News and Views for Sheltered Housing residents
New bathrooms, kitchens and more
The five-year-long Decent Homes programme has been bringing benefits for many residents in sheltered housing as new bathrooms and kitchens are installed. We have already completed work at Charlbury Crescent, Cole Court, Garrick House and Thomas Sims Court. Work is underway on bathroom and kitchen replacements at Bards Court, Brunswick Court, Royal Jubilee Court and William Tansy Smith House. We are replacing doors at Cottons Court, Fambridge Court and Garrick House as part of the project. Work is planned for the roofline and cladding at Holsworthy
House. The communal doors and residents’ front doors are also scheduled for replacements. We have completed internal refurbishment work to all communal areas including a fire protection coating to walls, ceiling and staircases although some work remains to be done on the murals in some schemes. We have installed new entrance doors to the communal areas in
ISSUE 1: Spring 2014
It’s all in the name When we said this is YOUR publication we really mean it which is why this edition has no name – we’re waiting to hear what you want to call it. So please put your thinking caps on and let us have your ideas – printable ones only – and the winner will receive a £50 cash prize plus the joy of seeing their suggestion on the front of future newsletters. All you have to do to enter is send your suggestion by email to Chelsea.potts@havering. gov.uk or let your local representative know so they can send it on to us. Don’t forget to let us have your name and contact details so we know where to send the prize.
some flats and new windows for communal areas. We are replacing carpets and net curtains in communal areas in many schemes and new lounge furniture is planned for where it is needed. The contractors have also been replacing some communal kitchens, at no cost to the Council. The work should be completed within the next year so everyone should see improvements to their home by then. More information capitalprojects@havering. gov.uk 01708 434700
Contact details
Meet Marina Homes & Housing Customer Contact Service This is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm on 01708 434000 or Freephone 0800 151 3444. You can also use these numbers to make an appointment to meet a member of staff at different locations across Havering.
I have gathered a lot of experience in different housing services, working in a number of London Boroughs and managing many different parts of the services provided.
Out of hours If you have a problem outside normal office hours that won’t wait ring 01708 756699.
Q: How long have you been in Havering? A: My heart seems to be in Havering as I have worked here for some 16 years. I have been involved in many parts of the service, including managing the sheltered housing service which I am pleased to be involved with again.
Anti-Social Behaviour Email: asb@havering.gov.uk For problems outside 9am to 5pm ring 01708 726685. Textphone The Textphone number is 01708 433399.
We have a number of ways you can get in touch with us.
Ideas for this magazine If you have ideas for future articles contact Chelsea Potts by email to chealsea.potts@ havering.gov.uk or ring 01708 434668.
Email For general enquiries homes@havering.gov.uk For rent queries housingrents@havering.gov.uk To find out about the Decent Homes programme capitalprojects@havering.gov.uk To get involved getinvovled@havering.gov.uk Social Media Follow us on: Twitter at @LBofHavering. Facebook – log in and in the search box type Get involved – Havering Council tenants and leaseholders Visit the office Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, RM3 8YQ You can find us to the right of St George’s Church Centre at the top end of the Hilldene Shopping Centre
Don’t Dilly-Dally
Can you sing, dance, tell a joke or act? If so the Community Engagement team wants to hear from you. We are planning to put on an Old Time Music Hall event for Christmas 2014 so if you have a talent you’re willing to share on stage or behind the scenes with the planning, costumes etc please do get in touch. More information Chelsea.potts@havering.gov.uk 01708 434668
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Marina Crofts has recently taken on responsibility for the sheltered housing service so we thought it would be a good idea to find out more about her. Q: What is your background in housing? A: I started working in social housing when I left school some 36 years ago. My first job was as a clerical officer at County Hall working for the former Greater London Council.
Q: Why produce this new publication? A: One of the first things people said to me when I visited the sheltered housing schemes was that they wanted more information which was relevant to them. That is why we have launched this magazine. A key part will be reporting back on the SHOUT forum meetings each quarter (see page 12 for details of your representatives on SHOUT).
