Sheltered Times Issue 3 Autumn 2014

Sheltered Times News and Views for Sheltered Housing residents ISSUE 3: Autumn 2014

Tea Dance delights A refreshing cup of tea, a buffet that tempts the taste-buds, a sing-song and a dance made an ideal afternoon’s entertainment for residents at four sheltered housing schemes this autumn.

Tea dances took place at Cole Court, Cottons Court, Garrick House and William Tansley Smith House.

An afternoon tea of sandwiches, sausage rolls and various cakes were made by chef Mark Borrell and entertainment was provided by singing group What Friends were Four.

The events proved so popular that more are planned so keep an eye out for the dates.

Memories of World War II

Eyes down for new kitchens

When Wates Living Spaces completed the upgrade of kitchens and bathrooms at Bards Court in Harold Hill they decided to say thank you to residents for being so cooperative by holding a prize bingo afternoon.

So it was eyes down and look in as residents played to win some top prizes including Wates branded mugs alongside kettles and toasters, each worth around £30 – an ideal addition for a new kitchen.

At the age of 19 Beatrice Klanke left Poplar in London’s East End and became a Land Army girl on a Kent Farm. Now at 94 years old she looks back with fond memories of Brussels sprouts, sugar beet and beef cattle. Read her story in our special report on pages 8-9.

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 chelsea. potts@havering.gov.uk or ring 01708 432679.

Looking back If you want to view 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 getinvolved@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

Peck on the cheek leads to 25 years of marriage Peter and Doreen met on 22 May 1985 on a blind date set up by Doreen’s daughter. That date ended with a peck on the cheek and an agreement that neither of them wanted a serious relationship.

On 29 September 1989 they were married in Acapulco, and on 25 September this year they celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary with family and friends at a party at Thomas Sims Court, Hornchurch.

Doreen described their 25 years of marriage as a roller coaster. They have been through a lot over these years but they have always come out smiling.

Peter and Doreen ready to relase the balloons 02

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On the actual anniversary Doreen and Peter released balloons in the garden watched by friends.

Quiet man chairs SHOUT Forum

Paul Clark chairs the recent SHOUT Forum meeting at Charlbury Court

First impressions of Paul Clark are that you are meeting a quiet, gentle man.

It is only when you see him in action as Chair of the SHOUT Forum that you realise there is also a steely determination to make sure that the voices of Havering’s sheltered housing residents are heard loud and clear.

Paul explained: “I lived most of my life in Paddington and moved to Havering about 20 years ago living in Upminster. I had a factory in South Ockendon and ran a manufacturing and building company.

Enjoy events “I am a committed Christian, being actively involved in St Luke’s Church, in Cranham, and was chair of Churches Together for Upminster, Cranham and North Ockendon.

“From that work I know that there are also elderly people in the community who are often on their own and would enjoy coming along to some of the events we organise in our sheltered housing schemes. (continued on p6)

Own company “Then in 2006 I moved into Brunswick Court in Cranham. When I first moved in I avoided the communal activities and the communal lounge, preferring my own company in my own home but when a meeting was held about renovating the communal garden I went along as I enjoy gardening.

“One of the proposals was to build a fish pond and by the end of the meeting I had volunteered to help feed the fish.

“That was the start of my involvement and I soon found myself representing Brunswick Court on the Focus Group set up by the Council and when that became the SHOUT Forum I somehow ended up as Secretary.

“I did that job until two years ago when I was elected Chair and I take that role very seriously as I am very interested in what can be done to improve things for residents and I like being involved across all the sheltered housing schemes, working with the local representatives.

Paul Clark, with a fellow resident, at the fishpond in Brunswick Court Sheltered Housing , Issue 2

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Mobile Support Worker Contact Details

Scheme

Designated Mobile Support Worker

Adelphi Crescent

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

Lisa Matthews and Denise Smith

725312

Lisa Matthews and Denise Smith

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

Cottons Court Delderfield House

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Contact Details (tel numbers are 01708)

Lisa.matthews@havering.gov.uk Denise.smith@havering.gov.uk Lisa.matthews@havering.gov.uk Denise.smith@havering.gov.uk

A day in the Life: Jacqui Honeyman, Garrick House housekeeper Service with a smile is the way that Garrick House housekeeper, Jacqui Honeyman, has worked since she started her job in November 2009.

gardens with a lot of trees and shrubs – they look great but do mean a lot of leaves need to be cleared away every day so people don’t slip and fall.

If residents ask for a helping hand over and above her duties, Jacqui is happy to help out whenever she can including Originally working for an agency, helping put washing done by residents into the tumble dryer; before joining the permanent helping residents with mobility staff in June 2013, Jacqui has issues with their refuse always believed she is working collections by picking up black for the people who live at the refuse bags from outside their Hornchurch sheltered housing scheme and she says it is those properties and taking them to the bin room. people that make the job worthwhile.

Helping hand Jacquie said: “My typical day starts at about 9am when I check all stairwells and corridors, then I check the rest of the internal area including the laundry room, lounge, kitchen and toilet area.

Inside and out “Then it’s outside to check and clean externals of the complex including the bin rooms and car park area. This time of year there’s a lot of leaves to sweep up. Garrick House has really nice

Jacqui also always approaches any residents she sees with heavy shopping when they arrive on site and offers to assist them carrying it to their front door.

