As part of a groupwide rebrand, our partner K&T Heating have changed their name to Sureserve Compliance South.

K&T Heating service our gas boilers, radiators, water heaters and fires for our residents, as well as carry out annual gas safety inspections to more than 6000 homes.  

What does this mean for you?

You will continue to receive high quality service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sureserve will also send you a text to confirm your appointment as before. For a short while Sureserve employees will continue to wear their old K&T Heating unforms and will continue to use their K&T Heating vans while they move over to the Sureserve Compliance logo and branding.

All operatives will have information cards explaining about the brand change, but if you are unsure or want to check, please ask for the operative’s ID and call 0208 269 4500.

For further, please visit their website.

On Tuesday 5 November it is Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, and it is celebrated every year across the UK.

Bonfire night is to be enjoyed by all the family, however for many the noise can be distressing, therefore it is important to respect your elderly and vulnerable neighbours, as well as those with young children and pets.

We have put together some tips to keep you, your loved ones and your neighbours safe.

Bonfire and firework safety

• If you are hosting a fireworks party, please tell your neighbours, especially those who are elderly, vulnerable or have young children or pets beforehand.
• Never have a bonfire or let off fireworks on your balcony or in communal areas.
• Don’t set off fireworks after 10:30pm.
• Please avoid using drink or drugs before or when using fireworks. This also includes when using sparklers.
• Never return to a lit firework.
• Never throw fireworks and never have fireworks in your pocket.
• Children should never play or light fireworks.
• Sparklers should be lit at arm’s length and at one at a time. Children under five should not handle sparklers, and children over five should be always supervised by an adult. Wear gloves when handling sparklers and dispose of them in a bucket of water.
• Keep your pets indoors this weekend and on Bonfire Night. Close the curtains and play some gentle music or pop the television on to mask the sound. For more information on keeping your pets safe during fireworks night, please visit the RSPCA website.
• The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by going to an organised event. Check your local council’s website for displays near you.

For more information, visit the London Fire Brigade website.

Diwali, also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, is the Hindu New Year festival and is celebrated every year. This year Diwali takes place on Thursday 31 October until Friday 1 November, and with many people celebrating, we have put together some safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Fire safety

Diwali sees an increase of oil lamps and candles used around the home, therefore it’s important to keep fire safe.

• Light candles out of reach from children and pets. Also teach children to stay away from open flames.
• If you are decorating your home, make sure all decorations are away from open flames, ovens, microwaves and radiators.
• Ensure Diya lamps are placed securely and in suitable holders. Also ensure tealights are on heat-resistant surfaces.
• Keep open flames away from soft furnishings, such as curtains and throws.
• Never leave candles unattended.
• Make sure to keep all exits clear of decorations.
• Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

Cooking family feasts and tasty treats

• Ensure your cooker and hob are always kept clear when not in use.
• Don’t leave pans unattended.
• Don’t leave children unattended in the kitchen.
• Don’t fill a pan with more than one third of oil and if it starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
• Never pour water over hot oil.

Firework safety

• Fireworks must be used outside and by a responsible adult.
• Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark and keep them in a closed box.
• Use fireworks one at a time.
• Read and follow the instructions for each firework.
• Place the firework on a stable surface.
• Keep naked flames away from fireworks.
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
• Dispose of fireworks by soaking them in a bucket of water for several hours. Then place them in a plastic bag when cooled and place them in a black bin.
• Do not put fireworks in your pocket.
• Never throw fireworks.
• Keep pets inside.
• Ensure children are a safe distance away from the fireworks.
• If you are using sparklers, make sure to wear gloves and place them in a bucket of water when finished.

Halloween takes place this year on Thursday 31 October and it is likely some people will be enjoying early celebrations this weekend. We have put together some handy tips to keep you and your family safe over the Halloween period.

Fire safety

• Use battery-operated candles in your pumpkins.
• Use battery-operated torches and glowsticks.
• When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric and make sure they are labelled as flame-resistant.
• Teach children to stay away from pumpkins in case they have a live flame inside
• If you are decorating your home, please make sure all decorations are away from open flames, ovens, microwaves and radiators.
• Make sure to keep all exits clear of decorations in your home.
• Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

Stay street smart

• Always accompany young children.
• If your older children are trick-or-treating without adult supervision, plan a route with them and agree a time they will get back home.
• Remind children the risk of distracted walking and remind them to not assume cars will always stop at crossings.
• Stay on well-lit streets in well-known areas and always use the pavement.
• Caution children to never enter a house or car to receive their Halloween treat.
• Remind children of all ages what to do in case of an emergency and how to call 999.

Halloween disturbances and home safety

• Remember that some people will not want to be disturbed. If there is a pumpkin outside a house, it’s usually a good sign they are happy to receive trick-or-treaters.
• When out trick-or-treating, be mindful of your noise and do not ring someone’s doorbell or knock more than once.
• If you want to receive trick-or-treaters, always use a door chain or look out of a spy hole/window before opening the door.