As well as giving information about the many services available for you and keeping you up to date on any changes that are happening, we also want to make it a “fun read”. We are hoping to include features on different residents, comments, tips and details of events that may be of interest. We intend producing it every three months and if you have something you want to see in there please let me know. Q: What’s happening to At the Heart then? A: At the Heart will still come through your letter box to keep you in touch with general housing news – this new magazine is in addition and is only for sheltered housing residents. Q: How do people contact you? A: The easiest way is by email to marina.crofts@havering.gov. uk or you can ring me on 01708 434096
Keep your cards and PIN safe Older and vulnerable people are being targeted by various scams including one where a “Police Officer” rings claiming to have arrested someone with a copy of your bank card. You are asked for your PIN and a courier is sent to collect your card. Once your card has been collected your bank account is quickly emptied.
Here are some tips to keep the scammers away: »» Police and banks NEVER ask for your PIN or bank card »» NEVER give your PIN or bank card to anyone – not even a neighbour or friend
»» If you get a call asking for your PIN or bank card, HANG UP »» If you receive a call like this wait at least five minutes for the line to clear and then report it to the Police on 101.
More information www.havering.gov.uk/communitysafety communitysafety@havering.gov.uk 01708 432028 Sheltered Housing , Issue 1
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A Day in the Life: Lisa Matthews, Mobile Support Worker by providing information about local GPs, dentists or even swimming clubs or it could be helping them manage their finances. I am currently helping a blind and deaf tenant who needs some adaptations to their home, an ex-rough-sleeper who is struggling to adapt to life in one of our housing schemes and a hoarder with difficulties paying bills. This support can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on each person’s needs. Q: What do you enjoy about your job? Q: How long have you information to an outside A: Many things make me smile worked for Havering agency or making a referral to at work, even when I’m having a Council? the safeguarding team. tough day! To make a difference A: My first job with Havering Q: What is a typical day is very rewarding. I helped Mr M Council was in 1989 when I was for you? who now has the confidence to a Transport Welfare Officer enjoy socialising after many A: My job is so diverse that no working with adults with two days are the same; it can be years of being isolated at home. learning difficulties. Five years When Mrs O was experiencing extremely rewarding as well as later I became a carer at hardship, I contacted social very challenging. Every day I Mawney Road Day Centre services and made a referral. visit vulnerable tenants living in and in 2006 became Assistant She is now receiving the welfare sheltered housing in the Manager at Winifred benefits she is entitled to Romford area. They can be Whittingham Day Centre. receive. Miss P’s physical tenants who are very socially I transferred to Housing in 2010 disabilities meant she couldn’t isolated and without family as supported housing scheme leave her flat so I contacted support; those who are in poor warden and became a Mobile various agencies and am health, perhaps with mental Support Worker a year later. pleased that she is now living as health issues or drink or independently as she can. substance misuse. Q: What does a Mobile Support Worker do? When a tenant moves into a Q: What do you do when not scheme I do a full needs working? A: I provide housing related assessment, which is reviewed support for council tenants over A: At the weekends I enjoy every six months, so we can the age of 55. I assist people to listening to live bands, eating make sure the tenant receives stay in their own homes, leading out in restaurants and meeting all the help they need. This can active and fulfilling lives, for as be by referring them to outside with friends as well as pottering long as possible. The help I give about in my garden. agencies or other Havering can be simply providing Council services. It can also be 04
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Your Mobile Support Worker The team has eight full-time staff covering the whole borough. Your mobile support worker will make sure that you have access to services and facilities that help you to maintain your independence. They will give you advice and information about the care you receive and help you get as much support as you need. Your mobile support worker is responsible for your scheme and will also monitor cleaning, gardening and repairs. They will check on your wellbeing daily or weekly by visiting you at home, depending on which frequency you choose. If you are ill they will contact your doctor (and your family if they have your permission to do so) and will help to make the best arrangements for your care. They will help you stay in contact with your relatives and with Social Services, health services and other organisations that can help you. If you want to talk, they are there. They will always respect your privacy and your right to confidentiality. If you need a repair done but are unable to notify the Council yourself, they can help you arrange it through the Property Services Team. If you need your home to be adapted, your mobile support worker can help by contacting Social Services. They will give you advice about the 24 hour helpline or telecare services. If you need help with other things such as filling in a Housing
Benefit form, they can provide this. They have information about the services available through Social Services and other health and voluntary organisations. Each mobile support worker is responsible for around three sheltered schemes so it is not possible for them to be at your scheme all day every day. To ensure they are still accessible they will be in their office at your scheme for at least two hours a week. You can however telephone them at all other times. Support plans Your support plan includes your health and social needs and aims to make sure that you are getting all the support you need. It is really important that you are involved in support planning as this is your chance to control how you would like to be supported. The support plan also gives both you and the Mobile Support Worker a good opportunity get to know each other better Your mobile support worker will work with you to make this plan and may speak to other external agencies such as Social Services, Mental Health Team, General
Practitioner. We will ask for your consent before involving others in your support plan. It is the Council’s aim to ensure that you are given the any support you may need in the following areas: »» Daily living and personal care »» Ability to move around »» Social networks »» Health »» Finances You do not have to have a support plan but we will still need some basic details, such as your doctor’s and your close relatives’ details so we know who to contact emergencies. The service is flexible so if your needs change support can be increased or reduced to meet your new needs. Your support plan will be reviewed at least every six months or more often if needed, for example on your return home from any hospital admission. You can also ask for an update at any time. We will give you a copy of the plan. Details of your support worker can be found on page six.
