Spotlight

ISSUE 17 WINTER 2015 

Spotlight 

THE TOPICS THAT MATTER TO YOU 

Improving your 

environment 

See page 4 

Save money and 

energy 

Page 17 

Volunteer and 

gain new skills 

Page 18 and 20

Editor's 

Comment 

Contents 

Hello and 

welcome to 

the Winter 

edition of Spotlight 

Well, we’ve reached the end of another year 

and it’s certainly been an eventful one, what 

with the new Government’s changes to housing 

policies and updates to the welfare reforms 

that have imposed challenges on all housing 

associations, including ours. Nevertheless, 

 

housing to those who need it and creating and 

 

this promise, Genesis is looking to merge with 

Thames Valley Housing Association and we are 

keen to hear your thoughts on this. For more 

information and to have your say, please refer to 

the booklet enclosed with this magazine. 

 

residents like Venise Lambert have used skills 

and experience gained through volunteering 

 

20), or how we can help you turn an idea for a 

 

information about apprenticeship opportunities 

on page 18. 

Looking for ways to save money on your 

 

 

borrow money with London Plus Credit Union. 

Finally, we’re still searching for Genesis 

Golden Couples to help us mark our 50 th 

anniversary. If you and your husband are 

celebrating your 50 th anniversary in the next 

few months, please get in touch with me. In the 

meantime, read about our honorary golden 

couple on page 8. 

Happy reading and see 

you in the New Year! 

Suzanne Godfrey 

Spotlight magazine editor 

4 

6 

7 

11 

12 

14 

17 

18 

20 

23 

Community news 

Improving your local environment 

Before you turn up the heat 

Opening hours over Christmas 

Movers and Shakers 

Home Life 

You said, We did 

Want to make your community better? 

Community News 

Mildmay celebrates 150th anniversary 

Spotlight: Venise Lambert 

An honourary golden couple 

Remembeing how it all began 

Sports stars of the future 

Leaseholder's Corner 

Can I sublet? 

New Developments 

Providence Tower 

Hidden River Festival 

Calling all residents in Hackney 

Care & Support 

 

Beside the Seaside 

Great Expectations 

Happy Birthday Rose 

Happy Older People's Day 

Welfare Reform 

Warm Homes Discount 

Helping you stay warm and well 

Enterprise, Employment and 

Training 

Young resident gets job with Kier 

Women like us 

Apply for apprenticeship with London 

Plus 

A recipe for success 

Volunteering 

A good call for Volunteers 

Survey 

2 Issue 17 | Winter 2015 | Spotlight

Welcome 

from Neil Hadden 

Chief Executive 

A 

warm and festive welcome to the December edition 

of ‘Spotlight’. It is hard to believe that Christmas is 

nearly with us once again. 

2015 has been a year of great change for housing 

associations. Since the new Government was elected in 

May, we have witnessed a dizzying array of new policies 

 

impact on our residents. The Chancellor is committed 

to reducing the overall size of the cost of welfare - £12 

billion worth of cuts to spending have been called for. The 

 

and we expect a number of our residents to be impacted. 

 

 

and into volunteering: we’ve got a good track and it’s one 

I want us to build on in the year ahead. You’ll see lots of 

great examples of people who have changed their lives 

through working with us in this edition. 

2016 promises even more change than this year. Inside 

this edition is some information on the proposed merger 

between Genesis and Thames Valley Housing Association. 

A number of large housing associations are beginning the 

process of coming together – the Government wants to 

see a million new homes built by 2020 and a leaner and 

 

capable of contributing to the delivery of that very ambitious 

target. We are playing our part by proposing to join 

with Thames Valley, an Association that does great work in 

the west of London and into places like Aylesbury, Slough 

 

or take the time to read a little more about the merger 

proposal inside the magazine. Crucially too, we want to 

hear your views about this – we’ve enclosed a handy 

freepost response slip which we’d like you to use to 

share your thoughts. 

I want to end by wishing you and your family all the best 

for the festive season and for the New Year. Stay safe, stay 

warm, stay well and have a great time! See you in 2016! 

Neil 

Spotlight | Winter 2015 | Issue 17 3

Community News: Turn to 

page 7 for more information. 

ARE YOUR HOME CONTENTS 

PROTECTED THIS WINTER? 

Would you like knowing if the worst was to 

happen you would be able to replace your belongings? 

Genesis Housing Association has joined with Thistle Tenant Risks to bring you the 

My HomeContents Insurance scheme which offers all our residents the chance to 

insure the contents of in an easy and affordable way. 

There are many benefits and it’s so easy to apply. 

Improving your local 

environment 

To request a information pack contact the Genesis Housing Association contact 

centre on For immediate cover contact My Home on 

 

We are recruiting new contractors to look after the 

surrounding areas of your home. This includes pest 

 

 

– cleaning corridors and stairways and tending to 

communal gardens. 

We currently have over 50 suppliers that carry out 

 

housing, meaning that customers have been receiving 

varying qualities of service. By recruiting a smaller 

number of overall contractors, we can ensure that you 

receive a more consistent and reliable service that 

 

We’re reviewing potential suppliers not just on 

price but also how well they can develop your local 

 

apprenticeships and training. Residents like you have 

been involved throughout the procurement process 

 

on site visits) to help us better understand customer 

requirements. 

So far, we have received information from interested 

 

procedures, company structure and their experience of 

delivering contracts similar to this. 

We hope to announce who the successful suppliers 

are very soon, ready for them to start work with us in 

Spring 2016. 

For more information, speak to your Neighbourhood 

Manager or Neighbourhood Assistant, or see www. 

genesisha.org.uk 

The National Housing Federation My Home Contents Insurance Scheme is a product name arranged and administered on behalf of the National Housing 

Federation by Thistle Tenant Risks. A trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Lloyd's Broker. 

