Sheltered Times News and Views for Sheltered Housing residents
ISSUE 15: Winter 2017
Keeping residents entertained and informed Residents of the sheltered housing schemes were joined by older residents from the community who were also invited attend. Organisations attending could display their information on a stand and take the the opportunity to speak for up to 10 minutes about the services they offer. One of those organisations was Love Food Hate Waste who held a timely cooking demonstration to show how to use up Christmas dinner leftovers. The previous month a reminiscence event was held at Beehive Court. The theme was the history of the NHS and Harold Wood Hospital and the meeting was held in partnership with Eastside Community Heritage. More of these events will be held in the future.
Love Food Hate Waste chefs Mark and David Borrell at the Holsworthy House roadshow A series of Sheltered Housing Community Roadshows were held in November at Holsworthy House, William Tansley Smith House,and Cottons Court and Fambridge Court designed to promote safety and the different community services that are available for residents.
Beehive resident Jeff Haimov sharing his experience of working for the hospital radio station at Harold Wood
With respect and remembrance More than 2,000 people attended Remembrance Sunday services and parades across Havering to remember those who lost their lives and to honour their sacrifices. The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Linda Van den Hende, laid a wreath on behalf of councillors and staff at the service held in Romford’s Coronation Gardens, following the parade led by the Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford. Cllr Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council, said: “No one plays a greater role in keeping us safe than our Armed Forces. The Remembrance Sunday Services gave us a chance to remember these servicemen and women past and present.�
Getting in touch How to contact your scheme officer
Sharon is the Sheltered Housing Manager and is in charge of the scheme officers. Email Sharon.Nunn@havering.gov.uk Ashley looks after Serena, Solar and Sunrise Court, Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane. Email Ashley.Cowlin@havering.gov.uk
Nadine looks after Beehive Court and Charlbury Crescent. Email Nadine.Quinlan@havering.gov.uk
Carol looks after Bards Court, Brunswick Court and Holsworthy House. Email Carol.Foley@havering.gov.uk
Andra looks after Dell Court and Garrick House. Email Andra.Ramsay@havering.gov.uk
Stephanie looks after Delderfield House, Poplar Street and Royal Jubilee Court. Email Stephanie.Johnson@havering.gov.uk
Denise looks after Cottons Court, Fambridge Court and Cole Court. Email Denise.Smith@havering.gov.uk
Lisa looks after Cottons Court, Fambridge Court and Cole Court. Email Lisa.Matthews@havering.gov.uk
Lade Dairo looks after Ravenscourt Grove and William Tansley Smith House. Email Lade.Dairo@havering.gov.uk
Kelly looks afterThomas Sims Court and Cockabourne Court. .Email Kelly.Murray@havering.gov.uk
Nikki is the Sheltered Housing Support Administrator Email Nicola.Holmes@havering.gov.uk
Contact details Looking back
Ideas for this magazine If you have ideas for future articles contact Denise Kelly, from the Housing Services Community Engagement Team (pictured) by emailing Denise.Kelly@havering.gov.uk 2
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If you want to check out a previous issue of Sheltered Times, they are now online at www.havering.gov.uk/shelteredtimes Housing Services Customer Contact Service The easiest way to contact us is at www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing Anti-social behaviour www.havering.gov.uk/housingasb Email For rent queries housingrents@havering.gov.uk Social media Follow us on Twitter@LBHHousing Facebook: log in and in the search box type Get involved – Havering Council tenants and leaseholders Out of hours If you have a problem outside normal office hours that can’t wait ring 01708 756699.
