Sheltered Times News and Views for Sheltered Housing residents ISSUE 2: Summer 2014
Summer sun boost for building work
The good weather we have been enjoying this summer means that external maintenance work to sheltered housing schemes is going ahead at a good pace.
Scaffolding is now up at Brunswick Court in Cranham (pictured left) ready for work to begin and work is also underway at Beehive Court in Harold Wood and Charlbury Court in Harold Hill. Part of that work will include using coloured paint for window frames and other woodwork, rather than the standard white. Meanwhile kitchens and bathrooms at Brunswick Court in Cranham and William Tansley Smith House in Hornchurch are being replaced as part of the
five-year-long Decent Homes Programme. The next contract for kitchen and bathroom replacement will be for Bards Court in Harold Hill and work is due to start at Royal Jubilee Court in Gidea Park in the autumn. All sheltered housing schemes are due to have electriccontrolled doors to the main entrances, installed by the end of March 2015, to make it easier to get in and out when carrying shopping or using wheelchairs.
Classy new kitchen
Fambridge Court Social Club Chair, Jean Freeman & Keepmoat Project Manager Dick Bessent prepare tea in the new kitchen.
Residents at Cottons Court and Fambridge Court will be able to have a classy cuppa thanks to a new communal kitchen which was officially opened in July.
Eleven cupboards, work surfaces and a new sink were provided by contractor Rixonway with Keepmoat doing the installation, painting and tiling free of charge. Fambridge Court Social Club Chair, Jean Freeman, cut the ribbon to officially open the new kitchen, with help from Keepmoat Project Manager Dick Bessent. With 80 households in the two sheltered housing schemes the communal lounge is a busy area where residents meet for a chat and cup of tea or for events organised by the social committee.
Mrs Freeman, said: “This is a lovely new kitchen which is much better than the one we had before. We do a lot of social events here so the new kitchen will be put to very good use.” Mr Bessent added: ”We were pleased to do this work as it is good to give something back to the community. The Council’s Decent Homes programme has brought us a lot of work and this is one way we can say thank you; we are sure the residents will put the new kitchen to very good and frequent use.” More information capitalprojects@havering.gov.uk 01708 434700
Contact details 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. Out of hours If you have a problem outside normal office hours that won’t wait ring 01708 756699. Anti-Social Behaviour Email: asb@havering.gov.uk For problems outside 9am to 5pm ring 01708 726685. There are 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 (pictured) by emailing chealsea.potts@havering.gov.uk or ring 01708 434668.
Looking back If you want to check out a previous issue of Sheltered Times they are now on line at www.havering.gov.uk/ shelteredtimes.
Textphone The Textphone number is 01708 433399. 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 or other parts of the show please do get in touch. More information Chelsea.potts@havering.gov.uk 01708 434668
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A day in the Life: Paul Meehan, Handy Person Sometimes it’s the little things in life that mean the most and for many Havering Council sheltered housing residents a helping hand from handy person, Paul Meehan, is just what they need. Paul has been the Council’s handy person for the last nine years during which time he’s built a good relationship with many of his regular ‘customers’ who welcome him into their home for a variety of jobs. Paul said: “Every day is different and varied. The jobs I do can be something as simple as changing a light bulb for someone who is disabled and can’t change it themselves. 146-piece wardrobe “The most complicated job was putting together the 146 pieces in some flat-pack furniture to end up with a double wardrobe.” The Handy Person Service is available for Council tenants who are elderly, frail or have a physical or other disability. A call to the special handy person telephone number reaches an administrative officer in Homes and Housing who then raises a job ticket giving Paul details of the work that needs doing. He rings the tenant to arrange when to call and the work is usually completed within seven days.
With an average of six jobs a week for tenants, plus other work for the Council, Paul is kept busy and takes pride in the work he does. He added: “I enjoy meeting people and there is a wide variety of work that I do which makes the job interesting too. “I get a lot of job satisfaction from knowing that I’ve been able to help people who don’t have anyone else to do these little jobs that make such a big difference.”