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A JLT Group Company. 

Registered Office: The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AW. Registered in England No 00338645. VAT No. 244 2321 96. 

The National Housing Federation is an Appointed Representative of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. 

We’re on Facebook and Twitter 

www.facebook.com/ 

talktoGenesis 

www.twitter.com/ 

talktoGenesis 


Home Life 

With Winter upon us, the last thing any of us wants is a broken boiler. 

As your landlord, Genesis is obliged to make sure your boiler is 

regularly serviced* to ensure it is working correctly and safely. If your 

boiler is due to be serviced, we will write to you 10 weeks beforehand 

to arrange a convenient date and time to visit. 

It is very important that you let us carry out this essential service. 

If the appointment is no longer convenient, please let us know at 

least 24 hours beforehand, or as early as you can on the day, by 

calling the number on the letter to arrange a new appointment. 

Every year about 30 people die in the UK from carbon monoxide 

 

see carbon monoxide, taste it or smell it but it can cause ill health or 

even death in a matter of hours, particularly while you are asleep. If 

you miss the appointment the engineer will leave you a card to say 

they have called and you will need to call them as soon as possible to 

rearrange the appointment. 

If you continue to not let us in, we will have no option but to take 

legal action to gain access to your property, the cost of which will be 

recovered from you. 

Smell gas? 

 

meter. Do not smoke or use electrical switches or mobile phones 

and open all doors and windows. Leave the property immediately 

and call the National Grid emergency gas service on 0800 111 999. 

*This service only applies to general needs and Intermediate Market 

Rent tenures 

Opening hours over Christmas 

The Genesis Contact Centre will be open during Christmas and 

New Year for emergencies only. 

 

until 8am on Monday 4th January. 

Please only call the Contact Centre during this time if you have 

 

loss of heating and hot water. 

You can reach the Contact Centre on our usual number: 

033 3000 3000 

Movers and 

Shakers 

Some of you have requested 

 

have recently joined or left 

Genesis. To this end, we have 

introduced a regular ‘movers 

and shakers’ column for 

customer-facing roles so that 

you can see this at a glance. 

Hello and welcome to: 

Arvin Davit 

Neighbourhood Manager (West and South 

London) 

Denise Ewart 

Tenancy Support Manager, Genesis Connect) 

Desmond Pitter 

Neighbourhood Manager (Chelmsford)) 

Dilly Dokubo 

Neighbourhood Manager (Woodberry Down, 

East London) 

Mark Lander 

Cleaner/Caretaker (Stoke Quay, Ipswich) 

Goodbye and thank you to: 

Syreta Hall 

Neighbourhood Manager (Brent and Barnet) 

Yolanda Simmons 

Neighbourhood Manager (Brent and Barnet) 

Contact 033 3000 3000 for more information 


Home Life 

Here are just some of the areas of work 

that residents have been involved with 

over the last few months 

Scheme at 

Wisbech needs 

redecorating 

You said 

Complaints about the state of 

the décor at our Kirgate scheme. 

We did 

We have applied to Wisbech Probation Service to work with their 

 

project, involving resident engagement, to take place at Kirgate. 

Housing needs 

in Bury St 

Edmunds 

Concerns about the housing 

provision for disadvantaged 

people in the community during 

the winter months. 

 

Probation Service) and Garland Street Church to run a weekly 

homeless drop-in at the church where a hot meal, housing advice 

and complete needs and risks assessment would be provided. 

Want to make 

your community better? 

Apply for a grant now! 

Do you have an idea to help improve your community? 

Perhaps an event to celebrate the people that live there or 

a venue that could be improved for community use? 

The Genesis Community Foundation funds initiatives 

that help sustain, empower and create great places for 

Genesis residents, and grants of £5,000 to £50,000 are 

available. 

So far, Genesis has donated over £217,000 to 16 

 

of the built environment on people’s lives, to arts and 

crafts workshops for older people in Newham. 

Funding is available for projects in one or more of the 

following areas: 

• Financial Inclusion 

• Enterprise, Employment and Training 

• Volunteering 

• Health & Wellbeing 

• Social Research. 

The next round of applications opens 19 December 

2015 and closes 18 January 2016. 

 

 

To apply for an application pack please contact GCF@genesisha.org.uk 

For more information about the application process and to download an application form, please visit www.genesisha. 

org.uk/genesis_community/genesis_community_foundation.aspx 


Mildmay celebrates 

150th anniversary 

with time capsule 

SPOTLIGHT 

Venise Lambert 


The past and future came together in the present at a 

regeneration project in East London in November. 

Mildmay is a new development encompassing homes, shops 

and community facilities, along with the new Mildmay Hospital 

for HIV, which has been built on the site of the former Victorian 

hospital in Tower Hamlets. 

The site marked its 150 th anniversary with the burial of a 

time capsule by the Lady Mayoress of London, Gilly Yarrow. The 

 

a thanks-giving service followed by a ceremony in the small 

courtyard garden where Mildmay’s Time capsule was buried, to 

be opened in 2066. 

John Richardson, chairman of Mildmay, said the service was an 

opportunity to ‘rejoice in our past, look to the opportunities for 

our present and look forward to our future.’ 

Included in the time capsule were messages from many of 

 

about Mildmay’s history and work, and architects plans donated 

and signed by the architects of the building and site. Mildmay 

also included empty drug packets to show examples of HIV 

medication and drug charts in 2015, along with hospital food 

menus and national and local newspapers. 

