Inside this issue:

www.southwark.gov.uk/shnThe magazine for Southwark Council tenants and leaseholders

Housing service performance, page 4How disability support is changing, page 12Fire safety, page 14

SouthwarkHousing News S

um

mer

2013

My Southwark, your services, our apprentices, page 6

More and more residents are taking up the chance to get a free healthcheck. The NHS health check programme is continuing to help Southwarkresidents stay healthy and avoid developing long term health problems. Ittakes just 20 minutes but can make a big difference. You’ll find outwhether you’re at risk of developing some of the most common healthproblems like diabetes, kidney problems or heart disease and getpersonalised advice to help you stay healthy. Anyone aged between 40and 74 with no previous health issues can get involved. Ask your GP orcheck out www.southwark.gov.uk/healthcheck to see when the teamwill be in your area.

Scams are schemes designed to con people out oftheir money. Scams may come in a variety of waysincluding through the post or via phone calls, emails,online or in person. Some signs of scam include:

■ The call, letter, email or text came out of the blue

■ You’ve never heard of the competition they aretalking about

■ You didn’t buy a ticket

■ They ask you to send money in advance

■ They tell you to respond quickly

■ They tell you to keep it a secret

■ They seem to offer something for nothing

If it seems too good to be true – it probably is.Targeted by a scam? Report it by calling Action Fraudon 0300 123 2040 or by visitingwww.actionfraud.police.uk

How to spot scams – don’t be a victim!

2 News

Communityconversations

Throughout April and May,officers and councillors havebeen out on the streets ofSouthwark asking you whatyou think about the future of

council housing in the borough. Discussing the reportof the independent housing commission and otherrecent changes in the law, residents were asked whoshould council housing be for, how much we shouldhave and how it should be managed?

From electronic voting at community councils tofilling in surveys in libraries, around 1,000 residents have taken part. A report will be presented to thecouncil’s cabinet in July outlining the opinions andcomments received. For further information visitwww.southwark.gov.uk/communityconversations

Are you claiming all that you are entitled to? Rightfully Yours is a specialised service that helps vulnerable people in Southwark make sure that their benefits are correct, assists with new benefit claims, provides representation at appeal tribunals and offers casework support for more complex benefit issues. If you are over 60, housebound or unable to visit the offices, they can even visit you at home.

For advice, more information or to book an appointment call 020 7525 7434, emailrightfullyyours@southwark.gov.uk or visit www.southwark.gov.uk/rightfullyyours

Rightfully Yours service

News 3Update on Southwark’s complaint policy From 1 April 2013, Southwark moved from athree stage to a two stage complaint policy, inorder to resolve complaints more quickly. If youneed to log a new complaint you can emailcomplaints@southwark.gov.uk

Additionally, responsibility for overseeingcomplaints about housing moved from the Local Government Ombudsman to the HousingOmbudsman. This means that if a resident isunable to resolve a complaint using Southwark’scomplaint process, they can ask the HousingOmbudsman to investigate. This free andindependent service is open to both tenants and leaseholders. Visit www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk for more information.

Welfare reform and housingroadshow events The council’s housing options and homelessnessservices is working with Southwark Legal AdviceNetwork to deliver monthly events to adviseresidents about how benefit changes will affectthem and what they can do about it. Residentscan get help and advice in finding a job, movingto a smaller home and managing their money.We've been working with Job Centre Plus tohelp prepare residents for the benefit cap anduniversal credit. Housing advice is now availableat London Bridge, Kennington and Peckham jobcentres, with employment advisers offering aservice from the council's homesearch centre inPeckham. For more information visitwww.southwarkhomesearch.org.uk orwww.southwark.gov.uk/welfarereform

We’re bringing the repairs service to you to make iteasier for you to report communal repairs and repairsto your home. Your resident officer will be available to help with housing issues. Our repairs team will alsobe on hand to assess jobs, carry out repairs or makearrangements for work to be done.

■ 28 June - Lettsom estate ■ 26 July - Caroline Gardens ■ 26 July - Hawkestone estate ■ 14 August - Doddington estate■ 30 August - East Dulwich estate■ 20 September - Rockingham estate

For further information visitwww.southwark.gov.uk/estateactiondays

We’re coming to an estate near you

Rightfully Yours

Benefits advice service

Are you missing out?If you’re among the 37,000 residents that have a MySouthwark online account, you’ll already know thatalong with loads of useful information about servicesand facilities in your area, you can also view your counciltax account and benefits entitlements. You’ll also knowthat we’ve recently added access to your library accountand launched the My Southwark community forums.