Service is a privilege One of his customers, Jean Powell, of Hillrise Road, Collier Row, said: “I have osteoarthritis and osteoporosis so the handy person service is very important to me as I can’t do the work myself. “The handy person service is a privilege for us as without it, it would be really difficult to get these jobs done. “Paul has repaired the hall light for me, installed new net curtain rails and replaced door handles> He is always so cheerful.”
More information: www.havering.gov.uk/housing maintenanceenquiries@havering.gov.uk 01708 434087 Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
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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
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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How good is your neighbour?
Keeping safe without the clutter Thank you to everyone who has removed clutter from the communal walkways, stairs and landings to make them safer for people to use, especially in an emergency. Four sheltered housing schemes have been visited and clutter cleared by the removal team and the remaining complexes will be visited in the next few weeks. Before any item is removed it will have a label put on it and the SHOUT Forum representative will be contacted to discuss why these items are being removed. In some cases chairs are being removed because they don’t meet current fire safety regulations. Discussions are continuing about providing suitable shelters where mobility scooters can be stored and recharged as having them in flats or corridors is a fire safety hazard.
Everybody needs good neighbours but do yours go that extra mile to lend a helping hand?
To make your nomination complete the form below and send it to:
Do you have a neighbour that: will do anything to help you; is caring and kind; runs a project; does environmental improvements for the neighbourhood? If so, we would like to recognise that kindness and reward them for all that they do. You can help recognise the help they give by nominating them for a Havering Council Homes and Housing Good Neighbour Award 2014. The help they give could be to individuals or to the wider community, can be from doing your shopping to maintaining a housing scheme’s communal garden – the list is endless.
Chelsea Potts Community Engagement Havering Council Homes and Housing, Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, RM3 8YQ. Closing date Friday 14 November 2014. The nominations will be agreed by a panel of the Residents Forum on Tuesday 2 December 2014.
More information www.havering.gov.uk/ goodneighbouraward Chelsea.potts@havering.gov.uk
HAVERING COUNCIL HOMES AND HOUSING GOOD NEIGHBOUR AWARD 2014 Name of person nominating Your contact details
Person nominated Their contact details
Reason for nomination
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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 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 staff 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 • Roofing • Ladder work • Cosmetic jobs • Major works • Emergency repairs • Decorating • Private residents or leaseholders • Gardening • Fencing
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 06
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Spotlight on Charlbury Court
so we won’t have that problem again. “We’ve got four parties planned already. On the first Sunday of December we are having a tree decorating party where any grandchildren of people living here can come along and join in the fun. Once the tree is decorated we’ll tuck into a good buffet too. “On 13 December we’re having a party for the residents with That’s What Friends Are For coming along in costume to lead some community singing. “We are also planning a three-course meal with a chef coming in to prepare and cook it. The fourth event is with pupils from Brookside School leading carol singing.”
Rosie George and Barbara Hughes plan the next event.
If you live at Charlbury Court in Harold Hill you’ll have plenty of fun and interesting activities to join in, thanks to the planning and organisational skills of Rosie George and Barbara Hughes. This dynamic duo are the driving force behind a packed programme of activities, but nothing would be happening today if there had been a Christmas tree in the communal lounge last December.
Having got Christmas organised, and calling in help from others, the target was to arrange some weekly activities and events at other times of the year. Big events included a trip to Southend-on-Sea in July, afternoon teas and the home could be invaded by greyhounds (wooden ones) soon for a Race Night in the lounge. A Summer Fete, a Cockney Night and a trip to Clacton-on-Sea are also in the pipeline. Regular activities include the Silver Lynx Craft Club which meets every Tuesday afternoon led by volunteer Martie van Deventer, bingo every Wednesday evening with cash prizes on offer and a weekly bonus ball competition with a £20 prize. continued on page 8
Rosie said: “Christmas 2013 was looking bleak for those of us staying here for the holiday period with not even a Christmas tree in the lounge so a few of us agreed something needed to be done and had a chat with Barbara who agreed with me “In the past events had been organised by Alice Blackhall, who had done a great job but was now finding it harder to do the necessary work. Alice gave us some great ideas and advice and still does; it’s great to know she’s there to turn to when we need someone to bounce some ideas off.” Barbara added: “The first thing we did was some planning for Christmas 2014. B & Q kindly donated a Christmas tree to Alice for the lounge
Iris Corby makes a bracelet at the Silver Lynx Craft Club with teacher Martie van Deventer Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
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over from page 7
From August the new communal kitchen will be put to good use with bacon and sausage rolls being served on the first Wednesday of each month so people can chat over brunch.
so they can shop online, browse the internet or use Skype or other software to keep in touch with family or friends, the lounge has been even more popular.