The Lady Mayoress of London made a short speech, saying: 

‘As I come to the end of my term as Lady Mayoress of London, 

 

places I have visited. I can 

truly say that I am blown 

away by the work you do day 

on day here at Mildmay, and 

truly moved by hearing your 

patient’s testimonies. The 

caring you do with the support 

of your volunteers and many 

supporters is truly humbling. 

‘Thank you so much for 

inviting me to be part of this 

special ceremony.’ 

For more information 

about Mildmay, see www. 

genesisha.org.uk/ 

regeneration/homes_in_ 

development/mildmay.aspx 

Venise with fellow employee, Anthony Akabogu 

After 11 years working in a supermarket, Venise 

Lambert landed herself a job in the Genesis 

Contact Centre. 

Having mentioned to her Neighbourhood 

Manager that she was seeking a better job, Venise 

was recommended to volunteer at Genesis as she 

 

to take care of her children. The idea of helping 

other people made her jump at the opportunity. 

After being invited to attend an assessment 

session for volunteer support worker roles, Venise 

ended up volunteering for one day a week while 

continuing with her job at the supermarket as she 

knew it would help her in the future. With support 

from Genesis’s Connect Team, Venise applied for a 

role with the Genesis Contact Centre and is now a 

 

Venise said “It’s been brilliant volunteering. 

I would advise everyone to volunteer if you are 

looking for work so that you can gain relevant 

experience and move forward with your career 

and your life. 

 

Connect Volunteer, Employment and 

Training team, you have been so helpful 

and encouraging and have always been 

there for me” 

Congratulations Venise and good luck to you for 

the future. 


Jenny and Ray. Right: In their youth 

An honorary golden couple 

In honour of Genesis’s 50th birthday, we 

have been on the lookout for Genesis 

couples who are also celebrating their 

golden anniversary. However, Jenny and 

 

Jenny and Ray, who live at Charlotte 

Mews, a supported scheme in Southend, 

 

was 15: 

‘I worked as a nanny and I used to walk 

the kids along the sea front next to the 

bowls club. Ray was a groundskeeper for 

the club and would be out trimming the 

hedges as I went past. We got chatting 

and began dating.’ 

The couple dated for three years 

and then split up. They both married 

other people and Ray and his wife Sue 

 

they had three children. Jenny and her 

husband Denis stayed in Raleigh and 

had four children. Sadly, Sue and Denis 

 

son convinced his father to move back 

to Essex. 16 years later, Ray and Jenny 

reconnected. 

Jenny continued: ‘We had both been 

attending the same church but didn’t 

know it because I had been going to 

the morning services and Ray had been 

going in the evenings so we were like 

ships passing. Then one day someone 

said to me ‘Have you met Ray yet?’ I said: 

 

Although Jenny was looking forward to 

seeing Ray again, she was a bit reluctant: 

‘We had both been invited to a church 

tea party but Denis had only passed 

away six months ago and I was worried 

that it was a bit too soon for me to be 

socialising. In the end, the decision was 

made for me as I was asked if I could give 

someone a lift to the event.’ 

The couple did meet and talked for 

over an hour and it quickly became 

apparent to both of them that there 

was an attraction. Even so, it still took 

Ray about a fortnight to pluck up the 

courage to call and ask Jenny for a 

date and they soon became a couple. 

Six months later, Ray proposed on 

Jenny’s birthday in March 2015 and she 

immediately said yes. 

‘We knew that this was what we 

both wanted and at our time of life we 

 

on one knee – it was really romantic! 

The children were all delighted but they 

weren’t surprised – they knew it would 

only be a matter of time.’ 

Ray and Jenny married in August 

2015 at a ceremony at Earl’s Hall Baptist 

Church followed by a reception at Ray’s 

son’s house in Raleigh and a honeymoon 

in Norfolk. During the wedding, a 

slideshow was shown of photos of when 

 

previously. 

‘We’re not a golden couple as such 

but we have known each other for over 

50 years. I’m not sure how many married 

couples can say that!’ 

Are you a golden couple? 

We’re still looking for golden – or even diamond! - anniversary 

couples. If you and your partner are one of those then please 

do contact me, Suzanne Godfrey, on 020 7563 0040 or at 

suzanne.godfrey@genesisha.org.uk and tell me: 

• Your names and where you live 

• The date of your anniversary 

• How you will be marking the 

occasion 


Remembering 

how it all 

began 


Joan Davis, our rst resident (and a feline friend!) 

Terry Davis with sisters Carol and Debbie. 

Terry Davis lives in Brent and is the 

 

Joan Davis. Sadly, Joan passed away 

earlier this year and Terry inherited 

his mother’s tenancy. 

We met with Terry and his sisters 

Carol and Debbie to ask them about 

their memories of living in a Genesis 

home. 

“Mum was delighted when we 

moved to Chevening Road as the 

last place had no bathroom and only 

an outside toilet. There were six of 

 

me) living in two rooms and washing 

 

“I was only two when we moved 

to the new place but we were there 

for 22 years. After that, Mum and I 

moved here to Keslake Road and my 

 

for a while. Our other sister Janice 

 

Debbie was 12 when the family 

moved into Chevening Road: 

“I can still remember Ken 

[Reverend Ken Bartlett who founded 

Paddington Churches Housing 

 

became part of Genesis] coming 

round to collect the rent and staying 

for a cup of tea. And I remember 

riding my bike to school in Evelyn 

Road. 

“At that time, Mum worked four 

jobs including a cleaner, a home 

help and in a bakery. She was really 

hardworking. Dad was too – he was 

ex-army and a mechanic among 

other things – but it was Mum 

who ruled the roost. Whenever he 

received his wages, Dad would hand 

Mum his unopened wage packet. 