Dougy Minton, Denise Smith, Tina Stocks, Lisa Bailey, Barry Dixon, Andra Ramsey, Lisa Matthews, Ola Odupe, Stephanie Johnson, Rosemary Ware Sheltered Housing , Issue 1
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Mobile Support Worker Contact Details
Scheme
Designated Mobile Support Worker
Contact Details (tel numbers are 01708)
Adelphi
Tina Stocks
725312
Tina.stocks@havering.gov.uk Lisa
Bards Court
Lisa Bailey
725312
Lisa.bailey@havering.gov.uk
Beehive Court
Stephanie Johnson
725312
Stephanie.johnson@havering.gov.uk
Brook Lodge
Lisa Matthews and Denise Smith
725312
Lisa.matthews@havering.gov.uk Denise.smith@havering.gov.uk
Brunswick Court
Lisa Bailey
725312
Lisa.bailey@havering.gov.uk
Charlbury Crescent
Barry Dixon and Rose Ware
725312
Barry.dixon@havering.gov.uk Rose.ware@havering.gov.uk
Cockabourne Court
Lisa Bailey
725312
Lisa.bailey@havering.gov.uk
Cole Court
Barry Dixon and Rose Ware
725312
Barry.dixon@havering.gov.uk Rose.ware@havering.gov.uk
Cottons Court Delderfield
Lisa Matthews and Denise Smith Lisa Matthews and Denise Smith
725312
Lisa.matthews@havering.gov.uk Denise.smith@havering.gov.uk
Lisa.matthews@havering.gov.uk Denise.smith@havering.gov.uk
725312
Dell Court
Dougy Minton
725312
Dougy.minton@havering.gov.uk
Evelyn Sharp
Lisa Bailey
725312
Lisa.bailey@havering.gov.uk
Fambridge Court
Lisa Matthews and Denise Smith
725312
Lisa.matthews@havering.gov.uk Denise.smith@havering.gov.uk
Garrick House
Tina Stocks
725312
Tina.stocks@havering.gov.uk
Holsworthy House
Barry Dixon and Rose Ware
725312
Barry.dixon@havering.gov.uk Rose.ware@havering.gov.uk
Maygreen Crescent
Tina Stocks
725312
Tina.stocks@havering.gov.uk
Park Lane
Tina Stocks
725312
Tina.stocks@havering.gov.uk
Poplar Street
Stephanie Johnson
725312
Stephanie.johnson@havering.gov.uk
Queen Street
Lisa Matthews and Denise Smith
725312
Lisa.matthews@havering.gov.uk Denise.smith@havering.gov.uk
Ravenscourt Grove
Dougy Minton
725312
Dougy.minton@havering.gov.uk
Royal Jubilee Court
Stephanie Johnson
725312
Stephanie.johnson@havering.gov.uk
Serena Court
Tina Stocks
725312
Tina.stocks@havering.gov.uk
Solar Court
Tina Stocks
725312
Tina.stocks@havering.gov.uk
Sunrise Court
Tina Stocks
725312
Tina.stocks@havering.gov.uk
Thomas Sims Court
Dougy Minton
725312
Dougy.minton@havering.gov.uk
William Tansley Smith House
Dougy Minton
725312
Dougy.minton@havering.gov.uk
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Caring for you at home Havering Telecare Centre offers a range of services aimed at helping people live in their own home. The centre operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, responding to emergency and other calls from the 4,500 residents who have had alarm units installed. You can choose: »» a simple alarm unit and pendant which means a call for assistance is just the press of a button away »» automatic monitoring which can detect anything from an over-flowing bath to someone
having fallen over so one of the 11 trained response officers can get in touch You can see details of the different devices available at Royal Jubilee Court on Main Road, Romford. The service has been running since 1985 and last year it received 167,690 calls with 2,351 of those being treated as an emergency While the majority of calls don’t require an emergency response the fact that Havering Telecare is available provides peace of mind for clients, their carers and families.
