north-west London
TICKET TO RIDE ‘No thanks,’ said New College Mews tenants, when asked if they wanted a community event. ‘We’d rather have a day trip.’ So Brighton it was Eight weeks later residents from New College Mews, Lough Road and Rawstorne Street set off for Brighton on the England under-21s team coach. Organising the trip was a joint effort by neighbourhood manager Nik Ransom and tenant Ms Fennell. Ms Fennell applied to the Maisie Sheed Fund for help with the costs. Nik printed leaflets to plug the trip and Ms Fennell posted them through neighbours’ letterboxes. Nik also added a thoughtful touch. ‘No one went hungry on the journey as Nik provided decent snacks for all of us,’ Ms Fennell said. ‘We had to get up early as the coach left at 7am, but we made it on time and the weather even cleared up.’ Arriving in Brighton, some of the group set out to explore the shops, pier, and seafront and one went off to visit a cousin living in Brighton. Ms Fennell and her family set off for the Sea Life Centre. ‘We had a great day, as did many of the other tenants,’ Ms Fennell said. ‘I gave the trip 10 out of 10! I’m hoping to help arrange another event in the future with my neighbours.’
YOUR REGIONAL NEWS FROM FAMILY MOSAIC
Above: a Sea Life souvenir for Ms Fennell and her family. Left: all set to board the England under-21s coach for a fun-filled day trip to Brighton
Flowerpot Close residents in Tottenham marked the last of the warm weather by joining neighbourhood manager Samantha Lindo for some tasty West Indian cuisine, followed by massage for the adults and glitter henna tattoos for the younger set. The day had a serious side too, with neighbours chatting to Samantha about local concerns over plates of stew chicken, vegetable curry and rice and peas.
WINTER 2015
FRESH START DEEP CLEAN AND DECLUTTER
Everyday tasks can get on top of you as you get older or in times of crisis. And it’s easy for things to get out of control. That’s where team work by our neighbourhood managers and tenancy sustainment officers can pay off The call to manager Samantha Lindo came from a contractor doing the annual safety check on the electricity in Mr Gray’s* home.
Inside story
From the outside, it seemed Mr Gray was doing fine. Inside was another story. One visit told Samantha that Mr Gray needed help caring for himself and for his home. Mr Gray’s boiler had broken down two years ago. He hadn’t reported it and had been living without hot water ever since. Samantha spoke to tenancy sustainment officer Jeanine Jacques who set about getting Mr Gray assessed by social services. Samantha tackled the repairs and dealt with a mice infestation. Last but not least, Mr Gray’s home was given a deep clean. Right the way through, Jeanine and Samantha kept closely in touch with Mr Gray to make sure he was comfortable with the changes. Mr Gray said: ‘I’m very pleased with what Jeanine and Samantha have done for me.
‘Thanks to Jeanine, I am now awaiting funding for a weekly cleaner to help me stay on top of things and get help with my weekly shopping.’ Elsewhere in north London, tenant Mr Griffith is looking forward to cooking Christmas dinner in a clutter-free kitchen now that his book collecting is under control. ‘Collecting books over 30 years had given me great comfort and pleasure, but I contacted Family Mosaic when the number of books in my home became an issue,’ Mr Griffiths said. ‘I had a lot of reservations about getting rid of my books but I knew I had to get back much needed space and sanctuary in my home. My collection was making daily tasks and self-care difficult. ‘Decluttering my home with Jeanine and Samantha has given me the space to enjoy my home again. I can cook without difficulty and risk, and get into and out of my home without any problems. ‘Thanks to support from Samantha and Jeanine I am able to enjoy my books as intended.’
DRUG-DEALING TENANT EVICTED AFTER ISLINGTON POLICE RAID The police take a dim view of drug dealing and so do we. So when the police raided one of our Islington properties earlier this year, they weren’t the only ones to act.
Airport check
The story begins with the police intercepting a parcel at Stansted Airport, addressed to one of our properties. Inside the parcel the police found 1kg of cocaine. The police set about tracking the parcel. It was delivered ‘as normal’ and a guest at the property signed for it. At that point the police stepped in, arresting everyone at the address including our tenant. They then contacted us. Drug dealing is a serious breach of your tenancy terms. Neighbourhood manager Nik Ransom took up the matter, liaising with the police and interviewing neighbours. Interviewed by Nik, our tenant denied any wrongdoing. A jury decided otherwise and our tenant was convicted. That opened the way for Nik and our legal team to get an eviction order for a serious breach of tenancy. The property was, of course, left in a bad state. It has been repaired and is now home to a new tenant. Far left: Mr Griffiths’ kitchen has been cleared of books and given a thorough cleaning, giving him a chance to enjoy his first homecooked Christmas dinner in years Left: Mr Gray now has hot water again and his house has been given a deep clean. Mr Gray now gets regular visits to make sure he is getting the support he needs to stay independent
* name changed