Blooming greats! Talking ‘bout regeneration Gardening competition It’s all change at ! winners announced Page 8 Page 4 PLUS Life or death decisions More help and advice for Help us in the fight against fire beating the recession Issue 24: Page 7 Page 11 Sept 2009 2 Welcome

A word from our chair Page order

It’s been a busy summer at as we look to continue to improve Your Shout 3 Barnet Homes. the services we offer you. News in brief 4-5 We’ve launched our extended Finally, many of you will have seen emergency alarm service, Assist. the story earlier this summer about Leaseholders 6 We’ve completed a major a fatal tower block fire in Regeneration 8 improvement programme on a that claimed six people’s lives. We notorious block of bedsits at are determined to do all we can to Help & advice 10 Philipson House, North . prevent any repeat here in Barnet, Living 11 And, perhaps best of all, the and you all have a part to play. long-awaited regeneration of Noticeboard 12 Please take a few minutes to read Grahame Park has finally begun. the fire safety advice on page 7. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed the Remember - it could help to save opportunity to talk to other Barnet your life, and the lives of your Homes residents at our various family and neighbours. summer fun days. As ever, your comments – whether positive or Vi Britchfield, negative – are extremely valuable Chair of Barnet Homes

Barnet Homes – how to contact us Freephone 0800 3895225 Our offices Housing Benefit surgeries (Translators available) Also our 24 hour emergency number Barnet House Barnet House 1255 High Road Tuesday and Friday 9am – 4.30pm Text us 07786 200425 Whetstone Library and Minicom 020 8359 5212 London N20 0EJ Typetalk available Customer Service Centre, Grahame Park Office Watling Ave, HA8 0UB Email [email protected] 17 The Concourse Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm Report a repair online at Grahame Park Estate Job Centre Plus www.barnethomes.org London NW9 5XA 10 Finchley Lane, NW4 1DP Gas repairs Office Monday 9am – 4.30pm 08000 352 360 215 West Hendon Broadway Grahame Park Housing Office Right to buy enquiries London NW9 7DG Thursday 9am – 4.30pm 020 8359 4812 Local housing surgeries West Hendon Housing Office Local office numbers No appointment necessary Wednesday 2pm – 4pm

Valley Centre, 38 Homefield, Grahame Park office020 8359 2923 If you have any comments or Dollis Valley EN5 2UJ West Hendon/Dollis Valley/ questions about athome, write to: Stonegrove & Spur Road office Every Wednesday 3 – 4.30pm The Editor, Barnet Homes, 020 8359 5405/5415 St Peter’s Church, 9th floor Barnet House, Stonegrove, HA8 8AB To pay your rent or service charges 1255 High Road, Whetstone, Every Tuesday 10 – 11am 0845 356 3456 24 hours or London N20 0EJ www.barnet.gov.uk/online- payments or email [email protected] Printed on recycled paper. For help with setting up a residents’ association, Your Shout 3 call Wendy Bohan on 020 8359 4860 or Deborah Beckford on 020 8359 5307.

Neighbours united!

Ian Baxter wanted to make response from many of them, so I Next up is organising a trip out for his area a better place to organised a meeting last September older residents living on the estate at Cheshir Hall to form the Church later this year. live - so he asked his End Residents’ Association. neighbours to join him. “I’m really pleased with what’s been “We’ve now got around 35 achieved so far,” Ian says. “The members and we’ve had a great association’s looking to go from start. We’ve been able to build strength to strength.” better links with the police, local businesses and our local school and we’ve all benefited. Barnet How to start Homes has also made a few improvements to help prevent a group vandalism, including cutting back Starting a group is not as overgrown shrubs and bushes. The daunting as it may seem - and it estate’s looking very good.” can be fun. Ian Baxter The residents’ association held Most groups start with a handful He knew that creating a new their first fun day on the estate or interested people. The first step residents’ group in Church End, this July, with local pubs, army is to talk to your neighbours to Finchley, would give people a much cadets, scouts, police and find out the issues they have and more powerful voice and produce the school children all involved in what they think about setting up a results they all wanted for their estate. the entertainment. residents’ group.

