Sheltered Times
News and Views for Sheltered Housing residents ISSUE 3: Autumn 2014
Tea Dance delights
A refreshing cup of tea, a buffet
that tempts the taste-buds, a
sing-song and a dance made an
ideal afternoon’s entertainment for
residents at four sheltered housing
schemes this autumn.
Tea dances took place at Cole
Court, Cottons Court, Garrick House
and William Tansley Smith House.
An afternoon tea of sandwiches,
sausage rolls and various cakes
were made by chef Mark Borrell
and entertainment was provided
by singing group What Friends
were Four.
The events proved so popular that
more are planned so keep an eye
out for the dates.
Memories of
World War II
Eyes down for new kitchens
When Wates Living Spaces
completed the upgrade of kitchens
and bathrooms at Bards Court in
Harold Hill they decided to say
thank you to residents for being so
cooperative by holding a prize
bingo afternoon.
So it was eyes down and look in as
residents played to win some top
prizes including Wates branded
mugs alongside kettles and
toasters, each worth around
£30 – an ideal addition for a
new kitchen.
At the age of 19 Beatrice Klanke
left Poplar in London’s East End and
became a Land Army girl on a Kent
Farm. Now at 94 years old she looks
back with fond memories of
Brussels sprouts, sugar beet and
beef cattle. Read her story in our
special report on pages 8-9.
Contact details
Homes & Housing Customer Contact Service
This is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm on
01708 434000 or Freephone 0800 151 3444.
You can also use these numbers to make an appointment to
meet a member of staff at different locations across Havering.
Out of hours
If you have a problem outside normal office hours that
won’t wait ring 01708 756699.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Email: [email protected]
For problems outside 9am to 5pm ring 01708 726685.
There are a number of
ways you can get in
touch with us.
Ideas for this magazine
If you have ideas for future
articles contact Chelsea Potts
(pictured) by emailing chelsea.
[email protected] or ring
01708 432679.
Looking back
If you want to view a previous
issue of Sheltered Times they
are now on line at www.
havering.gov.uk/
shelteredtimes.
Textphone
The Textphone number is 01708 433399.
Email
For general enquiries [email protected]
For rent queries [email protected]
To find out about the Decent Homes programme
[email protected]
To get involved [email protected]
Social Media
Follow us on: Twitter at @LBofHavering.
Facebook – log in and in the search box type
Get involved – Havering Council tenants and leaseholders
Visit the office
Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, RM3 8YQ
You can find us to the right of St George’s Church Centre at the top
end of the Hilldene Shopping Centre
Peck on the cheek leads to 25 years of marriage
Peter and Doreen met on 22 May 1985 on a blind date set up by
Doreen’s daughter. That date ended with a peck on the cheek and
an agreement that neither of them wanted a serious relationship.
On 29 September 1989 they were married in Acapulco, and on 25
September this year they celebrated their Silver Wedding
Anniversary with family and friends at a party at Thomas Sims
Court, Hornchurch.
Doreen described their 25 years of marriage as a roller coaster. They
have been through a lot over these years but they have always
come out smiling.
Peter and Doreen ready to relase the
balloons
02
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On the actual anniversary Doreen and Peter released balloons in the
garden watched by friends.
Quiet man chairs SHOUT Forum
Paul Clark chairs the recent SHOUT Forum meeting at Charlbury Court
First impressions of Paul Clark are that you are
meeting a quiet, gentle man.
It is only when you see him in action as Chair of the
SHOUT Forum that you realise there is also a steely
determination to make sure that the voices of
Havering’s sheltered housing residents are heard
loud and clear.
Paul explained: “I lived most of my life in Paddington
and moved to Havering about 20 years ago living in
Upminster. I had a factory in South Ockendon and
ran a manufacturing and building company.
Enjoy events
“I am a committed Christian, being actively involved
in St Luke’s Church, in Cranham, and was chair of
Churches Together for Upminster, Cranham and
North Ockendon.
“From that work I know that there are also elderly
people in the community who are often on their
own and would enjoy coming along to some of the
events we organise in our sheltered housing
schemes.
(continued on p6)
Own company
“Then in 2006 I moved into Brunswick Court in
Cranham. When I first moved in I avoided the
communal activities and the communal lounge,
preferring my own company in my own home but
when a meeting was held about renovating the
communal garden I went along as I enjoy gardening.
“One of the proposals was to build a fish pond and
by the end of the meeting I had volunteered to help
feed the fish.
“That was the start of my involvement and I soon
found myself representing Brunswick Court on the
Focus Group set up by the Council and when that
became the SHOUT Forum I somehow ended up as
Secretary.
“I did that job until two years ago when I was
elected Chair and I take that role very seriously as I
am very interested in what can be done to improve
things for residents and I like being involved across
all the sheltered housing schemes, working with
the local representatives.
Paul Clark, with a fellow resident, at the fishpond in
Brunswick Court
Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
| 03
Mobile Support Worker Contact Details
Scheme
Designated Mobile
Support Worker
Adelphi Crescent
Tina Stocks
725312
[email protected]
Bards Court
Lisa Bailey
725312
[email protected]
Beehive Court
Stephanie Johnson
725312
[email protected]
Brook Lodge
Lisa Matthews and
Denise Smith
725312
[email protected]
[email protected]
Brunswick Court
Lisa Bailey
725312
[email protected]
Charlbury Crescent
Barry Dixon and
Rose Ware
725312
[email protected]
[email protected]
Cockabourne Court
Lisa Bailey
725312
[email protected]
Cole Court
Barry Dixon and
Rose Ware
725312
[email protected]
[email protected]
Lisa Matthews and
Denise Smith
725312
Lisa Matthews and
Denise Smith
725312
Dell Court
Dougy Minton
725312
[email protected]
Evelyn Sharp
Lisa Bailey
725312
[email protected]
Fambridge Court
Lisa Matthews and
Denise Smith
725312
[email protected]
[email protected]
Garrick House
Tina Stocks
725312
[email protected]
Holsworthy House
Barry Dixon and
Rose Ware
725312
[email protected]
[email protected]
Maygreen Crescent
Tina Stocks
725312
[email protected]
Park Lane
Tina Stocks
725312
[email protected]
Poplar Street
Stephanie Johnson
725312
[email protected]
Queen Street
Lisa Matthews and
Denise Smith
725312
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ravenscourt Grove
Dougy Minton
725312
[email protected]
Royal Jubilee Court
Stephanie Johnson
725312
[email protected]
Serena Court
Tina Stocks
725312
[email protected]
Solar Court
Tina Stocks
725312
[email protected]
Sunrise Court
Tina Stocks
725312
[email protected]
Thomas Sims Court
Dougy Minton
725312
[email protected]
William Tansley
Smith House
Dougy Minton
725312
[email protected]
Cottons Court
Delderfield House
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Contact Details
(tel numbers are 01708)
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
A day in the Life: Jacqui Honeyman, Garrick House housekeeper
Service with a smile is
the way that Garrick
House housekeeper,
Jacqui Honeyman, has
worked since she
started her job in
November 2009.
