans are beingdrawn up to replace another twobranches at York Gardens andRoehampton with new state-of-the-art buildings offering a wider range of services.
Plans approved for abigger and betterNorthcote LibraryResidents living in and around Battersea’sNorthcote Road could soon be able to visit abigger and better library in the heart of theirneighbourhood.
Wandsworth EnterpriseWeek provides a range offree support, advice andevents to local businesses tohelp them flourish, developand expand. The dates forWandsworth EnterpriseWeek 2018 have beenconfirmed as March 5-10.The council’s flagship business eventbrings together more than 20 events
which include workshops, one-to-oneadvice clinics, panel discussions,networking receptions and masterclasses; speakers, support and advicefrom industry experts in a focussedprogramme, to help and supportentrepreneurs grow their existingbusiness or assist and motivate thosewho are considering starting one.
Now in its 5th year, WandsworthEnterprise Week is a highlight of the localbusiness calendar which has directlyinspired, guided and motivated over6,000 local entrepreneurs since theprogramme launched in 2014. Google,Virgin Start Up, NatWest, the Prince’s
Trust are just a few of the organisationsthat have been involved in the event andprevious speakers include: Tim Campbelland Margaret Mountford (TheApprentice); Charlie Mullins, (PimlicoPlumbers); and Jo Fairley,(Green andBlacks Chocolates).
Local businesses and organisationsinterested in finding more aboutsponsorship and advertisingopportunities in the run up to and duringWandsworth Enterprise Week shouldcontact Jenni Asiama,[email protected] or visitwww.wandsworthenterpriseweek.biz
WandsworthEnterprise Weekhelps local businesses
How to prevent condensationCondensation can lead to dampness and mould, but there are simpleways of preventing it.Condensation is water whichcollects on a cold surface, such aswindows and walls.
It is caused by warm moisture in theair. You will notice it when you seeyour breath on a cold day or whenyour bathroom mirror mists overwhen you have a bath.
Read our top tips:
• The single most important step isto ensure good ventilation inkitchens and bathrooms. Openwindows slightly and use anextractor fan when using these room
• Keep all occupied roomsventilated - do not block up airvents or turn off extractor fans
• Close kitchen and bathroom doorswhilst using these rooms toprevent steam escaping
• Put lids on pans when cooking
• Do not put wet washing onradiators to dry
• If you hang your clothes up to dryinside, open a window slightly
• Heat your home, even when youare not at home. Constant lowheating is better than extreme
hots and colds and the overallcosts are often similar. Aminimum air temperature of 10 °Cday and night is recommended
• Vacuuming helps to remove mould spores and dust. Mouldfeeds on dust
• Use a dry cloth to wipe awaymoisture from windows, sills,mirrors or walls each morning
• Where mould has started todevelop, wash it off using a mildbleach solution or mould remover
New homes honourlocal heroesNew council homes in Battersea are to be namedafter local First World War soldiers who wereawarded the Victoria Cross.
Haine Court, Lascelles House andEdward Foster Court are being built onthe Patmore and Savona housingestates, which will provide 57 newhomes for low cost rent fro locals. Thenew homes are expected to becompleted in phases from mid-2018onwards.
They are named after First World Warsoldiers 2nd Lieutenant Reginald Haine,Captain Arthur Moore Lascelles, andCorporal Edward Foster, who were bornwithin present-day borough boundariesand received the highest armed forcesaward for gallantry in the face of theenemy, the Victoria Cross.
Edward Foster lived in Tooting and wasa council dustman before joining 13thBattalion The East Surrey Regiment, a‘pals battalion’ raised by the Mayor ofWandsworth in 1915. On 24 April, 1917,the 31-year-old was engaged in fightingnear the French village of Villers-Plouich. The battalion was held up by aGerman trench position strengthenedwith barbed wire and a machine gun. CplFoster stormed the trench but duringhand to hand fighting he lost his gun andused grenades to dislodge the enemy.He recovered his gun then used it toknock out the machine gun position. Aswell as the Victoria Cross, he wasawarded the Médaille Militaire, France’sthird highest decoration for bravery. CplFoster survived the war and lived inTooting until his death in 1946.