And sure enough, within a few Ian now produces a monthly You can receive practical advice months he’s seen the improvements newsletter to keep all residents and support to get your group off he was hoping for. up to date with what’s happening, the ground by calling Barnet and he hopes to receive formal Homes’ Neighbourhood Resident Ian says: “I started by door recognition for the residents’ Involvement staff -Wendy Bohan knocking and asking my neighbours association soon from Barnet on 020 8359 4860 or Deborah if they were interested in forming a Homes. That would also lead to Beckford on 020 8359 5307. residents’ group. I got a positive a grant to help with running costs.

What’s good about having a residents’ association?

Elaine Krasniqi Peter Murray Melanie Turner (Pub landlady) (caretaker) (resident) “An association brings the “Having the association is a good “It’s good to get to know each community together. We’re such thing and I’m all for it - both as a other and discuss the good and a diverse bunch, it’s nice to get Barnet Homes caretaker working the bad about living here. I have everyone together and get things here and as a resident myself. As two children so it’s quite done and also have lots of fun on a caretaker I’m now the first port important for me to know people the way!” of call for residents, so I can get and that the area is safe for things done swiftly for them.” them.” 4 News in brief I’m really, really happy. We’ve been working hard in this garden for the last ten years. Now the neighbours have started to join in too.

Looking for a Training success Blooming best! lifeline? Almost 40 residents who took up Barnet Homes’ offer of free Our former Lifeline alarm service training have been rewarded has been relaunched and for their efforts at a special expanded under a new name – awards ceremony. Assist.

Thomasina Mitchell – Winner of best balcony We are pleased to announce The Assist service offers security the winners of this year’s Finest and reassurance if you have an The residents, who have Flowers competition. accident or could be at risk at completed qualifications in such home or at work. Our staff will as diverse areas as project Hundreds of Barnet Homes send for the necessary help if you management, youth work and residents across the borough have get into difficulty and talk to you information technology, were made a huge effort to brighten up until it arrives. presented with certificates by their neighbourhoods, but in the Barnet Homes Chair Vi Britchfield. end we have to whittle the entries Assist includes a home alarm service, down to seven winners. a telecare service, free home fire The ceremony took place at a safety checks and a monitoring Believe to Achieve event to direct They are: scheme for people who work alone residents to available jobs and Hamid Gordiz of Sheldon Court in a potentially dangerous job. training opportunities. Geoff Bedingfield outstanding gardening award To find out more, call020 8359 4841, You can find out more about what’s John Moore of Wolsley Grove email [email protected], on offer by calling Jacqui Jones Best front garden or visit our website on 020 8359 4777 or email www.barnethomes.org. [email protected]. Thomasina Mitchell of Marsh Drive Best balcony / container display Ela Klein of Wimbush Extreme makeover! Best sheltered home garden A notoriously run-down block Norman Ardner and Donna has been transformed into six Bennett of Alexandra Road modern and desirable flats in one Best communal garden of the most innovative projects Maria Valencis of Prospect Ring undertaken by Barnet Homes. Best new gardener April 2009 Philipson House in The winners of each category will previously had poor living conditions be presented with vouchers for and increasing amounts of antisocial garden centre goodies. behaviour. Mr Gordiz said: But Barnet Homes has now spent “I’m really really happy, we’ve been £450k with its partner United House working hard in this garden for the modernising the layout and, after just last ten years. Now the neighbours four months of work, the flats are July 2009 have started to join in too.” now ready to let. You could be eligible for a grant of up News in brief 5 to £29,000 to help you buy your own home. For details call 0800 389 5225.

Footy fiesta! Pastural care Talented young footballers were Two Barnet Homes’ residents taught to bend it like Beckham have helped turn a neglected during a summer league on green space into a wildlife haven estates across Barnet. which everyone can enjoy.

Leo Smith and Jane Anderson were involved in an 11-year campaign Jane said: “I enjoy coming to the to restore in pasture come rain or shine. There’s Finchley, including a fight to prevent a feeling of doing something it being sold for housing. worthwhile and it’s lovely to see it transformed.” They have since helped to clear thick brambles and rubbish, planted The green space is open to the trees and flower borders and The league began with seven public between 10am and 5pm on created a new pond. weeks of coaching and match Saturday and Sundays. sessions, and culminated with the best teams taking part in a major tournament at Barnet Football Club. Fun in the sun The most talented individuals will Residents of all ages at Granville now have the opportunity to take Road tested their strength in part in development courses run by a tug of the war as part of a Barnet FC. The scheme was also special fun day at the estate. supported by Barnet Community Transport and Barnet Council. The day was just one a range of summer events staged for residents by Barnet Homes and partner organisations, as we celebrated the 5th birthday since our creation.

