Your home, your news Blackfriars | November 2026
Welcome! Welcome to the November edition of your Blackfriars newsletter! As we head further into autumn, we're bringing you the latest updates from around your neighbourhood, along with useful information and opportunities for residents. In this edition, you can find out about free reading support through Read Easy Southwark, as well as practical advice on avoiding scams during the upcoming festive shopping season.
A note from your Neighbourhood Manager We hope you're keeping well as we move further into autumn. We'd like to thank everyone who continues to help make our neighbourhood a friendly and welcoming place to live. Taking pride in our shared spaces and showing consideration for our neighbours helps create a positive environment for everyone. Whether it's keeping communal areas tidy or being mindful of others, these small actions can make a real difference.
How to contact Josephine
We remain focused on listening to residents, addressing local concerns and working together to make our neighbourhood an even better place to live.
You can now book an appointment to speak with Josephine either in person or online.
Thank you for helping us build a community where everyone feels comfortable and at home.
You can book either a 15 or 30 minute meeting with Josephine by visiting her booking page below.
With best wishes,
Appointments are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Josephine Neighbourhood Manager
bit.ly/JosephineMahoi
Stay scam aware this festive season With Black Friday and Christmas approaching, many of us will be looking for deals and discounts online. Unfortunately, scammers also use this busy shopping period to trick people into sharing personal information or making payments for items that don't exist. Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, especially those that are shared through unexpected emails, text messages or social media adverts. Before buying anything, check that you're using a trusted website and avoid clicking on suspicious links. If something seems suspicious, stop and check before going ahead. If you've clicked on a suspicious link, avoid entering further details. If you suspect your device is infected, disconnect from the internet and seek advice, as restarting alone may not help. If you've shared payment details or lost money, contact your bank immediately. Stay alert to help keep yourself and your money safe this festive season.
Help keep noise down for your neighbours Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and relaxed in their home. We've recently received reports of excessive noise in communal areas, including doors being slammed during the evenings and early mornings, which can be particularly disruptive for nearby residents.
Help keep our shared spaces clean Keeping our neighbourhood clean and tidy is something we can all play a part in, helping create a more welcoming environment for everyone. Please make sure rubbish is disposed of in the designated waste areas and avoid leaving bags or other waste in communal spaces.
Please be mindful of your neighbours by keeping noise to a minimum, closing doors gently and avoiding unnecessary disturbances, particularly during quieter hours when others may be resting.
Leaving rubbish in shared areas can create unpleasant conditions for neighbours and make it harder to keep our buildings clean, safe and pleasant for everyone who lives here.
Small actions like these can make a big difference in helping everyone enjoy a peaceful and welcoming place to live.
Thank you for doing your bit to help keep our neighbourhood a pleasant place for everyone.
Helping adults build confidence with reading
E-bike and e-scooter safety: help prevent fires
Do you know someone who struggles with reading?
Fires involving lithium batteries are one of the fastest growing fire risks in London. Fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters rose from 31 in 2020, 78 in 2021, 116 in 2022, 179 in 2023, 171 in 2024 and to 206 in 2025.London Fire Brigade attends, on average, an e-bike or e-scooter fire once every two days.
Peabody is working in partnership with Read Easy Southwark, a local charity offering free, confidential, one-to-one reading support for adults. Whether someone wants to improve their reading skills or learn to read for the first time, Read Easy provides a welcoming and supportive environment where people can learn at their own pace, without judgement or embarrassment. Improving reading skills can make a real difference to everyday life, helping people feel more confident, independent and able to take advantage of new opportunities. If you have a friend, relative or neighbour who could benefit from this support, please share this opportunity with them. It's never too late to learn. Find out more about Read Easy Southwark Contact Richard on 07981 963 154, or email: southwarknetworker@readeasy.org.uk
Whilst e-bikes and e-scooters offer a great way round the city, their batteries can start incredibly ferocious fires when damaged. Within minutes a battery fire can spread dangerously out of control. Stay safe and: Don't charge your batteries by your front door or any other escape route Never charge your batteries when you are asleep Only buy your batteries and charger from a reputable seller Learn more about the dangers of these batteries https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/chargesafe/
Contact us Phone 0300 123 3456 Website peabody.org.uk/contact-us Post 45 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB Facebook and Instagram @peabodyLDN Neighbourhood Manager: josephine.mahoi@peabody.org.uk