Sheltered Times News and Views for Sheltered Housing residents ISSUE 9: Summer 2016
When you need a friend In summer 2014 a survey of 400 residents showed nearly half (45 per cent) felt isolated. Reasons for isolation included single, widowed, and retired pensioners with limited contact with friends and family. Some were struggling financially, had poor health, depression or mental health concerns and poor mobility. Since 2015 Havering Council has been working with Tapestry to deliver a Befriending Scheme to reduce the feeling of isolation. Successful project A recently published report shows the project is enjoying success. For example, in November 2015 Tapestry engaged with 30 residents and within five months the number of people befriended had increased to 129, with a variety of opportunities including telephone befriending and group activities. The project is now under review to see what future improvements can be made. More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Aims of the Befriending project »» To reduce isolation strengthen positive friendships and »» To promote peer support relationships »» To promote confidence »» People access positive and independence activities and support in »» To promote access to their local community health and universal »» People receive support to services improve their emotional »» People have the choice to and mental wellbeing control the support they »» People use this service to receive feel less isolated. »» People maintain or
Outcomes of the Befriending project »» 152 people have one befriending accessed the service since »» 32 people in Havering November 2014 Sheltered Schemes »» 129 people are accessing receive befriending the service as of 4 April »» 86 other residents receive 2016 befriending »» 48 people receive »» The number of active telephone befriending befriending volunteers is »» 17 people receive group 80, spending on average, befriending a total of 128 hours and 50 minutes. »» 71 people receive one to
New officers elected The SHOUT Forum recently held elections. Paul Clark was elected Chairman, Jeff Haimov Vice-Chairman, Rosie George Secretary and Graham Broad, Treasurer.
Chairman Paul Clark Brunswick Court
Vice Chairman Jeff Haimov Beehive Court
Secretary Rosie George Charlbury Court
Treasurer Graham Broad Beehive Court
Contact details Looking back
Ideas for this magazine If you have ideas for future articles contact Chelsea Potts, from the Housing Services Community Engagement Team (pictured) by emailing chelsea.potts@havering.gov.uk
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 To find out about the Decent Homes programme residents are now encouraged to look online for planned works or log an enquiry through the website at www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing Social media Follow us on Twitter: @LBofHavering. 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.
How to contact your scheme officer
Sharon is the Team Leader Sheltered Housing and is in charge of the scheme officers. Email Sharon.nunn@havering.gov.uk
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Ashley looks after Cockabourne Court Delderfield House and Park Lane. Email Ashley.cowlin@havering.gov.uk
Kelly looks after Thomas Sims Court Serena Court, Solar Court and Sunrise Court. Email Kelly.murray@havering.gov.uk
Emma looks after Charlbury Crescent and Cole Court. Email Emma.daly@havering.gov.uk
Nadine looks after Beehive Court and Holsworthy House. Email Nadine.quinlan@havering.gov.uk
Carol looks after Bards Court and Brunswick Court. Email Carol.foley@havering.gov.uk
Andra looks after Dell Court and Garrick House. Email Andra.ramsay@havering.gov.uk
Stephanie looks after Royal Jubilee Court and Poplar Street. Email Stephanie.johnson@havering.gov.uk
Denise looks after Ravenscourt Grove and William Tansley Smith House. Email Denise.smith@havering.gov.uk
Lisa looks after Ravenscourt Grove and William Tansley Smith House. Email Lisa.matthews@havering.gov.uk
Gillian looks after Cottons Court, Fambridge Court and Queen Street Villas. Email Gillian.wallis@havering.gov.uk
On the right lines Two of Transport for London’s (TfL) Crossrail Community Ambassadors, Sultana Pasha and Natasha Robertson, were the guest speakers at the April SHOUT Forum meeting. Sultana said: “The new Elizabeth Line will have 40 stations between Shenfield and Reading including three in Havering – Gidea Park, Harold Wood and Romford. “Stations are currently being refurbished so all will have lifts to all platforms and the entrance and ticket office. There will also be improved lighting and CCTV coverage which helps security. “Freedom passes can be used on TfL Rail services at any time but do remember to touch in and out
Sultana Pasha and Natasha Robertson speaking at the SHOUT Forum
so the correct cost of your journey is charged." Natasha added: “There are currently some scams targeting rail passengers. For example, packs of tissues are being sold allegedly for charity which we don’t believe is the case so
please just refuse to buy such items if offered to you while on a train. “Staff are now on stations at least 15 minutes before the first train and after the last train departs so if you have any questions or need help just ask.”
