Alcohol Awareness Week campaigns for change and this year’s theme is ‘Understanding alcohol harm’.

Alcohol Awareness Week is coordinated by Alcohol Change UK. Each year over 5000 public health services, workplaces, pharmacies, hospitals, charities, community groups and GPs take part to raise awareness and share the support that is out there for those struggling with alcohol addiction.

Alcohol can sometimes play a big part of our lives, especially in the warmer months when it is promoted during sports games, advertised on our commutes, and discounted in our supermarkets.

It can be used when we celebrate, but sometimes it can become a problem and a way to cope. Each year thousands of people become addicted to alcohol and experience long-term health problems that can lead to death from alcohol related causes.

This year’s theme explores what is meant by ‘alcohol harm’ and its aim is to get the country talking about what the role of alcohol plays in our lives, society, families and communities. By getting people talking, this provides an environment for open discussions around alcohol, and encourages those who are struggling to come forward and ask for the help they need.

If you would like to discuss this further, or talk to someone, please see below a list of services that can help:

• NHS www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
• Drink Aware www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice-and-support/

Love your lungs week is an initiative started by the British Lung Foundation to raise awareness surrounding lung health.

What is the British Lung Foundation?

The British Lung Foundation is a UK charity, and they’re aim is to highlight the importance of research, with the aim to improve care as well as preventing, treating and curing lung conditions. They also provide support for those who are suffering with lung disease.

What is the aim of Love your lungs week?

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of lung conditions and increase support.

How to keep your lungs healthy

You can help keep your lungs healthy by improving the air you breathe in. Living in an urban area can make it difficult to make changes when you’re outside, but there are small changes you can do to improve the air you breathe in your homes:

– Regularly open your windows when cooking or showering to keep the airflow moving.

– Vacuum your space at least once a week to remove dust and dirt particles.

– Keep the temperature of your home between 18-21 degrees to prevent damp and condensation.

– Have a smoke free house and ensure if anyone does smoke, they do it outside. Smoking is one of the biggest causes of lung cancer. For more information and support, click here.

– Use products that are chemical free and are allergy free.

– Being active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also improve the health of your lungs. Exercises such as walking, jogging and other aerobatic activities can make your lungs stronger.

For further information, please visit here.

Gas leaks can be fatal, therefore it’s important to know how to keep your family and neighbours safe.

As a landlord we have a legal duty to check your gas appliances and ensure your flues are safe. We carry out an annual safety check for all our homes and an annual service for any gas appliance we own. Please let us in when we book an appointment for these checks. If you cannot make an appointment, please contact us so we can rearrange.

If we are not able to complete your gas service and safety check after several appointments, we will request court permission to force entry into your property. To read more about these checks and our safety requirements, please click here.

If you think you can smell gas:

• put out any flames
• do not touch any electrical appliances
• open all windows and doors
• turn off the gas emergency valve control if you can
• leave the property

Then call the National Grid immediately on 0800 111 999. If you are deaf or hearing impaired and need to contact Cadent, you can download the free Relay UK app, and contact us using the prefix 18001 0800 111 999.

Do not use your phone within the property. Make sure you follow all the advice given to you by the emergency adviser and wait outside for the engineer to arrive.

Our annual gardening competition is back for 2024 and by entering you could be in the chance of winning £150 or £300.

Gardening and tending to plants are a great form of exercise as well as being a positive mindful activity which can boost your mood and help with your mental health.

This year we have three categories:

Community Project: We have loved seeing your community gardens over the years, creating beautiful spaces to share and build together. This year, we want to see examples of how you are using gardening to bring your community together.

Prize: £300 cash prize for first place and £150 cash prize for second place, to put towards your community garden.

Best Back Garden: If you love spending time in your garden, attending to your flower beds and creating your own space to enjoy alone or with loved ones, then we want to hear from you and see your beautiful botanical creations!

Prize: £100 Amazon voucher for first place and £50 Amazon voucher for second place.

Best Balcony: Living in London means that some of us have limited outdoor space, so we want to see your beautiful balconies. We are looking for a creative space that is sustainable and wildlife friendly, helping to protect our planet.

Prize: £100 Amazon voucher for first place and £50 Amazon voucher for second place

Entries are now open and will close on Sunday 18 August.

Click here to enter!

As the weather gets warmer, it’s important to know how to keep you, your loved ones and your pets cool this summer. We have put together some helpful tips when the temperature rises.

Take lukewarm or cool showers

• By taking a cooler shower, this can bring your body temperature down.
• By letting yourself air-dry, rather than using a towel, can create a cooling effect on your skin.

During a heatwave, close your windows, curtains and blinds.