Are you a Barnet Homes tenant Other fun days took place at West interested in buying a home on Hendon, Grahame Park, Meadfield the open market? If so, we may and Basing Way. be able to offer you a grant of up to £29,000! The offer is open to any tenant You said, we did... with: • No rent arrears or other debts to You said: You said: Barnet Homes or Barnet Council > You wanted us to improve bulky > You wanted more recycling bins • At least two bedrooms rubbish collections at Mount at Rolfe House • A home in good condition Pleasant to deter flytipping We did: You must be able to show that, We did: > We’ve now arranged for more with some help, you could afford > We’ve changed the collection bins to be provided to buy a home. point to make it easier to dispose of bulky waste Interested? Phone us on 0800 389 5225. Leaseholders Having difficulty paying service charges or 6 Special major works bills? Please call us for help and advice on Freephone 0800 3895225.

Chair of Barnet Homes, Vi Britchfield, said: “The funding we’ve received from the government has given Ways to pay us a one-off opportunity to bring Discount option thousands of council homes up to If you pay bills for major works Decent Homes standard. A new loan scheme has been within 28 days, we will offer you a 2.5 per cent discount. introduced to help leaseholders “But as a leaseholder myself, I’m who may be having difficulties very aware that we’re presenting More time to pay paying major works bills. many leaseholders with large one-off For major works of less than bills for works, and that some of you The discretionary loans are being £3,000, we will give you up to 12 are going to find it hard to pay. offered to resident leaseholders months to pay interest free. That who have been refused loans by extends to 24 months for major “The new discretionary loans scheme two other lenders, and who can works costing more than £3,000. is just one of the payment options demonstrate the ability to repay we offer. I’d really encourage anyone the loan. Right to a Loan who is having difficulties paying for If you’re within the first ten years major works to get in touch with The introduction of the loans is of your lease, you could also be us, and we’ll do whatever we can to part of Barnet Homes’ “Feeling entitled to a Right to a Loan from help you.” the Squeeze?” campaign to help Barnet Council. To find out more and support residents through the contact your Leasehold Housing See the box on the right for more economic downturn. Officer on020 8359 4147. payment options. Direct Debit You can save £10 on your service charges by switching to direct debit, with a choice of paying on Step on the gas the 1st or 15th of each month. For a form call 020 8359 4147, email Now is a good time to check if Village Heating Ltd (VHL), Barnet homeownership@barnethomes. your annual gas service is due Homes’ gas contractor, offers org or download it from www. - before the cold weather arrives. leaseholders a competitive barnethomes.org. breakdown and servicing contract. Every year people suffer or die from Phone Freephone 08000 351 360 Get advice carbon monoxide poisoning as a for details. We can arrange free independent result of gas appliances that haven’t financial advice for you. Call been maintained properly. You can find out more by visiting Freephone 0800 3895225. www.gassaferegister.co.uk or Gas is called the silent killer because call 0800 408 5500. you cannot smell it, taste it or see it. So why risk it? Election update Barnet Homes advises all leaseholders to have their gas There have been no expressions appliances and heating serviced of interest from leaseholders regularly by a Gas Safe Register wishing to stand for election to engineer (this replaces the previous our Board. CORGI gas registration.) That means the current leaseholder If you are a leaseholder who sublets director, Barnet Homes Chair Vi your property you are legally required Britchfield, will remain in the role for to ensure gas appliances receive a a further three year term, subject to yearly safety check. Board approval.

Get a free smoke alarm fitted Feature 7 by calling us on 020 8359 4841.

Join the fight against fire... Fires can kill.

In July this year a fire at a tower block in , south London, claimed the lives of Dayana Francisquini and her young children, Thais and Filipe; Helen Udoaka and her three-week-old daughter Michelle; and 31-year-old Catherine Hickman.

At Barnet Homes we are determined to do all we can to prevent any repeat of this tragedy in our borough.

