Home Magazine, no.35 - Winter 2020

HOME News from Lewisham Homes

BRIGHT FUTURES IN LEWISHAM

Evelyn Community Store

Lewisham Changemakers

Award-winning discounts for residents

Social enterprises and local innovation

Issue 35

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January 2020

WELCOME

A message from our board chair It cannot be denied that the last decade has been one of the most challenging for us all. The 2010s were dominated by austerity, division and rightly outrage following the Grenfell disaster.

As we begin the new decade, I have high ambitions for Lewisham Homes to improve our housing services with a more effective, responsive and efficient offer.

I want,

Ainsley Forbes

• Lewisham Homes to be more open, transparent and work to respond positively to challenge from residents and leaseholders • To develop our work in partnership with Tenants and Residents Associations and other local organisations for the benefit of our community, especially our young people and vulnerable groups

• To work closely with our partners in the Council to play our part in ensuring Lewisham is carbon neutral by 2030 • To develop an IT strategy to drive better control and communication between services • To increase our new build programme of quality modern homes, at the same time as making sure our existing homes continue to meet decent home standards Let me take the opportunity on behalf of the board and the executive team to wish you all a happy and successful new year.

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

portal.lewishamhomes.org.uk 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.

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EVELYN

Evelyn Community Store The Deptford-based Evelyn Community Store, which offers discount produce to families on lower incomes, has celebrated winning the Travis Perkins Managed Services Award for Community Health and Wellbeing.

At the ceremony on 26 September the store staff were awarded a cheque for £5,000 in recognition of their achievements.

Based in Deptford’s Evelyn Community Centre, the Community Store was set up as a partnership between the Evelyn Tenants and Residents Association (TRA), Lewisham Homes and food waste charity FareShare. It’s currently staffed by 15 volunteers from the local community. The store operates on a membership basis, offering approximately £30 worth of goods for just £3.50 per week.

The award acknowledges that the store supports individuals and fosters a healthy, resilient and connected community. Accepting the award were residents from the Evelyn TRA, including chair Keith Walton, who said: ‘We’re ecstatic to receive this award. It shows that we are valued beyond belief by all concerned with the project.’

Margaret Dodwell, chief executive of Lewisham Homes, said: ‘When I visited the Community Store, I saw first-hand not only the impact it has on participants but also the passion the volunteers have for making a difference in their community.

Congratulations to everyone who works on this great initiative.’

Rita Lad, account manager at Travis Perkins Managed Services, said: ‘The awards exist to celebrate amazing projects such as these – projects that engage

communities and enrich the lives of local residents. We hope the £5,000 award means that Evelyn Community Store can continue to support residents and give them the opportunity to make a difference to even more people living in food poverty.’

Duke of Edinburgh volunteer We recently met with a student, Tyler, who is volunteering at the Evelyn Community Store through the Duke of Edinburgh award (DofE).

While entering the DofE Tyler expressed his interest in working at the Community Store. Being a local resident himself, he wanted to give back to the community. Tyler said: ‘I’ve seen people struggling over the years, and this helps people not struggle. The store is good value, provides for a lot of families and might be helping to keep them going, which makes me feel proud to be a part of it.’

Tyler is based at the Evelyn Community Store for approximately six months, spending one to three hours there on Tuesday evenings, and would recommend future students volunteer at the store.

‘Working here is beneficial, and I

have learnt a wide range of skills. I have really developed my people and communication skills, and I’m now more open with people in general.’

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NEWS

Improving Housing Services programme recognised by Chartered Institute for Housing

Participants on Lewisham Homes’ Improving Housing Services programme have been celebrating after it was announced that the course has been recognised by the Chartered Institute for Housing (CIH).

The course, organised by Lewisham Homes and London Metropolitan University (LMU), with sponsorship from Lewisham Tenants’ Fund (LTF), covers housing history, law and funding and enables participants to get involved in shaping Lewisham Homes’ services and effectively challenge and improve our work.

Those completing the course gain

an accredited qualification from the university.