And there’s lots more coming soon, including

■ viewing your rent, garage and service charge accounts■ viewing your repairs history

It's free and available 24/7, so what are you waiting for?Sign up today at my.southwark.gov.uk

What do the results show?

Looking at three key areas of particular importance toyou, we have seen positive performance.

Appointments made and keptIn the past, missed appointments were a commoncomplaint from tenants. The latest results show aclear increase in appointments made and kept; now96 per cent compared to 93 per cent last year.Although these latest results exceed our target of 95per cent by 2015, we are pushing ourselves evenharder to hit 100 per cent.

Right first timeAnother common complaint from tenants was thatcontractors had to return to correct repairs that werenot completed right first time. Tenants are nowreporting that 77 per cent of repairs are completedright first time, up from 69 per cent last year.Occasionally we won’t be able to complete a repairfirst time but we’re putting measures in place toensure that you know what’s going to happen nextand when we will complete your repair.

Overall satisfaction with the serviceWhen asked about their overall satisfaction with theservice, 81 per cent said that they were satisfied, upfrom 79 per cent last year.

Councillor Ian Wingfield, deputy leader and cabinetmember for housing, said: “The figures are atestament to the hard work of council staff and ourcontractors. I am pleased to see that we have madeimprovements in all areas, which is essential if we areto deliver our Fairer Future promise to make all councilhomes warm, dry and safe.”

Here’s what we’re doing to getcontinued improvements

“We have set our contractors challenging targets toreach by 2015/16, to carry out the majority of repairsat the agreed time and during the first appointment”,said Councillor Wingfield.

In addition, we're putting residents at the heart of therepairs service. From 1 June 2013, we have broughtcustomer service back in-house, which has providedbetter control over the quality of service provided.

Every month an independent telephone survey iscarried out to get your feedback on repairs carriedout by the council that month. Between April 2012and March 2013 we asked over 12,000 tenants torate the council’s performance. The results show thatour repairs service is improving.

4 Repairs performance report

We haven’t nailed it yet,but we’re getting there...

We asked tenants for feedback on the repairsservice and the good news is the resultsshow that the service is improving.

We’ll soon be introducing a ‘now and next’ jobordering system which will help to ensure jobs areprogressed promptly to completion. This means that inthe future our contractors will not receive a new joborder to move on to until the repair they are workingon has been signed off by the tenant. We’re alsoalready using before and after photos. This makes iteasier for everyone to verify what repair work has been done. Our contractors are also recruitingpermanent staff in key positions to help deal with more complex jobs.

Southwark building services has worked closely withthe training of 20 contact centre apprentices and pairedthem with experienced members of staff. This is toensure that they have a better understanding of repairissues from a tradesperson’s perspective which weexpect will lead to greater satisfaction with ourcustomers. There is also a full time officer at the contactcentre to assist with day to day issues.

Councillor Wingfield concluded “We acknowledge thatdespite the improvement in performance, there is stillmore work to do, particularly to improve customersatisfaction. However, I’m really pleased that the signsof the first year of our three year plan are that we arenow moving in the right direction.”

Repairs performance report 5

“If things are going to take longer than expected, then just let me know. Keep me informed.”

Ann Carter had water leaking from a radiator in her bathroom.

Promise 4Improve our customer service with improvedonline services, including delivery of a betterhousing repairs service, independentlyverified by tenants.

You could win £1000We need your feedback to continuallyimprove the repairs service we provide to you.From 1 June, if you have had a qualifyinghousing repair on your property we will emailyou a link to complete an online satisfactionsurvey. If completed, you will be entered intoa quarterly prize draw for a chance to win£1000. For more information visitwww.southwark.gov.uk/repairsfeedback.

The council is bringing customer services in-house.Previously delivered by external contractors, we’re nowtaking direct responsibility for the service and training40 new apprentices in the process.

6 Customer services

My Southwark,your services,our apprentices

This forms part of the work we’re undertaking toimprove the experience for our customers and willhelp us fulfill our Fairer Future promise to improve ourcustomer service with more online services, includingdelivery of a better housing repairs service,independently verified by tenants.