Free cancer screening for 60+ GPs in Havering are reminding people that early detection of bowel cancer could save your life and free test kits are being sent to everyone over the age of 60. If caught early bowel cancer can be treated in 90 per cent of cases, yet despite this it is the cancer with the second highest death rate in the UK. The NHS bowel screening programme offers a free screening kit for people aged between 60 and 74, who are registered with a GP and live in Havering. The kit is sent to your home every two years to make it as quick and comfortable as possible for the test to be taken. Anyone over the age of 75 can request a screening kit by calling 0800 707 6060.
People are also encouraged to look out for the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, which can include: »» blood in your stool or your stool being looser than usual »» severe abdominal pain »» a lump in your stomach »» unexplained weight loss »» feeling more tired than usual. It is important to remember that experiencing one or some of
these symptoms does not mean that you have bowel cancer, but if you have any of these symptoms for three weeks or more you should make an appointment with your GP practice for a check-up and screening. The screening test is called an FOB (Faecal Occult Blood) test. Over a period of 10 days three small different samples of stool need to be placed on the card. The card is then sent to a lab that will look at it in detail, looking for traces of blood in the sample. Results should be returned within two weeks. If anything unusual is found, further samples will be requested. Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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New housekeepers now in place
Janet Baxter looks after Garrick House, Park Lane and Queen Street
Sheila Dean looks after Beehive Court
Connie Diaz Lozano looks after Royal Jubilee Court
Ted Dixon looks after Serena Court, Solar Court and Sunrise Lodge
Maggie Dott looks after Dell Court and Thomas Sims Court
David Mills looks after Bards Court, Charlbury Crescent, Cole Court and Holsworthy House
Louise Noy looks after Cottons Court and Fambridge Court
Sally O’Brien looks after Ravenscourt Grove and William Tansley Smith House
Joanne Williams looks after Brunswick Court and Cockabourne Court
A team of nine housekeepers are now in place following a restructuring of the service. There are three full-time and six part-time staff, covering our sheltered schemes and Housing Services offices. The housekeepers are responsible for the cleaning of internal and external communal areas within the sheltered schemes. They will be working to ensure high standards of cleanliness are present and maintained, that communal areas promote a positive image, and that all customers receive the best possible service. As housekeepers do not clean inside individual flats, and 4
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are not allowed to provide a private cleaning service to our residents, they do not enter a resident's home unless there is an emergency which requires urgent assistance. Once the new team has completed a settling in period a review will be undertaken to make sure the right standard of service is being provided in all sheltered schemes. If you have any questions or comments please talk to your scheme officer or fill in the online form.
More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Computers are well used The computers installed in the communal lounges are still proving popular as the table of log ins for March 2016 below shows. Scheme No of logins No of logins March 2016 January 2016 Beehive Court 1,896 1,870 Charlbury Crescent 1,686 787 William Tansley Smith House 1,000 729 Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane 950 967 Brunswick Court 847 766 Garrick House 828 701 Queen Street 802 517 Holsworthy House 668 497 Cotton and Fambridge Courts 642 612 Royal Jubilee Court 581 482 Thomas Sims Court 548 451 Dell Court 540 535 Serena, Solar and Sunrise Courts 508 498 Cole Court 508 466 Bards Court 503 356 Ravenscourt Grove 462 329 Cockabourne Court 162
Courses to develop skills Once you have got a basic knowledge of IT from the training courses run in your scheme there’s a number of ways you can develop extra skills: Havering Adult College run an IT course with a concessionary rate for people over the age of 60. More information www.havering adultcollege.co.uk Tapestry offers some computer skills courses. More information www.tapestry-uk.org
Havering Citizens Advice Bureau offers help and support with IT skills. More information www. haveringcab.org Techy Teas Learn how to use the full potential of your laptop, mobile phone or tablet at one of our Techy Teas sessions. The first Thursday of the month 10.30am – 12.30pm Upminster Library, 26 Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2BB. An active Havering Library card is required. More information upminster.library@ havering.gov.uk
Maureen saves £400 online Going digital has saved one local resident £400 on her annual car insurance bill.