Reginald Haine’s family lived in WilnaRoad, Earlsfield, when he was born. 2ndLt Haine was serving in the HonourableArtillery Company near Gavrelle innorthern France, and on 28 and 29 April,1917, his position came under fire froma larger German force. The young officerled six counter-attacks that seized key
positions along with 50 prisoners andtwo machine guns which he defendeduntil the morning when he took theinitiative again and recaptured lostground. He had led his men withexceptional courage for 30 hours ofcontinuous fighting. 2nd Lt Hainesurvived the war and attained the rankof Lieutenant Colonel in the IndianArmy, receiving a Military Cross foraction on the North West Frontier in1919, and in the Second World War hecommanded a Home Guard battalion.He died in 1982.
Arthur Moore Lascelles was born on 12October, 1880, at Wilby Lodge,Nightingale Lane, Balham, although hisbirth was registered in Streatham. Hewas an acting captain in 3rd BattalionDurham Light Infantry when his positionat Masnieres in France came underheavy bombardment on 3 December,1917. Despite being wounded byshrapnel Capt Lascelles encouraged hismen and organised his unit’s defenceuntil the attack was repulsed. Continuedheavy fire eventually overran hisposition, prompting Capt Lascelles tomount a desperate counter-attackwhich, against all odds, drove back theenemy. He was killed in action less thana year later at Fontaine-au–Bois onNovember 7, 1918, just days before theArmistice was signed.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr ClareSalier, said: “These servicemen foughtwith extraordinary courage, and it is onlyright that a century on we continue as aborough to honour them and tocommemorate their heroism. Throughthe provision of new council homes, thenames of these bravest sons ofWandsworth live on in serving theircommunity.”
Arthur Lascelles
Edward Foster
Reginald Haine
New plaque unveiledon housing estate inSummerstownThe new plaquecelebrates the famoushistoric athletics trackwhich once stood on thesite of BurmesterHouse. For just over a decade in the midnineteenth century, there was anextraordinary athletics venue just offGarratt Lane in Wandsworth. Crowds intheir thousands flocked regularly toattend sporting spectacles at RobertSadler’s Copenhagen Running Groundsin Summerstown. Locals and visitorsalike would come for a few drinks and awager on some the biggest sportingcelebrities of the age. The runnerscame from all over the country andmuch further afield, most famously thenative North American known as
‘Deerfoot’ who ran in his traditionalcostume.
Sadler ran his business from AlthorpLodge, which was demolished around1900. This is now the site of BurmesterHouse. The track itself was behind this,now a tranquil housing estate built inthe 1950s which gives away no clues toits former existence. The story ofCopenhagen Running Ground wasuncovered by local historian KevinKelly who is still searching for a photoof the former Althorp Lodge.
In September this year, Robert Sadler’sgreat great grandson Robin unveiled aplaque in front of a crowd of almost twohundred people. As part of theceremony, sporting historian SimonInglis gave a speech in which he urgedthe crowd: “Everytime you go past thisspot, just imagine you can hear theroar of the crowd as Deerfoot comesround the bend and hundreds of your
ancestors lose vast amounts ofmoney.”
Geoff Simmons fromSummerstown182, who organised theceremony, said: “The new plaque willinform many more people of therunning ground’s former glories andwe hope it will introduce a whole newgeneration to its remarkable story.”
The plaque was an initiative of theSummerstown182 Community HistoryProject. Funds were raised from localwalking tours as part of theWandsworth Heritage Festival.
Fire Brigade deliver specialistbedding to sheltered residentsThe London Fire Brigade visited shelteredresidents on the Lennox Estate in October todeliver specialist fire retardant bedding packsand offer fire safety advice on preventing fires. Wandsworth Council successfully bid for £25,000 fundingfrom the London Fire Brigade to help vulnerable residentsprevent fires. The funding was used to give 240 sets of fireretardant bedding, sofa throws, duvets and pillows to 25sheltered housing schemes and other elderly or vulnerableresidents across the borough.
The London Fire Brigade estimate that one in three accidentalfires are caused by smoking. Fire retardant bedding can helpreduce fire related injuries for people who are risk of accidentlydropping cigarettes or perhaps don’t have the mobility toensure butts are properly extinguished.
London Fire Brigade Station Commander Manager forBattersea Fire Station, Nic Myatt explains: “It’s so easy to fallasleep while smoking, or for some vulnerable residents toforget that they have lit a cigarette, and that’s when dangerousaccidents happen. Residents with mobility problems canstruggle to escape what could start as a small cigarette fire inbedding and so fire retardant bedding is an important way ofprotecting them from that risk.