More information www.havering.gov.uk/telecare royaljubileecourt@havering.gov.uk 01708 432345
Some of the Havering Telecare monitoring devices are explained to a potential user
The neck pendant is light to wear and easy to use when help is needed
Delicious dishes delivered to your door
The Council’s Meals on Wheels service delivers delicious two-course meals to your door and is available to anyone living in Havering. More than 360 people already receive a main hot meal and tasty dessert between 11.30am and 2.30pm each day. There is a choice of meals daily and special dietary needs are also catered for.
Flexibility is the key to this service which you can use for one or more days every week or even just on a temporary basis, for example, if you are not well and want a hot meal but don’t feel like cooking. The friendly delivery staff, who all carry ID so you know who they are, can also dish up your meal for you and they make sure the residents they visit are ok. The cost of the service is just £5.25 per person per day, not bad for de delicious dishes delivered to Quote co o YELL14 t your door. free receive a h your More information meal wit r www.havering.gov.uk/meals first orde meals@havering.gov.uk 01708 432345 Sheltered Housing , Issue 1
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Spotlight on Thomas Sims Court
the day. The response has been fantastic and we’ll be taking more than one coach. We will be celebrating Bonfire Night with an event at Thomas Sims, have organised a trip to the pantomime at The Queen’s Theatre for December and have recently been asked to cook a Christmas lunch for everyone. Before we plan any event we ask residents what they would like to do so everyone’s views are considered. Peter and myself celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in September and everyone has been invited to join us for a big celebration party.
Q: Do residents’ families get involved?
The Committee: Mike, Arthur, Doreen and Peter in the new bar area
The committee at Thomas Sims Court in Elm Park has been working together for years organising activities for residents to enjoy. Their hard work is clearly bringing results as residents at the scheme consider themselves to be one big family. They are so close that many of them have planned a big holiday together and will be heading for Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands this July. Residents always have activities to look forward to and the complex is kept looking spic and span, making it somewhere you are proud to call home. Mike Droy, Arthur Medley, Doreen and Peter Cox are always busy but we interrupted Doreen Cox, who has lived at Thomas Sims Court for four years, to find out just what the committee has been up to recently.
Q: What events are planned for this year?
A: We have three day trips to the seaside. We’ll be at Leigh-on-Sea in May; Southend-on-Sea in June and Hastings in September and it won’t be just Thomas Sims’ residents on these trips as anyone from any sheltered housing scheme in Havering can join us for 08 |
A: We encourage families to get involved by holding an annual family fun day inviting residents’ friends and family to come along. We have various activities in the communal lounge as well as providing food and entertainment. Last year more than 90 people attended. We only catered for 60 so had to run out and buy extra food and drink. The residents and their families really enjoyed themselves and said the day was better than going out to a local bar!
to go. I like reading books but at the end of the day I am so tired it has been known for me to fall asleep with a cup of tea in my hand.
Q: What projects are currently underway? Q: Why do you do what you do? A: Our committee is working on transforming our communal garden so residents can sit out in the summer evenings and we can continue with our annual summer garden party. The other committee members are terrific and are constantly working with us to make Thomas Sims an enjoyable place to live.
Q: What’s the story behind the bar Thomas Sims recently built in the communal lounge?
