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.’

Most of us are worried about the cost-of-living situation and half term may seem like another hurdle to overcome. However, taking your children out in London or to a restaurant doesn’t need to be expensive. We have put together a list of free and low cost activities, as well as places where kids can eat for £1 or less, to help you enjoy this half term without the worry.

Free activities in London

• Young V&A
• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum
• London Transport Museum
• Museum of London
• Hackey City Farm
• Mudchute Park and Farm
• Kentish Town City Farm
• Battersea Park
• Crystal Palace Park

Activities in south London

• Terrible Histories Walk in Deptford: Child £1 / Adult £2 on Wednesday 14 February.
• Mystery Makers at Albany Theatre: Pay what you decide on Thursday 15 February.
• Children’s festival at the Southbank Centre venues: Now until Saturday 17 February.
• The Kid’s Table in Peckham: Admission is free.

Kids eat free or less than a £1

• Ikea: Kids can enjoy pasta and tomato sauce with a piece of fruit and soft drink for just 45p every Friday from 11am in Ikea restaurants.
• Morrisons: Kids under 16 can eat for free at any Morrisons café when an adult spends £4.50.
• Pausa Café at Dunelm: Kids can eat for free when an adult spends £4.
• Bella Italia: Kids can get a three course meal for just £1 with every adult main meal.
• Asda Café: Kids eat for £1 in Asda family cafes. No minimum spend required.
• Angus Steakhouse: Kids eat for free with every adults main meal.
• Hungry Horse: Kids eat for £1 every Monday.
• Sainsburys Café: Kids eat for £1 with every adult main meal.

Today is safer internet day and the theme this year is ‘inspiring change’. This annual celebration helps raise awareness of online safety, especially for children and young people.

Technology is developing each year and with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) it’s even more important to remain vigilant online.

As parents and carers, one of the best ways we can keep children safe is by continuing to talk to them about the importance of internet safety.

There are many resources available online to help keep your family safe. These include:

• Online wellbeing
• Parental controls
• Reporting online safety concerns
• Social media
• Apps
• Online bullying
• Live streaming
• Downloading
• Video chat and webcams

You can find more information and resources here:

Keeping children safe online | NSPCC

Help & advice | Childnet

Resources – Safer Internet Day

Time to Talk Day takes place today and is the UK’s biggest mental health conversation. It’s a day for us to talk and listen to our friends, families, colleagues and communities.

Talking about mental health is not always easy and sometimes it’s difficult to spot when someone is going through a challenging time.

Mind and Rethink Mental Illness have provided conversation tips to help us get talking.

• Ask questions and listen
• Think about the time and place
• Don’t try and fix it
• Treat them the same
• Be patient

Due to the cost of living crisis, more people are experiencing mental health problems for the first time and those who have already had a mental health problem are struggling more. It is important to talk about your worries and concerns, but it is also important to get practical support. Mind has provided information that might be useful.

They have also provided activities you can do with your friends, families and colleagues to help get you talking, including Interactive Bingo and True or False.

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is always available from your doctor, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and the NHS. If it is urgent, please call 999.

We are supporting Register My Appliance week.

Register my appliance is a public safety campaign to help and encourage people to register their household appliances.

In small cases manufacturers may identify a problem with one of their products. Registering your household appliances, helps manufacturers know where the products are in case a repair is needed or if it is recalled.

You could also save money by registering your appliances as it entitles you to an extended guarantee or warranty period. 

You can find out more information here:

Website: www.registermyappliance.org.uk

Instagram: @amdea_uk   

Twitter: @amdea_uk   

Facebook: amdea.uk

What are home adaptations?

Home adaptations are changes you can make to your home, to make it easier and safer for you (or a member of your household) to move around and carry out day-to-day tasks.

We understand that your needs may change at any time and we may be able to make adaptations to help you continue to live in your home.

Minor adaptations

These are small alterations such as:

• Grab rails and shower chairs
• Small concrete ramps
• Window opening equipment
• Lever taps

For most minor adaptations, you will need a recommendation from an occupational therapist (OT). To do this, please contact your local council.

Minor adaptations will usually be paid for and carried out by Wandle.

