Spotlight Newsletter
Spotlight Newsletter - Issue 2
Housing for Older People
Hello and welcome to the second edition of SPOTLIGHT newsletter, for residents living in RBK Housing for Older People (HfOP)
Over the past year, we would like to thank you for your patience and support as we continue to make changes and improvements to the housing service. As part of our drive for change and involving residents more in our decision-making process, we will be holding the next Meet the Team session in September 2023. Details on time, location and dates will be posted on our housing notice boards. Come along as your views are important to us.
We have listened to your feedback particularly on how we as a council communicate with our residents. Residents have told us that they would like to see more use made of the community lounges in our purpose-built schemes, therefore one of the current priorities for the service is to support you with this.
On the back page of the newsletter are the contact details of our housing team, who will meet with you and answer any housing questions you may have.
We have included a list of social activities and facilities that are available across the borough which we hope you will find interesting.
We hope you enjoy this new styled newsletter, it is your newsletter therefore if you have any ideas for future editions please don’t hesitate to contact us on paula.wray@kingston.gov.uk
The Housing for Older People team Tel: 020 8547 6002 email: hop@kingston.gov.uk
What’s been Happening …
Community Library
The HfOP service has been working in conjunction with the Community Library Service since late 2022. The community library provides a valuable monthly service to Edinburgh Court, Alpha Road and Sobraon Estate. We would like to give a big thank you to the volunteers at Sobraon House, who have worked extremely hard to ensure the library service is more accessible for residents.
Did you know the community library offers a wide range of services such as holding sessions on reminiscence and delivering book and poetry readings. If you wish to support the community library as a volunteer, they can be contacted as follows tel: 020 8547 6451 or by email community.library@kingston.gov.uk.
If you have a suggestion for an activity in one of the communal lounges and feel this may be something the community library could assist with, please speak to your Housing Officer.
Staying on the subject of libraries…
The little library is open again on the Alpha Road estate. After much hard work by a group of residents, Sir Ed Davy MP opened the library officially in May 2023. Use of the library is very simple, bring a book, take a look and take a book.
If you would like a little library at your scheme, please contact your Housing Officer.
Pests - Have you ever experienced any pest’s problems in and around your home?
Pests are an inevitable part of housing, and we would like to hear your views if you have been affected in some way of a pest problem. This could be a mice or pigeon problem in your home or in your local area. We would like to conduct a survey on pests. The survey is produced in two formats, a paper copy and an electronic version. If you wish to access the electronic form please scan the QR code or access the URL Link below. If you require assistance in completing the paper survey please contact your Housing Officer and they will assist you.
You can hand in your completed survey at the post boxes, where they are located at:
Charles Lesser House, Charles Sumner House, Edinburgh Court, Hugh Herland house, Dowler Court, Sobraon House, Fountain Court and Gilpin House.
Or complete the survey online: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NAt8v5dBkdJNiA0dogYYjcxjCBmXCH0U0xuupwjWIk4/edit
Social activities
Dementia-friendly Historical Sensory Walks FREE
Date: 3rd Monday of each month 10:30am
Location: All Saints Church 14-16 Market Pl, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1JP
Contact: Book via email: sensorywalk@kingstontourguides.org.uk
New Malden Over 60s Fit and Tone
Date: Tuesday, 11:30-12:30 and Thursday 11:00-12:00
Location: Malden Centre, 32 Blagdon Rd, New Malden, KT3 4TA
Contact: Call 020 8336 7770 or See Reception to book, £13 term enrolment and £3.50 each week
New Malden Over 50s Yoga
Date: Wednesday 10:00-11:00am AND 11:00-12:00pm
Location: Malden Centre, 32 Blagdon Rd, New Malden, KT3 4TA
Contact: Call 020 8336 7770 or See Reception to book, £89.60 per term
New Malden Over 50s Pilates
Date: Thursday, 1:00-2:00pm
Location: Malden Centre, 32 Blagdon Rd, New Malden, KT3 4TA
Book: Call 020 8336 7770 or See Reception to book, £98.40 per term
Reminiscence Quiz - ANSWERS ON PAGE 4
- How much does a ‘stitch in time’ save?
- How many pennies are there in an old style English pound?
- In which Scottish lake is a monster said to live?
- What were commuters urged to go to work on in the 1960’s?
- What is the RAF’s famous aerobatic display team called?
- Which English city is familiarly known as ‘Brum’?
- If you had ‘tinnitus’ what would you be suffering from?
- What is the world’s best selling perfume?
- Scorpions are immune to their own poison. True or False?
- What did Chubby checker tell us to do in 1961?
Update
Housing for Older People Group - SPACES AVAILABLE
We have held our second meeting of the Housing for Older People Group and our third is due to take place on 21st June. The maximum number of residents eligible to join is twenty, currently meetings are held quarterly and there is currently space for an additional seven. Please email paula.wray@kingston.gov.uk if you are interested in joining.