gardens with a lot of trees and
shrubs – they look great but do
mean a lot of leaves need to be
cleared away every day so
people don’t slip and fall.
If residents ask for a helping
hand over and above her duties,
Jacqui is happy to help out
whenever she can including
Originally working for an agency, helping put washing done by
residents into the tumble dryer;
before joining the permanent
helping residents with mobility
staff in June 2013, Jacqui has
issues with their refuse
always believed she is working
collections by picking up black
for the people who live at the
refuse bags from outside their
Hornchurch sheltered housing
scheme and she says it is those properties and taking them to
the bin room.
people that make the job
worthwhile.
Helping hand
Jacquie said: “My typical day
starts at about 9am when I
check all stairwells and corridors,
then I check the rest of the
internal area including the
laundry room, lounge, kitchen
and toilet area.
Inside and out
“Then it’s outside to check and
clean externals of the complex
including the bin rooms and car
park area. This time of year
there’s a lot of leaves to sweep
up. Garrick House has really nice
Jacqui also always approaches
any residents she sees with
heavy shopping when they
arrive on site and offers to
assist them carrying it to their
front door.
There are some residents with
mobility difficulties that she
looks out for who need a
shopping trolley brought to
them in the car park when they
return from shopping.
Social events are an important
part of living at Garrick House
and Jacqui prepares the lounge
area for various activities such
as line dancing, bingo, and fish
and chips nights.
Each event requires the lounge
area chairs and tables to be
arranged in a specific way for
the residents.
For example with the line
dancing classes all the chairs
and tables are cleared from the
centre of the lounge area to
create a dance floor. Some of
the activities take place three
times a week so she constantly
has to keep the lounge area
ready for use.
Making sure the tea urn is filled
and switched on ready for the
activities is another little task
that makes life easier for
residents.
Communal repairs
Jacqui reports all communal
repairs she comes across in the
complex and chases up any
outstanding repairs, and also
reports repairs for residents that
are unable to do so themselves.
Liaising with contractors on site
to make sure everything runs
(continued on p6)
Jaqui at work, indoors...
Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
| 05
(continued from p5)
smoothly is important and Jacqui reports residents’
concerns to contractors on site carrying out
improvement works and to other Council
departments, while also sign-posting queries from
contractors and visitors on site to the appropriate
department.
People person
There is no doubt that Jacqui is a people person
and is always more than happy to help residents
out as this gives her a big buzz. For example, if a
resident gets locked out of their flat, Jacqui calms
them and assures them the problem will be
resolved and then contacts the Mobile Support
Team to come and let residents in.
Jacqui’s enthusiasm for work, and her generally
helpful personality, has led to a lot of compliments
from residents. That “service with a smile” is even
more impressive when you realise that she wakes
up at 4am every day as before going to Garrick
House she is one of the team that cleans the Town
Hall each morning.
Outside work, Jacqui loves attending rock concerts
and to see Tribute Bands play. Some of her
favourite tribute bands include: Pink Floyd,
Aerosmith, Rod Stewart. This year Jacqui attended
the Party In The Park to watch Aerosmith play and
she said “that made my day”!!
But having her three grandchildren around her
brings her the most joy and happiness so she plans
a lot of her time to do activities with them.
(continued from p3)
“While I am Chair I would like to
see more involvement with the
community without residents
feeling threatened and will be
encouraging that, but at the end
of the day it is the residents who
decide what happens at each
scheme.
Decent homes
“There have been a lot of
improvements taking place
recently, including the Decent
Homes Programme which has
seen new kitchens and
06
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bathrooms installed, and the
Forum has played its part in
making sure the work goes as
smoothly as possible with
residents being consulted and
more importantly action being
taken on what they have said.
“I would encourage residents to
get involved with the committees
in each complex, lend a hand
organising events and working
with the Council’s community
engagement team, which does an
excellent job.
and outdoors...
Making new friends
“I am over 70 years old now but
still get a great deal of pleasure
from being involved with the
Brunswick Court committee and
the SHOUT Forum as you make
new friends with the people
working alongside you.
“The satisfaction of organising a
successful event or seeing
something you have been asking
for actually happen is very
rewarding, a reward that can be
enjoyed by any resident who gets
involved.”
Purse chains
prevent pickpockets
Coffee and cake
combats cancer
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
happens on the last Friday of
September every year to raise funds
for Macmillan Cancer Support and this
year two residents of Holsworthy
House in Harold Hill decided to take
part.
Yvonne Mager and Pauline Martin
raised £367.32 from a coffee and
cake morning to raise money for the
Macmillan Nurses, a charity close to
our hearts.
Havering Council’s Kevin Jolly and Special Constable Hannah
Thornton explain how purse chains work to Ivy Bose and Peggy
Biacou during an information day in Romford Market.
Busy shopping centres packed with Christmas shoppers are ideal
places for pickpockets to operate so make it difficult for them this
year by using a chain to secure your purse, wallet or keys.
The chains are available free of charge from Mobile Support
Workers or Community Wardens and are easy to use.
All you do is clip one end of the chain to your belt or in your
handbag and the other end to your purse, wallet or keys which
makes it difficult for a thief to steal them.