Please take the time to read this Fire Brigade safety advice. It could save your life, and the lives of your loved ones and neighbours. Your top ten top must dos What we’re If you remember nothing else – If you live in a flat or maisonette doing remember these! please follow this extra advice: Flats and maisonettes are built to Barnet Homes has been • Fit smoke alarms and check they give you some protection from fire. carrying out fire risk are an approved standard Walls, floors and doors will hold assessments at blocks of • Don’t smoke in bed back flame sand smoke for a time. flats since new regulations • Keep matches safe came into effect in 2006. • Don’t sit too close to a fire • If there is a fire elsewhere in the • Don’t overload electrical sockets building you’re usually safer We’ve prioritised those blocks • Check everything is safe before staying in your flat unless heat or considered most at risk and we’ve you go to bed smoke is affecting you completed risk assessment at all • Switch off electric blankets when • If there is a fire in your flat, leave tower blocks, sheltered housing in bed the building closing the door to blocks and alarm-assisted blocks. • Have electric blankets checked your flat behind you regularly • If there is a lot of smoke, crawl In light of the fire in Camberwell, • Don’t overfill pans and deep along the floor where the air will we’re speeding up our fat fryers be clearer assessments around all other • If the oil catches light – turn off • If you live in a building with a lift, blocks which we manage. All the heat. do not use it if there is a fire, go should be completed within a year. down the stairs instead Escaping from fire • Call 999 from any phone. Give • Make an escape plan them the address including the • Keep keys to window locks by the number of your flat, and tell them windows which floor the fire is on. • Get everyone out as soon as Contact Barnet possible Remember • Dial 999 Communal staircases, corridors and Homes • Crawl under smoke and fumes balconies should be kept clear • Block gaps around doors if of all combustible material, such as • To have a free smoke alarm fitted trapped by fire. prams, bicycles. Domestic rubbish – phone 020 8359 4841 should be removed immediately and • To report damaged or open not stored in communal areas. fire doors, or items stored in shared hallways and electrical Need more information? intake cupboards - A wide range of fire safety advice, including leaflets in other languages, can phone 0800 3895225 also be found at www.fireservice.co.uk/safety 8 Regeneration Residents at Grahame Park can now look forward to a brighter future for the estate.

Grahame Park regen is go! Sprint sensations

This was the scene at Grahame Park as more than 200 young athletes geared up to show off their sprinting skills.

Work has now started on building more than 300 new homes as The Street Athletics event saw part of the first stage of the £800million regeneration plans for the youngsters compete in a series of 60m Grahame Park Estate. sprints down The Concourse, under the watchful eye of Olympic legends The new houses and flats are being “Residents at Grahame Park can Linford Christie and Darren Campbell. built on the land to the west of now look forward to a brighter Grahame Park open space. More future for the estate, and I hope Winners of each range were invited than 130 homes will be offered to similar progress can now be to pit their talent against the best tenants whose properties are due to made on our other regeneration young sprinters in the country at be demolished in the first stage of estates.” national finals in Manchester. the regeneration scheme. The Grahame Park regeneration Barnet Homes Chief Executive, is being led by Choices for Tracey Lees, said: “I am so pleased Grahame Park, a subsidiary of Picture perfect that the regeneration programme Genesis Housing, in partnership for Grahame Park is underway with Barnet Council. Plans are Young people from the West at last. The economic downturn for 3,000 new homes, along with Hendon Estate honed their dealt a huge blow to long-term parks, shops, a new library, health artistic talent by painting a mural improvement plans for our estates. centre and community centre. more then twice the length of a length of a London bus!

The children, aged between 9 and 15, Time to help out? brightened up their estate with a 64- foot mural depicting woodland scenes Do you want to play a part in The role involves overseeing and famous London landmarks. improving the quality of life for general administration duties, your neighbours? Or do you such as distributing post, need a boost in trying to get photocopying, filing and day back to full-time work? to day reception management, and you can choose times to Volunteers are needed to fill the suit you. role of reception assistant for the Grahame Park Community Interested? Call Tim Blanc Development Group at the One on 020 8359 4821 or email Stop Shop in The Concourse. [email protected].