There are some residents with mobility difficulties that she looks out for who need a shopping trolley brought to them in the car park when they return from shopping.

Social events are an important part of living at Garrick House

and Jacqui prepares the lounge area for various activities such as line dancing, bingo, and fish and chips nights.

Each event requires the lounge area chairs and tables to be arranged in a specific way for the residents.

For example with the line dancing classes all the chairs and tables are cleared from the centre of the lounge area to create a dance floor. Some of the activities take place three times a week so she constantly has to keep the lounge area ready for use.

Making sure the tea urn is filled and switched on ready for the activities is another little task that makes life easier for residents.

Communal repairs Jacqui reports all communal repairs she comes across in the complex and chases up any outstanding repairs, and also reports repairs for residents that are unable to do so themselves.

Liaising with contractors on site to make sure everything runs (continued on p6)

Jaqui at work, indoors...

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(continued from p5) smoothly is important and Jacqui reports residents’ concerns to contractors on site carrying out improvement works and to other Council departments, while also sign-posting queries from contractors and visitors on site to the appropriate department.

People person There is no doubt that Jacqui is a people person and is always more than happy to help residents out as this gives her a big buzz. For example, if a resident gets locked out of their flat, Jacqui calms them and assures them the problem will be resolved and then contacts the Mobile Support Team to come and let residents in.

Jacqui’s enthusiasm for work, and her generally helpful personality, has led to a lot of compliments from residents. That “service with a smile” is even more impressive when you realise that she wakes up at 4am every day as before going to Garrick House she is one of the team that cleans the Town Hall each morning.

Outside work, Jacqui loves attending rock concerts and to see Tribute Bands play. Some of her favourite tribute bands include: Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart. This year Jacqui attended the Party In The Park to watch Aerosmith play and she said “that made my day”!!

But having her three grandchildren around her brings her the most joy and happiness so she plans a lot of her time to do activities with them. (continued from p3) “While I am Chair I would like to see more involvement with the community without residents feeling threatened and will be encouraging that, but at the end of the day it is the residents who decide what happens at each scheme.

Decent homes “There have been a lot of improvements taking place recently, including the Decent Homes Programme which has seen new kitchens and 06

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bathrooms installed, and the Forum has played its part in making sure the work goes as smoothly as possible with residents being consulted and more importantly action being taken on what they have said.

“I would encourage residents to get involved with the committees in each complex, lend a hand organising events and working with the Council’s community engagement team, which does an excellent job.

and outdoors...

Making new friends “I am over 70 years old now but still get a great deal of pleasure from being involved with the Brunswick Court committee and the SHOUT Forum as you make new friends with the people working alongside you.

“The satisfaction of organising a successful event or seeing something you have been asking for actually happen is very rewarding, a reward that can be enjoyed by any resident who gets involved.”

Purse chains prevent pickpockets

Coffee and cake combats cancer The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning happens on the last Friday of September every year to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and this year two residents of Holsworthy House in Harold Hill decided to take part.

Yvonne Mager and Pauline Martin raised £367.32 from a coffee and cake morning to raise money for the Macmillan Nurses, a charity close to our hearts.

Havering Council’s Kevin Jolly and Special Constable Hannah Thornton explain how purse chains work to Ivy Bose and Peggy Biacou during an information day in Romford Market.

Busy shopping centres packed with Christmas shoppers are ideal places for pickpockets to operate so make it difficult for them this year by using a chain to secure your purse, wallet or keys.

The chains are available free of charge from Mobile Support Workers or Community Wardens and are easy to use.

All you do is clip one end of the chain to your belt or in your handbag and the other end to your purse, wallet or keys which makes it difficult for a thief to steal them.

As an added bonus there is a free coin you can use for supermarket shopping trollies so you don’t have to find that £1 coin every time.

New clothes on your doorstep Residents of Holsworthy House in Harold Hill, were able to buy new items for their winter wardrobe without leaving their lounge recently when Michael and Tina held one of their regular new clothes sales.

Resident Yvonne Mager said: “Michael brings a good selection of sizes, types and colours including underwear and socks. The prices are really reasonable and it helps the residents who are less mobile or those who want to avoid the shops.

Yvonne said: “I spent two mornings making cakes, only icing the last of them about 10pm after our regular Thursday Bingo Night. People from our complex bought and made cakes for the event as well.

“We were supported by two residents from Cole Court who also brought a cake with them which we auctioned and raised the huge sum of £35.

“We held two small raffles with both prizes being donated and about 25-30 people supported us in this venture.

“I think Pauline lost count of how many teas and coffees she made whilst I was busy with the cake and money side of things.

“All together we made the huge sum of £367.32 for the Macmillan Nurses and I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all those who came and helped make this event the success that it was.”

“Michael is very chatty and not only do we buy from him but we end up having a really good laugh which does us all good.

“I provided the refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits and Michael always gives us a donation for our Social Club fund, based on the sales he has made, “Once again an enjoyable morning and a new skirt, top and trousers into the bargain.”

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Farming fun for East In 1939, as the Second World War began, 19-year-old Beatrice was called up to join the Land Army leaving behind her parents, younger brother and sister in Poplar.