As an added bonus there is a free coin you can use for
supermarket shopping trollies so you don’t have to find that £1
coin every time.
New clothes on your doorstep
Residents of Holsworthy House in Harold Hill, were able to buy
new items for their winter wardrobe without leaving their lounge
recently when Michael and Tina held one of their regular new
clothes sales.
Resident Yvonne Mager said: “Michael brings a good selection of
sizes, types and colours including underwear and socks. The prices
are really reasonable and it helps the residents who are less mobile
or those who want to avoid the shops.
Yvonne said: “I spent two mornings
making cakes, only icing the last of
them about 10pm after our regular
Thursday Bingo Night. People from
our complex bought and made cakes
for the event as well.
“We were supported by two residents
from Cole Court who also brought a
cake with them which we auctioned
and raised the huge sum of £35.
“We held two small raffles with both
prizes being donated and about
25-30 people supported us in this
venture.
“I think Pauline lost count of how
many teas and coffees she made
whilst I was busy with the cake and
money side of things.
“All together we made the huge sum
of £367.32 for the Macmillan Nurses
and I would like to say a big THANK
YOU to all those who came and
helped make this event the success
that it was.”
“Michael is very chatty and not only do we buy from him but we
end up having a really good laugh which does us all good.
“I provided the refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits and
Michael always gives us a donation for our Social Club fund, based
on the sales he has made,
“Once again an enjoyable morning and a new skirt, top and
trousers into the bargain.”
Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
| 07
Farming fun for East
In 1939, as the
Second World
War began,
19-year-old
Beatrice was
called up to join
the Land Army
leaving behind
her parents,
younger
brother and
sister in Poplar.
For the next four years
she was working on a
farm near Deal, in Kent
where she only heard
one bomb exploding
when it landed on the
nearby village of
Eastry, very different
from the heavy
bombing of the
Docklands area which
had been her home.
Beattie explained: “I
was one of four Land
Army girls working on
the farm which raised
beef cattle and
vegetables, mainly
sugar beet and
Brussels sprouts.
Merry dance
“We had some great
fun as we were all
about the same age
and the farmer was
about our age too.
08
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There were times when
we led him a merry
dance but the work
always got done.
“It was on the farm
that I was taught to
drive and I remember
driving straight through
the middle of a hedge
on my first lesson as
no-one had told me
how to stop the tractor.
“There were some
other funny times too. I
remember one of the
cattle being isolated in
a stable because it had
an infection and the
farmer didn’t want it to
spread to the rest of
the herd.
Catching cows
“When I went in to feed
it in the dark, early one
morning it was out of
the stable door and
joined the rest before I
could stop it so we
spent ages using
torches to try and find
out which one it was so
we could get it back in
the stable before the
farmer found out.
“My best friend, Evelyn
came from Fleetwood,
in Lancashire, and we
shared digs with a very
nice landlady, Mrs
Martin, who really
looked after us well
with nice meals and
rooms. One morning
the two of us were
walking to the farm
through the ice and
snow covered sprout
field.
Frozen fingers
“We decided that rather
than go to the farm
and then come back to
pick sprouts we might
as well start picking
straight away and soon
had two large bags full.
The only problem was
that when the farmer
came down to find out
where we were he told
us that no sprouts
needed picking on that
day so we’d got frozen
Beatrice Klanke in her Land Army Uniform
End girl
Beatrice Klanke with her Land Army medal and
certificate signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
fingers for no reason.
“Sometimes we were
asked to help on nearby
farms and I remember
once we were stooking
sheaves of corn after
the reapers had cut it.
“Now you have to get
the stooks balanced
just right against each
other so they stay
standing and dry out
ready for use. Well
having spent a long day
doing that and leaving
the stooks looking
good, the following
morning that
neighbouring farmer
was ranting and raving
as every stook had
fallen down overnight
and he was set to
report us for not doing
the job properly which
would have been very
serious, but we
persuaded him not to
go that far explaining
we’d never done
stooking before.
Physical work
“It must have been
hard, physical work but
I don’t remember it as
being so hard, we were
young and just got on
with it, taking whatever
came in our stride; in
many ways it was a
nice life.
“After nearly four years
in the Land Army I
moved back to London
and became a ‘clippie’
on the number 15 bus
from East Ham to
Ladbroke Grove or the
101 service, from East
Ham to Beckton gas
works.
“That was great fun
too with people being
cheerful, giving you
little presents at
Christmas and generally
just getting on well
with each other.”
Baby love
At the end of the war
Beattie married Ernest
Klanke, a man she had
known since they were
both babies living in the
same road.
He had served six years
in The Rifle Brigade and
won the Military Medal.
Sadly after 60 years
together Ernest died
and Beattie now lives
in Beehive Court,
Harold Wood, but her
connection with the
docks continues as her
son retires next year
having worked at
Tilbury Docks for 50
years.
Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
| 09
Elsie boxes clever with RAF
Elsie Miller relaxes in the lounge at Thomas
Sims Court
Corporal Elsie in her WAAF uniform
We often hear that “everyone
had to do their bit” during the
Second World War and that was
certainly true for Elsie who was
evacuated to Cornwall in 1939,
at the age of 12, where she was
joined by her mother.
Leaving school at 14 she got a
job in a cleaner’s shop which
specialised in cleaning uniforms
for service men and women.
Joined WAAF
A year later she and her mother
were back in London with Elsie
working on a clothes stall at
Walthamstow Market. Running
an errand to the Post Office one
10
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day she saw a poster for the
WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air
Force) and two weeks later she
had enlisted.
Boxing trainer
After a year’s training she
qualified as a PTI (Physical
Training Instructor) and was
stationed at the RAF police
training school within RAF
Pershore, in Worcestershire.
There she trained hundreds of
service personnel over the next
five years, often starting
training at 5am in all weathers
so she could keep the boxing
team she trained fighting fit.
As she wanted to get married
Elsie’s service life came to an
end in 1947 as military
regulations didn’t allow her to
marry at her rank of corporal.
She studied book-keeping and
when qualified worked in the
accounts department of the
Evening News and then for
Thames Television where she
stayed until she retired.