Mum would open the envelope and 

give some of the money to Dad, and 

 

 

Terry added. “I remember her having 

 

I was 16 and working long hours in a 

butcher’s for not much money, and 

 

 

But Joan evidently had a softer 

side too: 

 

Carol said. “She loved to knit clothes 

for the children and grandchildren: 

baby clothes, school uniforms, 

jumpers, you name it. I still wear a 

 

Terry added: “She was a great 

cook as well: casseroles, apple pie, 

 

Each year, Joan and her husband 

would take the family on holidays 

which Terry and his sisters still 

remember fondly. 

“They had a stationary caravan 

at Camber Sands for about 14 years 

so we’d usually go there. Family 

holidays were important to my 

parents and they tried to make 

sure we had a good time which we 

always did. 

“We had a rule in our house – no 

swearing and no raised voices – 

and when Mum and Dad argued 

they made sure they never did it in 

front of us kids. They would always 

wait until we’d gone to bed. Mum 

and Dad may not have earned very 

much but Mum made sure that we 

were always smartly dressed. It was 

important to her. 

“I really value the life lessons that 

Mum taught us. They have stayed 

with me and we have carried them 

through to the next generation 

and will continue to do so. Thanks 

 

Editor’s note: Thank you Terry, 

Carol and Debbie for sharing your 

memories with me. 

Spotlight | Winter 2015 | Issue 17


Sports stars of the future have a ball in East London 

Young residents in East London got 

 

muscles this summer during coaching 

sessions with professional football and 

basketball teams. 

A total of 160 young people mainly 

from Stratford and Newham took part 

in the sessions carried out by West 

Ham United Foundation and London 

Lions Academy respectively. Both 

events were organised and supported 

by Genesis and the London Legacy 

Development Corporation. 

The basketball event consisted 

of three one-day coaching sessions 

ending with a 3 on 3 tournament at 

the Copper Box in the Queen Elizabeth 

Olympic Park. Each member of the 

winning teams received a pair of 

Kobe Bryant basketball shoes and all 

participants received a free London 

Lions t-shirt and tickets to watch one of 

their home games at the Copper Box. 

Players who were 16 and over were also 

given information on how to apply for a 

scholarship and join the London Lions 

Academy. 

London Lions now hosts 

coaching sessions at the Copper Box 

every Tuesday. 

The football tournament took 

place at the Carpenter’s Cage multiuse 

games area. It was delivered by 

West Ham United Foundation and 

sponsored by Genesis’s contractor, 

Kier. The tournament was split into 

two age groups – under 12s and under 

16s – and saw eight teams take part 

in a short coaching session followed 

by a round-robin-style tournament. 

The winners of the under 12s were a 

team called London Apsa from Tower 

Hamlets and the under 16s were a 

team from Genesis’ very own Sapphire 

Court in Stratford Halo. West Ham 

awarded medals to all those who took 

part and as well as sponsoring the 

event, Kier provided each player with 

a free bottle of water and a drawstring 

goodie bag of back to school 

equipment such as pencils, rubbers, 

and sharpeners. 

The football tournament will now be 

an annual event. 

Well done to all of the players. 

For more information, contact 

Soifur Rahman at soifur.rahman@ 



Home Life: Turn to page 6 

for more information 

Leaseholder's Corner 

Can I sublet? 

Following several reports of antisocial 

behaviour as a result of some 

residents illegally renting out their 

homes, we have introduced new 

procedures to monitor this issue. We 

also wanted to take this opportunity 

to clarify who can and who cannot 

sublet. 

If you own your home or are a 

shared owner, you must have written 

consent or a licence depending on 

what is applicable in order to sublet 

your home. Before consent can be 

granted, our solicitors – Winckworth 

Sherwood – will carry out a rigid 

assessment to ensure that the 

correct procedures are followed. 

Subletting without permission is 

a breach of your lease and can be a 

cause of nuisance to your neighbours 

who want to enjoy their home without 

facing any form of environmental or 

direct disturbance. In cases where 

the lease has been breached, Genesis 

will attempt to rectify this locally by 

providing warnings and should the 

 

action under the terms of the lease 

will be taken. 

For more information, please 

download the Leaseholders 

Handbook at www.genesisha.org. 

uk/pdf/Leaseholders_welcome_ 

handbook.pdf 

What is Genesis doing to stop 

illegal subletting? 

Colleagues across Genesis are 

continuing to work together and with 

local authorities to identify cases of 

illegal subletting, including where 

homes are being rented out during 

holidays, and responding to reports of 

anti-social behaviour where unlawful 

renting may be a factor. 

If you would like to talk to someone 

regarding subletting, contact 

the Leasehold Team by emailing 

leasehold@genesisha.org.uk or 

via the Genesis website at: www. 

genesisha.org.uk/customers/ 

my_home/homeowners.aspx 


Providence Tower, New Providence Wharf, London E14 

Genesis is continuing to build new homes 

and bring much needed housing to 

London and the South East. Located to 

the east of Canary Wharf, Providence 

Tower in Docklands is one of the tallest 

residential towers in London. The 

development boasts incredible views of 

the City and the River Thames, along with 

 

station on the Jubilee and DLR lines and 

part of the planned Crossrail link is less 

than 10 minutes away) and will bring 

much-needed housing to East London. 

The development consists of two 

buildings: a 43 storey tower and a 12 

 

 

within The Bar Building. 71 are for target 

rent while 45 are for shared ownership. 12 

of the units are wheelchair adaptable. 

 

completed in September this year and 

further units will be available shortly. 

For more information about Providence 

Tower, see www.genesishahomes.org. 

uk/sharedownership/new_providence_wharf 

Hidden River Festival is another smash hit 

Over 2,000 people enjoyed a glorious 

day of music, comedy, dancing and 

food at the Hidden River Festival in 

Woodberry Down in September. 