Maureen Goodey (pictured), of Vaudeville Close, near Garrick House, took one of the introduction to IT training courses available for sheltered housing tenants. With some help from her tutor she went on some price comparison
sites for car insurance, that helped Maureen save £400 on like-forlike cover on her annual car insurance bill – a saving well worth having. Community Engagement Officer, Kimberly Miller, has been organising the training courses and said: “The lessons have been really popular at Garrick House and residents have learnt a lot from the computers, their own laptops and tablets.”
More information www.havering.gov.uk/enews
ICT Champions A team of ICT Champions is being brought together to visit sheltered housing schemes and help residents get online. Community Engagement Officer, Kimberly Miller, said: “The volunteers are really valuable to us as they help our residents become more computer savvy and help them to be digitally included.” »» Gary Narborough has run courses at Dell Court, Ravenscourt Grove and William Tansley Smith House »» Helen Wright has run courses at Charlbury Court and Poplar Street. »» Kevin Troughton volunteers at Park Lane »» Ray Allaker volunteers at Garrick House There are also a couple of volunteers interested in giving IT lessons, who will be allocated to a scheme once they are available. Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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Housing in Bloom co Can you create a beautiful basket, a blooming flower-bed or grow the tallest sunflower? If so you need to get those seeds growing as the Housing in Bloom 2016 competition is now underway. And this year it’s even more important that everyone gets involved as Havering is representing London in the national Royal Horticultural
Society Britain in Bloom competition. Every extra flower will show the judges our Borough is beautiful. There are five categories you can enter, with something for everyone to do, from planting a small hanging basket or growing a single sunflower to getting a team together to beautify your communal areas. The five categories are:
»» Best back garden »» Best front garden »» Best communal garden »» Best hanging basket or planter »» Tallest sunflower. So have a chat with your friends and neighbours and get started today. More information www.havering.gov.uk/housinginbloom
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Beehive Court garden
Mike Droy rakes a flower bed at Thomas Sims Court 6
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Fambridge Court garden
Beehive Court garden
ompetition launched Sunrise Court Gardens
Brunswick Court garden entrance
Entry details
Charlbury Court Pampas Grass
of e n o the Will n i w al e n s e u h mm o C t Bes rden in Ga in g n i s Hou 2016? m Bloo
Thomas Sims Court garden
You can enter in three ways: »» Complete the online form at the Housing in Bloom webpage »» Email to getinvolved@ havering.gov.uk »» Post to Housing in Bloom 2016, Lee Osborne, Housing Community Engagement Officer, Havering Council Housing Services, Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, RM3 8YQ.