Alpha Road Estate Litter Pick
Date: Saturday, 8th July 10:30 am
Location: Little Garden by Shamley, Howard Rd
Join us to participate in the Alpha Road Estate Litter Pick, it is a great way to show your pride in Surbiton Hill. We all like to live and work in a clean area, free from rubbish and litter. You can join us for 30 minutes or stay for longer.
- We will provide Litter Grabbers and Bin Liners
- Please bring your own protective gloves if you wish
- Children are welcome.
This event is being organised by the Alpha Road Residents Association. For further information contact Mary 07921 921565
Tunstall alarm system - SAFETY ADVICE
The Tunstall alarm system is in place for your safety and peace of mind. In the event that you need help, please press the red button or pull your pendant alarm. The alarm is connected to the Care and Response team at Milton Keynes twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.
Some alarms are fitted with additional yellow and green buttons. You can press the yellow button if you are going away and the green button to let us know that you are safe.
Estate Inspections NEW SERVICE
Your Housing Officer carries out quarterly estate inspections. The purpose is to check for any communal repairs, standards of cleaning and grounds maintenance and to make suggestions for possible improvements. Residents and ward councillors are welcome to join. Please check your nearest noticeboard, ask your Housing Officer or check the RBK website.
Your Housing for Older People Team
Lead Officer:
Paula Wray
Email: paula.wray@kingston.gov.uk
Tel: 07511 045106
Housing Officers:
Lindsey Blackmore
Email: lindsey.blackmore@kingston.gov.uk
Tel: 07543 508213
Properties: Chessington- Charles Lesser House, Bidmead Court, School Lane
Anna Fenlon
Email: anna.fenlon@kingston.gov.uk
Tel: 07510 921394
Properties: Surbiton- Charles Sumner House, Percy Court, mixed tenure properties on Alpha Road estate
Sam Horgan
Tel: 07751 731139
Email: sam.horgan@kingston.gov.uk
Properties: Central Kingston and Surbiton- Edinburgh Court, Hugh Herland House, Alfriston, Vine Close, Edith Gardens
Tom Dalton
Tel: 07873 701837
Email: tom.dalton@kingston.gov.uk
Properties: Central Kingston- Dowler Court, Sobraon House, Delft House, Lovekyn Close, Park Road
Nadine Clappison
Tel: 07732 825225
Email: nadine.clappison@kingston.gov.uk
Properties: New Maldon-Fountain Court, Gilpin House, Merryweather Court, Rowan Close
Housing Matters e-newsletter
If you wish to know more details about the Housing Service , check out our Quarterly e-Newsletter online called Housing matters.
You can sign up to our residents housing matters e-newsletter on our website: https://www.kingston.gov.uk/housing-policies-reports/housing-matters
Recipe
Summer Pudding Recipe
Summer pudding dates back to the Victorian era, where it was originally known as ‘hydropathic pudding’, so named because it was served at health resorts as an alternative to pastry.
Ingredients
- 7-8 slices slightly stale white bread, crusts removed
- 600g raspberries
- 1 x 150g pack redcurrants
- 1 x 150g pack blackcurrants
- 3 tbsp caster sugar
To serve
- fresh berries of your choice
- double cream or dairy-free cream (optional)
Step by step
Make the day before to let the juices soak in.
- Line a 1.2 lite pudding basin with clingfilm, extending over the sides. Take one slice of bread and cut out a circle the same size as the base of the basin. Cut each of the remaining slices of bread widthways into fingers. Set aside.
- Place the raspberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants in large saucepan with the sugar and 3 tablespoons water and heat gently to simmering point, then cook gently for about 5-7 minutes, until the fruit releases its juices but still holds its shape. Tip into a sieve set over a bowl to catch the juices.
- Briefly dip each of the pieces of bread into the fruit juices and use to line the basin, starting with the base piece. Overlap the edges of the slices slightly so that they fit snugly and there are no gaps. You’ll need to reserve a few for the lid of the pudding. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the fruit juice before returning the fruit to the remaining juice.
- Spoon the juicy fruit into the lined pudding basin. Top with the reserved bread, to fit. Bring the clingfilm over to loosely cover.
- Find a saucer or small plate that fits neatly inside the basin, rest it on top of the top bread layer and weigh down with a heavy object(s). Leave to cool then chill overnight before turning out onto a serving plate. Use the reserved juice to brush any pale patches of bread, garnish with the fresh berries and serve with double cream, if you like.
Tip: Check your bread is dairy-free, if required.
Reminiscence Quiz Answers: 9 • 240 • Loch Ness • An egg • The Red Arrows • Birmingham • A ringing in the ears • Chanel No.5 • FALSE. Let’s twist again