Q: So what happens each week? A: On Mondays we have a tea and coffee morning with fresh cream cakes; we hold a raffle, play bingo and the bonus ball game. Also on Mondays Peter and I cook a two-course lunch for residents with plenty of fresh vegetables. A good meal saves them having to cook. Tuesdays we play pool and serve teas and coffees, while on Wednesdays we again have tea/coffee with fresh cream cakes followed by a craft afternoon and play cards in the evening. Thursday is a quiet day. We find a lot of residents book hospital or doctor’s appointments for Thursday so they don’t miss out on the activities we do on other days of the week. Fridays start with tea/coffee and cake and then we serve a lunch of bacon and sausage sandwiches. On Saturdays I go shopping to stock up on food supplies for the lounge and on Sunday I like to go to boot sales to buy little bits for the complex. Once a month we run a pool evening with each game costing 50p; that money is being saved to buy a flat screen television in the near future so we can then run film evenings. We also have various entertainment evenings for residents throughout the year.
Q: What hobbies do you have? A: I do enjoy attending boot sales. I also like swimming but since moving here I haven’t had time
and our own Mike Droy built the bar from scratch. Our residents absolutely love it and it plays a big part in all of our functions.
Mike, Peter and Arthur enjoy gardening
A: I am blind in one eye and sometimes if I am in the kitchen preparing hot drinks and someone comes in to get a cold drink I worry I might turn round, not see them properly and there may be an accident. We were kindly donated a pool table for our lounge and that led to talk about how great it would be to have a bar. Havering Council gave us the go ahead
A: It started the day Peter and I moved in. We were sitting in the lounge waiting to be shown round our flat and a group of residents were huddled over a small television arguing about whether the carers and visitors coming in were for them or not. They seemed very The new lounge isolated and I made my bar built by mind up that something Mike Droy needed to change. Some may be suffering from illnesses but their minds still work. People need something to look forward to, something that gives them a purpose, especially for those who have lost loved ones. I do it to make people happy and to hear them laugh. Everything in today’s world is technical and can leave people behind. We want to show people we genuinely care for them, that we are here if they need someone to talk to and most importantly show them they are not alone. Do you have a neighbour or committee within your scheme who exceed expectations? If so we would like to feature them in a future edition.
More information Chelsea.potts@havering.gov.uk 01708 434668
Caring for people with Dementia When a friend or loved one has Dementia it can be a distressing time so having free, confidential support from experts in Dementia care can be invaluable. Age Concern Havering Dementia Advisory Service will provide a named advisor who can help you access appropriate care; provide useful information and on-going support including help for family and carers or anyone with Dementia. The Dementia Advisors can visit you at home or you can visit the Dementia Advisory Centre in
Regarth Avenue, Romford. There are also Outreach Coordinators available to give talks and answer questions. If you are having memory problems please do use this service to help and support you. More information www.ageconcernhavering.org.uk/ our-services/dementia-services reception.smh@achavering.co.uk 01708 797700 Sheltered Housing , Issue 1
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Have your say Have your say In the next few weeks you should receive a letter inviting you to take part in the Activities Questionnaire. The letter will suggest a date and time when we would like to visit you at home to get your views and ideas on activities
Make your vote count you would like to do. The answers you give will help us arrange activities, day trips, events and meetings to match your needs so the more answers we get the wider range of activities will be considered. If you want a family member to be with you when we visit please let Chelsea Potts know and we will be happy to make the necessary arrangements. See page 16 for more details of Get Active. More information Chelsea.potts@havering.gov. uk 01708 434668
Make sure you’re insured
We all hope to avoid accidents but sometimes they happen which is when having enough home insurance can help. Every individual in a sheltered 10
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housing scheme is responsible for insuring the contents of their home such as furniture, carpets, clothing, cooker, fridge, TV, decorations, including anything you keep in a garage or other outbuilding. You should also ensure that, as occupier of the premises, you have adequate insurance to meet claims against you by other people. The Council has its own insurance scheme costing as little as £1.03 a week which is collected on a weekly basis along with your rent to help spread the cost. If you want more details please ask your mobile support worker for a copy of the Homes and Housing’s insurance policy booklet.