For the next four years she was working on a farm near Deal, in Kent where she only heard one bomb exploding when it landed on the nearby village of Eastry, very different from the heavy bombing of the Docklands area which had been her home.

Beattie explained: “I was one of four Land Army girls working on the farm which raised beef cattle and vegetables, mainly sugar beet and Brussels sprouts.

Merry dance “We had some great fun as we were all about the same age and the farmer was about our age too.

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There were times when we led him a merry dance but the work always got done.

“It was on the farm that I was taught to drive and I remember driving straight through the middle of a hedge on my first lesson as no-one had told me how to stop the tractor.

“There were some other funny times too. I remember one of the cattle being isolated in a stable because it had an infection and the farmer didn’t want it to spread to the rest of the herd.

Catching cows “When I went in to feed it in the dark, early one morning it was out of the stable door and joined the rest before I could stop it so we spent ages using torches to try and find out which one it was so we could get it back in the stable before the farmer found out.

“My best friend, Evelyn came from Fleetwood, in Lancashire, and we shared digs with a very nice landlady, Mrs Martin, who really looked after us well with nice meals and

rooms. One morning the two of us were walking to the farm through the ice and snow covered sprout field.

Frozen fingers “We decided that rather than go to the farm and then come back to

pick sprouts we might as well start picking straight away and soon had two large bags full.

The only problem was that when the farmer came down to find out where we were he told us that no sprouts needed picking on that day so we’d got frozen

Beatrice Klanke in her Land Army Uniform

End girl

Beatrice Klanke with her Land Army medal and certificate signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

fingers for no reason.

“Sometimes we were asked to help on nearby farms and I remember once we were stooking sheaves of corn after the reapers had cut it.

“Now you have to get the stooks balanced just right against each other so they stay standing and dry out

ready for use. Well having spent a long day doing that and leaving the stooks looking good, the following morning that neighbouring farmer was ranting and raving as every stook had fallen down overnight and he was set to report us for not doing

the job properly which would have been very serious, but we persuaded him not to go that far explaining we’d never done stooking before.

Physical work “It must have been hard, physical work but I don’t remember it as being so hard, we were

young and just got on with it, taking whatever came in our stride; in many ways it was a nice life.

“After nearly four years in the Land Army I moved back to London and became a ‘clippie’ on the number 15 bus from East Ham to Ladbroke Grove or the 101 service, from East Ham to Beckton gas works.

“That was great fun too with people being cheerful, giving you little presents at Christmas and generally just getting on well with each other.”

Baby love At the end of the war Beattie married Ernest Klanke, a man she had known since they were both babies living in the same road.

He had served six years in The Rifle Brigade and won the Military Medal.

Sadly after 60 years together Ernest died and Beattie now lives in Beehive Court, Harold Wood, but her connection with the docks continues as her son retires next year having worked at Tilbury Docks for 50 years.

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Elsie boxes clever with RAF

Elsie Miller relaxes in the lounge at Thomas Sims Court

Corporal Elsie in her WAAF uniform

We often hear that “everyone had to do their bit” during the Second World War and that was certainly true for Elsie who was evacuated to Cornwall in 1939, at the age of 12, where she was joined by her mother.

Leaving school at 14 she got a job in a cleaner’s shop which specialised in cleaning uniforms for service men and women.

Joined WAAF A year later she and her mother were back in London with Elsie working on a clothes stall at Walthamstow Market. Running an errand to the Post Office one 10

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day she saw a poster for the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) and two weeks later she had enlisted.

Boxing trainer After a year’s training she qualified as a PTI (Physical Training Instructor) and was stationed at the RAF police training school within RAF Pershore, in Worcestershire.

There she trained hundreds of service personnel over the next five years, often starting training at 5am in all weathers so she could keep the boxing team she trained fighting fit.

As she wanted to get married Elsie’s service life came to an end in 1947 as military regulations didn’t allow her to marry at her rank of corporal.

She studied book-keeping and when qualified worked in the accounts department of the Evening News and then for Thames Television where she stayed until she retired.

Daily exercise Elsie now lives at Thomas Sims Court in Hornchurch and still does her PT exercises every morning to help keep herself fit.

New skills keep you busy Crafty times with Silver Lynx

Rosie George and Sandra Bristow, from Charlbury Court, make book covers with Martie van Deventer

Using your talents to make personalised gifts for friends and family is very rewarding and thanks to the Silver Lynx Craft Clubs that is just what you can do.

The clubs have been set up in five different sheltered housing schemes – Brunswick Court in Cranham, Charlbury Court in Harold Hill, Thomas Sims Court in Hornchurch and William Tansley Smith House in Hornchurch.

Run by Martie van Deventer, who also runs a regular Silver Lynx club at the Salvation Army Hall in Romford High Street each Monday, the clubs are based in sheltered

scheme lounges so residents can come along to use old skills and learn new ones in a comfortable and friendly environment.

The crafts include knitting, crocheting, card or book cover making and many more.

This is a wonderful activity that is held ‘on the doorstep’ for anyone who wants to get involved.

Adrienne Bell, from William Tansley Smith House, said: “Everybody enjoys the arts and crafts provided

by Martie. We have between eight and ten residents who attend each week and enjoy the different things she brings to the table.”

