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.

Our Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) team recently helped saved Christmas for Wandle residents who unfortunately experienced a gas leak in their block.

After the gas leak was discovered, our M&E team were contacted by the gas supplier to inform us the properties would be disconnected, leaving our residents without hot water or heating. Our M&E team worked alongside our contractors K&T to ensure our residents’ gas supply was connected as soon as possible.

Thankfully our residents’ gas was connected within two days, but due a complex issue this was not possible for one property. Initially it was predicted the repairs could take up to two weeks to resolve the problem, but our M&E team worked tirelessly with our contractor K&T to ensure a fast solution. By working together alongside the gas supplier, our tenant was connected within a matter of days instead of weeks.

Our tenant was relieved their Christmas plans would not be disrupted and said, ‘I can’t thank you enough. You have been wonderful and just saying thank you doesn’t seem to be enough’.

Know what to do in an emergency

Act fast! It’s crucial that you act fast in a gas emergency by carrying out the following steps. If you smell gas at your property, you must open all doors and windows to help ventilation, turn off the gas emergency valve control, leave the property and immediately call National Emergency Gas on 0800 111 999. 

Make sure you follow all the advice given to you by the emergency adviser and wait outside for the engineer to arrive. You must not use any electrical switches, smoke or naked flames near your home.

We are supporting Southwark’s cost of living Christmas campaign, which aims to support households who find themselves struggling this winter.

Last winter Southwark council helped over 30,000 households who were struggling due to the increase in living costs. Their aim is to help and offer advice about the wide range of  services and organisations available to those living in financial difficulty due to the cost of living crisis.

Southwark Council can assist you with:

• Financial support and advice
• Energy support
• Finding a warm space near you
• Finding mental health and wellbeing support
• Help with food and household costs
• Domestic abuse and how to get help
• Help with employment and training
• Cost of living support for businesses.

Click here to access their services. They have also created a cost of living booklet which is an in depth guide of all the services they provide.  

Our new homes team recently saved Christmas for one Wandle resident who was struggling with rent arrears.

Our tenant was living alone in a three bedroom property and was struggling to afford her rent due to the increase in living costs and only being eligible for partial housing benefit as a single occupant.

Our tenant did not inform us of her situation, which left her in rent arrears and struggling to cope.  Fortunately, she contacted our resident support team who referred her to our new homes team to find our resident a more suitable and affordable home.

Our new homes team found a beautiful one bedroom property and ensured it was fitted with new carpets and was redecorated prior to our tenant moving in. We helped our tenant clear her rent arrears, paid the removal costs and gave her further support through our helping hand fund to remove any further pressure and support her in her new home in time for Christmas.

Suzanne Horsley, Executive Director, Customer Services and Operational Services said, ‘Our colleagues across Wandle worked hard to ensure our tenant was settled into her new home in time for Christmas. By supporting her to address her financial situation, has given our tenant the opportunity to start over again without the worry of being homeless.’

If you are struggling with any issues mentioned in this article and are unable to pay your rent, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Information about the Helping Hand Fund
The Helping Hand Fund is available to all Wandle residents who are financially struggling. It aims to support residents by providing vouchers for food and other household items from supermarkets, furniture, carpets, washing machines, essential white goods, and even technology as internet access is now essential for Universal Credit and other online services. Please note that the fund is not to be used to cover your rent.

Applications for the Helping Hand Fund are now open. You can apply by emailing helpinghandfund@wandle.com.

• Never overload electrical sockets and always switch off your Christmas lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Never place candles near your Christmas tree, garlands or decorations.
• Keep candles out of reach from children and pets, and never leave candles unattended.
• Most fires start in the kitchen. Many Christmas dishes require a longer period of time in the oven, therefore avoid leaving the oven on unattended and don’t leave your oven on when you leave the house.
• Avoid cooking under the influence of alcohol.
• Do not light cigarettes or leave ashtrays near decorations.
• Don’t attach decorations to lights or heaters, as they can get hot and start a fire.
• If you have an open fire, take care when decorating the fireplace and have nothing hanging over the edge.
• When wrapping gifts, make sure you are not near any open flames or lit cigarettes.
• Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace, as it burns very quickly and could cause a chimney fire.
• Make sure guests visiting your home know the emergency exits.
• Check in on older and vulnerable relatives and neighbours, to ensure their homes are safe.
• Test your smoke alarms.
• And finally, check your Christmas tree lights have the British Safety Standard sign either on the battery pack or on the plug.