On Thursday 22 May you can vote in two elections to make your voice heard. Your first vote is for Havering Council when you can elect three councillors to represent your ward for the next four years. Your second vote is to elect London’s eight Members of the European Parliament for the next five years. Before you can vote you must be on the Electoral Register and you have until Tuesday 06 May to make sure you are included. Many people find it easier to vote by post rather than go to the Polling Station and if you wish to vote by post your application must be received not later than Wednesday 07 May. A polling card will be delivered to you during April giving you details of where your Polling Station will be. Polling Stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 22 May and, while it is helpful to take your Polling Card with you, you don’t need it to vote – just give your address and name to the Polling Clerk on duty. More information www.havering.gov.uk/ elections elections@havering.gov.uk 01708 432444
Spotlight on food: Leek and Potato Soup
Ingredients »» 50g butter »» 450g potatoes, peeled and cut into 1cm pieces (try Golden Wonders or Kerr Pinks) »» 1 small onion, cut the same size as the potatoes »» 450g white parts of leeks, sliced (save the green tops for another soup or stock)
»» 850ml-1.2litres/1½-2pts light chicken or vegetable stock »» 142ml carton whipping cream »» 125ml full-fat milk To finish »» the white part of 1 leek »» a small knob of butter »» finely chopped chives
Got a recipe to share? If you have a favourite recipe you’d like to share please send it to Chelsea.potts@havering.gov.uk 01708 434668
Clear the clutter… and keep safe Communal walkways, stairs and landings are escape routes in an emergency but far too many in our sheltered housing schemes are proving a magnet for clutter. Items that cause a potential hazard include furniture, plants in pots and cycles. If you have any of your items in such a place please remove it as soon as possible as we will
soon be starting a programme of clearing items that cause a hazard – we will send you a letter giving you a date when the clearance will happen but please don’t wait until then and move your belongings today. Pictures attached to walls can stay and we are also planning to put up more pictures in due course.
Method 1. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. When it foams, add the potatoes, onion and leeks and toss them in the butter until they are well coated. Season well with salt and freshly ground pepper and toss again. Put a disc of greaseproof paper (called a cartouche by chefs) on top of the vegetables to keep in the steam), then cover the pan with its lid. Cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft but not coloured. 2. Uncover the pan and discard the paper. Pour in 850ml/1½ pints of the stock, bring to the boil and simmer until the vegetables are just cooked – about five minutes. Do not overcook or the soup will lose its fresh flavour. 3. Purée in a blender until silky smooth, in batches if necessary, then taste and adjust the seasoning. Return the soup to a clean pan and stir in three quarters of the cream and all of the milk. 4. To finish the soup, finely shred the white leek and gently cook it in the hot butter for a few minutes until it is softened but not coloured. Reheat the soup to a gentle simmer (add some extra stock at this point if the soup is too thick for your liking), then pour into warmed bowls. Drizzle the remaining cream over each serving, top with a little pile of buttered leeks and a scattering of chives and black pepper and serve at once. Sheltered Housing , Issue 1
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Got a door that is sticking? Do the batteries on your smoke alarm need replacing?
Has your toilet seat fallen off? Is that tap still dripping?
Perhaps we can help?
HANDY PERSON SCHEME Meet our Handyman Paul Call 01708 434087 or 0800 1513444 to arrange for one of our Handymen to visit your home Do you need somebody to do those little jobs around your home? Our Handy Person Scheme is a free service to Havering Tenants to help people over 60, vulnerable or disabled residents who need minor repairs and maintenance to their home. Our Handy Person Scheme can carry out many repairs for you including: • Door security such as extra locks, security • Minor repairs to taps chains and spy holes on your front door • Securing carpets • Putting together flat pack furniture • Fixing curtain rails or blinds • Changing light bulbs • Hanging curtains • Moving small items of furniture • Putting up shelves, pictures or mirrors • Fixing a sticky doors or windows • Fitting smoke alarms or changing • Fixing or replacing doorbells the batteries • Fixing or replacing toilet seats • Repairs to garden gates
How can you find out more or request a repair? For more information or to ask for help from the Handyperson, call us on 01708 434087. Our administraters can discuss your needs and assess whether our handyperson can assist you.
