The Finchley Charities Winter 23-24 Newletter

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

Winter 2023/24

A little later on in life she has become a resident at Pewterers Court where she once again was reunited with Margaret which she is absolutely delighted about. It’s funny how stars collide and life throws up these little stories - must be the magic of Barnet!

If you also have a story about your own journey to the Finchley Charities then do contact your SHO and you never know, we may include it in a future issue.

Do make sure you keep your eye out for the listings of events and special days in and around The Finchley Charities over the coming quarter!

Repairs Repairs are categorised as follows: (a) Emergency - Repairs which, if not attended to promptly, could result in harm to residents or significant damage within your home, e.g. burst pipes, total electric failure, blocked waste pipes and toilets. Every effort will be made to attend to these within 24 hours. (b) Urgent - Repairs which, if not attended to, could cause serious discomfort and inconvenience to residents e.g. failure of central heating, broken glass and front door locks,

lift repairs, leaking roofs, cooker and fridge repairs. Every effort will be made to deal with these within 3- 5 days (c) Routine - Routine repairs are those that do not interfere with your comfort and convenience, and do not cause further problems to the property.

All other repairs excluding decorations will be attended to within 28 days.

Please report all repairs to your Sheltered Housing Officer.

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602 Free, confidential information and guidance including for any technical, digital or device issues 8am to 7pm, 365 days per year

Winter 2023/24

A Season for Celebration

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

To continue with our series of articles on familiar faces, this quarter we feature Jona and her amazing journey. Jona was born in North Mauritius, a beautiful Indian island nation in East Africa known for it’s beaches, lagoons and reefs. Having initially moved to the South of the Island, Jona then took the major step of travelling to set up a new life in London when she was just 19. She got married and had 2 children who attended Fortismere School in Muswell Hill.

It was here and through her children that she met her good friend Margaret. Jona worked at Barnet Hospital amongst a variety of other jobs.

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

At The Finchley Charities we have once again been able to commemorate and take part in a variety of celebrations that help brighten our shorter months. These included events recognising Black History Month, Diwali along with a Chanukah Tea Party.

Black History Month Black History Month took place in November and Wilmot Close hosted a Celebration Lunch to mark the occasion.

The presence of the Mayor of Barnet signifies official support and recognition for the importance of Black History Month.

Such events are important for fostering community engagement, promoting diversity, and raising awareness about the achievements and struggles of the Black community. The inclusion of a traditional African drummer added a cultural element to the celebration, providing a unique and authentic experience.

Diwali We warmed up with the glow of Diwali, the festival of lights in November.

It is all about the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. Clay lamps flicker in homes, and we celebrate with joy and gratitude.

Chanukah Tea Party Residents also organised a Chanukah Tea Party in December which is the traditional time for the celebration of Chanukah. It was a joyous occasion and was marked by the lighting of the menorah and included delicious festive foods.

Thanks to all that attended and took part.

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

Winter 2023/24

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

Winter 2023/24

Home From Home Club and Allotment Project

Have Your Say

In partnership with The Finchley Progressive Synagogue

We were pleased to hold the Have Your Say event on Saturday 20th January.

It certainly proved to be informative and fun meeting that will help us establish the future direction for The Finchley Charities. Led by one of our trustees, Richard Merrin and attended by in excess of 45 people, the break-out sessions helped provide a series of interesting foundations for the Charity to build upon that will hopefully benefit us all as we step forward together into the future. We are confident that these areas will be agreed by all residents.

We are delighted to have been able to provide a grant of £5,000 for these two projects.

The Home from Home Club is a drop-in for asylum seekers resident at the OYO hotel. Held at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, it offers a warm and welcome place to meet on Tuesdays.

With an established volunteer team, it has a good relationship with the outreach workers who promote the club to new residents.

Not set up for advice or casework, it does provide help and guidance wherever it is able: A troubled family was supported by one of the volunteers who is an experienced primary school teacher and attended school meetings with them.

This led to increased attendance and improved behaviour - the child and mother are now much happier and more settled.

It also assisted the older brother of a child who asked for help to replace a lost ZIP card. He was not aware that he was also himself eligible for a 16+ Zip card entitling him to half-price travel!

It is a referral partner for Sebby’s Corner, an excellent local charity which provides baby equipment, toys and clothes to expectant mothers and families with young children.