• Only open the door if you feel it’s safe to do so. If you don’t feel safe, it’s fine to not open the door.
• Some people leave a bowl of sweets outside their home, so they don’t have to keep answering the door.
• If you’re worried about Halloween night, invite a friend, family member or relative to sit with you.

It’s ok to not take part in Halloween

If you don’t want to receive trick-or-treaters and are concerned about staying safe, always have your doors and windows locked. We have created a poster you can print at home or at your local library to attach to your front door, so you won’t be disturbed.

At Wandle, we celebrate Black History Month every year, and this year’s theme is ‘Reclaiming Our Narratives,’ and marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of black history and culture. 

Below are two real-life stories from Wandle colleagues. 

Tok’s story 

Tok’s is a Customer Service Advisor at Wandle and has been kind enough to share her experience of emigrating to the UK as a young woman. 

“I came to the UK aged 18 after I had sat my GCSE exams in August 1982, and l was so excited to leave Nigeria for greener pastures. 

“My parents both studied in the UK and returned to Nigeria in 1963 by ship which was cheaper for them.  

“I wasn’t prepared for the cold at all, and I wore the wrong footwear from September to November until my GP warned me to buy boots instead of wearing open sandals with socks to college after I got chilblains on both feet.  

“I had to book an urgent holiday to Nigeria after the first-term break from college to get warmth as l wasn’t coping well with the cold UK weather. 

“I made friends at college, especially with my Philippine classmates. There were very few black students in my class in the 80s. There was a lack of information for foreign students and accessing the information I needed to make the UK my home was difficult. 

“I hit difficulty when my money was stolen, and my visa didn’t allow me to work. I was lucky that my aunt worked for the Metropolitan Police and helped me retrieve the stolen £1000. 

“However, it took a month for my money to be refunded, and I was at breaking point. I wrote to the Home Office explaining I needed to work to thrive in this country. They quickly sent me my National Insurance number and I got my first job at McDonald’s.” 

Black History Month is important to Toks, because she believes, in “celebrating my culture and heritage, and acknowledging the good things other black people have achieved with their contribution to humanity and their sacrifices.” 

Yinka’s story

Yinka Bolaji is Wandle’s Executive Director of Development and Property and has shared his fascinating story. 

“I recently re-watched a Netflix documentary called White Nanny, Black Child. It tells the story of more than 70,000 West African children who were informally fostered by white British families from the 1950s to as late as 1995. These children’s parents came to seek better opportunities in Britain, hoping to build a brighter future.  

“I was one of these children. I was born in 1965, and at that time, families like mine had two options: either pause their studies to care for their children or arrange informal fostering.  

“My parents came to England in the 1960s to study and improve their prospects after Nigeria gained independence. My father, Nathaniel, trained as an Electrical Engineer, and my mother, Mary, trained as a Midwife. 

“Both were teachers before arriving in the UK, and they left my three older siblings, the youngest only three years old, in Nigeria with relatives to care for them while they pursued their studies.  

“When I was born, my mother was preparing to start her training in Sheffield, and through a work colleague, she found the Meads family. At just six weeks old, I was fostered and lived in Surbiton alongside their three older children until 1968, when I returned to Nigeria with my mother.  

“Though I grew up in Nigeria, the Meads, who had lived in Tanzania in the 1950s, became my extended family. We stayed in touch over the years, exchanging letters and updating each other on our lives. They never missed a birthday, always sending gifts and postal orders. When I returned to the UK after graduating from university, we rekindled our relationship, and the Meads saw me build a life and family of my own here.  

“In 2000, before my mother passed away, she visited the UK one last time. Her final words to Barbara Mead were, “Thank you, and if we don’t meet again, we will surely meet at Jesus’ feet.” 

“I was honoured when the Mead family asked me to deliver Barbara’s eulogy at her funeral. During her final days, Barbara’s last words to me were “my baby,” and I am thankful that I had the chance to express my gratitude for the legacy she left behind.  

“I am immensely grateful for the kindness shown to me by the Meads and perhaps because I returned to Nigeria at a young age, I did not struggle with identity and belonging issues that some children experienced. I also know others who were fostered for many years—some for over a decade—and have gone on to become successful, responsible adults in the UK.   

“Reflecting on the recent ‘mindless’ riots that followed the tragic event in Southport during the summer of 2024, I can’t help but think of how some marginalised individuals have chosen to blame an entire migrant population for their struggles. Instead, I choose to remember the enduring connections we form across cultures. “ 

Our income support team recently supported a vulnerable resident who was at risk of being made homeless.

Elderly resident Mr RB* had been served a NOSP/legal action letter because he had missed rent payments of £1300.