For several years, the council has contracted anexternal supplier to provide many of our customerservices. For example, the customer service centrewhich handles requests for housing repairs or the onestop shops in Peckham and Walworth. Now we’vebrought those services back in-house, complete with a brand new contact centre in Peckham.

The transition to an in-house service has its challengesbut it also presents a number of opportunities. Theseinclude the move to new premises and the chance to upgrade our dated customer relationshipmanagement systems. But, just as importantly,it’s created the opportunity to provide 40 peoplewith apprenticeships.

The apprentices, many of whom come from theborough, undertake a five week training course withthe council before taking their place in the customerservices team. While working for customer services,they continue their training and will work towards aNational Vocational Qualification (NVQ). The schemegives each apprentice the chance to learn new skills,gain valuable work experience and to attain a

worthwhile qualification. Throughout the process,they’ll work alongside experienced customer servicestaff as they learn the ropes. At the end of theapprenticeship, many will be offered a full time job incustomer services or have the chance to take up otheropportunities elsewhere in the council.

We’re also continuing to improve our online services, including the My Southwark personalisedcustomer portal. Visit the council’s website, and onceyou’ve signed up for an account, you’ll be able toaccess information and services tailored to your needs. More than 250 new users are signing up every week so if you're not one of them, take a look at my.southwark.gov.uk and find out how you can benefit.

IN BRIEF:

■ Customer services are being brought in-house

■ 40 new apprenticeship opportunities

■ A new council contact centre has opened

■ 24/7 access by phone

■ More ways to get stuff done online

Customer services 7

PROFILE

NAME: Alisha

AGE: 23

FROM: Peckham

NEXT GOAL: To become

a council manager

“A year ago I was a stay

at home mum, studying online. I heard

about this job through Job Centre Plus.

I’m really grateful for this opportunity.”

PROFILENAME: MarkAGE: 29FROM: Borough and BanksideNEXT GOAL: To becomea project manager orsoftware developer

“A year ago I was atuniversity studying interactive systemsengineering. I heard about this jobthrough a friend. In the future I hopeto become a project manager – I seethis as a big career opportunity.”

The apprentices

Alisha and Mark are two of the first twenty apprenticeswho have just completed training. Another twenty are currently being trained. For more information or toview job opportunities in customer service visitwww.staylocalgofurther.co.uk

Our commitment to you

These changes will enable us to build on the achievements of the past anddeliver further improvements to you in the future.

Most importantly, we’re working to ensure that the transition is seamlessand any disruption is kept to a minimum. You will still be able to access theservice just as you did before, via the same phone number, same emailaddress and online through the My Southwark portal.

And our promise remains the same – toprovide an excellent service delivered by well trained staff who will strive to get it right first time, every time.

New cycle route connects Camberwell to RotherhitheThe new South Bermondsey Bridge has now beenofficially opened and forms part of the new SustransNational Cycle Network 425 that connects Camberwellwith Durand's Wharf, Rotherhithe. The route creates amuch improved link to South Bermondsey Station andallows for residents and visitors to walk and cyclesafely to local shops, train stations and otherdestinations. This is just one of a number of excitingcycling related projects to be completed in 2013.Councillor Peter John, leader of Southwark Councilsaid: “Our aim is to make Southwark the safest cyclingborough in London and we're working to make it aneven better borough to cycle in. These improvementswill make cycling and walking easier and has had hugesupport from local residents. The bridge marks thelatest piece of our expanding programme of cycle andwalking improvements to the area which we hope willease traffic congestion and pollution and boostpeople's health and fitness.”

8

Walworth playground receives amakeoverThis old overgrown playground in Congreve Street,Walworth, was in great need of a makeover having notbeen used since 1997. Thanks to a successful CleanerGreener Safer bid last year, the playground received a£28,000 grant to transform the space into a communitygarden. The area has been cleared, the tarmacresurfaced, raised beds have been built, and a pergolaand greenhouseinstalled. A watercollection and storagesystem has also beenadded plus a newartwork gate, fenceand trellising. Localresidents who wouldlike to grow their own food here cancontact Tamara attamara25k@googlemail.com

Cleaner Greener Safer funding is awarded to ideas putforward by local people to improve their localenvironment. Individuals or someone on behalf of agroup can apply, but you must live or work in thecommunity council area where you are proposing thescheme. Any idea that makes your area cleaner, greeneror safer will be considered. The next round of funding isopening later this year. For further information, visitwww.southwark.gov.uk/cleanergreenersafer.