The Club members grow in confidence, and participate in taking action to represent themselves and their needs whilst also campaigning for support and change.

The Allotment Project is a project also made possible by the grant. Based at the Community Plot at the Fuel Lands Allotments site, this has been established by a regular small group of OYO residents who have been working with volunteers to prepare the plot for growing in the Spring.

Interestingly this land was part of Finchley Common and enclosed in the early 1800’s and was allotted to the ‘poor of Finchley’ by the Parish. It was then let and the income was used to purchase sacks of coal for the poor – hence the name Fuel Land. We have been running these allotments for over 130 years!

For those that were unable to attend on the Saturday there will be some further communications explaining the process in greater detail and we will be keen to hear your voice.

One other key subject that was highlighted was the need for greater communication and we will be looking further into this and also requesting feedback from yourselves as how together we can improve and best achieve this for the inclusion and benefit of all. To that end we have also created a residents area for the main website. You can find this at www.thefinchleycharities.org log-in TFC123 where our stories and information will be regularly uploaded. Keep checking back!

There have been a number of sessions and a significant area has been cleared. Footwear and clothing have been purchased. Good progress has being made and they are now sowing broad beans - the first crop to go in.

The beneficiaries really enjoy working on the allotment and have a great sense of ownership and achievement. Two members have now been given refugee status and there will be the recruitment of up to five new members once the weather improves and the season gets underway. A growing success!

Christmas at The Finchley Charities Early December had us celebrating the joy of Christmas.

Wilmot Close and Homefield Gardens were honoured with a Christmas carol performance from the pupils from Martins School.

We thank them for a fantastic performance.

Have your say in the Tenants Satisfaction Measures (TSM) survey and stand a chance to win £50/£30/£20 vouchers.

Powered by:

Survey period is the 7th February to the 28th March.

Acuity will be in touch - speak to your SHO’s if you have any questions.

Farewell and Thank You to Geraldine The Finchley Charities recently said goodbye to Geraldine Fox who has moved on to the next chapter as she has recently welcomed her first Grandchild.

We thank her for all her efforts throughout her five years with The Finchley Charities.

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

Winter 2023/24

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

Winter 2023/24

Home From Home Club and Allotment Project

Have Your Say

In partnership with The Finchley Progressive Synagogue

We were pleased to hold the Have Your Say event on Saturday 20th January.

It certainly proved to be informative and fun meeting that will help us establish the future direction for The Finchley Charities. Led by one of our trustees, Richard Merrin and attended by in excess of 45 people, the break-out sessions helped provide a series of interesting foundations for the Charity to build upon that will hopefully benefit us all as we step forward together into the future. We are confident that these areas will be agreed by all residents.

We are delighted to have been able to provide a grant of £5,000 for these two projects.

The Home from Home Club is a drop-in for asylum seekers resident at the OYO hotel. Held at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, it offers a warm and welcome place to meet on Tuesdays.

With an established volunteer team, it has a good relationship with the outreach workers who promote the club to new residents.

Not set up for advice or casework, it does provide help and guidance wherever it is able: A troubled family was supported by one of the volunteers who is an experienced primary school teacher and attended school meetings with them.

This led to increased attendance and improved behaviour - the child and mother are now much happier and more settled.

It also assisted the older brother of a child who asked for help to replace a lost ZIP card. He was not aware that he was also himself eligible for a 16+ Zip card entitling him to half-price travel!

It is a referral partner for Sebby’s Corner, an excellent local charity which provides baby equipment, toys and clothes to expectant mothers and families with young children.

The Club members grow in confidence, and participate in taking action to represent themselves and their needs whilst also campaigning for support and change.

The Allotment Project is a project also made possible by the grant. Based at the Community Plot at the Fuel Lands Allotments site, this has been established by a regular small group of OYO residents who have been working with volunteers to prepare the plot for growing in the Spring.

Interestingly this land was part of Finchley Common and enclosed in the early 1800’s and was allotted to the ‘poor of Finchley’ by the Parish. It was then let and the income was used to purchase sacks of coal for the poor – hence the name Fuel Land. We have been running these allotments for over 130 years!

For those that were unable to attend on the Saturday there will be some further communications explaining the process in greater detail and we will be keen to hear your voice.