CIH is the independent voice for housing and the home of professional standards. The validation of the course by CIH lasts for two years and recognises the benefit of the course for those undertaking it and the housing profession more widely.

For more information on the range of courses we offer, visit the Lewisham Homes Academy at lewishamhomes. org.uk/lh-academy

Antisocial behaviour team secure injunction Last June, our out-of-hours repairs team took a call from the police on behalf of a resident who needed a lock change following a domestic abuse incident involving an ex partner.

One of our ASB officers visited the property to speak to the resident and offer support. They worked closely with social workers, visited the tenant fortnightly and referred the case to court, securing an injunction against the ex-partner.

Many victims of domestic violence are forced to move in order to stay 4

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safe. As well as losing their homes, this can also affect families’ support networks, and mean that children have to move schools. By securing an injunction, the tenant and her children are able to stay in their home.

We’re committed to improving how we deal with anti-social behaviour and will be announcing changes to the ASB service in the new year. We carried out consultations with residents last year and your comments will inform our decisions.

Award for Lewisham Homes/The Albany partnership

A collaboration between Lewisham Homes and The Albany arts centre in Deptford won the Positive Partners award from the Housing Associations' Youth Network (HAYN). The partnership was also shortlisted for the Heart of Arts award at HAYN’s Room for Young People Conference on 7 November.

Children’s drawing competition

During our Garden Party which took place at The Albany, Deptford, last summer, we held a competition for children to draw a home, with the winning design being printed on future resident welcome packs.

We are pleased to share the winning entry here, from a local seven-year-old. On hearing the news she said: ‘It has made my Christmas perfect, I really would like to thank them.’

As part of the prize for winning the competition, we have also sent the winner art supplies to encourage their creativity.

NEWS

Lewisham Homes staff celebrate Black History Month Lewisham Homes staff marked Black History Month in October last year through a series of talks and activities, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. The events were designed to get people talking about unconscious bias and the impact of racism, and how we should respond.

Office-based staff heard from head of ICT Emmanuel Etsetowaghan on his journey from his childhood in Nigeria to his role as a senior

tech professional in London.

Following this, speaker Hillna Fontaine talked to staff about the problems with a ‘colourblind’ view of society and how we all need to take people’s different experiences into account.

The day’s activities were rounded off by a speech from Lewisham Homes’ board chair Ainsley Forbes about his experience as one of the few Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) board leaders in the country.

Field staff from the Repairs and Environmental Services teams came into the office for a quiz about Black history and culture, plus another workshop from Hillna.

Staff across the business enjoyed thinking about these complex issues and how to overcome them. In Ainsley’s words: ‘Believe in yourself – you are good enough.’

Speak up on White Ribbon Day Each year around the date of 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) thousands of people across the UK come together to raise awareness as part of the national White Ribbon Day campaign.

The theme of White Ribbon Day this year was ‘creating a future without male violence against women’.

We supported the campaign’s 16 days of action, as our staff made the pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women.

White Ribbon UK founder and president Chris Green OBE says: ‘It’s men’s responsibility to stop gender violence, and since men listen a bit more carefully when the message is spoken by other men, we need to challenge each other to do better.’

If you or anyone you know has been affected by domestic violence, you can find helpful advice on our website. lewishamhomes.org.uk/white-ribbon-day-2019 HOME / JANUARY 2020

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INFORMATION

Fire safety, white goods • Regularly check that your appliances haven't been recalled. You can find this out by searching online for the Government's product recall site productrecall.campaign.gov.uk, the manufacturers’ websites and the Electrical Safety First's recall register at electricalsafetyfirst.org. uk. Be aware that a number of tumble dryer models manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 have been identified as a fire risk.

The affected brands include Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, and Whirlpool

Nearly one fire a day in London involves white goods such as dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, fridges and freezers.