What the Handy Person Scheme cannot do. The handy person scheme cannot carry out the following works: • Electrical or gas work • Fencing • Ladder work • Roofing • Major works • Cosmetic jobs • Decorating • Emergency repairs • Gardening • Private residents or leaseholders
Who can use this service? This service is open to all Havering Council Tenants who are: • Elderly or frail • Have a learning disability • Have a physical disability • Have a mental health problem 12
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Keeping people safe Living in one of our sheltered housing schemes is a safe place to be but sometimes things can go wrong and that’s when we act quickly. We will do everything we can to safeguard you and your neighbours from any form of abuse including: »» Physical abuse - including hitting, pushing, kicking, shaking and misusing medication »» Sexual abuse – any sexual activity that a person does not understand or want »» Psychological abuse – including threats of harm or abandonment, emotional or verbal abuse, humiliation and intimidation
»» Financial abuse – including theft, fraud, denying a person access to their money or belongings or putting pressure on someone in connection with their inheritance or Will »» Neglect – including failing to provide health-care and social-care services or food, or ignoring someone’s needs for medical or physical care and »» Discrimination – including any harassment associated with, for example, a person’s race, sex, disability. If you or someone you know is a victim of any form of abuse, it is important that you tell someone so it can be stopped as soon as possible. It very
rarely happens but we treat any report of abuse very seriously. You can report abuse to us confidentially: »» By phone on 01708 432000 (social services) »» By speaking to your mobile support worker »» By pulling your alarm cord You can also call any of the following organisations: »» The Police phone 101 or 999 in an emergency »» Age Concern phone 01708 796600 All of us will work with you and other people to make sure our residents are safe. If you want a copy of our policy on vulnerable adults, please ask your mobile support worker.
Keeping everything clean Every sheltered housing scheme has a housekeeper who will make sure that all the communal areas are kept clean and tidy. We are sometimes asked what housekeeper’s should do so here’s the list. Your housekeeper will: »» Clean communal toilets and replace items »» Clean the communal kitchen (cooker, work tops, floor, sink, plates, cups ) »» Empty all bins in communal areas and replace bin liners »» Clean communal lounge (tables, floors) »» Clean all communal areas (corridors, stairwells and
entrances) »» Clean guest room and facilities »» Clean the lift car »» Clean laundry room »» Remove any net curtains on communal windows, wash and re hang (every 3 months) »» Clean external communal areas Your housekeeper will also report: »» Running overflows »» Health and safety issues »» Communal repairs »» Lighting defects »» Anti-social behaviour »» Abandoned vehicles »» Nuisance Sheltered Housing , Issue 1
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Activities for you to enjoy
Special events
There are lots of activities for you to enjoy in each of the Sheltered Housing Schemes as you can see below: Scheme
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Bards Court
Coffee Morning, Tea and Darts Afternoon
Coffee Morning, Club meet In Afternoon
Computer lessons in Morning, Coffee Morning, Games Afternoon
Coffee Morning Bingo Afternoon
Coffee Morning Quiz Afternoon
Fitness Club Morning
Age Concern Morning Bingo Evening
Afternoon Tea
Lunch Bingo Evening
Beehive Court
Brunswick Court
Perky Pensioners Lunch
Charlbury Crescent
Bingo Afternoon, Maintenance Mobile Support Surgery Worker Visits and Sheltered Surgeries Silver Linx Craft Club Afternoon
Cockerbourne Court Cole Court
Bacon Sandwiches Morning Coffee Morning
Bingo
Coffee Morning
Cottons Court
Activites Club Afternoon, Bingo Evening Bingo Afternoon Activites Club Afternoon, Bingo Evening Bingo Afternoon
Pool Afternoon
Dell Court Fambridge Court
Garrick House
Holsworthy House Coffee Morning, Bingo Afternoon Lombard House Marygreen Crescent Park Lane Poplar Street Queen Street
Bingo Afternoon Coffee Morning Coffee Morning Bingo Afternoon
Ravenscourt Darts Evening Grove Royal Jubilee Court Coffee Morning Thomas Sims Court
William Tansley Smith House