Daily exercise
Elsie now lives at Thomas Sims
Court in Hornchurch and still
does her PT exercises every
morning to help keep herself fit.
New skills keep you busy
Crafty times with Silver Lynx
Rosie George and Sandra Bristow, from Charlbury Court, make book
covers with Martie van Deventer
Using your talents to make
personalised gifts for friends and
family is very rewarding and thanks
to the Silver Lynx Craft Clubs that
is just what you can do.
The clubs have been set up in five
different sheltered housing
schemes – Brunswick Court in
Cranham, Charlbury Court in Harold
Hill, Thomas Sims Court in
Hornchurch and William Tansley
Smith House in Hornchurch.
Run by Martie van Deventer, who
also runs a regular Silver Lynx club
at the Salvation Army Hall in
Romford High Street each Monday,
the clubs are based in sheltered
scheme lounges so residents can
come along to use old skills and
learn new ones in a comfortable
and friendly environment.
The crafts include knitting,
crocheting, card or book cover
making and many more.
This is a wonderful activity that is
held ‘on the doorstep’ for anyone
who wants to get involved.
Adrienne Bell, from William Tansley
Smith House, said: “Everybody
enjoys the arts and crafts provided
by Martie. We have between eight
and ten residents who attend each
week and enjoy the different
things she brings to the table.”
Seasonal Markets coming to you
Real gem stone jewellery was
just one of the stalls
Shopping from home is taking on a
whole new meaning for residents
of sheltered housing schemes
thanks to a new initiative between
Havering Council and Havering
Citizens Advice Bureau.
Stallholders are setting up in
communal lounges to run seasonal
markets where residents can
choose gifts at leisure and at
competitive prices.
One recent seasonal market was
held at Charlbury Court, in Harold
Hill, with stalls offering knitted
More information:
[email protected]
Planting new skills
Potting lesson underway at
Brunswick Court
Getting tubs and containers
looking blooming lovely is easy
for those with “green fingers”
but, for the rest of us, it can be
challenging.
So residents of Brunswick Court,
in Cranham, decided to find out
the tricks of planting and
maintaining colourful containers.
The lesson took place in the
communal lounge and patio area
with residents taught how to
prepare the pots, making sure
there is adequate drainage so
compost doesn’t get
waterlogged, and then what
combinations of colours and
plants look good together.
With this expertise now at hand
we can expect some winning
entries in the Housing in Bloom
2015 competition.
If your scheme would like a similar
potting session then do let the
community engagement team
know.
goods, real gem stone jewellery
and books as well as a beauty
therapist doing nail art.
More seasonal markets are
planned so check your noticeboard
for details of when the
stallholders will be coming to you.
Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
| 11
Making wishes come true
Pampas grass at Charlbury Court, Harold Hill which can be admired from the patio.
Representatives recently asked
for residents’ views on the
improvements that you would
like to see in the sheltered
housing communal areas and
over the past couple of months
you will have seen many of
those wishes coming true.
We are replacing many areas of
carpets and flooring, as well as
purchasing new curtains.
Meetings are taking place with
residents to choose the themes
for the pictures that we will be
providing in communal areas;
choices so far range from
countryside or garden
landscapes and flowers, to
beach scenes and Old Masters.
Big screen televisions have been
ordered for communal lounges,
and installations are under way.
We have also installed
computers for residents’ use.
Work has started on replacing
the communal kitchens, with
several completed already and
the rest to be finished by the
end of March 2015.
Residents at some schemes
have asked for new white goods
for communal kitchens, which
have been purchased and are
being installed.
We are also consulting with you
to choose the items of garden
furniture that you have
requested and we are also
looking at providing patio areas
and water features where these
have been requested.
Moving home made easier
If you wish to move from one
flat to another within the same
sheltered housing scheme you
are able to do so.
Often a resident living in an
upstairs flat finds it difficult to
12
|
climb stairs as they get older
but don’t want to lose the
friends they have in their
scheme.
Now anyone wishing to move to
another flat for medical reasons,
perhaps on the ground floor, will
be assessed and given priority
to remain in their own scheme.
More Information:
[email protected]
01708 434162
Heard at the SHOUT Forum
Marina Crofts briefs the SHOUT Forum on latest updates
Here is a round-up of some
of the items discussed at
the SHOUT Forum held at
Charlbury Court, Harold Hill
in October.
If you have something you want
discussed please ask your
SHOUT Forum representative to
get it on the agenda for the
next meeting.
• Homes and Housing launched
a befriending service for
sheltered housing tenants on
Monday 24 November after a
survey of residents in
sheltered housing identified
80 people saying they were
“very lonely”
Under the scheme,
volunteers will call on
residents, chat with them in
their home or take them out
shopping or for a visit.
• Plans to upgrade communal
bathroom and toilet facilities
used by visitors to sheltered
housing schemes are not in
this year’s programme.
Similarly, serving hatches in
• A new communal kitchen is
individual flats are being
due to open at Cole Court, in
sealed so that if a fire breaks
Harold Hill, during November,
out in the kitchen it is
and others will follow later in
contained there rather than
the financial year.
smoke spreading to the
• Discussions are taking place
lounge and bedrooms.
to see if low cost broadband
can be installed for individual • Reassurance was given that
guest rooms at sheltered
residents in sheltered
housing schemes would not
housing schemes as part of
be used to accommodate
the Council’s digital inclusion
homeless people and that
programme.
when this happened in
• Window replacement and
September it was due to very
maintenance at Beehive
unusual circumstances.
Court, in Harold Wood, has
• Phase two of the Decent
now been completed.
Homes Programme is starting
• During September 44 surveys
this month and is due to end
were completed by sheltered
by 31 March 2015. During
housing residents who had
those four months
work done under the Decent
contractors Amber
Homes Programme with 100
Construction will be installing
per cent expressing
163 new kitchens and 163
satisfaction with the work
new bathrooms for sheltered
and the contractors.
housing scheme residents.
• Serving hatches linking
communal kitchens to
lounges have been blocked
up to meet fire regulations.
Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
| 13
New kitchens in place
As part of the Decent Homes
Programme hundreds of
individual flats in Havering
Council’s sheltered housing
schemes have had new
bathrooms and kitchens
installed.
Several contractors have worked
so closely with residents in the
scheme that they have donated
units and installed them in
communal kitchens to improve
those facilities too.
Among the schemes that have
recently received new kitchens are
Garrick House and Thomas Sims
Court in Hornchurch.
Contractors Tradeline and H & H
have been installing units which
were donated by Magnet.
Magnet Project Design Manager at
Thomas Sims Court, Guy Champion,
said: “We have worked on five
sheltered housing schemes, with
nine more schemes where we will
be working, so we know how
important the communal kitchens
are for residents, which is why
Magnet was happy to donate the
units for Thomas Sims Court. ”
Moira Rutter, of Garrick House,
said: “The kitchen is beautiful, we
are really happy”
Moira Rutter and Jean Sowerbutts check out the new kitchen at Garrick House
Guy Champion, Magnet Project Design Manager with Thomas Sims Court
Committee members Arthur Medley, Peter and Doreen Cox in the new kitchen
Recipe – Bread Pudding
When residents at William Tansley
Smith House in Hornchurch need a
bit of cheering up Louisa Dixon
disappears into her kitchen and
soon the aromas of her special
bread pudding start to drift down
the corridors swiftly followed by a
tray of this delicious delight
available to share in the communal
lounge
14
|
This is the recipe of her success.
1 Large white Loaf
1 Small brown Loaf
4 Table spoons of sugar
1 packet of mixed fruit
Half box mixed spice
Quarter packet of margarine or
butter
Soak bread in water till soft,
squeeze out water as much as
possible.
Mix all the ingredients together
put in a fair size baking tray.
Bake on 180 electric or gas mark
six for one hour.
Try testing with a knife if comes
out clean it’s done.
Mobile Support Service review
consultation result
During October all sheltered
housing residents were
consulted on the future of the
Mobile Support Service and
the results of that
consultation have now been
received and analysed.
Meetings were also held with
tenants across the Borough,
where it was explained that the
Supporting People funding of
£518,000, which currently pays
for the Mobile Support Service,
will end from Wednesday 1 April
2015.
88 per cent support
A number of options for the
future were proposed and
consultation surveys were sent
to all sheltered housing tenants.
More than half of the sheltered
residents (57 per cent) returned
completed questionnaires.
Of those 88 per cent agreed
with the proposal to create a
new service with nine Scheme
Managers, each looking after
two sheltered housing schemes,
and an overall manager.
Each Scheme Manager would
provide nearly all housing
services locally including the
work currently done by the
Mobile Support team.
New responsibilities
Their responsibilities will include:
• Housing management, such
as changes to tenancies and
management of nuisance or
breaches of tenancy (but not
rent or arrears)
• Managing the housekeeper
• Carrying out viewings and
tenancy sign ups with
prospective new tenants
• Carrying out block
inspections, including
ensuring communal repairs
are carried out
• Chasing/reporting repairs in
your home if you are unable
to do this or if you encounter
any delays
• Carrying out care needs
assessments for social
services (for example, if a
tenant feels they need help
with their mobility or in
looking after themselves)
Next steps
As this will be a new service, as
well as consulting with tenants,
we have now started a formal
consultation with affected staff
and their trade unions.
This consultation will be
completed by the end of
December and we expect to
have the new service staffed
and operational from April 2015.
We will keep you updated with
the development of the new
service via the SHOUT Forum
and Sheltered Times.
More information
[email protected]
Shout in 2015
The provisional dates for SHOUT
Forum meetings next year are:
• Tuesday 27 January 2015
• Tuesday 28 April 2015
• Tuesday 28 July 2015
• Tuesday 27 October 2015
Free advice in
your own home
Havering Council’s Residents’
Energy Advisor, Penny Crookshank,
offers free advice on how to make
your home energy efficient and
reduce fuel bills.
The advice can include a free
energy efficiency check on your
home.
More information
[email protected]
Care response success
Havering Telecare Centre offers a
range of services aimed at helping
people live in their own home.
The latest figures available (September
2014) show that 100 per cent of calls
to Telecare were responded to within
45 minutes, with the average response
time being 24 minutes.
The centre operates 24 hours a day
every day of the year, responding to
emergency and other calls from the
4,500 residents who have had alarm
units installed.
More information
www.havering.gov.uk/telecare
Sheltered Housing , Issue 2
| 15
Independent Age
Marianne Danker speaking to the SHOUT Forum
Independent Age is a
national older people’s
charity which provides
free advice and befriending
services to older people.
Speaking at the SHOUT
Forum, Independent Age’s
Development and Training Officer,
Marianne Danker, said:
“Independent Age was founded
more than 150 years ago to help
older people live more fulfilling
lives through the ‘ABC’ of advice,
befriending and campaigning. “All
of our services are free and we’d
like to see more Havering
residents using them.”
Advice Line
Independent Age provides a free
telephone and email advice
service which offers expert
advice and information on care
and support, benefits
entitlements and also social
activities in your area.
Wise Guides
The charity also produces a series
of Wise Guides - practical
handbooks to help you get the
most out of later life. There are
four books in the series:
»» Advice for Later Life
»» Extra Help at Home
»» Healthy, Happy, Connected
»» Choosing a Care Home
You can order the free Wise
Guides by visiting the
Independent Age website.
TalkTime Phone Clubs
Independent Age also run a
service called TalkTime phone
clubs. These are free, monthly,
telephone discussion groups for
people over the age of 60. The
groups are an excellent way to
chat with others who share
similar interests.
16
|
Big screen benefits
Fourteen sheltered housing
schemes have had big screen
televisions installed in their
communal lounges this autumn
and they are already proving
popular.
The schemes where the TVs
have been installed are Bards
Court, Beehive Court,
Cockabourne Court, Cottons
Court, Dell Court, Fambridge
Court, Garrick House,
Holsworthy House, Lombard
House, Park Lane, Queen’s
Street, Ravenscourt Grove,
Royal Jubilee Court and William
Tansley Smith House.