Seasonal Markets coming to you

Real gem stone jewellery was just one of the stalls

Shopping from home is taking on a whole new meaning for residents of sheltered housing schemes thanks to a new initiative between Havering Council and Havering Citizens Advice Bureau.

Stallholders are setting up in communal lounges to run seasonal markets where residents can choose gifts at leisure and at competitive prices.

One recent seasonal market was held at Charlbury Court, in Harold Hill, with stalls offering knitted

More information: getinvolved@havering.gov.uk

Planting new skills

Potting lesson underway at Brunswick Court

Getting tubs and containers looking blooming lovely is easy for those with “green fingers” but, for the rest of us, it can be challenging.

So residents of Brunswick Court, in Cranham, decided to find out the tricks of planting and maintaining colourful containers.

The lesson took place in the communal lounge and patio area with residents taught how to prepare the pots, making sure there is adequate drainage so compost doesn’t get waterlogged, and then what combinations of colours and plants look good together.

With this expertise now at hand we can expect some winning entries in the Housing in Bloom 2015 competition.

If your scheme would like a similar potting session then do let the community engagement team know. goods, real gem stone jewellery and books as well as a beauty therapist doing nail art.

More seasonal markets are planned so check your noticeboard for details of when the stallholders will be coming to you.

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Making wishes come true

Pampas grass at Charlbury Court, Harold Hill which can be admired from the patio.

Representatives recently asked for residents’ views on the improvements that you would like to see in the sheltered housing communal areas and over the past couple of months you will have seen many of those wishes coming true.

We are replacing many areas of carpets and flooring, as well as purchasing new curtains.

Meetings are taking place with residents to choose the themes for the pictures that we will be

providing in communal areas; choices so far range from countryside or garden landscapes and flowers, to beach scenes and Old Masters.

Big screen televisions have been ordered for communal lounges, and installations are under way.

We have also installed computers for residents’ use.

Work has started on replacing the communal kitchens, with several completed already and the rest to be finished by the

end of March 2015.

Residents at some schemes have asked for new white goods for communal kitchens, which have been purchased and are being installed.

We are also consulting with you to choose the items of garden furniture that you have requested and we are also looking at providing patio areas and water features where these have been requested.

Moving home made easier If you wish to move from one flat to another within the same sheltered housing scheme you are able to do so.

Often a resident living in an upstairs flat finds it difficult to 12

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climb stairs as they get older but don’t want to lose the friends they have in their scheme.

Now anyone wishing to move to another flat for medical reasons,

perhaps on the ground floor, will be assessed and given priority to remain in their own scheme.

More Information: marina.crofts@havering.gov.uk 01708 434162

Heard at the SHOUT Forum

Marina Crofts briefs the SHOUT Forum on latest updates

Here is a round-up of some of the items discussed at the SHOUT Forum held at Charlbury Court, Harold Hill in October.

If you have something you want discussed please ask your SHOUT Forum representative to get it on the agenda for the next meeting.

• Homes and Housing launched a befriending service for sheltered housing tenants on Monday 24 November after a survey of residents in sheltered housing identified 80 people saying they were “very lonely” Under the scheme, volunteers will call on residents, chat with them in their home or take them out shopping or for a visit.

• Plans to upgrade communal bathroom and toilet facilities used by visitors to sheltered housing schemes are not in this year’s programme.

Similarly, serving hatches in • A new communal kitchen is individual flats are being due to open at Cole Court, in sealed so that if a fire breaks Harold Hill, during November, out in the kitchen it is and others will follow later in contained there rather than the financial year. smoke spreading to the • Discussions are taking place lounge and bedrooms. to see if low cost broadband can be installed for individual • Reassurance was given that guest rooms at sheltered residents in sheltered housing schemes would not housing schemes as part of be used to accommodate the Council’s digital inclusion homeless people and that programme. when this happened in • Window replacement and September it was due to very maintenance at Beehive unusual circumstances.

Court, in Harold Wood, has • Phase two of the Decent now been completed.

Homes Programme is starting • During September 44 surveys this month and is due to end were completed by sheltered by 31 March 2015. During housing residents who had those four months work done under the Decent contractors Amber Homes Programme with 100 Construction will be installing per cent expressing 163 new kitchens and 163 satisfaction with the work new bathrooms for sheltered and the contractors. housing scheme residents.

• Serving hatches linking communal kitchens to lounges have been blocked up to meet fire regulations.

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New kitchens in place As part of the Decent Homes Programme hundreds of individual flats in Havering Council’s sheltered housing schemes have had new bathrooms and kitchens installed.

Several contractors have worked so closely with residents in the scheme that they have donated units and installed them in communal kitchens to improve those facilities too.

Among the schemes that have recently received new kitchens are Garrick House and Thomas Sims Court in Hornchurch.

Contractors Tradeline and H & H have been installing units which were donated by Magnet.