Barbara added: “We had a Love Food, Hate Waste demonstration which was very popular so we are hoping they can come back again soon as we want to run activities people who live here want to do.”
Rosie said: “Refurbishing the lounge has made a big difference and the atmosphere now is lovely. We often have children and grandchildren of residents visiting and we get on really well together as the community spirit is back.
With 50 households in the scheme there are always new ideas of things to do for Rosie and Barbara to explore.
“I firmly believe you can’t force people to join in with other people but you can tempt them by showing how much fun they can have with friends and neighbours.”
Since the computers were installed by Havering Council, giving every resident access to free Wi-Fi
Spotlight on food: Chocolate Sponge Cake with Butter Cream filling Ingredients
Method
Sponge Cake »» 6oz margarine »» 6oz caster sugar
For sponge cake: 1. Whisk sugar and margarine together until light and fluffy
»» 3 eggs
2. Add the eggs gradually »» 5oz self-raising flour stirring them in »» 1oz cocoa powder 3. Beat in all the dry ingredients »» Half a teaspoon baking powder
4. Grease two 7 inch cake tins
»» Buttercream »» 2oz butter
6. Put them in heated oven (180C or 160C fan assisted) for 25 to 30 minutes until cocktail stick comes out clean
»» 4oz icing sugar
5. Divide the mixture equally between them
7. Leave in the tins for five minutes then remove and leave to cool on tray For butter cream 1. Beat the ingredients together until smooth and thick 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 08
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2. Spread evenly over top of one cake 3. Place second cake on top
Sheltered Clusters Gordan, Marion and Shaun at The Queen’s Theatre before enjoying the Music Hall show.
Nineteen sheltered housing schemes have been joined together into clusters so members of the schemes in each cluster can easily join together for group activities. Group activities will include day trips, coach outings, demonstrations and theatre visits. The following events have already been organised: »» Elm Park – Queens Theatre tickets »» Harold Hill/ Harold Wood – Day-trip to Clactonon-Sea, Love Food, Hate Waste event »» Hornchurch – Day-trip to Clacton-on-Sea »» Romford – Queens Theatre tickets Events have been planned using information from the sheltered housing needs survey but if you have any ideas for future activities or trips do let your SHOUT Forum representatives know. The clusters are: Elm Park Garrick House Maygreen Crescent Serena Court Solar Court Sunrise Court Thomas Sims Court Hornchurch Brunswick Court Dell Court Ravenscourt Grove William Tansley Smith House
Harold Hill/ Harold Wood Bards Court Beehive Court Charlbury Court Cockabourne Court Cole Court Holsworthy House Romford Cottons Court Fambridge Court Delderfield House Lombard House Poplar Street Queen Street Royal Jubilee Court
On the coach ready for the sing song is this quartet from Holsworthy House.