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Ravenscourt Grove garden
Don’t forget to include your name, address, contact details and which category you are entering. Closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday 31 August 2016. Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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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. 8 Bards Court 26 Bards Court 40 Beehive Court 44 Beehive Court 15 Brunswick Court 45 Brunswick Court 94 Charlbury Court 126 Charlbury Court Cockabourne Court Cockabourne Court 10 Cole Court 13 Cole Court 72 Delderfield House 7 Dell Court 14 Dell Court 4 Fambridge Court 4 Fambridge Court 7 Garrick House 3 Vaudeville Close Garrick House
John Ashwell John Hunter Jeff Haimov Graham Board Ann Christian Paul Clark Rosie George Sandra Bristow vacant –rep needed vacant – rep needed Doreen Richardson Patricia Payne Shirley Fletcher Maureen Marsh Maureen Piller Fred Distone Sheila Distone Malcolm Hales Maureen Goodey
35 Holsworthy House 29 Maygreen Crescent 35 Maygreen Crescent 87 Neave Crescent Poplar Street Poplar Street 14 Queen Street 90 Queen Street 147 Ravenscourt Grove 109 Ravenscourt Grove Royal Jubilee Court Royal Jubilee Court 13 Solar Court 3 Sunrise Court 6 Thomas Sims Court Thomas Sims Court 5 William Tansley Smith House 11 William Tansley Smith House
Stan Tackley Sue Hutton Mary Cross Margaret Boyd vacant – rep needed vacant – rep needed Ted Jones Sue Attfield Jim Clement Jean Garbett vacant – rep needed vacant – rep needed Frances Rowntree Brian Laws Peter Cox vacant – rep needed
Fred and Sheila Distone are the new representatives for Fambridge Court
Graham Broad is a new representative at Beehive Court
Lucy Proctor Adrienne Bell
SHOUT Forum dates The SHOUT Forum is scheduled to meet on: »» Tuesday 26 July Cole Court Harold Hill »» Tuesday 25 October William Tansley Smith House, Hornchurch 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. 8
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Sandra Bristow is a new representative at Charlbury Court
Maureen Goodey is a new representative from Vaudeville Close, which includes representing Garrick House.
Heard at the SHOUT Forum
SHOUT Forum representatives representing local residents
»» Three full-time and six parttime housekeepers have now been appointed following a restructuring. Team Leader Sheltered Housing, Sharon Nunn, told the SHOUT Forum: “The housekeepers are experienced, dedicated and keen to do a good job. In a couple of months we will review how things are going and make any changes that are necessary.” »» Scheme Officers have been asked to assess whether a clinical waste bin is needed for each housing scheme, as in some cases, the waste is being put in the normal refuse. »» The number of estate officers who will be inspecting communal areas to identify repairs and maintenance needs has increased to five. They will be working alongside scheme officers to make sure high standards are achieved.
»» The next SHOUT Forum meeting will have an agenda item to discuss the capital works programme after representatives asked for consideration to be given to lifts being installed in schemes currently without them and for improvements to toilets for disabled people to use in each scheme. »» A future SHOUT Forum meeting will have a speaker from Havering Council’s Adult Services to explain the changes that are taking place.
in that service. »» Concern was expressed that some residents were receiving letters from utility companies demanding payment of standing charges for gas meters when the premises did not have gas. Anyone receiving such a letter should not pay the sum demanded. They should give a copy of the letter to their scheme officer so it can be followed up with the company. »» Team Leader Sheltered Housing, Sharon Nunn, will be launching a programme of ‘Sharon’s Surgeries’ this summer. One will be held every three months in each housing scheme so residents can meet her for a chat about what’s happening in their scheme. »» If you have any suggestions of topics to discuss at future SHOUT Forum meetings please let your representative know or send it online using the form on the website More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Team Leader Sheltered Housing, Sharon Nunn briefs representatives Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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Paradise Park visit goes well
The party get ready to enter Paradise Park
This crafty creature knows food can often be found on benches
The tigers are one of the main attractions 10
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Peter Cox and the team at Thomas Sims Court organise a lot of coach trips each year and April saw 26 people discover the fun at Paradise Wildlife Park , Broxbourne in Hertfordshire. The trippers came from Brunswick Court, Cole Court, Poplar Street and Thomas Sims Court and had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Peter Cox poses with a model gorilla (Peter is on the right)
Peter said: “It was a full day trip and everyone really enjoyed themselves. “The staff at Paradise Wildlife Park were very friendly and looked after us well, and the animals were also well looked after which was good to see.