This was out of character because he had always claimed housing benefits. After further investigation, our income officer discovered that Mr RB’s housing benefit had stopped because he had travelled abroad for three months for a funeral.

Our Welfare Rights Advisor worked hard to ensure no legal action was taken against Mr RB, to allow us the time and space to resolve the issue. We helped Mr RB make a new housing benefit claim and a three-month backdated start.

Unfortunately, the housing benefit payment was slow, and Mr RB’s rent arrears increased to over £3,500. Understandably this impacted his mental well-being, and the team consistently sent evidence to the local authority. In the meantime, we encouraged Mr RB to pay what he could while his benefit was processed.

Mr RB’s housing benefit payment was finally processed, and he is happier in his home. He contacted us to say thank you for the advice and support during a stressful time. We will keep an eye on his tenancy to make sure he does not fall into arrears again.

At Wandle, we see our purpose as supporting people across south London, who need a home. We know it can be overwhelming if you fall into debt, and it can be easy to ignore them, but this only makes the problem grow.

If you cannot pay your rent, we will work with you to resolve the problem, and if for any reason we cannot help you, we will sign-post you to agencies who can.

Our customer contact centre is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. You can also email us at customerservices@wandle.com. 

Recycling Week is back for it’s 21^st year and this year’s theme is ‘Rescue Me’, which aims to get more people recycling the right things, more often.

Recycling helps our planet by saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Sometimes it can be confusing what you can and cannot recycle, therefore it’s always good to familiarise yourself with the recycle symbols.

Find out how to reuse, repair or recycle your household waste here.

It’s now easier than ever to recycle at home. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Make sure you have the right bins and if you’re missing one, contact your local council.
• Check your local council’s website to familiarise yourself with what can and cannot be recycled, and make sure you’re putting your waste in the correct bins. You can also check the bin dates on their website.
• Make sure to store your recycling bins or boxes in a safe convenient place that does not obstruct access to your home or fire escapes.
• Make sure to recycle when you’re out an about too, as many bins will have a recycling section.

Fly-tipping is also a common problem for our residents, and we encourage you to report this as it is considered as anti-social behaviour. Please contact us at estatesservices@wandle.com so we can resolve the issue.

Taking the time to learn about what you can and cannot recycle means you are playing an important role in helping to look after our beautiful planet.

Today is World Mental Health Day and the overall objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and how you can access the support you may need.

The theme this year is ‘Mental health in the workplace’. Our jobs can be fast paced which could lead to chronic stress and burnouts. The World Health Organization are calling for everyone to take shared responsibility for workplace mental health.

Addressing your mental health issues with your line manager or HR team means they can support you early on before work becomes too overwhelming.

For further information and resources for mental health in the workplace, click here:

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

On Saturday 28 October, we attended the unveiling of a Battersea blue plaque at 28 Lavender Sweep in honour of Tom Taylor and Laura Barker.

Tom Taylor (1817 – 1880) was an English dramatist, critic, biographer, public servant, and editor of Punch magazine.

Laura Barker (1819-1905) was a renowned composer and musician, who lived at the property with her husband Tom Taylor from 1858 until he died in 1880.

Both Laura and Tom held regular Sunday musical soirees, and celebrities at the time such as Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens would attend.

The Battersea Society consists of local and former residents, businesses, and even visitors who fell in love with a vibrant part of Southwest London.  They are committed to honouring Battersea’s rich heritage and ensuring the community is at the heart of development across the historic borough.

The unveiling was attended by Wandle’s Chief Executive, Anne Waterhouse, and the Worshipful Mayor Sana Jafri, who both said a few words about the importance of acknowledging our local history and the importance of art and culture.

Anne Waterhouse, Chief Executive of Wandle said, “It is an honour for a Wandle to be a part of this event. The boroughs we work in have a rich history, and it is fascinating to learn about Tom Taylor and Laura Barker. Thank you to The Battersea Society for their commitment to honouring the history of this historic borough.”

Emma Anthony from the Wandsworth Heritage Service read the poem Lavender Sweep by John Betjeman, and renowned actor Alun Armstrong enacted an excerpt from Still Waters Run Deep.

Relatives of Tom Taylor and Laura Barker attended, with Rupert Stutchbury actor and great, great-grandson of Tom Taylor reading an excerpt from In Memoriam to Abraham Lincoln

*Photography was taken and is owned by Chrysoulla Photography.

The weather is getting colder, therefore it’s important to know how to keep you and your home safe when you need to keep warm.

When warming your home, the most effective way to prevent a fire is to remain vigilant when it comes to fire safety and understand the common risks in your home.

By carrying out simple safety checks you can reduce the chances of a fire starting in your home.

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 overnight or if you are leaving the property. 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 – such as curtains. 
• Ensure 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 as 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.