Here are simple things that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) advise you should do to keep yourself safe: If your white goods start making a strange noise, unplug them and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician

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• Always keep white goods in a safe place and out of the way. Avoid keeping fridge-freezers in hallways to keep all fire escape routes free • Install smoke and heat alarms in every room where a fire could start, making sure they are tested regularly. Please contact Lewisham Homes if you need a new alarm or a repair to an existing one

Working to prevent fraud

Lewisham Council’s anti-fraud and corruption team works in partnership with the Lewisham Homes tenancy verification team to investigate fraud and corruption in Lewisham.

The anti-fraud and corruption team collects data and information from a wide variety of sources, which is 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.

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• Register your appliance – this will keep you informed if a manufacturer identifies any issues with the product. You can register your appliance at registermyappliance.org.uk

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Visit: lewishamhomes.org.uk/site/data-protection-act/ to find out how we use personal data.

If you are aware of any suspicious activity relating to tenancy fraud at Lewisham Homes properties, please refer this to: Phone: 0800 028 2 028 Email: occupancy.checks@ lewishamhomes.org.uk Fraud against Lewisham Council can be reported to reportfraud@lewisham.gov.uk or 0800 0850119

INFORMATION

Clear corridors policy

Brexit and the settled status scheme

Fire 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 have introduced the ‘clear corridors’ policy. This means that we will not allow any items in communal (shared) areas which can be easily set alight, support the growth of a fire or that restrict access in or out of your block.

The UK is due to leave the European Union (EU) on 31 January. All EU citizens and their families in the UK will need to obtain immigration status depending on their circumstances.

Since trialling the policy in selected blocks in February 2019 we extended it to all Lewisham Homes properties in October. We have received good feedback from residents who have welcomed this, while caretakers have also reported fewer items being left in shared areas.

Things you can keep on your shared balcony

Things you can keep in your shared corridor

WELCOME

doormat

WELCOME

Plant pot

doormat

Working with you and the community Lewisham Homes has developed a new community engagement strategy, based on conversations we’ve had with 800 residents.

We are focusing our engagement on four key areas: training and employment, young people, digital support, and health and wellbeing activities.

We are now working on how we will invest in communities, with the introduction of a Community Investment Fund in April. Residents will decide how the core investment will benefit their communities and which

projects we should support. If you would like to be part of our community investment panel, email getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org. uk or visit lewishamhomes.org.uk/ your-community We have also launched our new Customer Experience Strategy.

This explains in more detail how we plan to consistently deliver an excellent and reliable resident experience, having recently been accredited by the Institute for Customer Service. You can read the strategy at lewishamhomes. org.uk/about/business-plan

Lewisham Council can help you with the ID verification part of your application for settled or pre-settled status. They won’t need to keep your ID and in most cases you shouldn’t be asked to send it anywhere else during your application. There is no cost for this service, which operates from the Customer Service Centre, ground floor, Laurence House, SE6 4RU, Monday to Friday, 1–4pm.

For more information on Brexit, the EU settlement scheme and how Lewisham Council can help, visit lewisham.gov.uk and search for ‘Brexit guidance’

Estate parking permits Some estates have their own permit parking schemes managed by Lewisham Homes.

Residents can now purchase resident and visitor parking permits online at lhomes.org.uk/parking

Accessing free advice on benefits Did you know Lewisham Homes offers a free benefits advice surgery daily Monday to Friday from 10am to 12pm at our office in the Old Town Hall, Catford?

Our specialist advisors are able to help residents claim all the benefits they are entitled to and provide support with applying for backdates or making appeals.

Book an appointment on-line at lhomes.org.uk/welfare, phone 0800 028 2 028 or email welfarebenefits@ lewishamhomes.org.uk

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NEW BUILD/DEVELOPMENT

Building the future Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan met tenants of new Council homes in Forest Hill in October. The 27 new council homes, at Longfield Crescent in the south of the borough, include two three-storey blocks consisting of fourteen oneand two-bedroom flats and thirteen three-bedroom family houses for social rent.

Mohamed and his wife Khadija spent four years living in temporary accommodation across London with their two daughters and two sons, living in Enfield and East London among other locations. They now have a modern three-bedroom house in the development. Mohamed described the impact of the new home: ‘It’s made quite a lot of difference. It helped us as a family – for four years we’ve been going up and down to different places.