Cabinet Member’s column Welcome to the winter edition of Sheltered Times, our regular magazine for residents in our sheltered housing schemes. May I be one of the first people to wish you a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. Across our housing schemes there are a number of Christmas activities for you to enjoy and you can see details of them on page 12. In the last edition of Sheltered Times I talked about our fire safety campaign and the need for everyone to be vigilant and conscious of things that may increase the fire risk in your homes and communal areas. I am pleased to say that everyone seems to be supportive of the campaign and understands why we all need to be strict on things like clutter and smoking in communal areas. Obviously we all need to keep up our efforts. In the last edition, I also talked about the major investment that we are making in our Sheltered housing in order to create Community Hubs and to make the schemes the very best that they can be. That investment has started already and will continue over the next two years, making improvements to security, lifts, energy efficiency, scooter storage and communal decorations, to name just a few elements of a very wide-ranging programme. We will consult in more detail with each scheme as plans develop further and contracts are procured. If you want to discuss any issues relating to your housing, and the services Havering Council provides please pop along to one of my regular housing surgeries. You can find details of forthcoming dates on the back cover of this magazine. Councillor Damian White Deputy Leader of Havering Council and Cabinet Member for Housing
More information www.havering.gov.uk/HousingSurgeries
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:
14 Bards Court Bards Court 44 Beehive Court 47 Beehive Court 15 Brunswick Court 45 Brunswick Court 94 Charlbury Crescent 130 Charlbury Crescent 4 Cole Court 10 Cole Court 27 Dell Court 18 Fambridge Court 2 Cottons Court 7 Garrick House 35 Holsworthy House 87 Neave Crescent 41 Poplar Street 59 Poplar Street 137Ravenscourt Grove 109 Ravenscourt Grove 43 Royal Jubilee Court 50 Royal Jubilee Court 13 Solar Court 3 Sunrise Court 6 Thomas Sims Court 11 Thomas Sims Court 5 William Tansley Smith House 11 William Tansley Smith House
Steve Davies vacant Graham Broad Joyce Rafis Ann Christian Paul Clark Rosie George Derek Dench William Russell Doreen Richardson Gary Narborough Jean Freeman Valerie Harper Malcolm Hales Stan Tackley Margaret Boyd John Clifford Ted Jones Christobel Gibson Jean Garbett Elizabeth Paterson Carlene Robertson Frances Rowntree Brian Laws Peter Cox Mick Droy Lucy Proctor Adrienne Bell
SHOUT Forum dates
The SHOUT Forum is scheduled to meet on: »» Tuesday 30 January 2018, 10am at Thomas Sims Court, Wood Lane, Hornchurch RM12 5NN »» Tuesday 24 April 2018, 10am Holsworthy House, Neave Crescent, Harold Hill, RM3 8PP These meetings are only open to your elected SHOUT Forum Representatives. If you have something you wish to be raised at one of these meetings please let your representative know. Sheltered Times, Issue 15
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News Round Up•••News Round Up•••News Round Up•••
Are you getting your money? Make sure you are getting the money you are entitled to. • If you’re over 65 and have health or social care needs you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance and you don’t have to spend it on a carer. • Pension Credit gives you extra money if you’re on a low income and can be your passport to other benefits • If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a partner, relative or friend who would find it difficult to manage without you, you could be entitled to Carer’s Allowance • Make sure you claim your State Pension, the amount you get will depend on your date of birth and National Insurance contributions. • Council Tax Support is available to help people on a low income to pay some of their Council Tax bill You can get more information from your Scheme Officer or Age UK has produced a free guide.
Video chat with family or friends When family and friends live far away, it's nice to catch up for a chat and that's just what you can do using the computers in your communal lounge. There is now at least one computer in every sheltered housing scheme which has a webcam and is set up so you can use Skype to have online chats. Skype is a free service to use and means you can see on the screen who you are talking to, and they can see you too. Ideal for catching up with relatives this Christmas.
More information www.ageuk.org.uk/guides
More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Housing Surgeries Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Damian White, is holding regular surgeries across the borough so Council tenants can call in and discuss housing issues with him. The surgeries will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and any tenants are welcome to come along. All discussions will be confidential. The next monthly surgery dates are: Date
Venue
Address
Time
Wednesday 13 December Salvation Army
50 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JJ
10am – 3pm
Friday 15 December
Haydock Close, Hornchurch, RM12 6EA 4pm – 6pm
Hacton Hall
Wednesday 20 December Salvation Army
50 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JJ
3pm – 7pm
26 January 2018
Romford, RM3 7EQ
4pm – 6pm
Hitchin Close
Pre-booking is essential – please log on to www.havering.gov.uk/HousingSurgeries and follow the link to book. 4
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n i t w e s r t y o s a i s w t h a t y w ell 5 1. Get a flu jab
2. Prevent illness
•F lu vaccine is the best protection we have against an unpredictable and highly variable flu virus • You can’t catch flu from the flu jab, but it does take about 2 weeks before your body is protected • Many people including anyone aged over 65 can get a FREE flu jab from their GP or local pharmacist • If you’re not eligible for a free flu jab, you can get one from your local pharmacist for as little as £10.