Care response success Havering Council’s Telecare Centre offers a range of services aimed at helping people live in their own home. The latest figures available (June 2014) show that 98 per cent of calls to Telecare, which needed emergency assistance received it within 45 minutes. 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. More information www.havering.gov.uk/telecare 01708 432345
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Heard at the SHOUT Forum
SHOUT Forum representatives are welcomed by Chair Paul Clark
Forum representatives have been asked to discuss with residents suitable themes for Marina Crofts updates the forum the pictures so each scheme’s individual identity shines through. Make sure you let »» Noticeboards in all 19 your representative know sheltered housing schemes your views. are being renewed so events posters and information can »» Each sheltered housing be displayed more easily. scheme has been allocated £700 for new garden »» Computers are now installed furniture, so you can enjoy in the communal lounges of the fresh air and communal all sheltered housing schemes. gardens in comfort. Training will be organised for residents in each scheme and »» Landscaping plans are being once a resident has completed prepared for communal the training they will be given gardens ready to plant shrubs SHOUT Forum representatives their personal password to and bulbs during the autumn ready to make their views known access the computers. and spring next year. If you Residents will be able to use have suggestions for your Here is a round-up of them to keep in touch with communal garden, including some of the items discussed family and friends through any requests for raised beds. at the SHOUT Forum held at Skype;,do their shopping For residents wanting to do Brunswick Court, Cranham online or browse the internet some gardening themselves, in July. for information. please let your SHOUT Forum If you have something you want »» Each sheltered housing representative know. discussed please ask your scheme has been allocated SHOUT Forum representative to £500 so residents can choose get it on the agenda for the new pictures to brightne up next meeting. their communal areas. SHOUT 10
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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 58 Charlbury Court 94 Charlbury 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
Ann Ruddiman David Ruddiman Joyce Rafis Paul Clark Brian Morland Barbara Hughes Rosie George Kenneth Turrell Beryl Lodge Doreen Richardson Maureen Marsh Maureen Piller Jean Freeman Malcolm Hales Thomas Waller Stan Tackley Sue Hutton Bill Brace
166 Park Lane Lil Hudson 35 Poplar Street Pamela Skipworth 41 Poplar Street Daphne Clifford 41 Poplar Street John Clifford 56 Queen Street Gordon Kirkley 135 Ravenscourt Grove Lesley Duke 109 Ravenscourt Grove Jean Garbett 18 Royal Jubilee Court Patricia Faulkner 34 Royal Jubilee Court Thomas Walsh 39 Royal Jubilee Court Gladys Collier 13 Solar Court Frances Rowntree 3 Sunrise Court Brian Laws 6 Thomas Sims Court Peter Cox 11 Thomas Sims Court Mike Droy 28 Thomas Sims Court Jean Ingram 5 William Tansley Smith House Lucy Proctor 11 William Tansley Smith House Adrienne Bell
Wishes can come true Communal gardens were improved
New communal lounge
More than ÂŁ8million will be spent by March 2015 turning dreams into reality for sheltered housing residents. SHOUT Forum representatives collected the wishes of their residents for improvements to
communal areas and many of those have now come true including providing new carpets, communal kitchens, curtains, garden furniture, pictures, big screen communal TVs and installing computers. Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
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Residents’ Write: Our Trip to Thurrock Garden Centre Report by Yvonne Mager of Holsworthy House We were picked up at 11.50am from Holsworthy House in Harold Hill. After Chelsea checked us onto the coach and wished us a good afternoon, we were off. Once we arrived at Thurrock Garden Centre, we had about an hour and a half of free time to look around. Our group of five decided our first priority was for coffee, after which we took a look around the centre. For anyone who hasn’t been, there is a large area for indoor plants, gardening tools, china, puzzles, books, furniture and
even some clothing.
indulge in a cream tea!!
The outside area had everything you could ever want for your garden, from soil, plants, slabs, ornaments, fish and of course sheds. After our browse around, some of us bought plants.
The choir finished 15 minutes before our coach was due at 4pm.
It was then lunch time, so we had a light meal in the café, where we stayed for the entertainment, which was a choir who sang all the old time war songs. I thought they were so good, I was going to try and get them to come to our complex. We all joined in with the singing and then had to
Party time as Stan moves home
The afternoon was well arranged and we all enjoyed a relaxing time. A collection was taken up by the choir and this was for the Royal British Legion, being the 100 years anniversary of the start of World War One. A good time was had by all, joining in with the singing and relaxing with friends, what more could you want? More of this please!
Times for Ted
Stan Green, sixth from left, enjoying the party with his friends.
It was time to party, party, party when Stan Green decided to move from Queen Street Villas after 22 years.
road and a lot of fun was had by all.