To settle down in one place is quite big and I’m very happy – thanks to Lewisham Council.’

Another new resident is Julie.

She previously lived in a threebedroom property provided by housing association Housing for Women, but was able to downsize into a new one-bedroom flat at Longfield Crescent. Julie enjoys the privacy of her new flat, describing it as ‘my own little heaven’.

New houses at the development

‘My own little heaven’ Julie

The new homes will be managed on Lewisham Council’s behalf

by Lewisham Homes. Delivering new social homes and helping families move out of temporary and emergency housing into a home of their own is a core part of Lewisham Homes’ mission.

Meeting new resident Mohamed (centre) are (left-right): Cllr Paul Bell, Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan, Lewisham Homes chief executive Margaret Dodwell, Cllr Peter Bernards 8

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NEW BUILD/DEVELOPMENT

The Mayor was accompanied on the visit by Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Paul Bell, Chair of Lewisham Homes’ board, Ainsley Forbes, Chief Executive Margaret Dodwell, and Director of Development Lis Rodrigues, as well as Forest Hill Cllr Peter Bernards.

Damien Egan said: ‘It was great to meet Mohamed and his family, and Julie, to see their new council homes. We’re delighted that Lewisham is building again, with the first new council homes in a generation. These 27 new homes in Forest Hill provide social rents at lifetime tenancies. We’re pressing on to build many more homes across Lewisham, so we can house more families on our housing waiting list.’

Ainsley Forbes, Chair of the Board at Lewisham Homes, said: ‘It’s great to see families who have been in temporary accommodation moved into highquality, well-designed homes that

New flats also form part of the development

are affordable to rent and energy efficient. It’s beautiful to see people being happy in their new homes,

enjoying the benefits of good quality housing – and we plan to build more.’

Residents on the Achilles Street Estate vote for new homes in Lewisham’s first estate regeneration ballot

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Up to 150 new council homes will be built by Lewisham Council after residents voted in favour of the plan.

CCTV. The development will also give residents improved access to public and green spaces with communal gardens or balconies.

The proposal to redevelop the area around Achilles Street in New Cross was backed by 72.8% of eligible residents in the first ballot of its kind to take place in the borough. Overall, 92% of eligible residents cast their vote.

This is the highest turn-out for any resident ballot for estate regeneration.

The redevelopment will see around 450 new homes built with half as council housing for

existing residents and people on the housing waiting list.

The remaining half will be private housing to help fund the redevelopment.

Building work will be phased allowing residents to stay in their current home until their new one is ready. All existing residents will be offered new homes on the same terms with no increase in rent.

The new homes will be built by the council and Lewisham Homes to modern energy efficient and safety standards with features such as sprinkler systems and

New council homes

The ballot followed an extensive consultation process which included weekly resident engagement meetings.

Lewisham Council will now work closely with residents to appoint an architect to finalise the design of the housing with each phase of building work expected to take up to two years to complete.

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NEW BUILD/DEVELOPMENT

Work in progress The speedy removal of dangerous cladding on three neighbouring New Cross tower blocks in 2017 was just the first step of a transformation project scheduled for completion later this year.

At Lewisham Homes, our vision is to create thriving communities and places people are proud to call home. Residents’ safety is our top priority, which is why understanding and neutralising fire risk is at the heart of everything we do.

We acted quickly following the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017. Government safety tests were carried out on high-rise blocks across the country and our blocks at Gerrard House and Hatfield Close were found to have dangerous cladding. We immediately introduced a 24-hour fire patrol service in the buildings and engaged contractors United Living to carry out safety works and remove the cladding as a matter of urgency. The final panel was removed in autumn 2017, and safety measures have been carried out. The process of installing a safe alternative will begin this year, with an expected completion date of October 2020.