“It was a nice, hot, sunny day which was ideal for this type of trip which brings people together to enjoy themselves and make friends with residents of other schemes.” More information www.pwpark.com
Future trips Future trips, all costing £10 per person, planned include: Tuesday 7 June Tiptree and Mersea Island Tuesday 26 July Maldon Tuesday 9 August Eastbourne Tuesday 30 August Clacton-on-Sea Tuesday 13 September Windsor Booking is essential. More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Watch out for the dinosaurs in the woods
Bard’s Court Bingo
Marie Ashwell calls the numbers
You can’t beat a good game of bingo is the message from many sheltered housing residents and at Bards Court in Harold Hill the regular bingo
sessions prove popular. Caller Marie Ashwell said: “Bingo is good fun when you’re playing with friends and it keeps the brain active.”
Bingo players at Bards Court need good concentration Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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A day in the life of Chelsea Potts, Com It’s 8am and Chelsea Potts arrives at the Housing Services offices in Chippenham Road, Harold Hill ready for a new day and knowing that the one certain thing is it will be different from yesterday. Community Engagement Officer, Chelsea has worked for Havering for six years. She is wellknown to hundreds of Council tenants, especially those in sheltered housing, as a member of the team that organises information and other events. Chelsea said: “The only thing that stays the same from day to day is that my first job every morning is to check my emails and deal with the urgent ones that need immediate answers.
Chelsea starts the day at her desk
Judging the Great Cake Bake Off competition was a tasty chore
“But much of the work is behind the scenes before the event takes place. The coordination of what’s happening, making sure we have the right staff and equipment available, and that the risk assessment has been done, with insurance cover in place. We also have to make sure that the publicity and marketing has been done in plenty of time and organise transport for the event. “Afterwards we have to dismantle everything on site and get it back to where it should be; dry out anything that is wet and replace anything that needs replacing so we are ready for next time. “Sometimes there can be several events in a week so we need to keep on top of things.” Sheltered schemes “A lot of my work involves tenants in the Council’s 19 sheltered housing schemes. The SHOUT Forum, which meets every quarter, is a big part of my work as it is very important that the views of
Seasonal work “Much of my work is seasonal. During the spring and summer months I am often out of the office, working with colleagues at events from Family Fun Days at Easter and during the school summer holidays through to information events about benefits. “There’s a lot of work to do on the day. Setting up gazebos, making sure other organisations at the event have the equipment they need, face painting or getting involved in other activities taking place. Face painting is one of Chelsea’s skills 12
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mmunity Engagement Officer
Taking minutes at the SHOUT Forum is one of Chelsea’s jobs
residents are heard and action taken, where we can, on the points raised. “It’s great working with tenants and with a great team of staff in Community Engagement who are a real pleasure to work with and that makes the job even more enjoyable, which is important to me.” Online access Commenting on the Council’s drive to use technology to cut costs, Chelsea said: “Cutting back office costs so we can spend more on front-line
services is really important as money from central Government to the Council keeps reducing. “As part of this drive we recently installed computers in every scheme’s communal lounge as more of the Council and government services are now best accessed online. “I look after that project – everything from making sure there’s enough ink and paper for the printers, to training residents so they can use the computers when they need to.
“We’re currently recruiting and training ICT Champions from the different schemes and already have five in place. If anyone else wants to help share their ICT knowledge with other residents we’d love to hear from them” Chelsea also prepares funding bids to cover the cost of much of the work she does so by the time she goes home it’s usually been an exhausting, but enjoyable, day. Spare time Chelsea is equally busy when not at work. She explained: “I have four brothers and I am the only girl so I enjoy watching boxing and football. Spending time with my family is really important to me. I recently moved into my own place so I’m experimenting with recipes to develop my cooking skills. “Oh, and I’m also planning my wedding next year, I mustn’t forget that!” More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Chelsea lends a hand serving Christmas lunch Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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A VERY STRANGE BA
Poetry please Following the success of our Christmas Poetry Competition we know there are a lot of talented poets in our sheltered housing schemes. That’s why we are launching a new regular feature in Sheltered Times – Poetry please is looking for poetic contributions, short or long, for future editions. Just email them to shelteredtimes@havering. gov.uk including your name and address. To start things rolling the winner of the Christmas Poetry Competition, Brian Weston of Cottons Court, has sent us his poem – A Very Strange Barn.
