On Saturday 2 November, residents and staff came together for our community day in Wandle Fields.

Thank you to all our residents who braved the chilly weather to enjoy a fun filled afternoon, including facepainting and jerk chicken.

Our residents got to meet with our staff to discuss any issues they may have, with staff also attending residents’ homes to investigate any issue further. This was a great opportunity for staff to introduce themselves, whilst also ensuring any issue a resident raised was logged so we could begin to resolve any queries or concerns they had.

At the community day some of our residents pointed us in the direction of one property, in which we were unaware the resident was vulnerable and in need of repairs within her home. Thanks to the kindness of the local community who informed us of her situation, we were able to visit the resident to investigate the concern further and now arrangements are under way to carry out much needed repairs within her home.

The community day was a great success, and we will be hosting another event at Wandle Fields next year in the summer months. In the meantime, we will continue to work with our residents at Wandle Fields and we will be arranging community meetings with them listen to their thoughts and ideas to create a stronger relationship and space for everyone to enjoy.

Every November is men’s health awareness month, which is dedicated to raising awareness of men’s health issues, primarily focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

In England 12.5% of men have a mental health disorder (NHS) and are three times more likely to commit suicide than women (Samaritans). It doesn’t have to be this way, and we can all take action to help with those who are suffering to live healthier, happier and longer lives.

Some men don’t like asking for help or like talking about their feelings, but we are encouraging men to reach out to a friend, family member, colleague or their GP if you need to. There are also organisations you can speak to for free:

• Mind: 0300 102 1234
• Samaritans: 116 123
• NHS: 111 – If it is urgent or you are in danger, please call 999 immediately.

In the UK prostate cancer kills 10,000 men every year and is the most common cancer for men over the age of 45. The prostate is a gland and sits beneath the bladder and early detection is key. You can read more about the symptoms and your risk of prostate cancer here.

Testicular cancer is the number one cancer in young men, but it is highly curable when caught early. Know how to check yourself at home and know the facts about testicular cancer here.

If you need further information, please contact your GP or visit the NHS website.

We are working on improving the functionality of logging complaints via MyWandle Portal and App, so the feature is currently unavailable. 

However, you can still log your complaints via the Customer Service line on 0300 2000 120 or send an email to complaints@wandle.com.

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.