A cross section of the new cladding system has been installed on the ground floor for residents to inspect. It includes insulation, weatherproof membrane, support system and the ceramic tile. All elements are A1 fire rated

Front cover: Lewisham Homes board members Steve Gough and Owen Fox during a site visit to Hatfield Close

REMOVAL OF CLADDING Completed Dec 2017

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EMERGENCY FIRE SAFETY WORKS Completed Aug 2018

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PLANNING APPROVAL Received Jun 2019

DESIGN ACTIVITIES Completed Sep 2019

ROOF REPLACEMENT Completed Dec 2019

SPRINKLER INSTALLATION Jan - Aug 2019

REPLACE KITCHENS/ BATHROOMS Feb - Aug 2020

NEW BUILD/DEVELOPMENT

Consultation and engagement We have been working in partnership with United Living and the Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations (TRAs) to make sure that everyone living at Hatfield and Gerrard has meaningful opportunities to be included in the process. After a series of meetings with residents, we arrived at a choice of three designs for the new terracotta cladding, with the preferred option finally chosen by vote. Residents have also had the opportunity to examine the new safety measures and materials in more detail at a ‘meet the contractor’ session.

Lewisham Homes has offered financial assistance to those faced with higher energy bills while the blocks are unclad, and we have also been engaging with residents though a vibrant programme of events and initiatives. As well as working to refurbish and reopen the Winslade Cyber Centre nearby, and planning a Skills Centre on the site, our Community Relations team has helped renovate a community garden.

The new automatic opening vent (AOV) system will clear smoke quickly from communal corridors in the event of fire

In a few focused hours, along with United Living staff and local residents, we transformed the area to the benefit of the residential community in what was a real team effort. The team restored clear access to the pathways and what had become hidden seating, revived the plants by clearing the smothering ivy and bringing the gardens back to its tranquil glory with landscaped grounds.

Social value

An overgrown community garden on site was brought back into use by residents with assistance from United Living and Lewisham Homes staff

Stipulations included in our contracts for the building works have brought around £1.5m in contributions to events and projects for people in the local area. Several of these focus on children and young people, including a post-16 options evening for young people in Deptford and five CV workshops that have taken place at Deptford Green School.

Another focus of the projects is training and skills development for local residents. Contractors have provided resources for the refurbishment of the New Cross Skills Centre, which will be completed in the New Year. Also provided have been online certificated learning, a new apprentice administrator role, and training weeks including construction site hoist certification.

INSTALL WINDOWS

Feb - Jul 2020

INSTALL CLADDING

Feb - Sep 2020

AOV SMOKE SYSTEM Feb - May 2020

COMMUNAL AREAS DECORATION Jun - Sep 2020

Contact us To find out more about the project, visit lhomes.org.uk/2JTUXyM

SCAFFOLD REMOVAL

Aug - Sep 2020

LANDSCAPING Aug - Sep 2020

ALL WORKS COMPLETED Oct 2020

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CHANGEMAKERS

Enterprising minds

The first Lewisham Changemakers pitch night was the culmination of a training programme for local social entrepreneurs, helping kick-start their ideas or take them to the next level On the evening of 19 November, at the Professor Stuart Hall Building at the Goldsmiths New Cross campus, seven local social enterprises go the opportunity to present their projects and appeal for funding or in-kind support.

In total, £4,250 cash, two laptops and more than a dozen offers of community space and volunteering were made during the session, which was attended among others by representatives of contractors United Living, Kier and Travis Perkins Managed Services, as well as Lewisham Local, CatBytes, and Goldsmiths itself.

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It was the culmination of a programme organised

by Lewisham Homes and Voluntary Action Lewisham which brought together a team of specialist trainers to help social entrepreneurs become investment ready.

After applying and being accepted on the scheme earlier this year, the participants were offered a free programme of six evening classes and two whole-day sessions to teach them how to build a credible social enterprise plan.

‘It was a fantastic evening,’ said Alys Exley-Smith, Lewisham Homes’ community relations manager.

‘We were delighted to showcase such innovative ideas from the Changemakers.

We want to thank everyone who pitched and pledged to support.’

It was a fantastic evening, we were delighted to showcase such innovative ideas from the Changemakers. We want to thank everyone who pitched and pledged to support.

