Home Magazine, no.34 - Summer 2019

HOME News about your home

Issue 34 | Summer 2019

OUR FREE SUMMER GARDEN PARTY IS BACK

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Summer 2019 HOME

INSIDE >> >> >> >>

Celebrating 100 years of council housing Residents move into brand new homes Sign up to one of our housing courses Could you be our next Board member?

Win £50

WIN shopping vouchers worth £50

WE LC OME

Welcome A MESSAGE

from the CEO Welcome to the latest issue of Home magazine which is packed with stories from our communities across the borough as well as updates from the Lewisham Homes team. As ever, there’s plenty going on.

2019 marks 100 years of council housing. This is something we’re proud to celebrate at Lewisham Homes and we’re actively building properties to increase the supply of much-needed new homes in the borough as we move into the second century of council housing.

In this edition we visit a family who’ve just moved in to one of our new build homes at Dacre Park South near Lee High Road (p4).

In our last issue I told you that we were rethinking our core values, vision and mission, which we’re now sharing with you as part of our corporate plan on p9.

Thanks again to all of our residents who contributed to helping shape our new direction. We hope over the coming months you start to see the benefits of the changes we’re making to improve our services for you.

Margaret Dodwell, CEO

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Celebrating

of council housing

Summer 2019 HOME

When the First World War ended in 1918, then-Prime Minister David Lloyd George declared that it was time for the government to build decent, affordable housing. In his words, these would be ‘homes fit for heroes’ returning from battle, and the following year the country’s first council houses were built.

It’s now 100 years since the passing of the Housing and Town Planning Act, and the need for decent homes is as clear as ever. That’s why we’re working hard to ensure we can increase the number of homes

we’re building as well as investing in our existing properties. Today, we’re proud to say that more than 45,000 people live in our homes across Lewisham.

In July the House of Commons will host a parliamentary reception to mark 100 years of council housing. Our Chief Executive Margaret Dodwell will be in attendance to represent Lewisham Homes along with the Chair of our Board, Ainsley Forbes, and resident Keith Walton.

Free Event!

OUR COMMUNI T Y

save the date 31 August Celebrating

of council housing This year our resident garden party will take place on Saturday 31 August and we’d love for you to join us for some fun in the sun as we celebrate 100 years of council housing.

Our garden party is one of the highlights of our year and alongside music, dance, family theatre and a scrumptious BBQ, we’ll be recognising residents’ achievements with a special award ceremony.

The categories for this year's awards are: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Good neighbour award Creative community engagement Outstanding personal achievement Inspirational community project Love where you live award

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Nominations close on 11 August. To find out more and nominate a neighbour, visit lewishamhomes.org.uk/nominate Alternatively you can call our Community Relations team on 0800 028 2028 (option 5) if you’re unable to nominate online. Winners will be decided by our staff panel and announced on the day.

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Book your FREE tickets by phone on 020 8692 4446 or visit The Albany to book in person at Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG.

To celebrate 100 years of council housing we want to know what ‘home’ means to you.

The deadline is 11 August and selected pictures will be on display at our resident garden party.

What’s precious about your home? It could be something that conjures up a memory or an emotion, or it could be a physical object. Maybe you’ve seen something in your area or in a corner of your house, or maybe it’s a thought best expressed with words.

You can submit your photos via social media @lewishamhomes

Send us your photo, drawing or short text illustrating something that makes you feel at home.

getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk FREEPOST Lewisham Homes (no stamp needed)

Summer 2019 HOME

Send us your photos

Your name will be displayed alongside your photo if it is chosen.

NEW HOMES, BETTER PLACES

RESIDENTS MOVE IN TO NEW BUILD HOMES

In March this year we were thrilled to welcome residents to their newly built homes on Wise Court at Dacre Park South in Lee. The final block of properties was recently completed on the development which now comprises 26 homes made up of two-and three-bedroom houses and flats.

Summer 2019 HOME

Desilava Ognyanova recently moved in to one of the new homes with her four children after previously living in a cramped temporary accommodation flat. “It didn’t have space for wardrobes or anything,” said Desilava. “Because the bedroom was so small the children could only use it to sleep in. Now I have space for the boys and they don’t just want to stay in the living room all the time.”

One of her sons has additional needs which made living in the confined space even more challenging. The new homes form

part of our role to help the Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan, fulfil his target of building 1,000 new social homes by 2022. On a rainy day in May, the mayor paid Desilava and her family a visit, along with our CEO Margaret Dodwell and Board Chair Ainsley Forbes.