Magnet Project Design Manager at Thomas Sims Court, Guy Champion, said: “We have worked on five sheltered housing schemes, with nine more schemes where we will be working, so we know how important the communal kitchens are for residents, which is why Magnet was happy to donate the units for Thomas Sims Court. ” Moira Rutter, of Garrick House, said: “The kitchen is beautiful, we are really happy”

Moira Rutter and Jean Sowerbutts check out the new kitchen at Garrick House

Guy Champion, Magnet Project Design Manager with Thomas Sims Court Committee members Arthur Medley, Peter and Doreen Cox in the new kitchen

Recipe – Bread Pudding When residents at William Tansley Smith House in Hornchurch need a bit of cheering up Louisa Dixon disappears into her kitchen and soon the aromas of her special bread pudding start to drift down the corridors swiftly followed by a tray of this delicious delight available to share in the communal lounge 14

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This is the recipe of her success.

1 Large white Loaf 1 Small brown Loaf 4 Table spoons of sugar 1 packet of mixed fruit Half box mixed spice Quarter packet of margarine or butter

Soak bread in water till soft, squeeze out water as much as possible.

Mix all the ingredients together put in a fair size baking tray.

Bake on 180 electric or gas mark six for one hour.

Try testing with a knife if comes out clean it’s done.

Mobile Support Service review consultation result

During October all sheltered housing residents were consulted on the future of the Mobile Support Service and the results of that consultation have now been received and analysed.

Meetings were also held with tenants across the Borough, where it was explained that the Supporting People funding of £518,000, which currently pays for the Mobile Support Service, will end from Wednesday 1 April 2015.

88 per cent support A number of options for the future were proposed and consultation surveys were sent to all sheltered housing tenants.

More than half of the sheltered residents (57 per cent) returned completed questionnaires.

Of those 88 per cent agreed with the proposal to create a new service with nine Scheme Managers, each looking after two sheltered housing schemes, and an overall manager.

Each Scheme Manager would provide nearly all housing services locally including the work currently done by the Mobile Support team.

New responsibilities Their responsibilities will include: • Housing management, such as changes to tenancies and management of nuisance or breaches of tenancy (but not rent or arrears) • Managing the housekeeper • Carrying out viewings and tenancy sign ups with

prospective new tenants • Carrying out block inspections, including ensuring communal repairs are carried out • Chasing/reporting repairs in your home if you are unable to do this or if you encounter any delays • Carrying out care needs assessments for social services (for example, if a tenant feels they need help with their mobility or in looking after themselves) Next steps As this will be a new service, as well as consulting with tenants, we have now started a formal consultation with affected staff and their trade unions.

This consultation will be completed by the end of December and we expect to have the new service staffed and operational from April 2015.

We will keep you updated with the development of the new service via the SHOUT Forum and Sheltered Times.

More information

Marina.crofts@havering.gov.uk

Shout in 2015 The provisional dates for SHOUT Forum meetings next year are: • Tuesday 27 January 2015 • Tuesday 28 April 2015 • Tuesday 28 July 2015 • Tuesday 27 October 2015

Free advice in your own home Havering Council’s Residents’ Energy Advisor, Penny Crookshank, offers free advice on how to make your home energy efficient and reduce fuel bills.

The advice can include a free energy efficiency check on your home.

More information energyadvice@havering.gov.uk

Care response success Havering Telecare Centre offers a range of services aimed at helping people live in their own home.

The latest figures available (September 2014) show that 100 per cent of calls to Telecare were responded to within 45 minutes, with the average response time being 24 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 Sheltered Housing , Issue 2

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Independent Age

Marianne Danker speaking to the SHOUT Forum

Independent Age is a national older people’s charity which provides free advice and befriending services to older people.

Speaking at the SHOUT Forum, Independent Age’s Development and Training Officer, Marianne Danker, said: “Independent Age was founded more than 150 years ago to help older people live more fulfilling lives through the ‘ABC’ of advice, befriending and campaigning. “All of our services are free and we’d like to see more Havering residents using them.”

Advice Line Independent Age provides a free telephone and email advice service which offers expert advice and information on care and support, benefits entitlements and also social activities in your area.

Wise Guides The charity also produces a series of Wise Guides - practical handbooks to help you get the most out of later life. There are four books in the series: »» Advice for Later Life »» Extra Help at Home »» Healthy, Happy, Connected »» Choosing a Care Home You can order the free Wise Guides by visiting the Independent Age website.

TalkTime Phone Clubs Independent Age also run a service called TalkTime phone clubs. These are free, monthly, telephone discussion groups for people over the age of 60. The groups are an excellent way to chat with others who share similar interests.

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Big screen benefits Fourteen sheltered housing schemes have had big screen televisions installed in their communal lounges this autumn and they are already proving popular.

The schemes where the TVs have been installed are Bards Court, Beehive Court, Cockabourne Court, Cottons Court, Dell Court, Fambridge Court, Garrick House, Holsworthy House, Lombard House, Park Lane, Queen’s Street, Ravenscourt Grove, Royal Jubilee Court and William Tansley Smith House.

At Holsworthy House, in Harold Hill, the residents’ committee is making use of the DVD facility by holding cinema afternoons each Tuesday where residents can come along and enjoy one of the classic golden oldie films with their friends and neighbours.

As one resident said: “It’s like having your own cinema just outside your front door.”

Participants join a small facilitated group over the telephone to discuss a book, film or topic of interest from the comfort of their own home.

Independent Age supplies the books and the DVDs -at no cost to you- with large print and audio versions available too. All that’s needed is a landline or mobile phone and as Independent Age calls you, they also cover the cost of the call.