Alys Exley-Smith, Lewisham Homes’ community relations manager

The programme attracted a range of different social enterprises: Creative Leaders offers training and workshops for unemployed people, building their confidence to approach employment and marketplace situations and communicate well with others.

Thinking about confidence from a different angle, Ladies Who Lift runs weightlifting sessions for women to teach them how to get into resistance training, and is designed to increase body confidence and general fitness.

CHANGEMAKERS

‘I’m more confident. 100%’

Maiona offers introductory computer coding and web development workshops aimed mainly towards young people, women and participants with limited office based work history; while also geared towards improving people’s employment changes, Plot Coffee offers barista training for young people in Lewisham.

Mabadiliko runs cultural humility and sensitivity workshops geared to the workplace; Two Mindful Bees runs a pop-up cafe and events offering mindful eating; and Therapy4Healing (T4H) is a long-running social enterprise which gives a variety of health, wellbeing, therapy and personal development sessions across south east London.

Although at different stages of their social enterprise journeys, the projects benefitted from different elements of the course, which covered topics like fundraising, governance and marketing.

One participant said that the course ‘made me more focused and structured with what I want to do.

‘It made me realise I’m actually in a good place to make this come to fruition in a really good way. That came from going through all the theory and hearing about other people’s experience.’

‘I’m more confident. 100%.’

A social enterprise could be any business with social objectives which reinvests its profits for that purpose, so individuals or groups who want to make a positive social impact in Lewisham should consider applying.

The programme will be running again in 2020, and anyone interested is encouraged to email for more information.

We offer a variety of opportunities for our residents to learn, volunteer and express their views, including our new Lewisham Homes Academy – and one-stop shop for all your training and employment needs.

Contact us

LEWISHAM HOMES TRAINING ACADEMY

Get involved with Lewisham Homes We offer a variety of opportunities for our residents to learn, volunteer and express their views, including our new Lewisham Homes Academy – and one-stop shop for all your training and employment needs.

To find out more about this, our community spaces and engagement activities, as well as Tenants and Residents Associations, Resident Scrutiny Committee and Resident Engagement Panel, visit lewishamhomes.org.uk/ your-community getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk 0800 028 2028

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OPPORTUNITIES

Become a Lewisham foster carer Lewisham Council is recruiting local foster carers for more than 470 children and young people in care. Finding a local foster home helps youngsters to stay in the same school, keep connections to their family and maintain friendships.

Contact the council’s fostering recruitment team by calling our free phone 0800 015 0129 or by emailing fosteringrecruitment@ lewisham.gov.uk

Could you be that single person or couple, in a home with a spare bedroom, with the time to provide care, support and help? Fostering can be for a short time or a longer period.

The council will support you with an allowance of up to £650 per week for each child. We provide training, support groups with other carers and a round-the-clock telephone advice service.

Creative and life skills workshops for girls Stitch Up Look Sharp is a new programme from Lewisham Homes, Make Mee Studio, BelEve UK and The Albany with a mission to help young women express themselves creatively while gaining skills that could help them in education and employment.

Starting in February 2020, the programme will invite girls aged 12 to 16 from Lewisham to workshops on topics such as confidence building, body positivity, employment and further education, along with curating a showcase of creative work. As well as hearing from guest speakers, participants will take part in trips to live fashion shows, exhibitions and studio spaces so they can see independent designers at work.

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‘There’s no better satisfaction than feeling you have helped make a huge difference in a vulnerable child’s life, when things could have been very different for them,’ Lewisham foster carer since 2009 Please contact us if you are thinking of fostering for the first time, or if you are interested in transferring from another fostering agency. We hold regular information sessions giving more detail on what is involved.

This could be your first step towards a rewarding career as a Lewisham foster carer.