But the good news is that Stan wasn’t moving far and has now Friends, family and neighbours settled in well at Paines Brook joined him for a farewell party at Court in Harold Hill. The Sun pub at the end of the 12
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Ted Jones of Queen Street, Romford was the winner in our competition to name this magazine. Ted’s suggestion of Sheltered Times won him £50 which we are sure he’ll enjoy spending.
Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside...
Waiting to be picked up at Cockabourne Court ready to go to Clacton-on-Sea
That was the message from residents of Cockabourne Court and Holsworthy House who have had two day trips to the seaside this summer as Yvonne Mager reports. Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to Walton? After leaving Romford at 9.30am we arrived at Waltonon-the-Naze at 11am, just in time for a coffee and then a walk round the market. The Quiz Book stall proved popular with at least four people buying enough to keep them going for some time. Lunch was enjoyed in a restaurant on the front and then most of us moved to seats over-looking the sea to enjoy an ice cream in the glorious sun or even some paddling before we left at 4pm. Everybody had a thoroughly good day‌ as did those who went on a day trip to Southend-
on-Sea. We had a later start of 10am from Romford. The driver put on a CD which encouraged some of us to sing while others just chatted during the journey. On arrival a five minute walk took us to the sea front and after a coffee some went to buy hats for protection against the sun while others went shopping or tried their luck at the slot machines. We all met up for lunch and then went on to the beach with some people enjoying a paddle and others just sitting overlooking the beach, watching children enjoying themselves playing in the water fountains. That left time for a quick cup of tea before boarding the bus at 4pm for the journey home including another sing-song on the way. Very hot weather with a nice breeze coming off the sea made it a good day for everyone.
You’ve got a friend
Havering Council, with Age Concern Havering, is launching a special scheme aimed at helping people in sheltered housing schemes get more involved with their local community. The Befriender Scheme has been launched after a survey of sheltered housing tenants showed that 45 per cent said they had felt isolated from time to time. Anyone living on their own can ask for a volunteer befriender who will visit them at home to socialise and talk about mutual interests or they may become activity buddies or share the hobbies of the older person. If you use a wheelchair or are housebound specially trained befrienders are available who can take people out shopping or to local events. Another part of the service will be to provide IT training to help older people use Skype to stay in touch with family and friends. Age Concern Havering was chosen to provide this service due to its expertise in helping some 10,000 older people each year and in recruiting and managing the work loads of a large number of volunteers. Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
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Welcome to our garden Working with friends in the garden or just sitting and enjoying the plants and wildlife are ideal ways to relax and unwind. A lot of work has been done this year landscaping communal gardens and installing raised beds to make it easier for residents wanting to do look after some plants of their own. Work has been completed already at Beehive Court and Dell Court and is underway at Cockabourne Court. This autumn will see planting being done at Garrick House, Park Lane and Thomas Sims House. At Brunswick Court some more shrubs are to be planted this autumn and hedges by bus stop will be reduced at the end of the bird nesting season. Residents at Queen Street will also see shrub beds created and planted this autumn and a food composter will be installed at Royal Jubilee Court. If you have ideas for improving your communal gardens please give details to your SHOUT Forum representative.