At Holsworthy House, in Harold
Hill, the residents’ committee is
making use of the DVD facility
by holding cinema afternoons
each Tuesday where residents
can come along and enjoy one
of the classic golden oldie films
with their friends and
neighbours.
As one resident said: “It’s like
having your own cinema just
outside your front door.”
Participants join a small
facilitated group over the
telephone to discuss a book, film
or topic of interest from the
comfort of their own home.
Independent Age supplies the
books and the DVDs -at no cost
to you- with large print and audio
versions available too. All that’s
needed is a landline or mobile
phone and as Independent Age
calls you, they also cover the cost
of the call.
More information:
www.independentage.org
Get involved with the Havering Over 50s Forum
Shirley Watling of Cottons
Court, Romford is one of the
committee members for the
Havering Over 50s Forum and
explains what it does and why
people should get involved.
Shirley said: “The forum has
been established in excess of
10 years, and we pride
ourselves on being a nonpolitical organisation that offers
a platform where the over-50s
can find information and raise
issues which are of concern to
them.
“At our monthly meetings,
usually the second Tuesday in
every month, we hold lively
discussions around issues such
as pensions, health and social
care, and leisure. We work with
the Council and Health
Authorities.
“From time to time our members
arrange outings to places of
interest as well as a Christmas
Lunch.
“We meet in the Council
Chamber at the Town Hall in
Romford from 10.30am until
12.30pm. The first meeting is
free, then just £5 annually. You
must be a Havering resident.
“We have a raffle, with money
prizes, with one or two speakers
at each meeting.
“On Tuesday 9 December we
hope to have a speaker from
Victim Support, also Lee Chester
– Assistant Director of Havering
Community Services, Havering
Integrated Care Directorate,
North East London NHS
Foundation Trust.
“We can then ask what’s
happening to St George’s
Hospital as we need an older
person’s hospital and the
Respiratory Team all back in one
place”
More information:
www.havo50forum.org
Silver Sunday shining success
Jean Freeman, a
SHOUT Forum
representative for
Fambridge Court in
Romford, was one of a number
of sheltered housing residents
who went to The Queen’s
Theatre in Hornchurch for the
Silver Sunday exhibition
organised by the Havering Over
50s Forum.
Jean said: “I would like to thank
the Council’s community
engagement team for once
again arranging a lovely
afternoon treat for sheltered
housing residents.
“We went to The Queen’s
Theatre to see an exhibition,
which was very informative
showing all the things available
for the over fifties.
“As well as filling in forms to see
what kind of information we
needed, we choose a small gift
to help with any disability we
have. The trip finished with a
nice cream tea.”
Care and support is
changing for the better
The Care Act 2014 heralds
the most significant reform of
adult social care for more
than 60 years and will make a
difference to the lives of
people who need care and
their carers for many years to
come.
The new legislation offers
deferred payments, new
entitlements, better access
to advice and information and
sets a cap on how much
people will pay for their care
in the future.
Anyone in Havering who
either receives adult social
care services from the
Council, looks after an adult
or friend, or pays for some
form of care themselves will
be affected by the changes,
which apply from April 2015
with financial reform from
2016.
You can receive email
newsletters about the
Care Act by signing up at
www.havering.gov.uk/
CareActNews
More information:
www.havering.gov.uk/careact
Sheltered Housing , Issue 3
| 17
Enjoy Sunday afternoon tea parties
Since 1965
Contact the
Elderly has
created over a
million happy
friendship links
for older
people who live alone or in
sheltered housing and would
like to have more company. Our
free service is truly unique –
people over the age of 75 are
invited to join a small group of
volunteer drivers and other
older guests for a tea party one
Sunday afternoon a month. The
group visits a different host
each month, but they return to
the same people year after year.
A warm welcome, a family home,
meeting old friends and new,
provides people with
A Sunday afternoon tea party in Havering.
companionship and a vital link
with their community.
More information:
There are currently two groups
www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk
in Havering and we would like to [email protected]
launch more in future.
If you are interested in joining a
local group please get in touch
with Contact the Elderly.
If in doubt, keep them out
Maisie celebrates 90th Birthday
It was party time at Charlbury
Court, Harold Hill in October
when Maisie Clinch celebrated
her 90th birthday.
Family, friends and neighbours
joined the party, which was held
in the communal lounge, making
it a super celebration to mark
Maisie’s special day.
18
|
When answering your door:
1. Always use the door
chain when opening your
door, even if you are
expecting a visitor.
2. Check the identity of
anyone who calls, genuine
callers won’t mind giving
you their ID card and
letting you call their office
to check who they really
There have recently been two
are.
suspicious callers at Beehive Court, 3. If in doubt, keep them out and
Harold Wood, posing as market
alert the Community Wardens so
researchers.
they can keep an eye on you and
When challenged by alert residents your neighbours.
they quickly moved on.
You can call the Community
Often bogus callers look and sound Wardens on 01708 434000
genuine when all they want is to
between 8am and 6pm or on
get into your home to see what
01708 726685 after 6pm or on
they can take.
Saturdays.
Get trained then get online
Older Persons Conference
The new computers at Brunswick Court, Cranham
Sheltered Housing Scheme residents can now go global with
computers installed in the communal lounge of every scheme for
all residents to use.
Training is now taking place with a six-week course of two hours
per week for each scheme.
At the end of the course residents should be able to use email and
Skype to keep in touch with friends and relatives as well as shop
online.
Courses are already underway at Dell Court, Fambridge Court,
Holsworthy House, Queens Street Villas and Ravenscourt Grove.
Scheme
Beehive Court
Brunswick Court
Garrick House
Maygreen Crescent
Solar Court
Thomas Sims Court
William Tansley Smith
House
Course Details
Thursdays
10am to 12 noon
Wednesdays
1pm to 3pm
Fridays
2.30pm to 4.30pm
Wednesdays
10am to 12noon
Mondays
1.30pm to 3.30pm
Mondays 11am to 1pm
Start Date
Thursday 8 January
2014
Wednesday 12
November
Monday 10 November
Mondays 4pm to 6pm
Monday 10 November
Friday 14 November
Wednesday 12
November
Monday 10 November
Great day with greyhounds
An afternoon at the Coral
Romford Greyhound Stadium
proved great fun for 17 tenants
from Beehive Court in Harold
Wood.