Now in its third year, the Festival is 

a celebration of the New River, which 

runs through the area and was built 

400 years ago to supply fresh water to 

the City of London, and also its breathtaking 

reservoirs, which were saved for 

community use 30 years ago thanks to a 

resident-led campaign. 

The Festival was organised by funders 

including Genesis partner, the Manor 

 

is a great opportunity for long standing 

residents and newer members of 

the community to come together to 

celebrate the diversity of the area and to 

enjoy a range of talented local musicians, 

arts and crafts traders, delicious food 

stalls and cultural activities including 

performances from Year 10 students 

from Skinners Academy, swing dance 

 

walls, Hackney Empire stories, art 

workshops, a ceilidh band, a clown lab 

and even canoeing along the New River! 

Simon Donovan, Chief Executive of 

MHDT said: “Manor House Development 

Trust is thrilled to once again be able 

support port this important festival which 

provides a great opportunity to bring 

people ple together, to make new friends 

and enjoy the diversity of our local 

 

MHDT, which is based permanently 

at Woodberry Down, was set up 

to encourage and 

assist st people 

and 

organisations to deliver services to the 

local community. For more information, 

see www.mhdt.org.uk 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HISTORY 

 

THEATRE 

CELEBRATION 

EBR 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WWW.HIDDENRIVERFESTIVAL.COM 

W 

D 

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ERF 

ESTIVA 

VAL. 

 

 

TRAIL 

FREE 


Care and Support: 

Turn to page 14 for 

more information. 

New Developments 

Calling all 

residents in 

Hackney! 

Join the Council’s Hackney Matters Panel today and earn 

a reward for having your say. 

Hackney Matters is an online community made up 

of residents from a range of backgrounds and ages, 

who regularly complete surveys about Council services. 

Issues addressed include the future of Hackney’s 

streets, roads, parks, education and public health. Panel 

members have access to a dedicated website where they 

 

Almost 200 residents have signed up to be part 

of the Hackney Matters panel, taking the total 

number of members to over 1,500. The surveys 

are completed online in panel members’ own 

time, although they will occasionally be invited 

into the Council for focus groups and events. 

Panel members are rewarded for giving their 

time to the community by being entered into 

free prize draws and competitions. We are also 

working in partnership with Reward Your World, a 

reward programme where members can collect 

Betterpoints and over time redeem points in 

exchange for vouchers that can be spent on the 

high street or donated as cash to a local cause or 

charity. 

If you or anyone you know is interested 

in becoming a member, please join at 

www.hackneymatters.org 


Welfare Reform: Your guide 

toenergy savings, turn to page 17 for 

more information. 

 

 

followed by a well-deserved barbecue. 

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! 

 

care and support schemes in 

Hertfordshire, recently arranged 

a coach trip for residents to Great 

Yarmouth. 

The weather was hot and 

sunny – 26 degrees! – and the 

group travelled by coach to the 

beach where they enjoyed rides 

 

and chips while enjoying beautiful 

cloudless blue skies and all round 

sea views. 

The residents also shopped for 

gifts for friends and family while 

quenching their thirst with ice cold 

palm tree-shaped drinks, before 

heading to the beach to build 

sandcastles. 

A great day out was had by all 

and many of the residents were still 

talking about it weeks later. 

The Recovery Champions League, 

which took place in Bury St Edmunds in 

 

Month, included players put forward 

by the Genesis Supported Treatment 

 

 

The day consisted of 22 games of 

5-a-side football with teams from several 

Genesis hostels along with other hostels 

 

 

 

referee. 

The teams enjoyed a full day of 

competitive football and a barbeque 

helped keep the hungry players and 

their supporters well fuelled. During 

the afternoon Bury St Edmunds Mayor, 

Councillor Patrick Chung, gave his 

support to the teams, taking time 

to speak with the competitors and 

presenting the medals and trophies to 

 

Medals were awarded to the overall 

Man or Woman of the Match, Best 

 

Much fun was had by all and it is 

hoped that the positive response to the 

day will lead to a permanent league in 

 

For more information about STARS, 

contact:see www.genesisha.org. 

uk/residents/care_and_support_ 

services.aspx 


Happy 

Birthday, 

Rose! 


Great Expectations is a group led by 

service users for service users. Based 

in Herts, Great Expectations helps 

 

their home to engage in activities and 

social contacts within the community. 

Genesis has been supporting the 

group, many of whom are Genesis 

residents, and recent activities 

including a day of bell boating at Herts 

 

morning in recognition of World 

Mental Health Day. 

Genesis Support Worker, Dawn 

Snowden, said: “By treating people 

with mental health problems with 

dignity, we make it easier to ensure 

that everyone takes positive steps to 

safeguard their wellbeing and to seek 

help. When people do not receive the 

mutual respect and the dignity they 

deserve, this can lead to self-stigma, 

 

withdrawal and social isolation. 

“Great Expectations aims to 

combat this by bringing together 

like-minded people in peaceful 

surroundings and sharing 

 

For more information about 

Great Expectations, see www. 

getogetherasone.com 

Many happy returns to resident 

Rose Kirk who celebrated her 

100th birthday on 11 September. 

Rose moved into Hamilton 

Court, a supported housing 

scheme in Chelmsford in 2005. To 

celebrate the big day, Rose’s son 

and family took her out for lunch 

and also organised a party and 

 

Hamilton Court the following day. 

Here is the birthday girl herself 

pictured with her telegram from 

the Queen and some of the gifts 

she received. 

Congratulations to her. 



Happy Older 

People's Day 

A national initiative, Older People’s 

Day recognises the achievements 

and contributions that older people 

make to society and tackles negative 

attitudes and outdated stereotypes. 