He said: “Days like this one – meeting people who we’ve been able to help into new, beautiful and good quality homes – are the best part of my job. It was lovely to meet Desilava and her family to see how this new home will make a huge difference for them. It will give them the security of knowing they have a permanent home for life.

“However, there is much more to be done for other families like Desilava’s who don’t have a home.

That’s why I’m committed to 1,000 new social homes for Lewisham,

“

Now he’s happy because he can move around, there’s a garden, and I can take them all to the playground.

Resident Desilava Ognyanova

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"It’s so much better for the children"

and I want to thank everyone at Lewisham Homes who is helping us to make that happen.”

Every new home we build means another family can move out of emergency hostels and bed and breakfasts and into a home of their own. This is now a core part of what we aim to achieve as a social housing provider on behalf of Lewisham Council and we are working hard to ensure that we can deliver more much-needed homes to the borough.

For more information on our development plans, visit lewishamhomes.org.uk/new-homes

E D U C AT I O N

Housing course graduates celebrate success

In March, residents who completed housing courses organised by Lewisham Homes and London Metropolitan University (LMU), with generous sponsorship from Lewisham Tenants Fund, were celebrated at a special ceremony.

Certificates were presented to graduates of our Improving Housing Services and Introduction to Local Housing courses by our Chief Executive Margaret Dodwell, Board Chair Ainsley Forbes and Board member Princess Udenkolo.

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The evening was topped off with a performance from Love2Dance.

We will be running both courses again later in the year.

For more information about any of the programmes on this page, contact our Community Relations team:

getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk 0800 028 2028 (option 5)

Creating social enterprise in Lewisham

The launch event took place on 11 April in New Cross and there was a great turnout, largely from our residents, who were eager to learn more about how they could sign up. lewishamchangemakers.org @LChangemakers

Summer 2019 HOME

Lewisham Changemakers is a programme that we run in partnership with Voluntary Action Lewisham for people who want to start a social enterprise in the area –– a business which invests its profits back into the community.

OUR COMMUNI T Y

Evelyn Community Store opens its doors After months of hard work from resident volunteers like Evelyn Tenants and Residents Association along with our Community Relations team, the Evelyn Community Store opened on 26 February.

Based in Deptford’s Evelyn Community Centre, the store works on a membership basis in partnership with charity FareShare, which supplies the store with good quality food from supermarkets.

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Membership priority is given to Lewisham Homes residents in the Evelyn Ward area on lower incomes. At a cost of £3.50 a week they’re provided with fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen and tinned foods, meat, fish and toiletries.

Currently there are 15 resident volunteers who help with the running of the store which is open every Tuesday from 5-7pm for approved members.

So far we’ve trained eight residents in Health and Food Hygiene Level 2, signed up 20 households to shop at the community store and have another 20 households on the waiting list.

If you’d like to find out about volunteering at the store, please contact our Community Relations team: getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk 0800 028 2028 (option 5)

Get online with digital discovery We are once again teaming up with network provider Three to offer digital discovery sessions to our residents in sheltered accommodation.

Summer 2019 HOME

These sessions will teach the essential skills to help residents navigate the digital world, such as answering calls and sending texts, connecting devices to the internet, talking to family and friends online, using search engines and staying safe online.

Where and when: Lewis Silkin 11 & 25 June, 10.30am-12.30pm Waverley Court 11 & 25 June, 2-4pm Fairfields 12 & 26 June, 10.30am-12.30pm Roseview 12 & 26 June, 2-4pm getinvolved@ Commodore lewishamhomes.org.uk 18 June & 9 July, 0800 028 2 028 10.30am-12.30pm

For more information contact our Community Relations team getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk 0800 028 2028 (option 5)

OUR COMMUNI T Y

Go green with the gardeners’ network Our gardeners’ network allows green-fingered residents throughout Lewisham to meet and share useful knowledge.

Volunteer drivers and passenger assistants needed Do you want to make a difference to older, socially isolated people in your community? Voluntary Services Lewisham are looking for local volunteers. Roles include: Drivers – Full driving license required. A car would be a benefit but not essential.

Minibus Drivers – You will need a full driving license and we will provide accredited minibus training.

Members meet regularly to go on different site visits and explore the range of green spaces that the borough has to offer.

In July the network will be learning about growing food with a new grow in the dark gardening project starting on the Crossfields Estate in Deptford.

Fancy coming along? No prior gardening knowledge is required. getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk

0800 028 2028 (option 5)

Learning to love money

Passenger Assistants – Supporting minibus passengers, accredited Passenger Assistant Training provided.