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•W ash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of infections such as flu or norovirus • Cough or sneeze into a tissue to catch germs • If you feel unwell, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration • If you are taking any prescription medication, make sure you get it well before Christmas eve. If you do run out of medication outside of normal working hours, or need medication urgently, you can seek out-of-hours services.
www.londonflu.co.uk
3. Keep warm
•W rap up warm, inside and out. Wear lots of thin layers of clothing made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres • Wear shoes with a good grip to prevent slips and falls when walking outside • If you're less able to get around, are 65 or over, or have a health condition such as heart or lung disease, heat your home to at least 18C • Use a hot water bottle OR electric blanket (but not both at the same time) to keep warm in bed.
4. Keep active
•D on't use the cold winter months as an excuse to stay in and lounge around – even moderate exercise can bring health benefits • Air pollution can be worse on foggy days in winter: If you have an inhaler, remember to use it and sign up to AirText • Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so • Remember to speak to your GP before starting any exercise plan.
5. Eat well
•F ood is a vital source of energy, which helps keep your body warm • Try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day • Milk and dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt are great sources of protein and vitamins • Winter is the perfect season for a hot bowl of porridge, which can help to boost your intake of starchy foods and fibre. Add banana or other fruit to help you hit your 5 A Day target. Sheltered Times, Issue 15
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Know your elf and safety Christmas is definitely a time for celebration but is also a particularly dangerous period within your home. However, all it takes is a little extra care and a little more focus to completely safeguard your home and your family from the dangers of fire. Simply follow these tips:
Candles… Never use candles near furnishings or flammable items. Do not leave candles unattended and always ensure that candles are properly placed within nonflammable holders, securely so they do not fall over. Candles should always be fully extinguished, never go to sleep or exit the property leaving candles alight.
Christmas trees… Careful fire safety measures should be taken with your Christmas tree – especially if you are buying a real one! A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases so it is crucial that, if you are having a fresh tree this year, it should be kept thoroughly watered. When selecting your tree, one of the best tips is to check the needles. If the tree has been freshly cut the needles should be hard to pull back from the branches and should not break. If they do, it has probably been cut down too long ago and dried out – making it a fire hazard. Whether your tree is real or artificial, it should never be placed close to a heat source, such as fireplaces, lights and heat vents, and you should also take care when placing lights and decorations on to the tree.
Decorations… A lot of decorations are made of light tissue paper and cardboard and, as we all know, these are the kinds of materials which burn the easiest – and the fastest! Therefore, it is very important to consider exactly where you are placing these kinds of decorations. Never attach them to lights or heaters and keep them far away from candles. It is also recommended that you never place decorations or greetings cards immediately above or around the fireplace, fire or heat source as this can pose a significant ignition threat. 6
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this Christmas Extensions and sockets… During the Christmas period it is likely that your sockets will be getting much more use than normal. Fairy lights, plug in decorations and window adornments are all going to need electrical power, but it is vital that you don’t overload your sockets or use too many extension cables. The picture below was taken recently in a sheltered scheme communal lounge.
Fairy Lights… Before putting up and plugging in your fairy lights, it is very important that you check the fuses are the right type – you should check the box for details on the maximum size of fuse you should use. You should also check that your lights conform to the British Standard BS EN 60598 and this should be printed on the box. When putting up your fairy lights it is vital to make sure they are not near to or touching anything flammable, such as paper and fabrics. Finally, it is crucial that you always switch off your fairy lights and unplug them before going to bed or leaving the house. Now that the clocks have changed and it gets darker much earlier, remember to keep yourself safe while out and about. Ensure that main entrance doors close safely behind you and do not allow people you don’t know into the scheme. When at home, ensure you close all windows and doors properly at night and when going out. Remember, your alarm pendant and pull cords are there for you in the case of emergency, do not be afraid to call for help if you have any security concerns. Sheltered Times, Issue 15
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It’s the most wasteful time of the year! Cut the scraps this Christmas Did you know, on average your black sack can contain up to 50 per cent food waste? During the festive season this can increase to a massive 80 per cent. That’s a lot of money wasted, not to mention time wasted in the kitchen cooking the food. Follow our festive waste guide (below) to slim your bin and save time and money.