“Last month we were pleased to distribute the first beddingsets to residents from the council’s Lennox sheltered scheme inRoehampton. We enjoyed the opportunity to meet residentsand offer advice about fire safety in the home.
“Last year our figures showed that around three fires a day arelinked to smoking, with around two people a week beinginjured. Sadly, people often fall asleep smoking or just
carelessly dispose of matches and cigarette butts which cansmoulder and cause fires. Overflowing ashtrays or a cigarettedropped while snoozing in bed are typical causes of fatal fires.
“Fire retardant bedding is designed to not only help preventfires but to prevent vulnerable people getting injured or farworse.
“It has been extremely rewarding to work with staff fromWandsworth Council’s Supported Housing department toidentify people in Wandsworth who stand to benefit the mostfrom this scheme. By working together with the council wecan improve safety, reduce risk and protect those most at risk.”
The project has been paid for by the Brigade’s CommunitySafety Investment fund which was set up to help vulnerablepeople across the capital. It aims to help protect people fromthe risk of fire by providing solutions like fire retardant beddingand sprinklers.
The Brigade’s Community Safety Investment Fund has led tomore than 10,000 fire retardant bedding packs, night dresses,sofa throws and other fire prevention kits being handed out tohelp protect those most at risk across the capital.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Clare Salier said: “I amdelighted that the council’s bid for funding was successful andthat we’ve been able to work in partnership with the LondonFire Brigade to deliver the specialist bedding packs to residentsacross the borough. The safety of our residents is the mostimportant consideration for us. Fire prevention advice and helpis just one of the ways we can work with residents to improvefire safety in the home.”
Community news
Trick or treatIn October, residents across the borough organised HalloweenParties. Neighbours came together for spooky fun and gamesincluding apple bobbing and fancy dress.
Fancy dress at Kambala
Women of Wandsworth’s Halloween party
Face painting at BatterseaFields
Spooky costumes
Apple Bobbing at Battersea Fields
Pumpkin carvingTotteridge kids show offtheir pumpkins
CookingmasterclassChildren from the Kambalaestate got stuck into a newcooking club organised by localresident Donna Barham.The classes were a chance for theyoungsters to have fun and meetneighbours, but also taught them thebasics of preparing food and cooking.Each week the group learnt to cooksomething new and then sat down toeat their homecooked meal together.
Donna, who is a Housing CommunityChampion, applied for funding forcooking equipment from the council’sCommunity Champion Fund. The fundis available for nominated champions tohelp projects on their estate.
The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ian Lewerattended Kambala Community Hall topresent the children with certificates forthe cooking club.
The children loved taking part in theclass. Lily said: “I like preparing thefood, watching it cook in the oven andthen eating it!
Serenity said: “We have learnt aboutlots of different vegetables and how tomake pastries.”
Women of Wandsworthcelebrate 10th Birthday In November, local organisation Women of Wandsworthcelebrated their 10 year anniversary with a party at City Hall.
Women of Wandsworth, also known asWoW, is a non-profit communityorganisation which was set up inNovember 2007. The group do a greatdeal of work in their community. They work to solve common issues forlocal parents and they organise a host of activities and events throughout the year.
On 7 November, WoW marked their10th anniversary with a celebration atCity Hall. They were presented withcertificates of appreciation for theirvolunteering and hard work by GLAassembly member for Wandsworth, CllrLeonie Cooper. WoW brought City Hallto life with an intergenerational danceperformance, karate and art as well asand an amazing film of WoW eventsand campaigns over the past decade.
Falcon Estate resident Senia Dedic was afounding member of WoW. She said:“We wanted to make sure that localparents’ voices were heard by organisinga weekly parent forum. The forum was achance for parents to talk about theirconcerns. We invite the relevant peopleto discuss and find solutions to problemsrelating to education, housing, children’shappiness, disabilities and health andmore. Our concerns over high child carefees were even raised in Parliament.
“At WoW, we organise afterschool
activities for children which means localchildren can get to know one anotherand helps parents to reduce childcarecosts. Our regular trips out of Londonare very popular with local families andwe regularly organise communityevents. We particularly enjoy ourintergenerational parties which bringlocal children and older residentstogether.
“We have worked with Thomas’s SchoolFoundation to deliver affordable Karateclasses for children, and partnered withNational Citizen Service to arrangeyouth mentoring schemes.