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Contact Sandra McGregor : 020 8291 1747 befriending@vslonline.org.uk Leemore Centre, Clarendon Rise, SE13 5ES

There were also lots of opportunities to win prizes which were presented by our Chief Executive Margaret Dodwell.

Prizes included a free family swim, massages, nail and beauty treatments and cinema tickets.

Congratulations to all of our winners: Bianca Wilson, Helen Gebre-Hannes, Audrey Eagan, Nike Ogunkoya, Felicia Odeyemi, Joseph Ali, Deborah Cunningham, Reiko Speechley and Errol Wallen.

If you need support with benefits or budgeting, please contact our Welfare Benefits team: getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk

0800 028 2028 (option 2)

Summer 2019 HOME

In February we held a love money event which gave residents tips to help with budgeting and improving their financial knowledge.

LOVE WHE RE YOU L I VE

Clear corridors KEEPING YOUR HOME SAFE

Safety is our top priority and we want to do everything we can to ensure your safety while you’re at home. That’s why we need to keep shared corridors and shared outdoor balconies clear.

To help us do this we’ve created our clear corridors policy which we started testing on selected blocks this February. Residents in these blocks have generally welcomed this and our caretakers have noticed less items being left in shared areas. As well as making homes safer, this also helps to keep shared spaces tidy.

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Following the test phase, we will now be rolling out the clear corridors policy to all of our high rise blocks in July 2019, and to all of our remaining properties (flats, houses, temporary accommodation and sheltered accommodation) by October 2019.

All residents will be notified before we introduce the policy to your area so keep an eye for this. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about what you can and can’t keep in shared areas.

doormat

WELCOME

Plant pot

Things you can keep on your shared balcony Summer 2019 HOME

Contact us for more information: environmental.services@lewishamhomes.org.uk 0800 028 2028 (option 7)

doormat

WELCOME

Things you can keep in your shared corridor

DO IT ONLINE

BUILDING OUR FUTURE We recently published our corporate plan for 2019 – 2022 which sets out what sort of organisation we want to be and what we want to deliver in the next three years. We’d like to say a big thank you to our residents who’ve contributed to shaping this.

Over the next three years we will focus on investing in the quality of our existing homes improving our services as well as delivering more new homes.

In the last issue of Home we told you about our five ambitions, which are for us to be: Landlord Consistently delivering an excellent and reliable resident experience.

Placemaker Building and investing in safe, attractive and sustainable homes and neighbourhoods.

Employer Enabling our staff to be the best they can be.

Partner Working in partnership to improve quality of life and life chances.

Our new vision is To create thriving communities and places people are proud to call home.

Our new mission is To provide safe, quality homes, deliver efficient services and enhance life chances.

As always we’re looking forward to working closely with our residents to make a real difference.

Enterprise Being an efficient, high performing business, maximising opportunities to deliver more.

You can download a copy of the corporate plan at lewishamhomes.org.uk

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

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CORPORATE PLAN 2019 – 2022

LEWISHAM HOMES / BUILDING OUR FUTURE / CORPORATE PLAN 2019–2022

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Do it online 24/7 Have you signed up for our online portal My Lewisham Homes?

It's simple to view and manage: >> Your tenancy details >> Your rent and service charge information >> Your garage accounts >> Your contact preferences >> Your tenancy and rent officers

Tried, tested and approved Our residents tell us that My Lewisham Homes is clear, convenient and fuss-free. If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s quick and simple to do. Just visit lewishamhomes.org.uk and select Do It Online.

Summer 2019 HOME

portal.lewishamhomes.org.uk

P OLICY

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Paws f r thought 10

We’re proudly a pet friendly landlord and we recognise the benefits that keeping pets can bring to residents, including companionship, and boosting mental and physical health. Because of this we’ve recently updated our pet policy, so if you’re already a pet owner, or you’re an animal lover considering getting a new pet, here’s what you need to know.

You can find out more about our pet policy by contacting our Housing Management team.

0800 028 2028 (option 5) housingmanagement@lewishamhomes.org.uk

You can keep the following animals without seeking permission from us: dogs (excluding any dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act), cats, fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and caged birds.

Summer 2019 HOME

If you wish to keep any other type of animal, reptile or bird you must get written permission from our Housing Management team.

Battersea pet friendly properties

With pet ownership comes great responsibility and you should look after your animals and ensure they don’t cause a nuisance within your property or in communal areas. Permission to keep a pet will be withdrawn if it causes a nuisance or health hazard and we will report any animal cruelty or neglect to the RSPCA.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is highlighting the number of tenants giving up their pets because landlords don’t allow them in their properties. As a landlord that does allow pets, we’ll be working with Battersea to help Lewisham become a pet friendly borough.