The visit was organised by Ivy
Oaten, who said: “We had a very
good afternoon betting on the
dogs and had a lovely threecourse meal.
“The staff made us all very
welcome as they always do
when we visit.
“Outside it was raining heavily
and one of the races was void
as the officials decided that the
hare was too waterlogged and
had not been going fast
enough!
“Some of the tenants did not
want to go home until later but
the coach was already booked
for the return journey so we will
be going again.”
Advice from 16 different
organisations was available for
residents who came along to
the Older Persons Conference
held at Langtons in Hornchurch
in October.
Information stands were set up
by Age UK , Cancer Awareness,
Citizen’s Advice Bureau,
Community Wardens, Havering
Council Leisure and Culture,
Love Food, Hate Waste, Meals
on Wheels, Mobile Support
Workers, Oakhouse Foods, Public
Health, Sleepeeeze Shoes,
Telecare, Trading Standards,
Welfare Reforms and YMCA
Community Warden Manager,
Barry Armour, said: “The
community wardens were on
hand to speak to residents and
explain their role.
“They also gave out crime
prevention packs and advice on
care when using cash machines
and 10 Golden Rules regarding
scams.
“If you didn’t get to the
conference and would like a visit
from a Community Warden then
please contact us on 01708
434000 and we will be happy
to come and talk to you and
advise you on different issues.”
Sheltered Housing , Issue 3
| 19
SHOUT for YOUR representative
Each sheltered housing scheme can have up to two representatives attend the SHOUT (Sheltered
Housing Users Team) forum. If you have a question or issue you wish them to raise please contact
your representative. The current representatives are:
29 Bards Court
Ann Ruddiman
75 Neave Crescent
Bill Brace
29 Bards Court
David Ruddiman
166 Park Lane
Lil Hudson
47 Beehive Court
Joyce Rafis
35 Poplar Street
Pamela Skipworth
45 Brunswick Court
Paul Clark
41 Poplar Street Daphne Clifford
9 Cockabourne Court
Brian Morland
41 Poplar Street
John Clifford
58 Charlbury Court
Barbara Hughes
56 Queen Street
Gordon Kirkley
94 Charlbury Court
Rosie George
135 Ravenscourt Grove
Lesley Duke
22 Cockabourne Court
Kenneth Turrell
109 Ravenscourt Grove
Jean Garbett
3 Cole Court
Beryl Lodge
34 Royal Jubilee Court
Thomas Walsh
10 Cole Court
Doreen Richardson
39 Royal Jubilee Court
Gladys Collier
7 Dell Court
Maureen Marsh
13 Solar Court
Frances Rowntree
14 Dell Court
Maureen Piller
3 Sunrise Court
Brian Laws
11 Fambridge Court
Bert Morley
6 Thomas Sims Court
Peter Cox
18 Fambridge Court
Jean Freeman
11 Thomas Sims Court
Mike Droy
7 Garrick House
Malcolm Hales
28 Thomas Sims Court
Jean Ingram
29 Garrick House
Susan Moore
5 William Tansley Smith House Lucy Proctor
35 Holsworthy House
Stan Tackley
11 William Tansley Smith House Adrienne Bell
29 Maygreen Crescent
Sue Hutton
Freedom Pass Renewals
If your older person’s Freedom Pass
has an expiry date of 31 March 2015,
you will soon receive a letter telling
you how to renew it.
Passholders are being encouraged to
renew online, which is a
straightforward process and only takes
a few minutes.
To help you renew online a special
workshop will be held at each
20
|
sheltered housing scheme so residents
can use the communal computers to
renew their pass.
Wait for letter
You need to wait for your letter to
arrive as it contains a unique number
which you need to refer to when
renewing. Letters are being sent in
batches from early November through
to late December so if you don’t
receive a letter but know someone
who has don’t panic – your letter will
be on its way in a later batch.
Anyone whose older persons pass
expires on March 31 next year is
entitled to a new one - provided you
still live in London – it’s just a matter of
waiting until your letter arrives and
following the instructions.
If you hold a disabled person’s
Freedom Pass you do not need to go
online to renew your pass. A new pass
will be sent to you automatically
before your current one expires.
You can use your pass on most
journeys across London but there are a
few exceptions to when and where
you can use your card, details can be
found on the website.
Freedom Passes can no longer be
renewed at the Post Office.
More information:
www.havering.gov.uk/
FreedomPassRenewal
Four out of five tenants risk losing everything
Paul Ryrie explains about insurance
Just one in five of Havering
Council’s tenants have contents
insurance for their home, which
means that if there was a fire,
flood, or an accident anyone
without insurance might
struggle to buy clothes,
furniture or other possessions
that have been destroyed.
That was the message from
Havering Council’s project
manager, Paul Ryrie, when he
spoke at a meeting held at
Charlbury Court, Harold Hill, in
October.
Paul said: “Everyone’s home is
important to them. It is hard to
imagine what it would be like to
lose personal items from your
home if you should be unlucky
enough to have a flood or a
break-in.
“Yet many people run the risk
every day by not having the
contents of their home insured.
“This is why we are offering all
our tenants a new insurance
scheme. The new scheme is
even better value than before.
The cost starts at less than £1 a
week and can be paid with your
rent which makes payment even
easier.
Switch anytime
“If you are currently with
another insurer and wish to
switch you can do so at any
time of the year, whenever your
existing cover runs out.”
Here are some key benefits:
• Your belongings insured for
as little as 90 pence a week
(for £10,000 of cover)
• Even lower rates are available
for elderly people
• Convenient payment in with
your rent
• Quick and friendly service run
by Housing staff
• Insurance available to ALL
tenants regardless of status
• No excess – so if you need to
make a claim you get the
whole amount you need
• Rates fixed for three years
• “New for Old” cover.
So if you haven’t got contents
insurance check out how much
it would cost you, you’ve
nothing to lose by getting a free
quote.