 

Supported Housing schemes take it 

upon themselves to arrange events 

to celebrate Older People’s Day on 1 

October. 

Here are just some of the events 

that took place: 

'Excellent food, good music, 

everyone joined in’ 

A celebration of food and music at 

Chadacre Court in Stratford brought 

residents and their families together. 

The event was well received with 

residents remarking that it was a very 

good event with a good atmosphere. 

One resident said: ‘We enjoyed 

 

 

don’t know how much events like this 

mean to people like me. Thank you.’ 

Pence for Sense 

In Dagenham, managers 

arranged a bring and buy sale at 

Broadview House to raise money 

www.sense.org.uk), a 

charity for deaf and blind people. 

Goods on sale ranged from jigsaw 

puzzles to Christmas cards and 

even doggie overcoats! Residents 

happily had a browse while enjoying 

refreshments and were invited to 

 

Residents were also given 

donation bags and information 

about a furniture collection service 

which they found very helpful – 

several residents said that they are 

often in need of someone reliable 

to take unwanted furniture and that 

they would have a clearout. 

Due to the success of this event, 

a similar one was due to take place 

before Christmas as some residents 

 

out and buy presents for the family 

while others said they missed going 

out to look round the charity shops. 

Further events are planned for 2016. 

Fun and games at Kina 

 

arranged an afternoon games 

competition session for residents 

 

 

and music, and much fun was had 

by all. 

A taste of something 

 

Older People’s Day was celebrated 

at St Stephen’s Court in West Ham 

with a feast of international foods. 

Most residents enjoyed the 

 

foods including plantain, Jollof rice, 

fried yam, moin-moin, Jamaican oxtail 

soup, samosas, chicken curry, spring rolls, 

Asian sweets and many more. 

This was followed by chair-based 

 

 

The feedback from residents was very 

positive, with many saying that the ‘whole 

event was excellent’ and requests for 

similar events – preferably with karaoke! – 

in the future. 

Back to the ‘50s 

Residents at Five Fields Court in Essex 

 

 

many residents had never tasted before) 

followed by a special rainbow cake and 

 

 

helped organise these events and to the 

residents who helped support these. 

Would you like to be a champion for older people? 

At Genesis, we are committed to promoting a culture 

where everyone is valued regardless of their age, 

faith, sexual orientation, gender, disability or any other 

characteristic. 

We are seeking customers to help us ensure that 

older people are represented across the organisation 

into all our systems, processes and culture. This includes: 

• 

residents 

• Creating social inclusion via a network of programmes 

and activities 

• Training, education and employment pathways 

• Working with other diversity champions to come up 

with good ideas and suggestions. 

Full training will be given and no particular skills are 

required other than a strong desire to improve the 

quality of life for residents and promote diversity and 

inclusion. 

To express your interest in this role, please contact 

Richard Sharp, Head of Diversity and Inclusion on 020 

8900 4775 or at: richard.sharp@genesisha.org.uk 


your energy bill this 

winter 

Welfare Reforms 

With the average annual fuel 

bill around £1,250*, heating 

the home is easier said than 

done. 

If you are worried about 

keeping warm this winter, it is 

 

energy company if you are 

entitled to any help towards 

your energy bills. If you are 

 

a total annual household 

 

or are in receipt of certain 

 

It’s important 

to sign up 

early, as 

availability is 

limited 

a young child, you may be able 

to claim the Warm Homes 

Discount, which gives you £140 

 

winter. The money isn’t paid 

 

discount on your electricity bill, 

or a voucher if you use a prepayment 

meter. 

People in receipt of the 

guaranteed element of Pension 

Credit qualify for the Warm 

Homes Discount automatically. 

For broader groups, each energy 

company has their own eligibility 

criteria so contact your provider 

 

It’s important to sign up 

early, as availability is limited 

and suppliers are likely to stop 

taking applications before the 

 

2016. 

For more advice on energy 

 

call the Home Heat Helpline 

for free on 0800 33 66 99 or if 

calling from a mobile: 0333 300 

33 66 

local rates). 

 

HELPING YOU 

STAY WARM 

AND WELL 

C 

on your health with older people, very 

young children and those with respiratory 

and circulatory health conditions more 

 

One of the best ways to keep well 

during winter is to stay warm – both 

inside and when you go out. Your main 

living room should be heated to around 

21°C, and the rest of the house to at least 

 

bills, here are some tips on what you can 

do as well as where you can get further 

support: 

Make small changes to save energy and 

conserve warmth in the home 

If your furniture is right up against your 

radiators, try to pull it away a bit to stop it 

blocking the heat 

Set your heating to come on just before 

 

to bed. If it’s very cold, set your heating to 

 

than turning the thermostat up 

If there is a room you don’t use much, 

turn the radiator down and shut the door 

so you don’t waste energy heating it. 

 

the room may become damp over time 

If you have draughts around windows, 

 

excluders can stop heat escaping. Look 

in a DIY store for these. 

Check you’re getting the best deal 

from your energy supplier 

Many people could save around 

£200 by switching energy supplier, 

some even more. You can check with 

your energy supplier to see whether 

you could get a cheaper rate, or go 

 

a range of energy suppliers. Visit www. 

goenergyshopping.co.uk 

of Ofgem accredited price comparison 

sites. 