Major adaptations

Major adaptations are more complex in nature and typically cost more than £1000. These adaptations may include:

• Fitting a stairlift or through floor lift
• Ceiling hoists
• Level access showers or wet rooms
• Adapted kitchens
• Complex outdoor ramps

In all cases you will need a home assessment and recommendation from an occupational therapist (OT).

To apply for a home assessment, please contact your local council or visit Apply for equipment for your home if you’re disabled – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Major adaptations will usually be carried out by your local council. You will need to apply for a means tested Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

If your local council accepts your request, it will be sent to Wandle for approval. If approved by Wandle, works can begin.

For further information, please read our aids and adaptations policy.

Over the next two weeks, London and the south of England will experience very low temperatures.

In the day, temperatures are expected to be under 10 degrees and at night the temperature is likely to drop below freezing.

Here are some tips to help keep you warm:

• Heating your home – If you are worried about using too much energy when heating your home, only heat the rooms you spend the most amount of time in, such as your lounge or bedroom. Ensure you keep the doors closed in these rooms and close the curtains at night to keep the heat in. Turn off heaters in hallways and areas that you are not using. If you have wood or laminate flooring, laying down rugs can help insulate your home.

• Layer up – Wearing lots of layers can keep you warmer than one thick piece of clothing. Material made from wool, cotton or a fleecy fabric will keep you warmer than thinner materials. Adding a hat, scarf and gloves can significantly keep you warmer when outside.

• Block out draughts – Try and block any windows and doors that could let in a draught. When using material or a draught excluder, ensure these areas are away from heaters and open fires.

• Let the light in – Open your windows in the day to let the light in and warm your home. When it gets dark, close the windows to keep the heat in.

• Use a hot water bottle – A hot water bottle is a cost effective way to keep you warm and can be taken with you wherever you are in your home.

• Warm food and drinks – Making warming food and drinks such as tea, soups, stews and porridge can help keep you warm. If you’re trying to keep your energy bills down, using an air fryer, slow cooker and microwave can help, as well as making a pot of tea and keeping it in a thermal flask.

• Move more – Light exercise, such as a walk or a free workout video on YouTube can help keep you warm. Try and move once an hour, even if it’s to the kitchen and back.

Check what support you may be entitled to by visiting the Citizens Advice website. If you need advice from the NHS, call 111.

Last year 2.4 million people in England and Wales were victims of domestic abuse, which equates to 1 in 5 adults. It is likely someone you know will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

Domestic abuse, also called domestic violence, includes emotional, physical and sexual abuse. It commonly occurs between couples and family members, but it can happen to anyone.

Domestic abuse can also happen from someone you do not know. This could be a stranger online or someone in the street.  

Reports of domestic abuse increase during the festive season. This can be due to increased stress, alcohol consumption and financial pressure, which may be worse this year due to the cost of living crisis. The abuser may use Christmas as a way to justify their behaviour, but it should never be tolerated.

Make yourself heard

If you are in danger, please call 999 immediately.

If you cannot speak freely listen to the questions from the operator and respond by coughing of tapping on the phone if you can. If you cannot do this, press 55 and the operator will know the call is genuine and will put you through to the police.  

Support available

National Centre for Domestic Violence – 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777

National Domestic Abuse Helpline for women – 0808 2000 247

Men’s Advice Line – 0808 8010327 or info@mensadviceline.org.uk

Women’s Aid – Live chat or helpline@womensaid.org.uk

Mankind – 01823 334244

GALOP LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428

Karma Nirvana for those forced into marriage and honour crimes – 0800 5999 247. You can also contact Gov.uk Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151.

You can also talk to your doctor, health visitor or midwife.

If you decide to leave

Before you decide to leave, please try and get advice from one of the organisations above. Women’s aid have created a Survivor’s Handbook which can also help.

Signs to look out for if you think a friend or family member is being abused

Physical

• Broken bones
• Bruises
• Cuts
• Limping
• Changes to their appearance – for example the way they dress, whether they now wear less/more makeup and changes to their weight.

Practical

• They are unable to leave the house.
• They have no control over their finances and cannot access their bank account.
• They cannot talk or answer the phone.
• They no longer socialise, go to college or work.

Behavioural

• They appear uncomfortable, tense or nervous.
• They are angry or irritable
• They use unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol, drugs or self-harm.

You can find more information on the NHS website and on our Domestic Abuse page.