Bermondsey and Rotherhithe

Borough, Bankside and Walworth

AfterBefore

Get fit outdoorsSouthwark’s latest outdoor gym has beenbuilt in Brimmington Park, just off AsylumRoad. The equipment is low impact so it iseasy and safe to use without a gyminduction. Save yourself a gym membershipfee and come down to give it a try wheneverit suits you. Southwark now has over tenoutdoors gyms across the borough, fromDurand’s Wharf to Peckham Rye Park. To findyour nearest one visit www.southwark.gov.uk

ExperienceAfricanculture For a fun filled dayfor the family, cometo the Africa Live festival in Dulwich. As well as livemusic and story telling, there will be handmadebespoke goods for sale, African food, arts and craftsand much more. The event aims to showcase the best in African culture and provide an opportunity for communities to learn about the unique cultures of the African diaspora, the Caribbean and LatinAmerica. So if you want to have fun and celebrateAfrican culture, come down to Goose Green Park on Saturday 17 August from 12pm to 7pm. If you would like to get involved in the event, there are many opportunities including volunteering andhaving your own stall. Find out more by emailingenquiries@theafricanmarketday.com

9

Peckham and Nunhead

Dulwich

Camberwell regeneration In Summer 2014, a new library is set to be built inCamberwell to replace the current rented library onCamberwell Church Street. The new library will offera larger and more inviting children’s area, morebooks, quiet spaces to study, computers and free Wi-Fi. The public space around the library will beredesigned to create a safe and welcoming setting aspart of the wider town centre improvements. The new library is just one part of the Camberwellregeneration project, which will also seeimprovements to the pedestrian environmentincluding new lighting, improved footways andenhanced layout and planting. This will make thepedestrian routes safer and more pleasant andprovide a welcoming and dynamic public space. To keep up to date with the Camberwellregeneration programme visitwww.southwark.gov.uk/camberwellregeneration

Camberwell

Tenancy checks10

Perhaps surprisingly, it is not that well known, but this is just one ofthe reasons why we carry out tenancy checks. Simply put, this iswhere one of our resident officers comes to your home on an annualbasis (or sometimes more often), to make sure you are being lookedafter and are happy with your tenancy. This ties in with our FairerFuture promise to make sure that your home is warm, dry and safe.

As Peter Bailey, resident servicesofficer explains: “We have aresponsibility to ensure the welfareof all our tenants. We check thatthey are keeping to the terms andconditions of the tenancy, theproperty is in a good state andoccupied by the registeredtenant. Part of my job is to alsocarry out checks to make surethe tenant is happy in theirproperty and I try and resolveany concerns or refer them toanother agency if I cannot sortit out myself.”

If you would like to move andyou meet the criteria formutual exchange, you are not restricted to Southwark, but can swap your tenancy with any local authoritylandlord or housing association tenant in the country. There are lotsof websites like www.homeswapper.co.uk out there withproperties available and you should consider all the costs involved.You need to tell us if you want to do this but it’s your responsibility tofind another property and get the landlord and tenant to agree.

Did you know that if you have a secured orassured tenancy that you can swap yourhome with another tenant?

Keeping our tenantssafe and well

Case study Some good news during a tenancy checkDuring a routine check with of one of his tenants, Peter Bailey was speaking about any benefits the tenantmay be entitled to. It turned out the tenant had not been receiving a retirement pension, despite being overthe pensionable age. Peter made some enquiries at the Department of Work and Pensions, and discoveredthe tenant had an entitlement to their pension. He completed the claim form with her and she now gets aweekly pension of £140 per week plus backdated payments of almost £10,000. As Peter said: “She wasextremely grateful and I was only too happy to help.”