More information: www.independentage.org

Get involved with the Havering Over 50s Forum Shirley Watling of Cottons Court, Romford is one of the committee members for the Havering Over 50s Forum and explains what it does and why people should get involved.

Shirley said: “The forum has been established in excess of 10 years, and we pride ourselves on being a nonpolitical organisation that offers a platform where the over-50s can find information and raise issues which are of concern to them.

“At our monthly meetings, usually the second Tuesday in every month, we hold lively discussions around issues such as pensions, health and social care, and leisure. We work with the Council and Health Authorities.

“From time to time our members arrange outings to places of interest as well as a Christmas Lunch.

“We meet in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall in Romford from 10.30am until 12.30pm. The first meeting is free, then just £5 annually. You must be a Havering resident.

“We have a raffle, with money prizes, with one or two speakers at each meeting.

“On Tuesday 9 December we hope to have a speaker from Victim Support, also Lee Chester – Assistant Director of Havering Community Services, Havering Integrated Care Directorate, North East London NHS Foundation Trust.

“We can then ask what’s happening to St George’s Hospital as we need an older person’s hospital and the Respiratory Team all back in one place” More information: www.havo50forum.org

Silver Sunday shining success Jean Freeman, a SHOUT Forum representative for Fambridge Court in Romford, was one of a number of sheltered housing residents who went to The Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch for the Silver Sunday exhibition organised by the Havering Over 50s Forum.

Jean said: “I would like to thank the Council’s community engagement team for once

again arranging a lovely afternoon treat for sheltered housing residents.

“We went to The Queen’s Theatre to see an exhibition, which was very informative showing all the things available for the over fifties.

“As well as filling in forms to see what kind of information we needed, we choose a small gift to help with any disability we have. The trip finished with a nice cream tea.”

Care and support is changing for the better The Care Act 2014 heralds the most significant reform of adult social care for more than 60 years and will make a difference to the lives of people who need care and their carers for many years to come.

The new legislation offers deferred payments, new entitlements, better access to advice and information and sets a cap on how much people will pay for their care in the future.

Anyone in Havering who either receives adult social care services from the Council, looks after an adult or friend, or pays for some form of care themselves will be affected by the changes, which apply from April 2015 with financial reform from 2016.

You can receive email newsletters about the Care Act by signing up at www.havering.gov.uk/ CareActNews More information: www.havering.gov.uk/careact

Sheltered Housing , Issue 3

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Enjoy Sunday afternoon tea parties Since 1965 Contact the Elderly has created over a million happy friendship links for older people who live alone or in sheltered housing and would like to have more company. Our free service is truly unique – people over the age of 75 are invited to join a small group of volunteer drivers and other older guests for a tea party one Sunday afternoon a month. The group visits a different host each month, but they return to the same people year after year.

A warm welcome, a family home, meeting old friends and new, provides people with

A Sunday afternoon tea party in Havering.

companionship and a vital link with their community.

More information: There are currently two groups www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk in Havering and we would like to katy.szita@contact-the-elderly.org.uk launch more in future.

If you are interested in joining a local group please get in touch with Contact the Elderly.

If in doubt, keep them out

Maisie celebrates 90th Birthday It was party time at Charlbury Court, Harold Hill in October when Maisie Clinch celebrated her 90th birthday.

Family, friends and neighbours joined the party, which was held in the communal lounge, making it a super celebration to mark Maisie’s special day.

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When answering your door: 1. Always use the door chain when opening your door, even if you are expecting a visitor.

2. Check the identity of anyone who calls, genuine callers won’t mind giving you their ID card and letting you call their office to check who they really There have recently been two are. suspicious callers at Beehive Court, 3. If in doubt, keep them out and Harold Wood, posing as market alert the Community Wardens so researchers. they can keep an eye on you and When challenged by alert residents your neighbours. they quickly moved on.

You can call the Community Often bogus callers look and sound Wardens on 01708 434000 genuine when all they want is to between 8am and 6pm or on get into your home to see what 01708 726685 after 6pm or on they can take.

Saturdays.

Get trained then get online

Older Persons Conference

The new computers at Brunswick Court, Cranham

Sheltered Housing Scheme residents can now go global with computers installed in the communal lounge of every scheme for all residents to use.

Training is now taking place with a six-week course of two hours per week for each scheme.

At the end of the course residents should be able to use email and Skype to keep in touch with friends and relatives as well as shop online.

Courses are already underway at Dell Court, Fambridge Court, Holsworthy House, Queens Street Villas and Ravenscourt Grove.

Scheme Beehive Court Brunswick Court Garrick House Maygreen Crescent Solar Court Thomas Sims Court William Tansley Smith House

Course Details Thursdays 10am to 12 noon Wednesdays 1pm to 3pm Fridays 2.30pm to 4.30pm Wednesdays 10am to 12noon Mondays 1.30pm to 3.30pm Mondays 11am to 1pm

Start Date Thursday 8 January 2014 Wednesday 12 November

Monday 10 November

Mondays 4pm to 6pm

Monday 10 November

Friday 14 November Wednesday 12 November Monday 10 November

Great day with greyhounds

An afternoon at the Coral Romford Greyhound Stadium proved great fun for 17 tenants from Beehive Court in Harold Wood.