• By keeping the windows shut when the country is experiencing a heatwave, it will keep the warmer air out of your home.
• Use blinds and curtains to keep the sunshine out of your rooms.
• When the sun goes down, open the windows to let the cooler air in.
• Stay hydrated.
• Make sure to stay hydrated during the warmer weather. It is recommended adults drink 2 litres of water a day.
• By eating cooler foods such as fruit, cold salads and chilled soups, will not only keep you hydrated, but will also save you from having to use your oven, which could make your home even warmer.

Use an electric fan (and use it well)

• Electric fans are relatively cheap to run and will instantly cool you down.
• Remember, the fan will not decrease the air temperature, so don’t leave a fan in an empty room, as you will waste energy.
• Position your fan either at the same height as you or lower than you. This will ensure the cooler air will reach you, rather than warmer air pushing down on you.

Remember to dress cool

• Try to wear thin, cotton-based loose clothing to stay cool.
• At night, you might think it’s better to not wear anything, but wearing thin loose clothing will act as a sweat barrier between you and your bed sheets, which will help you feel cooler.

Don’t forget your pets!

• Keep pets inside during the hottest hours.
• If you do have your pets outside, make sure they have shade and water.
• Never exercise pets when the temperature is very high. A regular walk could become a medical emergency.
• Never leave your pet in a parked vehicle.
• Always test pavements, footpaths and slabs in gardens and communal areas. If it’s too hot on your hand, it’s too hot for your pet.
• If you see a pet in distress, please contact the RSPCA.

The weather may be warming up, but we must remain vigilant when it comes to fire safety. Most fires in the home start by accident and by carrying out a few simple safety checks you can reduce the chances of a fire starting to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Remember: If there is a fire in your home – get out, stay out and call 999 – don’t try to tackle the fire yourself. 

Things you should do:

• Make sure you know where the fire escape routes are from your home and building.
• If you see an object blocking any of the fire escapes, please move it if it is safe to do so or report it to us.
• Close inside doors at night to stop a fire from spreading. 
• Never store items in communal (shared) areas such as corridors and balconies.
• Make it a habit to keep the exits from your home clear, so that people can escape if there is a fire.
• Check all your smoke alarms work.  You are twice as likely to die in a fire if your smoke alarm does not work. Your local fire service provides free home safety checks and in many cases this may include fitting a free smoke alarm. Fire Officers will also advise you about making your home safer. To get a free safety visit from your local fire service, contact the London Fire Brigade on 08000 28 44 28. 
• Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on, like a freezer.  
• Do not leave the washing machine on as that can potentially start a fire.  
• Check your cooker is off.  Gas cookers are harder to notice so double check. 
• Turn heaters off and put up fireguards too if you have them.  
• Put candles, naked flames and cigarettes out properly. It is much safer to smoke outside and ensure they are put out properly in an ashtray. Make sure candles or naked flames are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains. 
• Make sure that everyone in your home can easily find the keys for doors and windows – always keep them in the same place.
• Keep mirrors and other reflective materials like glass and crystal away from sunny windows as the reflection can start a blaze.

Fire doors

We check flat entrance doors and communal doors routinely to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

• Never leave fire doors wedged open, they need to remain closed.
• Do not tamper with self-closing devices on fire doors.
• Please report any faults or damage to fire doors immediately.

Keeping your balcony safe:

• Never barbecue on your balcony, sparks can fall to the homes below.
• Don’t keep paints, paint thinners or fuel on your balcony.
• If smoking on your balcony, dispose of smoking materials responsibly and do not flick lit cigarettes from a balcony. Use safety ash trays to extinguish cigarettes.

How can I keep fire safe? 

You can keep fire safe by: 

• giving our staff and contractors access to your home so they can carry-out fire related maintenance and undertake fire risk assessments. 
• looking after doors and windows on escape routes so they can be easily and quickly opened in case of a fire. This includes keeping doors closed (unless they are doors designed to be held open on magnetic devices) and not wedging them open. 
• not changing your flat’s front door, as this acts as a key line of defence in preventing the spread of fire. 
• not smoking in communal areas and generally taking care when smoking. 
• keeping escape routes and communal areas clear by not storing belongings in communal areas and in particular keeping stairwells free of obstacles. This will ensure people can get out of the building quickly. 
• familiarise yourself with the escape plan for your building. If you are not sure of this, please contact us. 

For more fire safety advice, visit the London Fire Brigade website at www.london-fire.gov.uk 

If you discover a fire:

• raise the alarm
• leave the building immediately by the nearest available exit if it is safe to do so
• move to a safe distance away from the building
• phone the Fire Brigade by dialling 999 
• remain a safe distance away from the building and await the Fire Brigade.