Case study

Mutual exchangeGabriella Usuanlele, residentservices officer, looks after thetenants on several estates inDulwich. Just before Christmas2012, she was carrying outroutine tenancy checks andduring the course of a couple ofdays she found three tenantswho wanted to move. Onetenant wanted to downsize,one wanted a bungalow due topoor mobility, and one wanteda bigger property as they hadjust started a family. However,they all had one thing incommon – they all wanted toremain on the same estate.With long waiting lists, theironly option was mutualexchange. With Gabriella’shelp, she was able to arrangean exchange between all threetenants. “With changes to thebenefits system and theintroduction of the bedroomtax, this will be more common”she said. “It’s important we areable pick up the concerns of ourtenants and help all we can.”

If you require information in your language, or in other formats such as audioor large print, please call 020 7525 5000.

Tenancy checks 11

Southwark tenants who obtain council propertiesonly to illegally sublet, purchase or abandon themface tough measures including eviction.

A campaign to crackdownon illegal subletting inSouthwark has successfullyrecovered 322 propertiessince April 2012.

A series of operations,including tenancy checksand intelligence sharing with multi agency partners,has uncovered abuse bysome tenants who arebreaking the law by secretlymoving elsewhere so theycan make money fromrenting out their councilhome. Others have beenfound to have obtained their council properties usingfalse documents.

Councillor Ian Wingfield,cabinet member for housing,said: “With over 20,000families currently on ourhousing waiting lists, illegaloccupancy is depriving thesepeople who genuinely need housing. With theoverwhelming success of our campaign in 2012/13,we have set ourselves anambitious target to recover500 properties by April2014. We will continue tocome down hard on anyonefound to be illegallysubletting council propertiesand will not stop until allproperties are recovered.”

FRAUD

Report it If you know of anyone subletting or taking possession of aproperty fraudulently, report it by calling 020 7525 4686 oremailing specialinvestigationsteam@southwark.gov.uk

Crackdown on housingfraud reaps rewards

12 Personal independence payments

Receiving disability livingallowance? We explain how the welfare changesintroduced by thegovernment may affect you.

When Tom Smith was diagnosed with various healthconditions including severe heart problems, arthritisand sciatica, he learnt to deal with the restrictions to hismobility and became used to receiving assistance toconduct his personal care. The extra costs he facedsurprised him: “I have to eat special foods now tomanage my condition, which costs more, and I alsohave to use more fuel.”

He receives disability living allowance (DLA) to help himwith the additional expenses and ensure he gets theright support. It helps him pay for things like travel,special dietary needs and allows him to participate inleisure activities. He also gets support from someonewho comes to help with his shopping and conduct hiscare needs.

Tom is getting ready for changes in how he receives thissupport. The government is introducing a new way forpeople with long term conditions to get help managingthe extra costs. The new system is called the personalindependence payment (PIP) and is replacing the existingDLA scheme.

PIP is coming to Southwark on 10 June 2013. From then,people making new claims should apply for the newscheme, rather than DLA.

From October 2013, when children who receive DLA turn16, they’ll be invited to apply for PIP. So will working agepeople who have a DLA award coming up for renewal.Working age adults on DLA whose needs change andwho therefore need their benefits to be revised will alsoapply for PIP rather than DLA from this time.

Most working age adults will not be affected untilOctober 2015, when they will be asked to apply for PIP.This change does not affect pensioners and childrenunder 16.

What to expectThere are some things that make PIP different to DLA.Firstly, as well as the paper application, most people willbe invited for a face to face assessment. Secondly, peoplereceiving the lower rate of DLA may find that they do notqualify for PIP.

The award you receive is comprised of two components -daily living and mobility. It’s based not on the conditionitself, but how the condition affects you. Therefore, whileTom has a friend also suffering from arthritis, they mayfind that their PIP awards are different. It depends onhow they are personally affected by their condition andthe impact it has on their functional abilities.

If you’re concerned about how the PIP scheme mayaffect you or want some further advice, then thecouncil's Rightfully Yours team can help, as can a numberof organisations in the borough listed on this page.

Got questions? Get in touchYou can visit the government’s website to see howPIP may affect you at www.gov.uk/pip

Our Rightfully Yours service helps to make sureour most vulnerable residents are getting all thebenefits they are entitled to. If you are not sureyou are getting all of your benefits, please contactour advice line on 020 7525 7434 or emailrightfullyyours@southwark.gov.uk

Advice and guidanceThere are lots of organisations in Southwarkwhich can give you advice about everythingfrom changes to disability support tomanaging your money.