One other key subject that was highlighted was the need for greater communication and we will be looking further into this and also requesting feedback from yourselves as how together we can improve and best achieve this for the inclusion and benefit of all. To that end we have also created a residents area for the main website. You can find this at www.thefinchleycharities.org log-in TFC123 where our stories and information will be regularly uploaded. Keep checking back!

There have been a number of sessions and a significant area has been cleared. Footwear and clothing have been purchased. Good progress has being made and they are now sowing broad beans - the first crop to go in.

The beneficiaries really enjoy working on the allotment and have a great sense of ownership and achievement. Two members have now been given refugee status and there will be the recruitment of up to five new members once the weather improves and the season gets underway. A growing success!

Christmas at The Finchley Charities Early December had us celebrating the joy of Christmas.

Wilmot Close and Homefield Gardens were honoured with a Christmas carol performance from the pupils from Martins School.

We thank them for a fantastic performance.

Have your say in the Tenants Satisfaction Measures (TSM) survey and stand a chance to win £50/£30/£20 vouchers.

Powered by:

Survey period is the 7th February to the 28th March.

Acuity will be in touch - speak to your SHO’s if you have any questions.

Farewell and Thank You to Geraldine The Finchley Charities recently said goodbye to Geraldine Fox who has moved on to the next chapter as she has recently welcomed her first Grandchild.

We thank her for all her efforts throughout her five years with The Finchley Charities.

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

Winter 2023/24

A little later on in life she has become a resident at Pewterers Court where she once again was reunited with Margaret which she is absolutely delighted about. It’s funny how stars collide and life throws up these little stories - must be the magic of Barnet!

If you also have a story about your own journey to the Finchley Charities then do contact your SHO and you never know, we may include it in a future issue.

Do make sure you keep your eye out for the listings of events and special days in and around The Finchley Charities over the coming quarter!

Repairs Repairs are categorised as follows: (a) Emergency - Repairs which, if not attended to promptly, could result in harm to residents or significant damage within your home, e.g. burst pipes, total electric failure, blocked waste pipes and toilets. Every effort will be made to attend to these within 24 hours. (b) Urgent - Repairs which, if not attended to, could cause serious discomfort and inconvenience to residents e.g. failure of central heating, broken glass and front door locks,

lift repairs, leaking roofs, cooker and fridge repairs. Every effort will be made to deal with these within 3- 5 days (c) Routine - Routine repairs are those that do not interfere with your comfort and convenience, and do not cause further problems to the property.

All other repairs excluding decorations will be attended to within 28 days.

Please report all repairs to your Sheltered Housing Officer.

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602 Free, confidential information and guidance including for any technical, digital or device issues 8am to 7pm, 365 days per year

Winter 2023/24

A Season for Celebration

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

To continue with our series of articles on familiar faces, this quarter we feature Jona and her amazing journey. Jona was born in North Mauritius, a beautiful Indian island nation in East Africa known for it’s beaches, lagoons and reefs. Having initially moved to the South of the Island, Jona then took the major step of travelling to set up a new life in London when she was just 19. She got married and had 2 children who attended Fortismere School in Muswell Hill.

It was here and through her children that she met her good friend Margaret. Jona worked at Barnet Hospital amongst a variety of other jobs.

The Finchley Charities Newsletter

At The Finchley Charities we have once again been able to commemorate and take part in a variety of celebrations that help brighten our shorter months. These included events recognising Black History Month, Diwali along with a Chanukah Tea Party.

Black History Month Black History Month took place in November and Wilmot Close hosted a Celebration Lunch to mark the occasion.

The presence of the Mayor of Barnet signifies official support and recognition for the importance of Black History Month.

Such events are important for fostering community engagement, promoting diversity, and raising awareness about the achievements and struggles of the Black community. The inclusion of a traditional African drummer added a cultural element to the celebration, providing a unique and authentic experience.

Diwali We warmed up with the glow of Diwali, the festival of lights in November.

It is all about the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. Clay lamps flicker in homes, and we celebrate with joy and gratitude.

Chanukah Tea Party Residents also organised a Chanukah Tea Party in December which is the traditional time for the celebration of Chanukah. It was a joyous occasion and was marked by the lighting of the menorah and included delicious festive foods.

Thanks to all that attended and took part.