Brian Weston
rt by Brian Weston, Cottons Cou winter’s morning It was a bright and crisp could be storming My friends had told me it summer’s Board A final clean up round my nual trip Abroad I finally took off for my an t a short time I had been in flight for jus ng took away the shine mi loo re t we When the dark clouds tha t for the mild weather I would have left sooner bu better late than never But I kept telling myself a clap of thunder A flash of lightning then de a blunder I thought to myself I’ve ma rd ha and pounding The rain lashed down so ergency landing I was forced to make an em looked like a far m I crashed on a place that strange Barn Coming to rest in a very to avoid the bad weather My friends left last month feather h my friends of the same I should have flocked wit t state Looking up in my very we my mates like un d bir g A strange lookin his snoring I had woken an Owl from said how boring I said I was migrating he tting to me He yawned then started cha you some tea ke ma I Clean yourself up while gh the day ou thr eps He told me he always sle to stay me lco we s But if I was quiet I wa on that far m I had a nice winter down l in that very strange Barn In the company of an Ow e enjoyed my stay I’m sad to leave and I hav
Can you help improve Careline? Havering residents who use the Council’s Telecare service are being invited to join a new group which will give feedback on the service. Speaking at the April SHOUT Forum, Telecare Manager, Claire Carter, said: “In March our average response time was 22 minutes, which is well ahead of the national standard of 95 per cent of calls being responded to in 45 minutes. “We currently have around 5,000 clients, with about 800 of those living in Council sheltered housing, which is why I’m looking for volunteers to meet with me two or three 14
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times a year to talk about the service and how it’s going, discuss improvements and changes we are considering and generally give us feedback on the service.”
Anyone wishing to join the group should complete the online form. More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Stay safe inside and out A recent national survey showed that women over the age of 65 were the people most likely to be a victim of crime. Some simple steps can be taken to reduce the risk of being a victim. Havering Council is taking steps to protect residents and from May the trade buttons on door entry systems will be disabled to improve security. Royal Mail staff will be issued with special keys so they can still deliver your post to your own letterbox. Other delivery staff will need to contact the individual tenant to gain access. Cold-callers There have been a number of instances recently when people have been found in sheltered housing schemes selling cheap goods door-to-door. This has happened in the Harold Hill and Hornchurch areas in the last month or so. In some cases the sales staff have claimed to be working for charities such as Help for Heroes but have no identification to confirm this. One resident was conned into paying £20 for a single yellow duster by being told it was for charity. Please be extra alert when entering your scheme and make sure that no-one follows you in before the door locks behind you. More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Newspapers If you have a morning paper delivered please talk to your scheme officer so arrangements can be made for you to continue getting that delivery when the trade button is removed.
If you see a stranger If there is someone in your scheme you don’t recognise: Do NOT challenge them yourself as they can be aggressive or rude DO use your pendant alarm or one of the pull cords in the scheme to alert the Careline service DO write down what the person(s) look like including the clothes they are wearing and the registration number of any vehicle they are using DO dial 999 if they are acting suspiciously or threateningly
Fond farewell to Julie After 10 years with Havering Council, Community Engagement Manager Julie Bennett, is leaving in May to be manager of Jump Evolution, a new trampoline park opening in Harold Hill. Saying farewell at April’s SHOUT Forum meeting, Julie said: “I remember four of us meeting on a snowy February morning to discuss how we could involve tenants more in what the Council did and the SHOUT Forum was the result. I’m very proud of what we have achieved together and have enjoyed working with you.” Community Support Services Manager, Marina Crofts, said: “We are sorry to see Julie leave as she will be difficult to replace.”