Arts and Crafts No carping about these Koi Residents of Brunswick Court in Cranham enjoy watching the Koi in the large raised pond in their communal gardens – a relaxing way to enjoy a summer afternoon. 14
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We are looking for donations for our craft groups. Items we need include knitting equipment, wool, paper, card and any other suitable arts and crafts items. More information liz.marshall@havering.gov.uk 01708 432679
Activities for you to enjoy 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, Afternoon Tea and Darts
Coffee Morning, Club meet In Afternoon
Computer lessons in Morning, Coffee Morning, Games Afternoon
Coffee Morning Bingo Afternoon
Coffee Morning Quiz Afternoon
Beehive Court
Fitness Club Morning
Age Concern Morning Bingo Evening
Afternoon Tea
Lunch Bingo Evening
Brunswick Court
Bingo Afternoon, Mobile Support Worker Visits and Sheltered Surgeries
First tuesday of each month, 2pm, Supported Housing Surgery Silver Linx Craft Club Afternoon
Perky Pensioners Lunch
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
Charlbury Crescent
Dell Court Fambridge Court
Garrick House
Holsworthy House Coffee Morning, Bingo Afternoon Lombard House Maygreen Crescent Park Lane Poplar Street Queen Street
Bingo Afternoon Coffee Morning Coffee Morning Bingo Afternoon
Ravenscourt Darts Evening Grove Royal Jubilee Court Coffee Morning
Lunch every other Wednesday, Activities Evening Breakfast Morning, Bingo Evening
Bingo Afternoon Pool Afternoon
Darts Afternoon Breakfast Morning, Bingo Evening
Line Dancing Afternoon Coffee Morning
Bingo Afternoon
Lunch, Dinner/ Entertainment Evenings Bible Studies Morning, Lunch, Hairdresser Visits Silver Linx Craft Club Afternoon Afternoon Darts Evening
Entertainment Evenings
Pool Afternoon
Bingo Afternoon Pool
Computer Lessons Coffee Morning
Tea And Cake Afternoon Coffee Mornings, Bingo Evenings
Bingo Afternoon
Breakfast Morning
Knitting Afternoon
Breakfast Morning Mobile Support Workers Surgery
Knitting Afternoon
Keep Fit Coffee Mornings
Snooker Evening Snooker Evening
Computer Games
Thomas Sims Court
Tea and Coffee Morning Bingo and Bonus Ball Game Lunch
Tea and Coffee Morning Pool
William Tansley Smith House
Coffee Morning
Knitting /Craft Afternoon
Coffee Morning, Computer Games Tea and Coffee Morning Silver Linx Craft Club Afternoon Cards Evening
Cards Evening
Bingo Afternoon
Computer Games
Coffee Morning, Computer Games Tea and Coffee Morning Bacon and Sausage Sandwich Lunch Entertainment Evenings
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Keeping fire away
Most fires in the home start accidentally, so it’s important that you know how to reduce the chances of a fire starting in your home and keep yourself, your family and your property safe from fire. The London Fire Brigade website’s home fire safety pages have lots of information to help you do just that. Don’t forget, if there is a fire inside your home – get out, stay out and call 999 – don’t try to tackle the fire yourself. There are some basic things to watch for so you can reduce the risk of a fire in your home. Electrical appliances »» Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances when you are not using them except those that are meant to be permanently switched on (like the fridge or DVD recorder). »» Make sure plugs have the correct fuse for the appliance being used. »» Use only one plug per socket. »» If you have to use an adapter, use a fused ‘in line’ type.
www.havering.gov.uk
»» Avoid multi-way adapters and overloading electric sockets by using several adapters as they may overheat. »» Don’t run leads or cables under carpets or rugs – you won’t be able to see if they become damaged. »» Replace worn, damaged or taped up leads and cables. »» Always use a proper ironing board and turn off the iron after use. Make sure the iron
is left to cool on a heat resistant surface away from curtains, carpets and anything else that may catch fire. »» Always switch off hair straighteners/curling tongs after use and leave to cool on a heat resistant surface. More information www.london-fire.gov.uk/ FireSafety.asp
Fire Safety in sheltered schemes If you hear the fire alarm and the fire is not in your flat, you should stay in your flat and wait for instructions from the fire officer or a Council officer. You should not stay in your flat if: »» The fire is in your flat »» You are in one of the shared areas or »» You are in danger Your flat »» Every flat has a smoke detector, which is usually in the hallway of your flat. »» The smoke detectors are connected to the 24-hour central control service. »» If the detector is set off, the alarm will sound in your flat and it will automatically call the 24-hour control centre. »» If it is a false alarm and you tell the control centre, the call will be cancelled.
»» If the fire is in your flat, you should leave immediately by the nearest fire exit. DO NOT WAIT FOR the control centre TO Call YOU BACK. »» If there is any doubt the Fire Service will be called. Communal areas »» There are also smoke detectors in the shared areas of the block which are linked to the main fire-alarm system. »» If any of these detectors are set off, the fire alarm will also sound in your flat. »» The 24-hour control centre will contact the Fire Service. »» Please do not prop open fire doors or interfere with or remove the self-closing system on fire doors, which are designed to stop any fire from spreading.
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