The visit was organised by Ivy Oaten, who said: “We had a very good afternoon betting on the dogs and had a lovely threecourse meal.

“The staff made us all very welcome as they always do

when we visit.

“Outside it was raining heavily and one of the races was void as the officials decided that the hare was too waterlogged and had not been going fast enough!

“Some of the tenants did not want to go home until later but the coach was already booked for the return journey so we will be going again.”

Advice from 16 different organisations was available for residents who came along to the Older Persons Conference held at Langtons in Hornchurch in October.

Information stands were set up

by Age UK , Cancer Awareness, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Community Wardens, Havering Council Leisure and Culture, Love Food, Hate Waste, Meals on Wheels, Mobile Support Workers, Oakhouse Foods, Public Health, Sleepeeeze Shoes, Telecare, Trading Standards, Welfare Reforms and YMCA Community Warden Manager, Barry Armour, said: “The community wardens were on hand to speak to residents and explain their role.

“They also gave out crime prevention packs and advice on care when using cash machines and 10 Golden Rules regarding scams.

“If you didn’t get to the conference and would like a visit from a Community Warden then please contact us on 01708 434000 and we will be happy to come and talk to you and advise you on different issues.”

Sheltered Housing , Issue 3

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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

Ann Ruddiman

75 Neave Crescent

Bill Brace

29 Bards Court

David Ruddiman

166 Park Lane

Lil Hudson

47 Beehive Court

Joyce Rafis

35 Poplar Street

Pamela Skipworth

45 Brunswick Court

Paul Clark

41 Poplar Street

Daphne Clifford

9 Cockabourne Court

Brian Morland

41 Poplar Street

John Clifford

58 Charlbury Court

Barbara Hughes

56 Queen Street

Gordon Kirkley

94 Charlbury Court

Rosie George

135 Ravenscourt Grove

Lesley Duke

22 Cockabourne Court

Kenneth Turrell

109 Ravenscourt Grove

Jean Garbett

3 Cole Court

Beryl Lodge

34 Royal Jubilee Court

Thomas Walsh

10 Cole Court

Doreen Richardson

39 Royal Jubilee Court

Gladys Collier

7 Dell Court

Maureen Marsh

13 Solar Court

Frances Rowntree

14 Dell Court

Maureen Piller

3 Sunrise Court

Brian Laws

11 Fambridge Court

Bert Morley

6 Thomas Sims Court

Peter Cox

18 Fambridge Court

Jean Freeman

11 Thomas Sims Court

Mike Droy

7 Garrick House

Malcolm Hales

28 Thomas Sims Court

Jean Ingram

29 Garrick House

Susan Moore

5 William Tansley Smith House Lucy Proctor

35 Holsworthy House

Stan Tackley

11 William Tansley Smith House Adrienne Bell

29 Maygreen Crescent

Sue Hutton

Freedom Pass Renewals If your older person’s Freedom Pass has an expiry date of 31 March 2015, you will soon receive a letter telling you how to renew it.

Passholders are being encouraged to renew online, which is a straightforward process and only takes a few minutes.

To help you renew online a special workshop will be held at each 20

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sheltered housing scheme so residents can use the communal computers to renew their pass.

Wait for letter You need to wait for your letter to arrive as it contains a unique number which you need to refer to when renewing. Letters are being sent in batches from early November through to late December so if you don’t receive a letter but know someone who has don’t panic – your letter will be on its way in a later batch.

Anyone whose older persons pass expires on March 31 next year is entitled to a new one - provided you still live in London – it’s just a matter of waiting until your letter arrives and

following the instructions.

If you hold a disabled person’s Freedom Pass you do not need to go online to renew your pass. A new pass will be sent to you automatically before your current one expires.

You can use your pass on most journeys across London but there are a few exceptions to when and where you can use your card, details can be found on the website.

Freedom Passes can no longer be renewed at the Post Office.

More information: www.havering.gov.uk/ FreedomPassRenewal

Four out of five tenants risk losing everything

Paul Ryrie explains about insurance

Just one in five of Havering Council’s tenants have contents insurance for their home, which means that if there was a fire, flood, or an accident anyone without insurance might struggle to buy clothes, furniture or other possessions that have been destroyed.

That was the message from Havering Council’s project manager, Paul Ryrie, when he spoke at a meeting held at Charlbury Court, Harold Hill, in October.

Paul said: “Everyone’s home is important to them. It is hard to imagine what it would be like to lose personal items from your home if you should be unlucky enough to have a flood or a break-in.

“Yet many people run the risk every day by not having the contents of their home insured.

“This is why we are offering all our tenants a new insurance scheme. The new scheme is even better value than before.

The cost starts at less than £1 a week and can be paid with your rent which makes payment even easier.

Switch anytime “If you are currently with another insurer and wish to switch you can do so at any time of the year, whenever your existing cover runs out.”

Here are some key benefits: • Your belongings insured for as little as 90 pence a week (for £10,000 of cover)

• Even lower rates are available for elderly people • Convenient payment in with your rent • Quick and friendly service run

by Housing staff • Insurance available to ALL tenants regardless of status • No excess – so if you need to make a claim you get the whole amount you need • Rates fixed for three years • “New for Old” cover.