Southwark Disablement Association (SDA)Alongside a range of services, the SDA offersupport and information about benefits

Tel: 020 7701 1391Online: www.sdail.org

Southwark Citizens Advice Bureau Provide a wide range of confidential advice

Tel: 0844 499 4134Online: www.southwarkcabservice.org.uk

Blackfriars Advice ServiceOffer free, confidential advice face to face and onthe phone

Tel: 020 7358 7035 Online: www.blackfriars-advice.com

Southwark Advice PlusAn information, advice and access service fordisabled adults

Tel: 0845 671 7173 option 4 (local rate call) Online: www.lcdisability.org/southwarkadvice

For further information on how disabilitysupport is changing, visitwww.southwark.gov.uk

13Personal independence payments

14

The inquests into the Lakanal fire concluded on 28 March2013 with narrative verdicts recorded for each of thedeceased. The inquests provided information on the manydifferent factors that contributed to the fire as well asproviding the families affected with answers to theirquestions about the fire.

Following the inquests, Coroner Frances Kirkham wrote to Southwark Council, the London Fire Brigade and theDepartment for Communities and Local Government with alist of recommendations. The recommendations include areview of the policies and procedures concerning fire riskassessments, training of staff, access for emergency services,information and guidance to occupiers, signage and retrofitting of sprinklers. The council has now responded in detailto all these recommendations.

Councillor Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for housing said:“We want to do all we can to ensure maximum fireprotection and safety following the tragic deaths at Lakanal,and have already taken action to make blocks safer.”

“The majority of the Coroner’s detailed recommendationscover areas where we have already made great progress,such as the creation of a dedicated and highly skilled firesafety team and the prioritisation of high risk buildings forfire safety works. Many actions can also be swiftlyimplemented. For example, she challenged us to improve oursignage and onsite information, and we are working with theLondon Fire Brigade to do that.”

“However, in considering the Coroner’s letter, it has becomeclear that some recommendations raise more complexquestions and are not things that Southwark can solvealone. There are legal obstacles that prevent us from carryingout some of the suggested work, and I have written to theSecretary of State for Communities and Local Governmentto see how these can be overcome.”

Since the Lakanal fire we have learntimmediate and enduring lessons and areworking to improve what we do to makeresidents and homes safe.

Lakanal fire inquests –coroner recommendations

Top tips for reducing the fire risk inyour home

■ Fit smoke alarms

■ Don’t smoke in bed

■ Never leave candles unattended

■ Don’t overload electrical sockets

■ Keep matches and lighters away from children

■ Switch off electric blankets when in bed

■ Keep clothing away from heating appliances

■ Don’t overfill or leave pans and deep fryersunattended

For more information on the Lakanal inquests and to read the complete response to theCoroner, please visit www.southwark.gov.uk

Further information on fire safety can be found at www.southwark.gov.uk/firesafety

In the event of a fire

■ If a fire breaks out in your flat, tell everyoneand get out as quickly as possible via aplanned escape route.

■ Don’t stop to pick up valuables.

■ Dial 999 and stay out of your home until thefire brigade says that it is safe to return.

■ Use the stairs, not a lift. Don't use a balconyunless it is a proper escape route.

■ If you are trapped, close the door of yourroom and use bedding or towels to blockany gaps to stop smoke or fumes.

■ Shout from the window to attract attentionand call for help.

■ Many purpose built flats and maisonetteshave fire safety measures built into them, soif fire breaks out elsewhere in your building,you are usually safer staying in your home.But if heat or smoke affects your home, getout at once and close the door behind you.

Within months of her arrival, Julie’shusband had become controlling.He was verbally, physically, andemotionally abusive. When Juliefirst came to the attention of the Southwark Advocacy andSupport Service (SASS) she wasstruggling with anxiety and depression. Her physicalhealth was suffering and she felt isolated. She fearedleaving her husband, believing she would becomehomeless as she couldn’t access public funds.

Unfortunately, Julie’s experience is common. She is oneof hundreds of people who contact the council everyyear for support. In the last year alone, almost 1,000victims have been helped by SASS, the support servicedelivered by Solace Women’s Aid and funded by thecouncil. They come from every walk of life; fromdifferent backgrounds and all ages. But there are manyother women and men who routinely suffer the effectsof abuse in silence. They don’t realise that it isunacceptable behaviour and, more importantly, theydon’t realise that help is available.