“We are also very proud of improvingthe employability of single mothers andhelping parents set up their ownbusinesses, through the work of ourEnterprise Club. Four of our Mothers’businesses have now been shortlistedfor the Wandsworth Chamber ofCommerce Business Award.
“We are delighted to be celebrating our10th anniversary! And have many moreideas for the future.”
Congratulations to the Women ofWandsworth for reaching such asignificant milestone. We look forwardto another decade of amazing andvaried work from WoW.
Community news
Estates get makeoverwith help from USEmbassyOver a hundred volunteers came to the Savona and CareyGardens estates in Nine Elms to help spruce up theneighbourhood. This was part of the US Embassy’s annual Dayof Service, organised in conjunction with Wandsworth Council.
Nine Elms News
The new US Ambassador Robert WoodJohnson joined Wandsworth Councilleader, Ravi Govindia, to welcomevolunteers from across the localcommunity. Rolling up their sleeves wererepresentatives from the US Embassy,Wandsworth Council, Savona Residents’Association, local residents from theSavona and Carey Gardens Estates,members of local businessesanddevelopers.
Ambassador Johnson and the team tookon a range of jobs, including cleaning,litter picking and repainting. Everyonealso got stuck into some gardening; newand existing flower beds on the estatewere planted.
In its third consecutive year in Nine Elms,
the Day of Service is an annual event tomark the anniversary of the 9/11 terroristattacks on the US.
Ambassador Johnson said: “As we moveour new American ground to the NineElms neighbourhood, we do so in thespirit of working with the localcommunity.”
Leader of Wandsworth Council, Cllr RaviGovindia, said: “A big thank you to allthose involved for their hard work inmaking a huge difference to theneighbourhood which will be enjoyed bylocal residents for a long time.”
One of the areas of focus for thevolunteers was the garden at the ROSECommunity Centre, at the heart of the
Savona Estate. As part of the day,Councillor Govindia unveiled a newoutdoor kitchen: high on the localresidents’ wish-list and kindly donatedby Barratt London.
The Day of Service is the latest event inthe US Embassy’s well-establishedprogramme of community engagementalongside Wandsworth Council. Aheadof their move to Nine Elms next year, theembassy has supported a wide range ofcultural, horticultural and volunteeringinitiatives in the local area to help buildcommunity ties.
Nine Elms hosts Winter festivalExplore amazing things happening in Nine Elms withevents and activities as part of the Winter Trails festival.
Fond farewell to residentparticipation officerAfter four years as residentparticipation officer for the westernarea, Bernie Brennan is moving to hisnew role in the regeneration team.
Bernie said: “It’s been a pleasure tomeet and work with so many residentsthrough residents’ associations,resident management organisationsand other community groups. I hope Ihave been able to assist in bringingcommunities closer together and helpimprovements to the localenvironment.”
Sarah Stevens has taken over asresident participation officer for thewestern area. Sarah has worked in thehousing department for 25 years andbrings a wealth of knowledge about thearea, housing management issues andmuch more.
Foday Kamara southern team (020) 8871 [email protected]
Jo Baxter central team (020) 8871 [email protected]
Sarah Stevens western team (020) 8871 [email protected]
Your residentparticipation team
Sandra Evangelista eastern team (020) 8871 [email protected]
There are a variety of ways to getinvolved in your community anddecisions about your housing.
Speak to your residentparticipation officer.
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Running until 21 December, here are afew of the highlights:
Meet Me By The Balloons Riverside Walk1 December – 21 DecemberA trail of colourful illuminated balloonswill grow throughout the festival.
Winter Union: ParkourworkshopsRiverlight Quay16 December 11am-3pmParkour performances and workshopsfor all ages. An entire day of free 30-minute workshops for all abilities, pluslive shows by the performance team. No experience necessary, sign-up on the day.
Battersea Power StationWinter FestivalCircus West Village30 November – 21 DecemberEnjoy Christmas lights and mulled wineon the riverfront. Open every week fromThursday to Sunday.
Dark Waters: Midwinter Storytelling Walk 21 December, 6.30pmDark Waters is a magical nightexpedition by the river with tales of theThames to warm your heart and chillyour blood. A storytelling adventurewith live music. Warm up with a drinkafterwards on the Battersea Barge.Reserve your place online.
