Caridon Chronicle

Welcome to the newsletter for November 2019. This issue will provide an update on all the latest news of the Caridon Group over the last month.

Walk While you Work Yes that is correct, your eyes really aren’t deceiving you. Mario has ditched the office chair and replaced it with a treadmill!

MARIO CARROZZO - FOUNDER & GROUP CEO

Croydon Council Takeover Challenge - Thursday 21st November

Caridon were involved in this local initiative and our very own Lora stepped up to represent Caridon The idea is for a young person to spend the day shadowing a director/ senior member of a company, including meetings and tasks allowing them to get full exposure into the life of a portfolio manager.

It’s a huge opportunity for a young person to experience the real-life working world. It allows young people to explore different industries and be exposed to senior roles. Neveah, the young lady that joined us for the day has expressed an interest in working in the property industry and said she “wants to become a business woman so that she can live in a big house!”.

It brings great joy to see that Caridon employees can inspire young people,

Happy Halloween from all at Templefields

The internal courtyard was transformed by Helen and the Harlow team to put on a spooky Halloween community event for our tenants and their children. Helen reported that it was the best night ever and the kids loved it so much that they bought Helen a little bunch of flowers to say thank you.

Welcome to the Team!

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new starters.

Leanne Jeffery- Who is the newest member of the Harlow team and has joined as a Housing Officer.

Andrew Eriemo – Security Officer based in Crawley.

Damian Van Steven- Maintenance Operative Crawley

Jack Vora- Housing Benefit Officer based in Crawley.

Good News Story from Susan Passman

Daniel came for a sign up on the Tuesday, he was previously in supported housing on Housing Benefit and was in receipt of ESA and PIP. Joining Caridon meant that he would be moving boroughs and was heading for a UC claim.

However, Susan noticed that he should be claiming Severe Disability Premium as part of his ESA which would give him an extra £65pw and he would then be able to claim HB in the new borough as opposed to UC. Susan spent over an hour calling ESA and making the claim for Severe Disability premium with Daniel.

On the Friday Daniel returned to the office and Susan called ESA, waited over an hour again on the phone to discover that Daniel’s claim had been successful. He was awarded £65.85pw additional benefit as well as £3,390 backdated payment of the Severe Disability premium.

Needless to say, Daniel was extremely happy and Susan was able to make the HB claim – Daniel moved in over the weekend and treated himself to some new bedding and a pair of trainers!

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND CF UPDATE On the 28th November between 11am-1pm Caridon Foundation are holding a 2 hour Q and A session with amazing guest speakers. Everyone and anyone are welcome to attend. Please let Jane know if you are interested.

A free lunch will also be included!

CF Tenant Christmas Party Come and join the fun for another year!

Key Highlights: The Mayor and Mayoress presenting achievement awards to our tenants.

Santa Claus back by popular demand!

New addition for this year is CF got talent.

Amazing stories from our tenants.

Hichams, amazing 3 course meal!

Please ensure you RSVP as places are limited.

However if you would like to help then you are more than welcome!!!!! Helpers will be needed from 11am.

Please speak to Jane for more info.

When: 20th December 2019 1:30pm – 5:30pm Where: Croydon Conference Centre (5-9 Surrey Street, CR0 1RG)

First Aid Training was a success. On the 21st November 10 Caridon employees took part in a first aid course. Each person passed with flying colours!

First Aid really can save lives!

We have our very own heroes here at Caridon. On the 18th November our colleagues Helen and Jodie from our Harlow team were in the office when a young boy came in to say his mum was on the floor.

Helen and Jodie ran to the flat to find the lady had stopped breathing. Helen and Jodie instantly sprang into action. Jodie immediately called for an ambulance whilst Helen started CPR. CPR was performed for 6 minutes whilst Jodie looked after the children and kept them calm. Helen carried on until the paramedics arrived on site. The tenant was taken away by paramedics and treated in hospital. The lady thankfully survived, and this was all down to Jodie and Helen’s quick thinking and amazing bravery. A huge well done!

If you or someone in your team needs first aid training please let us know so we can get this booked in. It really is such an important skill to have!

This year our staff participated in the Samaritans Purse – Operation Christmas Child. We filled 25 shoeboxes full of gifts, toys and essentials for children between the ages of 1-15. The boxes will be sent to children all over the world. To find out more follow the link below. https://www.samaritanspurse.org.uk/what-we-do/operationchristmas-child/

Shout out to the strong men Ebz and Christian for dropping off the boxes safe and sound.

Purley Food Hub

REMINDER – only 2 weeks left to collect donations for Purley Food Hub‌need to be ready for collection by 5th December as they are sorting / wrapping gifts over that weekend. They Need toys / gifts for children 0 to 17 years and Christmas goodies for the families needing help over Christmas. Donations to Susan in the Housing Benefit please.

Priority Items which Purley food hub really need this month! Remember we use Purley Food hub for our own tenants so its only right we help show our support by donating.

Our very own Abbas and Akeel AKA Abz and Akx as they are known on the football pitch- made it to the final of a charity football tournament but sadly lost out on the trophy by penalties.

If you want to find out more about their journey throughout the tournament feel free to ask Akeel as I am sure he will love to show you his un stoppable turn in the final minutes of the game!

Our MD Akeel also finds the time to be involved in the education sector. Akeel is now a School Governor and Trustee at Seaton House Girls School where his young daughter Safiyah attends. Akeel is naturally part of the Estates and Development committee and is looking to help the school further develop the grounds and facilities and further enhance its status as a top performing preparatory school in the country.

Here is a link to his LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/akeel-alidina_homeactivity-6599643593227411456-n91x

Best Property Education Provider On the 21st November Sherrelle attended the awards and was shortlisted for Best Property Education Provider. Sadly we did not win but to be shortlisted is a great achievement!

Wishing Sherrelle luck for the upcoming awards night this Friday!

Caridon Developments are running smoothly and have exciting news coming up soon!

Exciting news for Caridon Young Living‌..

They are ready to start looking for another House.

With the success of the first one and it being fully occupied we are ready to start the process of finding another. Which means we can continue to help young people within the community.

Finally, a massive congratulations to Vennie and her husband to be Charlie.

From everyone at Caridon we wish you all the best and enjoy your honey moon in the Maldives. And remember NO READING EMAILS WHILST YOU ARE AWAY!