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Tea and Coffee Morning Bingo and Bonus Ball Game Lunch
Coffee Morning
Lunch every other Wednesday, Activities Evening Breakfast Morning, Bingo Evening
Bingo Afternoon Pool Afternoon
Darts Afternoon
Line Dancing Afternoon Coffee Morning
Bingo Afternoon
Lunch, Dinner or Entertainment Evenings Bible Studies Morning, Lunch, Hairdresser Visits Silver Linx Craft Afternoon Club Afternoon Darts Evening
May
Event
Venue
Time
Cost
Tuesday 6
Food demonstration
Cottons Court Fambridge Court
10am
Free
Tuesday 27
Food demonstration
Lombard House Poplar Street
12 noon -1pm
Free
June
Event
Venue
Time
Cost
Tuesday 5
Food demonstration
Cockerbourne Court
10 -11am
Free
Tuesday 24
Food demonstration
Holsworthy House
11am -12noon
Free
Entertainment Evenings
Pool Afternoon
Bingo Afternoon
Computer Lessons Coffee Morning
Tea And Cake Afternoon Coffee Mornings, Bingo Evenings
Breakfast Morning
Knitting Afternoon
Breakfast Morning Mobile Support Workers Surgery
Knitting Afternoon
Bingo Afternoon Keep Fit Coffee Mornings
Snooker Evening Snooker Evening
Computer Games Tea and Coffee Morning Pool
Silver Linx Craft Club Morning Knitting and Craft Afternoon
Coffee Morning, Computer Games Tea and Coffee Morning Silver Linx Craft Club morning Crafts Afternoon Cards Evening
Cards Evening
Bingo Afternoon
Computer Games
Coffee Morning, Computer Games Tea and Coffee Morning Bacon and Sausage Sandwich Lunch Entertainment Evenings
For most events, there is no More information need to book. Chelsea.potts@havering.gov.uk 01708 434668 Sheltered Housing , Issue 1
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Get active and enjoy life Bingo, day trips, entertainers and gardening are just some of the activities that are available for people living in Havering Council’s sheltered housing schemes - activities vary a lot between schemes. This year the Community Engagement Team will be working with residents to bring more activities to more residents. The first step has been to find out what is already taking place in each sheltered housing scheme with the following results:
Low activity (two or fewer activities each week) Charlbury Court, Cole Court, Dell Court, Queen Street and Ravenscourt Grove. Medium activity (three of four activities each week) Brunswick Court, Garrick House and Park Lane High activity (five or more activities each week) Bards Court, Beehive Court, Cockabourne Court, Cottons Court, Fambridge Court, Holsworthy House, Serena Court, Solar Court, Sunrise Court,
Thomas Sims House and William Tansley Smith House. The schemes which currently have low activity levels will be the first ones where residents will be asked what other activities they want to see. We are also hoping to get more family members involved to help organise activities so if you have someone keen to get involved please let us know. Don’t forget if you have an idea for an activity please let your SHOUT representative know.
SHOUT for YOUR representative Each sheltered housing scheme can have up to two representatives attend the SHOUT (Sheltered Housing Users Team) forum. If you have a question or issue you wish them to raise please contact your representative. The current representatives are: 29 Bards Court 29 Bards Court 47 Beehive Court 45 Brunswick Court 9 Cockabourne Court 22 Cockabourne Court 3 Cole Court 10 Cole Court 7 Dell Court 14 Dell Court 18 Fambridge Court 7 Garrick House 15 Garrick House 35 Holsworthy House 29 Maygreen Crescent 75 Neave Crescent 166 Park Lane 35 Poplar Street www.havering.gov.uk
Ann Ruddiman David Ruddiman Joyce Rafis Paul Clark Brian Morland Kenneth Turrell Beryl Lodge Doreen Richardson Maureen Marsh Maureen Piller Jean Freeman Malcolm Hales Thomas Waller Stan Tackley Sue Hutton Bill Brace Lil Hudson Pamela Skipworth
41 Poplar Street 41 Poplar Street 14 Queen Street 56 Queen Street 109 Ravenscourt Grove 135 Ravenscourt Grove 34 Royal Jubilee Court 39 Royal Jubilee Court 45 Royal Jubilee Court 77 Royal Jubilee Court 13 Solar Court 3 Sunrise Court 6 Thomas Sims Court 11 Thomas Sims Court 28 Thomas Sims Court 5 William Tansley Smith House 11 William Tansley Smith House
Daphne Clifford John Clifford Ted Jones Gordon Kirkley Jean Garbett Lesley Duke Thomas Walsh Gladys Collier Joan Howett Frances Eldred Frances Rowntree Brian Laws Peter Cox Mike Droy Jean Ingram Lucy Proctor Adrienne Bell
Design & Print by London Borough of Havering. Job No: D3913