Visit nineelmslondon.com/wintertrailsto find out more.
sheltered housingnewww.wandsworth.gov.uk/shelteredhousing
Could sensor alarms help you?The council offers two services which can help older ordisabled residents remain independent in their home.
WATCH alarm serviceIf you fall or are taken ill, your phone maybe out of reach, but with WATCH lifelineyou can call for assistance from anywherein your home just by pressing the redbutton on your pendant.
Pressing the pendant button sends analarm signal to our 24 hour controlcentre. Our experienced officers will beable to speak to you in any part of yourhome through the lifeline alarm unit. Wewill give you advice and reassurance andif appropriate visit your home to assist.You can be reassured that help is on handat the touch of a button.
Telecare The Telecare service provides a morespecialist service than the WATCH alarm.It offers range of sensors around the
home to give you care and reassurance.When activated, the sensors will send analert to the 24-hour control centre.
Some alarms are push buttons whileothers are automatic sensors meaningyou don’t need to worry about beingunable to press for help. Different sensorscan pick up on different situations – forexample if you’ve had a fall, there’s wateroverflowing, the cooker being left on andeven a front door being left open.
Telecare can help to support carers andimprove people’s safety andindependence at home.
With WATCH and Telecare there isalways somebody ready and waiting tohear from you in an emergency, even ifyou live alone. This can be valuable wherean adult has the onset of dementia, is
confused or is prone to falls and trips.
To find out more about what alarms andsensors are available and how they canhelp you or a loved one contact us todayon 020 8871 8198
Get ready for winter
l Book a WRAP Winter Warmth assessment including FREEenergy saving measures such as electricity monitors andradiator reflector panels (those who are on a low income,have a long term condition or disability, or are aged 65+are eligible)
l Get your flu vaccine – available from your GP and somepharmacies www.nhs.uk/flu
l Plan ahead - make sure you have a supply of yourprescription medication in case of bad weather
l Always complete your whole course of prescriptionmedicines
l If you feel unwell, get immediate advice and help from apharmacist, before it gets too serious. Visitwww.nhs.uk/staywell for more information
l Have hot meals and drinks - stock up on tinned, dried andfrozen foods so you can make a hot healthy meal even ifyou can’t get out of the house in bad weather
l Wear layers – a few thin layers of clothing will keep youwarmer than one thick layer and tuck curtains behind theradiators to keep heat in the room
l Keep moving if you can as this will help you keep warm. Ifwalking is a problem try moving your arms or legs whilstsitting or wiggling your toes and fingers
l For more info contact WRAP who can offer advice andsupport on benefits, heating costs, falls prevention, andmuch more. Freephone 0800 118 23 27, text 07928394482, email [email protected]
It is important to make sure you are readyfor the winter months. The cold weather in December to March can pose a greater riskto you. We are working with Age UK Wandsworth, LeonardCheshire Disability, Wandsworth Older People’s Forum andWRAP to help keep you safe and warm.
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Bake off A sheltered scheme inRoehampton held a bakingcompetition and sale toraise money for MacmillanCancer Support.
Over 20 residents came to theevent which raised £161.43.
Resident Joan Coombes said:“Many thanks to the shelteredhousing officers, Debbie andSonya who worked very hard togive us a lovely afternoon in aid ofthe Macmillan nurses.
The prize for best cake was wonfor the second year in a row by Gillwho baked a delicious cake.”
CommunitylunchEvery month KambalaEstate residents host a lunchfor older residents living inand around the area.
Donna who runs the scheme said:“The project is going really welland we now have at least 20guests at each lunch. We are alsohosting Boxing Day dinner againthis year with festive games, a quizand a raffle. We look forward tomeeting more neighbours forlunch”
Lunch costs just £5 per person.Contact Donna on 020 7924 3549or [email protected] or to findout more or to book a space.
Lennox residents enjoying their cake
Volunteers having fun at last year’s party
Council sheltered schemes offersupport and independence
[email protected] 020 8871 8198
Rotary Christmas Daycelebrates 55th yearEvery year, the Rotary Club hosts a Christmas Day lunch and teaparty for elderly people of Wandsworth.Last year over 700 elderly residents from our borough came to the free Christmas lunchwhich was run by 300 volunteers from all around the world.
It started in 1962, as a hot meal for a group of 50 elderly residents from Battersea andwas run by the members of the Rotary Club and their families, who pulled together toorganise and fund the event, including providing their own cars to transport guest.sSince then it has grown and grown.