Love your leftovers – They’re one of the delights of Christmas. Log onto www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for lots of tasty recipes using leftovers.
Don’t let it go to waste – use the power of frozen! Freeze cooked turkey and ham and thaw in the fridge to use in casseroles, curries, pies and sandwiches. Leftover party food such as sausage rolls, mince pies and quiches can be frozen over Christmas and used in packed lunches for when you return to work or school.
Compost at Christmas Remember - you can compost over a third of the everyday things you throw away, including vegetable peelings from your Christmas roast.
Cut the wrap! Christmas creates mountains of packaging and wrapping yet we all get tired of trying to find a great gift for someone who seems to have everything, so why not think outside the box? Gift experiences, theatre and concert tickets, and meal vouchers are just some of many presents that don’t need wrapping. If you do have to wrap: • Avoid metallic or plastic coated paper – it can’t be recycled • Remember to squash packaging down as much as possible to make the most of the orange sacks • Break down cardboard boxes and if necessary leave them next to your orange sacks for collection
We wish you a happy holiday, and remember the only sack that should be bursting at the seams this Christmas is Santa’s!
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www.havering.gov.uk/reducewaste
Regular activities for you to enjoy Scheme
Monday
Bards Court
Coffee morning from 12.30pm 9.30am-12 subs collected noon for social club, then tea, cake and games in the afternoon with volunteer Richard
Beehive Court
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Computer lessons with volunteer Jason
Bingo Club 1.30pm – 5pm
Armchair exercises
First Saturday of every month club dinner 12 noon – 5pm
Age Concern morning Bingo evening
Hoi bingo 2pm
Cards/games night 8pm
Brunswick Court
Perky Pensioners Bible studies 10am – 3pm morning, hairdresser visits afternoon
Lunch Club 12 noon – 2pm Crafts 2 – 4pm
Charlbury Court
Bingo evening
“Charlbury” Weight Watcher club 10am
Alternate weeks brunch
Cockabourne Bacon Court sandwiches morning
Bingo afternoon
Coffee morning
Cole Court
Tombola afternoon
Cards afternoon Darts evening
Tombola evening
Breakfast morning
Pool
Cottons Court
Activities Club afternoon, Bingo evening
Pool afternoon
Dell Court
Afternoon bingo from 2pm
Afternoon keep Cards fit from 1.30pm
Cards
Fambridge Court
Activities Club afternoon, Bingo evening
Pool afternoon
Pool
Bingo afternoon
Garrick House
Bingo afternoon
Line dancing afternoon
Tea and Cake afternoon
Bingo afternoon
Holsworthy House
Coffee morning, Bingo afternoon
Coffee morning, Coffee morning Armchair exercise, Film Evening
Coffee morning, Bingo evening
Coffee morning
Brunch every other Thursday
Bingo evening
Queen Street Ravenscourt Cards evening
Royal Jubilee Coffee morning Court
Bingo
Coffee and cake afternoon (every month) movie afternoon (every month)
Mobile support workers surgery Fish and chips Darts evening in the afternoon, once a fortnight Coffee morning
Coffee morning
Sheltered Times, Issue 15
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Christmas Events in Romford
Market Kingdom of the Elves
16 December. 10.30am – 5.30pm Walk around the magical elf kingdom and take a ‘selfie with an elfie’
Fairground
15 – 17 December & 20 – 24 December. 10.30am to 6.30pm Fairground fun for all the family!
