Welcome to your updated local newsletter
With over 1,500 homes and more than 3,200 residents, Pembury is one of the biggest Peabody communities in North East London. There’s always a lot happening here, and we want to make it easy for you to stay in the loop
You might remember getting a printed newsletter before. This new version, put together with the same team, is now available as a regular email, with print copies still at the Pembury Community Centre if you prefer
In each issue, you’ll find updates from resident meetings, news on repairs and maintenance, event details, and stories featuring your local Peabody team and neighbours. Plus, we'll include tips on the support available to you as a Pembury resident
This newsletter doesn’t replace the usual updates you get about repairs, rent, or other essential info from Peabody, so keep an eye out for those as usual
Monthly Drop Ins
Do you need to talk about your housing, wellbeing, finances, repairs or anything else? Your local Peabody team is here to help. We are running drop in sessions for residents, friends and family to speak with staff from a range of Peabody teams
Your local team
People are at the heart of Pembury, including your local Peabody team From Community Investment and Estate Services to Resident Liaison and Neighbourhood Managers, a range of teams work together to keep Pembury running.
Every team is filled with a wealth of skills and experience, which is reflected by the specialist roles and responsibilities that make up each one In this newsletter, we hope to introduce (or reintroduce) the individuals and teams that you might regularly see, or just hear from every so often, and the part they play in supporting Pembury residents and your local area
Pembury People
Pawel Lipski, Caretaker Supervisor
We are pleased to share that Pawel Lipski, a familiar face to many in Pembury, took up the role of Caretaker Supervisor in Pembury this month. Pawel has been part the Pembury team in one way or another for 15 years, and brings a wealth of experience to this role Pawel will be supported by Steve Gibson, area manager.
What does being a Caretaker involve?
Looking after Pembury, providing a clean and safe environment for all who live in the area, is at the core of the caretaking team’s role. You’ll often see caretakers taking care of communal areas both inside and outside; including courtyards, walkways, community centres and TA halls Removing rubbish, clearing gutters, cleaning signage and reporting larger issues such as fly-tipping are all part of the team’s day job
Each caretaker follows a schedule to make sure all tasks are completed across every block There are daily tasks, including sweeping and clearing litter and weekly tasks like washing stairwells and checking communal lighting, which the team are responsible for Of course, there are also the less regular parts of the job, like removing or reporting bulk waste items which are handled when required.
If you have any caretaking enquiries, please contact Peabody on 0800 022 4040.
Your new repairs contractor
Peabody Group Maintenance (PGM) are now responsible for repairs in your building You might spot different vans and uniforms, but please don't worry - these operatives are fully checked and approved.
You can still report repairs in the same way: online through My Peabody, or by calling our Contact Centre on 0300 123 3456 You can also speak with your Resident Liaison Officer in person, at the Pembury Community Centre every Tuesday and Thursday.
Working Together to keep you safe
Following the fire in Dalston Lane in June, some residents have, understandably, wanted to find out more about what we do to keep residents safe
Firstly though, we want to assure you that we’re providing practical and other support to all of the families whose homes were affected by the fire We’re continuing to provide them with regular updates as our contractors are on-site, putting scaffolding and hoarding up around the building. Our focus at the moment is on repairing the building and, until residents can move back, making sure they have suitable temporary places to live.
With safety being our top priority, it’s essential that we carry out regular checks and follow all relevant guidance and regulations Strict rules are in place, some of which depend on building height That’s because lower height buildings generally pose fewer risks
The checks we carry out to keep building safe include:
Fire risk assessments (FRAs)
What’s on at Pembury
The Pembury Community Centre is a hub of activities for residents and the local community. Every week, we offer regular and one-off sessions on everything from Dance Classes to Literacy Development Pop into the centre for a full timetable, but a few highlights include:
Mondays, 1pm to 3pm – Free Coffee Afternoon
Tuesdays, 10 to 11 30 am - Free Stay and Play with Peabody Includes story time, singing and snacks
Wednesdays, 1 to 3pm – Try your hand at a game of Bingo, plus monthly Sip and Paint
Thursdays, 9 30 to 11 30 am: PEEP – Learning Together Programme for children and parents/carers to support language and literacy development for ages 3+.
Fridays 10 11 30am Sadlers Wells’ Jamaican Dance
Communal fire door and flat front door checks on buildings 11 metres (five storeys) or higher
Making sure communal areas are kept clear of personal items and belongings
Annual gas safety checks
5-yearly communal and domestic electrical checks
Fire and carbon monoxide detection equipment check
Periodic emergency lighting tests. You can find out more on our website (peabody.org.uk/fire-safety) about what we do and, just as importantly, what you need to do to keep you and your neighbours safe
And please remember, it’s vital that you give our engineers access to carry out safety checks inside your home, such as gas and electrical checks
Learn more about Mental Health
Are you interested in gaining a better understanding of mental health and wellbeing? Residents in Pembury are invited to join a 10 week course, run face to face every Monday from 10am to 2.30pm by the African Community School at Pembury Community Centre.
The course is free and will award a NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health upon completion The course will give you the knowledge you need and support those seeking relevant employment in the health and social care sector
Register your interest online through the Eventbrite booking page, email office@acschool org uk, or call 07484356541
6 and 13 November, 9.30am to 12pm midday
Try your hand at Banner Making in two free workshops. Learn a new skill and explore your creativity Free refreshments