The event is funded and organised by Rotary Club of Battersea Park throughfundraising and volunteering. Guests are referred to the event by localhousing sheltered accommodations, lodges and residents’ associations. Residents canalso register for the event themselves.
Irene, 85, told us: “Thank you for your invitation. I always enjoy this event. I am disablednow with muscle weakness and bowl cancer and have no family to help me. I am sograteful for the drivers and helpers who arranged transport to the event and made theday so special.”
Elaine, 77, who attended the event last year sent us a letter saying: “The driver toBattersea Park was very cheerful and yellow T-shirt volunteer Musha from Mongoliawas a delight. Many thanks for the goody bag with sandwiches, as I didn’t haveanything to eat when I came home that evening. This is a special time of year thanks tothe kindness of everyone at Rotary, all the helpers and drivers. Thank you for such alovely time.”
The event is a chance to ensure no one is alone this Christmas. If you’d like to volunteeror refer a new guest (either yourself or someone you know) who would be otherwisealone on Christmas visit www.rotarychristmasday.org.uk
The Financial Inclusion team received a callfrom a mental health team manager fromQueen Mary’s Hospital to enquire if anyhelp was available for one of her clientswho suffers from chronic debilitatingmental illness. Unfortunately, when theclient relapsed in January 2017, she wasunable to claim the benefits she wasentitled to. This ended up in theaccumulation of over £2500 rent andcouncil tax arrears.
The resident had removed herself from theworld by blocking her front door and notleaving her home, not even to buy food.Her neighbours raised alarm after she wasnot seen for two months and emergencyservices were called to enter her home.The resident was sectioned under theMental Health Act and admitted intoSpringfield Hospital.
The mental health team manager wantedto seek help for her client, but was notvery hopeful as she had previouslystruggled to resolve financial issues andhad gone from person to person trying toget help in the past.
Sanela Cox, manager of the council’sFinancial Inclusion Team said: “Our teamtook immediate action. We made ahousing benefit appeal and within a veryshort space of time the client was awardedher full Housing Benefit and a backdatedpayment to the period when she becameunwell. This resulted in her rent arrearsbeing paid in full and additional funds inher account. All council tax debt wasremoved and she was awarded the fullcouncil tax benefit she was entitled to. Thisalso meant that she was no longer
required to attend court and the stress ofappearing in front of the judge wasremoved.
“Vulnerable clients can slip into financialdifficulties when their health worsens. Wedon’t want our clients to go through theadded stress of having to call up and telltheir story repeatedly to variousdepartments. We liaise with benefit teamson behalf of our clients and take action totry and resolve the issues.”
The deputy team manager from theCommunity Mental Health Team at QueenMary’s Hospital said:
“I can’t express enough how grateful I amto the Financial Inclusion Team for assistingmy client promptly, this has made so muchof a difference to her life. I am thankfulthat I didn’t have to explain the situationover and over again. The teaminvestigated and supported my clientwithout her having to go through the painfor being referred from one staff toanother and their prompt action ensuredthat she did not have to go through thestress of attending a court hearing. I amgrateful for their can-do approach andhard work.”
The council’s Financial Inclusion Teamoffers tailored support to residents on arange of financial issues and their practicalapproach reduces unnecessary stress.Through joint working with other localagencies, they help to get vulnerableresidents back on track.
If you need some help and support withfinancial issues, contact the financialinclusion team today.
Large print versionCopies of this issue of Homelife are available in large print format contact (020) 8871 6800 or email: [email protected]
Council resolvesfinancial woesWhen a vulnerable council resident’s mental health worsened andshe slipped into financial difficulty, the Financial Inclusion Teamwere on hand to help. The team worked in partnership with localmental health services to ensure that financial pressures did notmount up.
Help makeWandswortha greenerboroughWandsworth residentscould recycle twice as much. Approximately half of allhousehold waste is recyclable.This means that for every bag ofgeneral waste you throw away,you could fill another bag withrecycling for us to turn into newmaterials.
Wandsworth residents arecurrently recycling around 23%of their waste. This means wehave the potential to double theamount we recycle in theborough.
In Wandsworth, you can put allyour recycling in one bin, makingit quick and easy to recycle.
Recycling isn’t just good for theenvironment, it also saves moneywhich the council can spend onvital services for you.
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