Julie says farewell to SHOUT Forum representatives Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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Got a door that is sticking? Do your smoke alarm batteries need replacing?
Has your toilet seat fallen off? Is that tap still dripping?
Perhaps we can help?
HANDYMAN 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 Handyman 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. Through the scheme many repairs can be carried out for you including: • Door security such as fitting extra locks, • Fixing or replacing toilet seats security chains and spy holes on your • Minor repairs to taps 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 door or window • Fitting smoke alarms or changing • Fixing or replacing doorbells the batteries.
How can you find out more or request a repair? For more information or to ask for help from the Handyman, call us on 01708 434087. Our administrators can discuss your needs and assess whether our Handyman can assist you.
What the Handyman Scheme cannot do: • Electrical or gas work • Ladder work • Major works • Decorating • Gardening
• Fencing • Roofing • Cosmetic jobs • Emergency repairs • 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 16
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Didn’t we have a lovely day, Quiz challenge The inter-scheme quiz challenge the day we went to… takes place every two months with Over the summer months there are a lot of day trips and outings taking place, organised by different scheme committees. So if you’re going on one of these trips don’t be shy, take your camera along with you to record the fun you and your friends have then send them to shelteredtimes@havering.gov.uk so we can share them with other residents in the next edition of Sheltered Times.
Exercise is good for you, even when sitting down
the next competition being at Charlbury Court on Friday 10 June. If you want to get involved either get together a team from your scheme or join as an individual – just let us know using the online form. More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Anyone for tennis? The Wimbledon Tennis Championships start on Monday 27 June with the finals on Sunday 10 July. Every sheltered housing scheme now has a large screen television in the communal lounge so why not organise a special day for residents with strawberries and cream so you can enjoy watching Wimbledon with friends?
Holsworthy House residents relax after their armchair exercise
Exercise is important to help stay fit, healthy and mobile but for many of us jogging or going to the gym is too much for us to do. But residents of Holsworthy House have found an answer – armchair exercise. For six weeks fitness instructor, Sally Guise, ran weekly sessions for residents showing them gentle techniques to help them keep fit from the comfort of their armchairs. Not only did residents enjoy the classes but they are now joining together to continue the armchair exercises in their communal lounge. Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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Activities for you to enjoy Scheme
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Bards Court
Tea and toast morning
Card games afternoon with tea and cakes
Breakfast rolls
Coffee morning, bingo afternoon
Tea and toast morning
Beehive Court
Fitness Club Morning
Tapestry morning Bingo Evening
Afternoon tea
Lunch, Hoy Bingo afternoons
Lunch Dinner/ Entertainment Evenings
Brunswick Court
Bingo Afternoon
Perky Pensioners Lunch
Bible Studies Morning Hairdresser Visits Afternoon Darts Evening
Lunch Craft Club Afternoon
Bingo Evening
Alternate weeks Brunch
Charlbury Court
Craft Club afternoon
Other
Every six weeks – Quiz or Race Night Every two months – Police and Fire Brigade Surgery Sundays – Roast Lunch
Cockabourne Court
Bacon Sandwiches Morning
Bingo
Coffee Morning
Entertainment Evenings
Cole Court
Coffee Morning
Cottons Court
Activities Club Afternoon Bingo Evening
Pool afternoon
Dell Court
Bingo Afternoon
Cards afternoon Darts Afternoon
Fambridge Court
Activities Club Afternoon Bingo Evening
Pool Afternoon
Breakfast Morning Pool Bingo Evening
Garrick House
Bingo Afternoon
Line Dancing Afternoon
Bingo Afternoon
Tea and Cake Afternoon
Bingo Evening
Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning Bingo Evening
Keep Fit Coffee Morning
Bingo afternoon, cards and darts evening Breakfast morning Pool afternoon Bingo evening
Delderfield House
Holsworthy House Coffee Morning Bingo Afternoon Lombard House
Bingo Afternoon
Maygreen Crescent