For more information, visit battersea.org.uk

A N T I S O C I A L B E H AV I O U R

Housing fraud – sentence upheld In our last issue we brought you news that a tenant who was illegally subletting his Lewisham Homes property had been convicted and ordered to pay back the unlawful profit. We can now share that the sentence has been upheld after a failed appeal.

The tenant, who was a solicitor, was living elsewhere while renting out his council home, and had also applied for the right to buy. He appealed the sentence but the application was dismissed.

This conviction was secured thanks to the hard work of our Tenancy Audit team and Lewisham Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption team.

Every illegal tenancy that is ended means someone in need from the council waiting list can be rehoused.

If you suspect someone is illegally subletting their property or committing housing fraud, let us know. All reports will be kept confidential. occupancy.checks@lewishamhomes.org.uk 0800 028 2028 (option 5)

Working to prevent fraud

Lewisham Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption team works in partnership with our Tenancy Verification team to investigate fraud and corruption in Lewisham.

The Anti-Fraud and Corruption team collects information from a variety of sources which is then used to investigate criminal, civil and disciplinary offences. Personal information collected from residents and service users may also be shared with fraud prevention agencies in order to prevent fraud and money laundering, and to verify identity.

Speak Up against domestic abuse

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For more information on how to report domestic violence and how we can help, visit lewishamhomes.org.uk/domestic-violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can call the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline on 080 8200 0247 or contact our Anti-Social Behaviour team on 0800 028 2028 (option 5). If you are in immediate danger call 999.

Summer 2019 HOME

We're rolling out our Speak Up campaign across our estates to help raise awareness of different types of domestic abuse, and provide information about how you can get help.

REC RUI TME NT

LEWISHAM HOMES IS LOOKING FOR A NEW RESIDENT BOARD MEMBER We’re pleased to announce that we’re looking for a resident who wants to help shape our future by joining our Board.

Made up of seven residents, five independents and three councillors, our Board steers our overall direction to ensure we’re achieving our mission to provide safe, quality homes, deliver efficient services, and enhance life chances.

That’s why your experience as a resident is invaluable.

We’re looking for people with good interpersonal skills who can work well in a team and effectively challenge the way we do things. This is a great opportunity if you want to gain valuable experience for career development.

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You should expect to attend up to two evenings a month for Board and Committee meetings which you’ll need to prepare for. Support and training is provided, as well as expenses like travel.

For more information, or an informal discussion about the position, contact Angela Peprah: 020 3889 0640 ext 2034 governance@lewishamhomes.org.uk Salary: £3,000 per year Closing date: 23 June 2019 Interviews: 5 & 8 July 2019

LEWISHAM TENANTS FUND IS LOOKING FOR NEW DIRECTORS We are independent funders of tenant and resident associations in Lewisham. This is an excellent and exciting opportunity to be part of a team that works to ensure that the fund has the resources to meet its legal, financial and other obligations.

The management committee is made up of voluntary directors, and welcomes candidates that have experience and skills in community development or running a tenants association, however these attributes are not essential as training is available.

We are particularly looking for candidates that have a ‘can do’ attitude and a passion to empower and keep resident-led organisations sustainable for the benefit of Lewisham Council tenants.

Summer 2019 HOME

Only Lewisham Council tenants can apply.

For more information, or an informal discussion about the position, contact Gloria: 0208 314 1006 administrator@l-t-f.co.uk

NEWS

Reporting off-road vehicles We’ve been working closely with Lewisham Council’s Abandoned Vehicles team over the past year to identify abandoned, unroadworthy or untaxed vehicles. Since 1 January 2018, 69 abandoned vehicles have been removed from our estates.

Off-road vehicles are sometimes registered with the DVLA through a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). We don’t allow SORN vehicles on council land, therefore if you have a SORN vehicle outside of or near your property you’ll need to move it. Failing to do so means your car is at risk of being removed by the council.

If you’re aware of an abandoned vehicle in your area please contact us. Alternatively, you can report abandoned vehicles directly to Lewisham Council who will remove old and unwanted vehicles free of charge for residents living in the borough.

housingmanagement@lewishamhomes.org.uk 0800 028 2028 (option 5) lewisham.gov.uk

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Home contents insurance

PEACE OF MIND AT AN AFFORDABLE COST

What you need to cover All your home contents and personal belongings.