If you’re not online, you can call 

 

 

Find out if you’re entitled to any help 

towards the cost of your bills 

If you’re struggling to pay energy 

 

available from your energy supplier. The 

 

advice on payment schemes, grants, 

 

 

calling from a mobile 0333 300 33 66 

 

 

 

you are entitled to. Your local Age UK can 

 

 

 

nearest Citizen’s Advice Bureau at: www. 

citizensadvice.org.uk 

For more information on how to save 

energy and reduce your fuel bills visit www. 

genesisha.org.uk/customers/advice_and_ 

support/energy_advice.aspx 


Apply for an 

apprenticeship 

with London Plus 

Troy’s joy as he 

gets job with Kier 

Congratulations to Troy Blake, a 

resident from Waltham Forest who 

has recently started a two year 

apprenticeship with Kier. 

Troy said: ‘After studying 

construction at college, I wasn’t 

completely sure what I wanted to do 

next. My Mum saw the advert for the 

Kier apprenticeship so I decided to 

apply.’ 

After applying, Troy was invited to 

attend an assessment day and proved 

to be the outstanding candidate as he 

 

Barking and Dagenham College one day 

a week. The rest of the time he works 

with a Kier operative, assisting with 

repairs to Genesis properties. 

Troy will also receive ongoing 

support from Genesis and money 

advice around budgeting, saving and 

future goals. 

Lauren Picton, Volunteer 

Programme Manager at Genesis, said: 

‘Troy is a very switched on young 

person. Since starting with Kier, he has 

now planned to do a Level 3 after his 

 

become a supervisor/manager in the 

future. He has bags of potential and is 

very capable. 

‘We wish him the very best for the 

future.’ 


apprenticeships, see www.genesisha. 

org.uk/get_ahead.aspx or contact 

eet@genesisha.org.uk 

 

 

an apprenticeship with London Plus 

could be just what you need to kick 

start your career. 

London Plus Credit Union is a not- 

 

that helps customers save and access 

 

What is an apprenticeship? 

Guaranteed quality training to help 

you build a career, as well as develop 

 

You will be given: 

• A one year contract within the 

 

• Full Support and Training 

throughout your placement 

• Accredited NVQ in Business and 

Administration 

• 

info@ 

londonpluscu.co.uk for a full job 

description and the closing dates for 

applications. 

 

what London Plus Credit Union is, visit 

www.londonpluscu.co.uk 

We’re helping female residents 

back into work 

We had a fantastic turnout at an event we held recently to give advice 

and support to women who are struggling to return to work after having 

children. 

 

residents understand the employment choices and options available to 

them. 

 

 

Women Like Us, an organisation that champions the interests of women 

who want to move back into employment while balancing their caring 

responsibilities. 

 

be there. 

 

Director, was kind enough to share with residents her own 

 

 

to have children: 

 

 

for ensuring your family’s wellbeing in the future, and 

 

caring commitments such as childcare. 

“Volunteering is also an excellent way to update 

your skills and something that I would encourage 

 

 

about future employment support or 

 

EET@genesisha.org.uk 


A recipe for success 

As part of our social and economic 

community regeneration work, 

Genesis helps residents start up 

their own businesses. 

Nureen Glaves is one such 

resident that we have supported. 

She has set up her own nutrition 

business, FMG Nutrition, through 

www. 

popupbusinessschool.co.uk) and 

South Kilburn Trust, and has already 

secured contracts with schools and 

registered social landlords to deliver 

nutritional advice and healthy eating 

workshops. 

We asked Nureen for her advice 

about eating healthily, and her 

recommendations for warming 

Winter dishes. 

What’s cooking? 

It’s December and in order to 

improve yourself and get the health 

you deserve, you need to start by 

looking at what you’re currently 

 

Every time I go food shopping I 

see countless people spending time 

reading and trying to understand 

the labels. Well luckily for you, help 

is here. 

‘Tis the season(ing) 

Seasonings and spices are the 

staple of Caribbean dishes but salt is 

one of the biggest killers in relation 

to high blood pressure and some 

packaged seasonings have very high 

amounts of salt and Mono Sodium 

 

salt that makes you crave more salt 

and other foods which include junk 

food. 

Always go for a ‘no added MSG’ 

 

ingredients are not salt. You could 

also make your own seasoning. Look 

at the package ingredients, buy the 

whole spices and dry roast them in a 

pan. Grind them up and store them 

in your cupboard ready to use. 

Oils: the essentials 

 

 

 

 

diseases like cancer and other diseases). 

The second type is high in Omega 6 which 

 

more likely to increase the bad bugs that 

lead to disease. 

The best oils to buy are: 

Rapeseed oil – very high in Omega 3, 

has very high burning point and doesn’t 

have a funny taste when cooking any 

cuisine style. 

Coconut oil – has similar qualities to 

rapeseed and is also amazing for skin and 

hair. However depending on the amount 

 

the dish. 

Flaxseed oil - helps to keep a healthy 

blood pressure, aids weight loss, mood 

enhancer, healthy hair, skin and nails. 

Olive oil – while it doesn’t have a high 

burning point like rapeseed, it is rich in 

Omega 3 and reduces the risk of breast 

cancer, protects red blood cells, is high in 

vitamins E and K and - most importantly 

- controls the blood sugar levels for diabetes. 

Beans on Fleek 

This delicious dish takes only 

20 minutes to prepare and cook! 

Ingredients: 

1 can of baked beans 

 

80-100g washed, baby sweetcorn 

1 sweet pepper, washed and diced 

1 medium red or white onion, peeled 

and diced 

 

are all high in Omega 6. Do not buy 

them! 

A point to remember is, if it’s really 

cheap then it’s mostly likely not good 

for you. 

Out of the frying pan 

When frying, use a griddle or a good 

non-stick pan. Heat a small amount of 

 

that the pan is hot before sealing the 

 

dish in the oven. 

Try to reduce the amount of oil used 

in cooking and mix up the methods 

for example, baking, baking in a bag, 

steaming, steaming in a bag and 

shallow frying. Try not to deep fry or fry 

your dishes in a large amount of oil. 