Coffee Morning
Snooker Evening Snooker evening
Park Lane
Coffee Morning
Snooker Evening
Poplar Street
Bingo Afternoon
Queens Street Ravenscourt Grove
Computer Games
Serena, Solar and Sunrise Court
Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning
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Board Games Afternoon Coffee, cake and quiz, Bingo Afternoon, Cards Evening , alternate weeks Social Brunch from 11am
Royal Jubilee Court Coffee Morning
William Tansley Smith House
Snooker evening, evening meal
Breakfast Morning Knitting Afternoon
Darts Evening Let’s have a chat Current affairs Discussion evening Board Game evening
Tea and Coffee Morning Bingo and Bonus Ball Game Lunch
Cards afternoon
Breakfast Morning Knitting Afternoon
Coffee Morning
Thomas Sims Court
Keep fit afternoon Board games afternoon
Knitting /Craft morning
Coffee Morning Computer Games
Computer Games
Coffee Morning Computer Games
Coffee Morning
Fish and Chips Night
Tea and Coffee Morning Silver Linx Craft Club Afternoon Cards Evening
Tea and Coffee Morning Bacon and Sausage Sandwich Lunch
Armchair exercises afternoon
Entertainment Evenings
Third Thursday of each month quiz
Listings
Quiz Challenge It was three in a row for the Quiz Team from Ravenscourt Grove and other teams claim it was their pink duck that brought them luck. The latest round of the interscheme quiz challenge was held at Dell Court with five teams competing – two from Charlbury Court and one each from Hoslworthy House, Ravenscourt grove and William Tansley Smith House. The four main rounds were: • History • Begins with R • Films and • 1960s with a bonus round of random questions. The next round is on Friday 10
Ravenscourt Grove mascot is a pink duck which brings them luck
June at Charlbury Court. Any scheme can enter a team of six to eight people or if you don’t have enough for a full team still send your details in using the online form and people will be brought together to form a team across schemes. More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
The winning team from Ravenscourt grove display their prizes
Quizzers ready to compete
Tea Dance Every Thursday 1.30 to 3.30pm New Windmill Hall, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster RM14 2QH
More information www.nwhall.org.uk Techy Teas First Thursday of the month 10.30am -12.30pm Upminster Library, 26 Corbets Tey Road, Upminster RM14 2BB Learn how to use the full potential of your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. An active Havering Library card is required. More information upminster.library@havering.gov.uk Quiz challenge Friday 10 June Charlbury Court, Charlbury Crescent, Harold Hill, RM3 8YR Inter-sheltered housing scheme bi-monthly quiz More information www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing Sheltered Times, Issue 9
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Party for the Queen and St George
Cheers to the Queen on her 90th from Kim Galpin, Elizabeth Graffell and Lavinia Willey of Bards Court
Party organisers Yvonne Mager, Eileen Duffy and Margaret Boyd from Holsworthy House take a well-earned rest
Beacon lighting More than 250 residents joined the Mayor of Havering at The Green in Havering-atte-Bower when a special beacon was lit to mark the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Brian Eagling, said: “It was a lovely evening with so many people joining us at St John the Evangelist Church to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th birthday and then to light the beacon as darkness fell. The Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford played the National Anthem. Charlbury Court, Harold Hill, resident, Rosie George, said: “Everyone was made very welcome, both at the church service and at the beacon lighting which was a lot of fun. Reverend David Anderton conducted a lovely service and it was very emotional as the band played in the beacon’s light.” 20
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The Mayor of Havering lights the Beacon for the Queen
Design & Print by London Borough of Havering. Job No: D46381
It was party, party, party at Havering’s sheltered housing schemes when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th Birthday. At Holsworthy House a team of residents joined forces to organise a party for residents which saw Union Jacks flying throughout the lounge. Meanwhile at Bards Court residents were flying the flag of England from the flag pole in their communal garden as they held a joint party to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday. and St George’s Day.