More information:
[email protected]
Sheltered Housing , Issue 3
| 21
Activities for you to enjoy
There are lots of activities for you to enjoy in each of the Sheltered Housing Schemes as you can see below:
Scheme
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Bards Court
Coffee Morning,
Tea and Darts
Afternoon
Coffee Morning,
Club meet In
Afternoon
Computer lessons
in Morning,
Coffee Morning,
Games Afternoon
Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning
Computer Training Quiz Afternoon
Courses, 11am-1pm
Bingo Afternoon
Beehive Court
Fitness Club
Morning
Age Concern
Morning
Bingo Evening
Afternoon Tea
Lunch
Bingo Evening
Brunswick
Court
Bingo Afternoon,
Mobile Support
Worker Visits and
Sheltered Surgeries
Table Games
Afternoon first
Tuesday of each
month at 2pm.
Maintenance Surgery
Silver Lynx Craft
Club Afternoon
Perky Pensioners
Lunch
Cockabourne
Court
Cole Court
Bacon Sandwiches
Morning
Coffee Morning
Bingo
Coffee Morning
Cottons Court
Activites Club
Afternoon,
Bingo Evening
Bingo Afternoon
Activites Club
Afternoon, Bingo
Evening
Bingo Afternoon
Pool Afternoon
Charlbury
Court
Dell Court
Fambridge Court
Garrick House
Holsworthy House Coffee Morning,
Bingo Afternoon
Lombard Court
Marygreen
Crescent
Park Lane
Poplar Street
Queen Street
Bingo Afternoon
Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning
Bingo Afternoon
Ravenscourt
Darts Evening
Grove
Royal Jubilee Court Coffee Morning
Bingo Afternoon
Pool Afternoon
Darts Afternoon
Breakfast Morning
Bingo Evening
Line Dancing
Afternoon
Coffee Morning
Bingo Afternoon
Entertainment
Evenings
Pool Afternoon
Bingo Afternoon
Computer Lessons
Coffee Morning
Tea And Cake
Afternoon
Coffee Mornings,
Bingo Evenings
Breakfast Morning
Knitting Afternoon
Breakfast Morning
Mobile Support
Workers Surgery
Knitting Afternoon
Bingo Afternoon
Keep Fit
Coffee Mornings
Snooker Evening
Computer Games
Tea and Coffee
Morning Bingo and
Bonus Ball Game
Lunch
Tea and Coffee
Morning
Pool
William Tansley
Smith House
Coffee Morning
Silver Lynx Craft
Club Morning
Knitting and Craft
Afternoon
|
Lunch,
Dinner or
Entertainment
Evenings
Bible Studies Morning, Lunch,
Hairdresser Visits
Silver Lynx Craft
Afternoon
Club Afternoon
Darts Evening
Snooker Evening
Thomas Sims
Court
22
Lunch every other
Wednesday,
Activities Evening
Breakfast Morning,
Bingo Evening
Friday
Coffee Morning,
Computer Games
Tea and Coffee
Morning
Silver Lynx Craft
Club morning
Crafts Afternoon
Cards Evening
Cards Evening
Bingo Afternoon
Computer Games
Coffee Morning,
Computer Games
Tea and Coffee
Morning
Bacon and
Sausage
Sandwich Lunch
Entertainment
Evenings
Special Events
Bards Court
Saturday 13 December
Christmas Dinner
Tuesday 23 December
Afternoon Quiz
Beehive Court
Monday 22 December Afternoon Quiz
Cottons Court
Monday 22 December Morning Quiz
Garrick House
Friday 19 December Afternoon Quiz
Holsworthy House
Tuesday 16 December Afternoon Quiz
Maygreen Crescent
Tuesday 9 December Afternoon Quiz
Park Lane
Tuesday 9 December Morning Quiz
Ravenscourt Grove
Monday 15 December Afternoon Quiz
Royal Jubilee Court
Friday 12 December Morning Quiz
Thursday 4 December 1pm to 3pm
Christmas Market
Thomas Sims Court
Thursday 18 December
Morning Quiz
William Tansley Smith
House
Thursday 11 December Morning Quiz
Arts and Crafts
We are looking for donations for our
craft groups. Items we need include
knitting equipment, wool, paper, card
and any other suitable arts and crafts
items.
More information:
[email protected]
Havering Council produces a monthly Active Living email newsletter for the
over 50s full of news and information on events, trips and much more.
Sign up for your copy at www.havering.gov.uk/ActiveLivingNews
Sheltered Housing , Issue 3
| 23
Book now for Young at Heart Variety Show
Are you ready to take a step back
in time and sing-a-long with your
favourite songs from yesteryear?
If so make sure you get your
ticket for the Young at Heart
Variety Show.
There will be just two
performances on Saturday
6 December at 2pm and 7pm,
at Harold Wood War Memorial
Hall, 53 Gubbins Lane,
Harold Wood, RM3 0UP.
The Old Time Music Hall cast
Tasty Time at Brunswick Court
Carol Moring assumes her
character designed to entertain
the audience.
When you live on your own it can sometimes be too much of an
effort to prepare and cook a meal for yourself but you can still get
a well-balanced, healthy and tasty meal that can be microwaved.
One of the firms which deliver meals to your door is Oakhouse
Foods. Representative, Tracy Gilbey, has been running tasting
sessions at several sheltered housing schemes.
At Brunswick Court the verdict was positive with Annie Rugg
saying “ I quite enjoyed it”; Benda Draper describing it as “very
pleasant” while visiting grand-children Charlie Pitcher said “It’s very
nice” and sister Laurel said “I’m
More information
going to ask mum to buy some.”
www.oakhousefoods.co.uk
24
|
Council Budget consultation
Havering Council is
currently consulting on
budget proposals as it
has to save around one
third of its budget over
the next four years.
More details on the proposals,
and the opportunity to comment
on them, are available at
www.havering.gov.uk/
yoursay
Design & Print by London Borough of Havering. Job No: 004144
Tracy Gilbey of Oakhouse Foods, centre, discusses the menu choices
with Annie Rugg, Brenda Draper, Charlie and Laurel Pitcher.
For ticket details please contact
Community Engagement Team:
E: [email protected]
T: 01708 432679.