Winter Wonderland Experience 23 December. 10.30am – 5.30pm
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland featuring a giant polar bear, giant sleigh, snow globe and live entertainment through the day 5253
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Listings
Coffee Mornings Every Tuesday, 10am – 12noon, Ingrebourne Community Housing Group at Hitchin Close Hall, Hitchin Close, Harold Hill, RM3 7EG Every Thursday, 10am – 11am, Romford Shopping Hall, Market Place, Romford, RM1 3AB First Tuesday of every month, 11am – 1pm, Namco, The Brewery, Waterloo Road, Romford, RM1 1AU Third Monday of every month 10am – 12noon, The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, London RM11 1QT, Coffee, chat and knitting. 10% discount for Di’s Diamonds members. Fourth Thursday of every month 10am – 12noon, Bravo Café, 4 High Street, Romford, RM1 1HR Coffee/tea and cake for £2.95 for Di’s Diamond members. Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Bowling First Tuesday of every month, 10.15am Namco, The Brewery, Waterloo Road, Romford RM1 1AU. Bowling tea/coffee £5. Diamond Geezers Mens club, free to join, free to attend and free refreshments. Come along and enjoy monthly trips to the dog track, play cards, draughts etc. Every other Monday, 3.30pm – 5.30pm Tesco Roneo Corner, Romford, RM11 1PY
LGBT Group Meeting first Tuesday of each month, 3pm – 5pm at Tapestry, Stanton Gate Mawney Road, Romford RM7 7HL Tapestry Services Tapestry services are shaped to meet the needs of frail older people who live in Havering. They offer a wide range of services from Health and wellbeing to coach trips and financial and will services. For more information please call 01708 796600 or email hello@tapestry-uk.org for further details
New hub
Garrick House in Hornchurch is now officially our first ‘Community Hub’ Scheme, Andra Ramsay is our Sheltered Scheme Officer for Garrick. Over the coming months Andra will be working with Community Engagement to expand activities and opportunities at Garrick House for our residents and also for vulnerable people in the community local to Garrick House. We will also be working with Adult Social Care to support people who are isolated and lonely. Our second ‘Community Hub’ Scheme will be Cottons Court and Fambridge Court in Romford and we are looking forward to developing this ‘Hub’ early in 2018.
Have fun with your little grey cells There's just one Fun Quiz left this year on Wednesday 20 December so get your friends together and test those little grey cells to see who will be the winner. The atmosphere is relaxed so everyone enjoys themselves while testing their general knowledge. 1.30pm on Wednesday 20 December at Beehive Court, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0RS Book your team in online to enter. More information www.havering.gov.uk/HousingEvents
Eye tests at home Specsavers is offering eligible customers a full eye test at home by one of their homevisiting opticians.
More information www.specsavers.co.uk/ home-eye-tests Sheltered Times, Issue 15
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Christmas activities for you to enjoy Cottons and Fambridge Tuesday 5 December
Social Club have booked an outing to Polhill Garden Centre in Kent
Friday 8 December
Social Club is holding their Christmas meal in the communal lounge
Wednesday 20 December Christmas party in the communal lounge Friday 22 December
Bards Court Saturday 2 December
12 noon Christmas Dinner
Garrick House
Saturday 9 December
Friends for you
Friday 8 December
Saturday 23 December
Christmas Breakfast 12 noon
Christmas party and Santa will be giving out presents
Holsworthy House
Cole Court Friday 22 December
Val’s Christmas tea & cake afternoon
Christmas Party in the Communal lounge
Friday 15 December
Christmas dinner at 5pm and entertainment with Jordan at 7.30pm
Armchair Exercises All sheltered housing schemes have a course of six armchair exercise classes run in the communal lounge during the current financial year. These classes will run each week with instructor Sally Guise and if you want to carry on at the end of the six weeks using the video please let Chelsea Potts know and that can be arranged. The following six-week long courses start early in the New Year: • Monday 8 January 2018, 12.30pm, Cockabourne Court, Archibald Road, Harold Wood RM3 0RR • Thursday 11 January 2018, 11am, Beehive Court, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood RM3 0RS • Monday 19 February 2018, 12.30pm, Garrick House, Adelphi Crescent, Hornchurch RM12 4LB • Tuesday 20 February 2018 , 1pm Royal Jubilee Court, Main Road, Gidea Park, RM2 5AN The classes are open to anyone over the age of 55 who wants to take part and places should be booked at www.havering.gov.uk/ArmchairExercises. 12
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