So if you haven’t got contents insurance check out how much it would cost you, you’ve nothing to lose by getting a free quote.

More information: julie.oakley@havering.gov.uk Sheltered Housing , Issue 3

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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

Bards Court

Coffee Morning, Tea and Darts Afternoon

Coffee Morning, Club meet In Afternoon

Computer lessons in Morning, Coffee Morning, Games Afternoon

Coffee Morning Coffee Morning Computer Training Quiz Afternoon Courses, 11am-1pm Bingo 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

Table Games Afternoon first Tuesday of each month at 2pm.

Maintenance Surgery Silver Lynx Craft Club Afternoon

Perky Pensioners Lunch

Cockabourne 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 Court

Dell Court Fambridge Court

Garrick House

Holsworthy House Coffee Morning, Bingo Afternoon Lombard Court Marygreen Crescent Park Lane Poplar Street Queen Street

Bingo Afternoon Coffee Morning Coffee Morning Bingo Afternoon

Ravenscourt Darts Evening Grove Royal Jubilee Court Coffee Morning

Bingo Afternoon Pool Afternoon

Darts Afternoon Breakfast Morning Bingo Evening

Line Dancing Afternoon Coffee Morning

Bingo Afternoon

Entertainment Evenings

Pool Afternoon

Bingo Afternoon

Computer Lessons Coffee Morning

Tea And Cake Afternoon Coffee Mornings, Bingo Evenings

Breakfast Morning

Knitting Afternoon

Breakfast Morning Mobile Support Workers Surgery

Knitting Afternoon

Bingo Afternoon Keep Fit Coffee Mornings

Snooker Evening

Computer Games

Tea and Coffee Morning Bingo and Bonus Ball Game Lunch

Tea and Coffee Morning Pool

William Tansley Smith House

Coffee Morning

Silver Lynx Craft Club Morning Knitting and Craft Afternoon

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Lunch, Dinner or Entertainment Evenings Bible Studies Morning, Lunch, Hairdresser Visits Silver Lynx Craft Afternoon Club Afternoon Darts Evening

Snooker Evening

Thomas Sims Court

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Lunch every other Wednesday, Activities Evening Breakfast Morning, Bingo Evening

Friday

Coffee Morning, Computer Games Tea and Coffee Morning Silver Lynx Craft Club morning Crafts Afternoon Cards Evening

Cards Evening

Bingo Afternoon

Computer Games

Coffee Morning, Computer Games Tea and Coffee Morning Bacon and Sausage Sandwich Lunch Entertainment Evenings

Special Events

Bards Court

Saturday 13 December Christmas Dinner Tuesday 23 December Afternoon Quiz

Beehive Court

Monday 22 December Afternoon Quiz

Cottons Court

Monday 22 December Morning Quiz

Garrick House

Friday 19 December Afternoon Quiz

Holsworthy House

Tuesday 16 December Afternoon Quiz

Maygreen Crescent

Tuesday 9 December Afternoon Quiz

Park Lane

Tuesday 9 December Morning Quiz

Ravenscourt Grove

Monday 15 December Afternoon Quiz

Royal Jubilee Court

Friday 12 December Morning Quiz

Thursday 4 December 1pm to 3pm Christmas Market Thomas Sims Court Thursday 18 December Morning Quiz

William Tansley Smith House

Thursday 11 December Morning Quiz

Arts and Crafts 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

Havering Council produces a monthly Active Living email newsletter for the over 50s full of news and information on events, trips and much more.

Sign up for your copy at www.havering.gov.uk/ActiveLivingNews

Sheltered Housing , Issue 3

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Book now for Young at Heart Variety Show Are you ready to take a step back in time and sing-a-long with your favourite songs from yesteryear?

If so make sure you get your ticket for the Young at Heart Variety Show.

There will be just two performances on Saturday 6 December at 2pm and 7pm, at Harold Wood War Memorial Hall, 53 Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0UP.

The Old Time Music Hall cast

Tasty Time at Brunswick Court

Carol Moring assumes her character designed to entertain the audience.

When you live on your own it can sometimes be too much of an effort to prepare and cook a meal for yourself but you can still get a well-balanced, healthy and tasty meal that can be microwaved.

One of the firms which deliver meals to your door is Oakhouse Foods. Representative, Tracy Gilbey, has been running tasting sessions at several sheltered housing schemes.

At Brunswick Court the verdict was positive with Annie Rugg saying “ I quite enjoyed it”; Benda Draper describing it as “very pleasant” while visiting grand-children Charlie Pitcher said “It’s very nice” and sister Laurel said “I’m More information going to ask mum to buy some.” www.oakhousefoods.co.uk 24

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Council Budget consultation Havering Council is currently consulting on budget proposals as it has to save around one third of its budget over the next four years.

More details on the proposals, and the opportunity to comment on them, are available at www.havering.gov.uk/ yoursay

Design & Print by London Borough of Havering. Job No: 004144

Tracy Gilbey of Oakhouse Foods, centre, discusses the menu choices with Annie Rugg, Brenda Draper, Charlie and Laurel Pitcher.

For ticket details please contact Community Engagement Team: E: getinvolved@havering.gov.uk T: 01708 432679.