In April 2013, the government adopted a widerdefinition of domestic abuse as any incident or patternof incidents of controlling, coercive, threateningbehaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 orover. It includes psychological, physical, sexual,financial and emotional abuse.

Here at Southwark, we’re continuing to increase ourefforts to reach out to all those affected. We’re actively

engaged in supporting around 200 people atany given time. We help them to break the cycle ofabuse and we help the victims and survivors to improvetheir emotional health, reduce drug and alcoholdependency and stabilise their finances. We also runprogrammes for the perpetrators of domestic abuse andtraining programmes for anti abuse champions, helpingto increase awareness of the issue in the process.

Julie was one of the more fortunate ones. With oursupport, she was able to share her experiences andlearn from those of other women. Since attending asupport group, facilitated by Solace, Julie is lessanxious, less isolated, no longer feels depressed andshe now feels empowered to make her own decisionsabout her relationships. Her self esteem has increased,helping her to her to find a job and giving her theconfidence to find alternative accommodation.

*Names have been changed to protect identities

15

For more information on domestic abuseand how you can get help, visitwww.southwark.gov.uk/domesticviolence

Domestic abuse:finding solaceWhen Julie* left herhome, family and friendsin the Caribbean to live inEngland with her newhusband, she had everyreason to be optimisticabout this latest chapterin her life. Sadly, herdream was not to last.

Pose

d as

a m

odel

16

Publication date June 2013. This magazine is printed on recycled paper.

And finally...

Useful housing contactsHousing services for council tenantsTel: 020 7525 2600 – Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

RentPay by direct debit: 020 7525 2600Pay by debit/credit card: 0845 6000 611 (24hrs) Pay online: www.southwark.gov.uk/payforit

To pay in person: Peckham cash office: 19-23 Bournemouth Road, SE15 Walworth cash office: 177-179 Walworth Road, SE17Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8.30am to 4pm

To pay by post: London Borough of Southwark, Income Collection Business Unit, PO BOX 11767, 153-159 Abbeyfield Road, London SE16 3ZF

Repairs Tel: 0800 952 4444 (24hrs) Online: www.southwark.gov.uk/repairs Utilities (emergencies): Electricity: 0800 096 9000; Gas: 0800 111 999; Water: 0845 200 800

Leaseholders/freeholders Home ownership unit – Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm Tel: 020 7525 1400Email: hsg.homeownership@southwark.gov.uk

Southwark antisocial behaviour unitTel: 020 7525 5777 (24 hours)Email: sasbu@southwark.gov.uk Web: www.safersouthwark.gov.uk

Southwark Homesearch Bidding hotline: 0845 270 0655 Bidding text line: 07781 486 526 Advice line: 020 7525 4140 Web: www.southwarkhomesearch.org.uk

Write to Southwark Housing News The Editor, Southwark Housing NewsCommunications team PO BOX 64529London SE1P 5LX or email elizabeth.bolton@southwark.gov.uk

Word search

Send back your completed word search by 26 July 2013 to: Southwark Council, The Editor, Southwark Housing News, Communications team PO BOX 64529,London SE1P 5LX. Winners will be announced in the next edition.

Name:

Address:

Comments:

Tel no:

Age:

The information you provide will be used fairly and lawfully and Southwark Council will notknowingly do anything which may lead to a breach of the Data Protection Act 1998.

V O L P T N A N E T H S M I H TY C D E S B R G E I O P T N O FO E G D I R B I R E F O R M D ML T L A N E T R L H J P A N E AI R D C V W R Y T A K T Y R V NB C E E Y G A A Y Y E E R S O ER H P P L C S F T G T H Q U R TA E V L A N E C I T N E R P P AR A O D N I O R N S E R O O M SY L L U E Y R A U S E W S P I SP T I L E N C A M B E R W E L LN H C R E P A I M O I R J O S PA Y S F R S E L O N A R B W L HC Q L C Y C P A C S P O I P Q L

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Pick which of the followingsubjects you’d most like to readabout in a future issue ofSouthwark Housing News

Mrs J Adams from Peckham, SE15was the lucky winner last issue and she has won £50 worth of shopping vouchers

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