Standard cover Insurance against fire, theft, vandalism and water damage and much more.

Accidental damage extension You can extend your policy to cover full accidental damage for a small additional premium.

(A £50 excess applies to extended accidental damage cover.)

For more information contact us 0800 028 2028 (option 5) Underwritten by Aviva Insurance Limited

How much does it cost?

Sum insured

Standard cover weekly premium

Accidental damage cover weekly premium

*£6,000

£0.95

£1.33

*£8,000

£1.26

£1.78

£9,000

£1.42

£2.00

£12,000

£1.90

£2.66

£15,000

£2.37

£3.33

£20,000

£3.16

£4.44

£25,000

£3.95

£5.55

£35,000

£5.53

£7.77

*only available to tenants aged 60 and over

Premiums include Insurance Premium Tax at the appropriate rate

Summer 2019 HOME

We strongly advise that you take out home contents insurance to protect your possessions.

Although we provide cover for the structure of your home we do not provide cover for your home contents.

Under a special scheme arranged through Aviva for Lewisham Homes tenants, it’s easy for you to protect your belongings.

OUR COMMUNI T Y

YOUTH FIRST

Providing youth clubs and programmes across Lewisham

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At Youth First our aim is to support youth work in Lewisham. We believe regular contact with a youth worker can have a big impact on young people – it can keep them out of trouble, help them build positive relationships and encourage them to be accountable for their actions.

Summer 2019 HOME

We run 10 adventure playgrounds and award-winning youth clubs in communities across Lewisham. We also provide funds to organisations like The Albany, Millwall Community Trust, Bromley and Downham Youth Club, YOYO and others to deliver sports, music projects, and arts and theatre workshops, as well as programmes tackling knife crime and safety.

Our clubs and projects are open throughout the year for eight to 19-year-olds (or up to 25-year-olds for young people with additional needs). We run programmes in the school holidays, including half terms, all of which are free and supervised by professional youth, community and play workers.

For more information visit: youthfirst.org.uk

C ALENDAR

Win Wordsearch £50 COMPETITION

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Calendar JUNE

Celebrating

Wear It Out – Creative Sewing Workshops 18 June, 10.30am-12.30pm Free conversational and creative sewing workshops.

146 Crofton Park Road 0800 028 2028

of council housing

Managing debt Claiming the right benefits & credits

Universal credit

Switching Job seekers & & saving on employment support your bills

Budgeting

Pension credit

Best Deals and Budgeting 26 June, 10.30am-1pm Get face-to-face support with budgeting from Lewisham Homes staff.

Old Town Hall, Catford 0800 028 2028

JULY

Building Friends at Somerville Every Wednesday, 12-3pm Make new friends at Somerville, stay healthy and get involved in group activities.

The Somerville, SE14 5JN 07506040564 Albany Gardening Club 4 July, 4-6.30pm No experience necessary.

All equipment provided.

The Albany, Deptford gardening@thealbany.org.uk

For the chance of winning shopping vouchers worth £50, find the following five words:

Wear It Out – Creative Sewing Workshops 2 July, 10.30am-12.30pm Free conversational and creative sewing workshops.

146 Crofton Park Road 0800 028 2028

ANNIVERSARY CENTURY COUNCIL HOUSING ONEHUNDRED

AUGUST

Albany Gardening Club 1 August, 4-6.30pm No experience necessary.

All equipment provided.

The Albany, Deptford gardening@thealbany.org.uk

To enter: You can enter by post or send us a scan/ photo of your entry by email. You must include your name, age, address and contact details.

We must receive your submission by MONDAY 8 JULY

Building Friends at Somerville Every Wednesday, 12-3pm Make new friends at Somerville, stay healthy and get involved in group activities.

The Somerville, SE14 5JN 07506040564 Managing debt Claiming the right benefits & credits

Universal credit

Switching Job seekers & & saving on employment support your bills

Budgeting

Pension credit

Best Deals and Budgeting 28 August, 10.30am-1pm Get face-to-face support with budgeting and finding the best energy deal.

Old Town Hall, Catford 0800 028 2028

Summer 2019 HOME

Email: communications@lewishamhomes.org.uk with the subject title ‘wordsearch’ or send your entry by post to: Communications team, FREEPOST Lewisham Homes (no stamp needed).

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CONTACTS: 0800 028 2028 lewishamhomes.org.uk Old Town Hall Catford Road London SE6 4RU facebook.com/lewishamhomes @lewishamhomes lhomes.org.uk/lhlin instagram.com/lewishamhomes

Summer 2019 HOME