If the fire is in your home:

• tell everyone in your home and get them to leave the building closing your front door behind you
• move to a safe distance away from the building
• call the Fire Brigade by dialling 999 asking for FIRE
• remain a safe distance away from the building and await the Fire Brigade
• if you see or hear of a fire in another part of the building stay put in your home as this will usually be the safest option unless you are directly affected by the fire. Close all windows and be prepared to leave
• phone the Fire Brigade by dialling 999 asking for FIRE
• you must leave the building immediately if smoke or fire directly affects your home or you are directed to do so by the Fire Brigade. Close your front door behind you
• move to a safe distance away from the building, remain there and await the Fire Brigade.

Remember:

• Do not take risks.
• Do no stop to collect personal belongings.
• Do not return to the building for any reason unless authorised to do so.
• Do not use any lift.

The weather is starting to warm up, which means it’s the perfect time to have a BBQ with friends and family in the sunshine. Barbecuing can be dangerous, so we have put together some tips to keep you and loved ones safe this summer.

• Never use a barbecue (including disposables) indoors or on your balcony.
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.
• Don’t cook in communal areas. Have your barbecues in a private space, away from neighbours and well away from sheds, fences, trees or shrubs.
• Have a fire extinguisher close to hand and know how to use it. You also need to know how to cut the gas supply, and it’s useful to know how to treat burns.
• Never leave your barbecue unattended.
• Smoke can get into hair, clothes, eyes and lungs, and can also contain carbon monoxide and other dangerous substances. Try and keep your distance as much as possible.
• Grilling gloves and utensils with a long handle will keep arms and hands safe from flames.
• Wash your hands before preparing food, after touching raw meat and before eating.
• Check your food is cooked: ideally, burgers, chicken and sausages should be tested with a thermometer before eating and no pink meat should be visible.
• After you have finished cooking, check the charcoal is cold or the gas has been turned off. Store your barbecue in a safe, dry place and not on your balcony.
• Remember to clean up your barbecue after using to avoid any pests.

If you have an emergency while having a barbecue, please call 999.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme for this year is ‘Movement – Moving more for our mental health.’

Movement is important for our mental health but when life is busy many of us struggle to find the time and move enough. Exercise can help reduce anxiety and depression while also preventing physical illnesses.

This year Mental Health Awareness Week want to encourage people to find opportunities to move in their daily routines. This could be going for a walk, dancing around your kitchen while the kettle boils, chair exercises while watching your favourite TV show and much more, as it all counts!

For more ideas to help get you moving, please visit: Movement and mental health – Mental Health UK (mentalhealth-uk.org)

If you are struggling with your mental health or want someone to talk to, here are a list of charities and support organisations that can help:

• www.mind.org.uk
• www.mentalhealth-uk.org
• www.rethink.org
• www.nhs.uk/mental-health

Sun Awareness Week marks the start of the British Association of Dermatologists summer campaign to highlight the importance of sun protection.

Here are some tips to keep you safe this summer to help you protect your skin from sunburn and the risk of skin cancer:

• Use a ‘high protection’ sunscreen of at least SPF 30 which also has UVA protection. Make sure you apply a generous amount and frequently, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.
• Protect your skin by wearing a t-shirt and protect your face by wearing sunglasses and a hat.
• Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm as this is when the sun is strongest.
• Keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water.
• If there are any changes to a mole on your skin, book an appointment with your doctor to make sure everything is ok.

For further information, please click here: www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/sun-awareness/

We are proud to announce Wandle has been awarded ‘We invest in people’ Silver Accreditation from Investors in People.

Investors in People developed the accreditation over 30 years ago to assess how well organisations support, develop and lead their employees. It provides a standard for organisations to evaluate themselves against the best in the business to help create better and more productive workplaces.

Our silver accreditation means we have the right principles in place, while continuing to take the next steps to ensure there is consistency for all our people and leaders.

To achieve the award our employees were asked to submit a survey to Investors in People and take part in assessment meetings. We also submitted a range of supporting evidence to the Practitioner.

Feedback from our employees’ included Wandle was a great place to work and our people are excited to be a part of the company’s future. People felt supported in developing their skills, loved the work culture and recognised there was a clear vision for the organisation, with leaders actively involving our people to achieve our goals.

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Wandle Housing Association. Silver accreditation on ‘We invest in people’ is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places Wandle in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”

Anne Waterhouse, Chief Executive Officer of Wandle said, ‘We are delighted to have received a Silver Accreditation from Investors in People. I am proud of our achievements and this is a testament to all our colleagues who embody our values to ensure we achieve our objective of employer of choice. We are currently planning further investment in leadership and will use this award as a platform to continue to improve our offer and outcomes using colleagues’ feedback.’