For more information and answers 

to your health and nutrition needs, see 

www.fmgnutrition.com 

2 cloves of garlic 

1 tbsp of ketchup 

1 tsp of dried thyme 

1 avocado 

2 large baked sweet potatoes OR 2 

slices of wholemeal or 5 seed bread 

Method: 

Wash the sweet potato, pierce it a couple of times with a knife and place in a 

 

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp of rapeseed oil for 30 seconds, then add 

the onions and garlic. Allow to sweat for 1 minute until slightly golden. 

Add the sweet peppers and the rest of the vegetables and cook on a medium 

heat for 2-3 minutes. 

Add the beans, thyme and ketchup with 40 ml of water. Allow to cook for a 

further 5-7 minutes. Serve with the baked sweet potato or two slices of toast. 

Enterprise, Employment and Training 

Spotlight | Winter 2015 | Issue 17

Volunteering 

Care and Support 

Turn to page 14 for more 

information. 

 

We were delighted when six 

residents who had previously 

volunteered within Genesis 

successfully applied for roles 

within our contact centre. 

Elizabeth Smith, Viquar Ali 

Rupani, Robiul Hassan Miyah, 

Addison Ryan, Jessica Calvelo and 

Venise Lambert were all able to 

draw on their existing knowledge 

 

Volunteering, Enterprise and 

Employment Team helped them 

prepare for their interviews. 

The result was that all six 

candidates were accepted and 

have been working in our contact 

September 2015. 

Elizabeth Smith said: “Volunteering 

with the employment and training 

 

 

personally and professionally. I felt 

included and not socially isolated as 

before. 

The team were supportive and 

helpful. 

“I would say to anyone who is not 

working to volunteer because it is 

 

Viquar Ali Rupani 

with the volunteering and 

employment team has been the 

experience of a lifetime. The team 

supported and encouraged me 

before and during my placement, 

and [continue to do so] even now 

that I am in work." 

You can also read about Venise 

 


volunteering opportunities, 

contact the team on 020 7563 

0166 or at: EET@genesisha.org.uk 


Join the Gas Service 

Monitoring Forum 

The purpose of this forum is for managers and residents 

to meet and discuss the service provided by Genesis’ 

gas service contractors and whether it is meeting the 

required performance targets and service standards. 

The forum meets four times a year and the next meeting 

is on Thursday 17 December in Willesden, London. 

If you would like to join the Gas Service Monitoring 

Forum, please see below how you can contact us. 

Success story! 

Genesis resident, Shereena Habib joined the Customer 

Involvement Team as a volunteer in March 2015. Since 

then, Shereena has been an asset to the team and has been 

developing her already fantastic customer engagement 

skills. 

 

job. Congratulations Shereena. Thank you for all your hard 

work and we wish you all the best for the future! 

Changes you made! 

You Said 

All queries and complaints 

surrounding service charges 

should be tracked and 

monitored. This should include a 

learning route. 

We did 

Queries and complaints are entered into a main system 

and reported on regularly. A coordinator in the team inputs 

 

collected that shows key issues which are discussed at team 

meetings for further improvement. 

You Said 

Ask residents to share their money saving tips so others 

 

appeals to many residents. 

We Did 

We introduced a regular feature in Spotlight asking 

residents to send in their money saving tips as well as giving 

regular updates on the work of the tenancy fraud team. 

You Said 

Domestic noise nuisance is a big Anti-Social Behaviour 

issue and there is no policy on this. 

We Did 

We developed a new Domestic Noise Nuisance policy. 

This was supported by the customer-led ASB forum that 

contributed to its contents and approved the policy. 

For more information or to join any of our Resident 

Involvement forums, please register your interest with the 

Customer Involvement team as follows: 

Online: http://www.genesisha.org.uk/residents/ 

get_involved.aspx 

Email: mygenesis@genesisha.org.uk 

for the attention of the Customer Involvement Team) 

By phone: call the Customer Involvement team on 033 

3000 3000 and ask for a recruitment pack. 

Book your free 

home visit from 

London Fire Brigade 

Would you like free advice on how to reduce the 

 

 

 

 

the home, such as: 

• Older people living alone 

• People with mobility, vision or 

hearing impairments 

• People accessing mental health 

services 

• People accessing drug and 

alcohol support services 

Visits last no more than a few 

 

For more information or to book a visit, call 

0800 028 44 28 or see 

HomeFireSafetyVisit.asp 

 

 

Are you Lesbian, 

Gay, Bisexual or a 

Trans resident? 

Membership of the LGBT Customer 

Forum is at its highest level ever. Genesis was one 

 

customer forum, and we continue to meet at 6pm 

in Camden on the second Tuesday of alternate 

months. 

We have had an exciting Autumn, with talks given 

by trans experts Gendered Intelligence and our 

Repairs Department, and a discussion on Polygamy. 

The LGBT Forum is also invited to the seasonal event 

in December that all engaged residents are a part of. 

We are now looking to set up forums for residents 

 

2016), and for customers in supported housing as 

well. If you would like to get involved, please email 

us at: mygenesis@genesisha.org.uk 

All the forums are a great way to meet other 

residents so please don’t hesitate to send us your 

details! 

What did you think? 



Poem 

A customer has written a poem about their journey 

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GenesisHousingAssociation 

Spotlight | Winter 2015 2013 | Issue 17 10 23

If you need any part of this information in large print, 

Braille, on audio tape or explained in your own 

language please contact us on the number below. 

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033 3000 3000 

contact@genesisha.org.uk 

www.genesisha.org.uk 

Genesis Housing Association, Atelier House, 64 Pratt Street, London, NW1 0DL 

www.genesisha.org.uk

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