GIRLS 12-16 ONLY

The programme will aim to recruit a diverse group of girls and young women and give them the skills and confidence to inspire social change in their own communities. We will also offer a volunteer opportunity to a young person aged 16 to 25 who can support with the workshops, providing them with work experience for their CV. The sessions will take place at Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin Street, SE8 4RJ starting on Saturday 1 February and running every other Saturday for 12 weeks (amended timetable during half terms) ending in June with the showcase event. There will be space for 15 girls on the course.

Get in touch to register your interest getinvolved@lewishamhomes.org.uk 0800 028 2028

OPPORTUNITIES

Photography competition

Community investment panel – we need you In 2020 we will be launching the Lewisham Homes community fund, as we will be investing in local communities.

‘No place like home’ is the theme for this year’s photography competition from the National Federation of Arms-Length Management Associations (NFA), of which Lewisham Homes is a member.

We all understand what it means to feel ‘at home’; yet no two communities are alike, and what sets one place apart from another may well be the very thing that most makes us feel we belong. We’re asking our residents to capture what’s unique about their streets, neighbourhoods and communities.

Images submitted to the competition often get widespread recognition. Our entry last year made the final shortlist, and was used at the House of Commons as part of the 100 Years of Council Housing celebrations this summer, as well as by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) – and on the cover of our annual report.

The national deadline for the competition is in March, so please send all entries to communications@lewishamhomes. org.uk by Friday 28 February 2020. We can also provide answers to any questions you may have about the competition.

To help us decide how and where we spend the funding, we are creating a community investment panel, and following our values to empower and engage, we will be recruiting residents to join.

If you are interested in joining the community investment panel and would like to work with us to help make a difference in your community, please contact getinvolved@ lewishamhomes.org.uk

Residents ‘Wear It Out’ for Borough of Culture bid Homes and Make Mee Studio, as part of the Albany and Entelechy Arts’ Festival of Creative Ageing.

Lewisham Homes residents took part in an exhibition about sustainability, fashion and the power of memories at the Old Town Hall. The ‘Wear It Out’ exhibition featured the results of a collaboration between Lewisham

The ground-breaking festival, delivered with a £216,000 Cultural Impact Award from the Mayor of London, ran from 13 September to 6 October 2019, and celebrated the wonders of creativity as we age. It forms part of Lewisham’s bid to be Borough of Culture in 2021.

The exhibition showcased reused garments put together

by residents from our sheltered housing for older residents in the borough. The exhibit focused on the importance of clothing in our memories and personal lives, as well as the importance of sustainability in fashion.

The Borough of Culture results will be declared by the Mayor of London in January.

For more on Lewisham’s bid visit iamlewisham.uk

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What’s on English as a second language (ESOL) classes Mondays and Fridays, 10am-12pm Improve your English with free classes for those who speak English at beginner to upper intermediate level.

Deptford Lounge Library, 9 Giffin St, Deptford, SE8 4RJ goodheartsocialclub@gmail.com Free career support from National Careers Service Every Monday Discuss your next steps with a National Career Service Advisor to get free, confidential and impartial advice.

Catford Library, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, SE6 4RU 0203 714 8350 Deptford Energy CafĂŠ Every Monday, 12pm-4pm Join South East London Community Energy, Citizens Advice, Deptford Challenge Trust and GCDA to get free energy tips.

Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin St, Deptford, SE8 4RJ 0808 169 1779 English language classes Mondays and Wednesdays, 10am-12pm Afghanistan and Central Asian Association offers English classes to over 16s from the community.

The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG 07462 015430 Yoga and Wellness with Gee Every Thursday, 1pm-2pm Bampton Estate residents - meet your neighbours, get fit, strengthen the community and have fun doing it!

Bampton TRA Community Hall, Inglemere Road, SE23 2AZ originalgee@live.co.uk

CONTACTS 0800 028 2028

facebook.com/lewishamhomes

lewishamhomes.org.uk

@lewishamhomes

Old Town Hall Catford Road London SE6 4RU

lhomes.org.uk/lhlin

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instagram.com/lewishamhomes

Women-only English classes Every Saturday, 12pm-2pm Afghanistan and Central Asian Association offers English classes to local women over 16 and from the community.

The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG 07462 015430