She cupped my face in her hands, Feature 9 gave me a kiss and said ‘thank you’.

problems. Is it really about a noise, Sprint sensations or is there another issue involved? Keeping There are always some cases where we have to look at options like Acceptable Behaviour Contracts or court injunctions, but we tend to the peace! think of cases that go to court as failures, not successes. Have you got problems with to get funding to employ a dog After organising some more a nuisance neighbour? Then trainer, whom people can contact for appointments with residents Barnet Homes’ Antisocial advice, so I’ve given the residents for the following week, I make a Behaviour Team is there to help the trainer’s details. We’re constantly quick visit to see a resident. Visiting you. Charlotte Wilkins talks with looking at how we can encourage people’s homes is really important to one of the team about their day. neighbours to solve their problems our day to day work, though it can between themselves, rather than sometimes be intimidating. If we’re I come into work hoping that cases going to court. visiting a suspected perpetrator, my diary will be as normal then we’ll always go in twos. There as possible, but it somehow never I’ve organised a meeting have been times when I’ve been in works out at that way. It sounds like between two of our residents a home and had to report domestic a cliché, but no two days are alike. having problems over noise. We violence to the police or animal Our first priority is to ensure that we call this restorative justice, and it’s a welfare issues to the RSPCA. keep on top of our cases – each of great way of bringing two neighbours us can have up to 50 cases at one into the same room to talk about I always find it hard to switch time and we have to treat them all as their problems and come to an off, and often I have evening matters of importance. agreement. Sometimes there are meetings, which makes it pretty really easy solutions, like agreeing much impossible. Tonight I’ve got a Someone in our team is that people won’t put their washing meeting with environmental health on duty between 9am and machine on overnight – it’s just a officers at the council, next week 5pm, so residents always have case of rebuilding relations between we’ll meet with the local police someone to speak to if they need the neighbours and helping them to and sometimes we’ll still be liaising help. Throughout the day we receive understand each other’s issues. with residents until late. But it’s constant phone calls and visits. The the work with residents that gives job can sometimes be stressful but After grabbing a quick me the greatest satisfaction. I had it’s also very rewarding, because we (and late!) lunch, I start the a case when an elderly resident do get successes. afternoon dealing with some more had suffered for many years cases of noise nuisance. These An appointment following a from antisocial behaviour and I’d form the majority of our complaints. complaint about a neighbour’s encouraged her to give evidence Again we try to look at underlying noisy dog. Luckily, we’ve managed in court. The case was successful,

How to report antisocial behaviour Whatever your concern about Otherwise, you should call your You can also report antisocial antisocial behaviour, please local police Safer Neighbourhood behaviour using the form provided contact the police in the first Team. Phone 0300 123 1212 for on our website – instance. Where appropriate, details or visit www.met.police.uk/ www.barnethomes.org. they will refer the case to teams/barnet. Barnet Homes. If you wish to report antisocial To get in touch with Barnet Homes’ behaviour anonymously, call If it is an emergency where Antisocial Behaviour Team call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. someone’s life could be in danger, freephone 0800 3895225 and ask please call 999 immediately. to speak to a member of the team. 10 Help & advice Don’t get us all down in the dumps. If you’ve got bulky items you need to get rid of, call us on 0800 3895225 to arrange a collection.

I’ve recently retired and would Moving like to move out of London, but I’m not sure what my options are out of – do you have any advice? The best option for you is the which can come with both front London Seaside & Country Homes scheme, and back gardens and lifts. which offers people living in council or housing association properties an The lead applicant for each opportunity to move out of London. household must be at least 60 It’s ideal for residents of retirement years of age and must be a tenant age, as the properties are specifically of a social housing landlord in designed for older people and are London. You will need to fill out best for those wanting a less hectic an application form and get your pace of life. landlord to sign your nomination slip.

There are lots of places to choose If you are interested in the scheme from, including Devon, Cornwall, you can call Seaside & Country Norfolk, Suffolk and the Isle of Wight, Homes on 08450 212020 and there are approximately 3,500 or visit the website one and two-bedroom flats available, www.housingmoves.org.

save up to £600 with a free eaga ShowerSmart...

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Maximum 1 eaga ShowerSmart per household during the period 1 January 2008 to 31 March 2011. We are unable to supply an eaga ShowerSmart if you have already received one within this period. Allow 42 days for delivery. Offer available to Great Britain (, Scotland and Wales) residents only and is subject to availability. *based on a 2-person household. Source: The Building Research Establishment.

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4808 Showersmart advert.indd 1 14/5/09 16:49:45 Get advice on how to save energy – Living 11 and money. Call the Energy Savings Trust on Freephone 0800 512 012.

Why not try the Energy Saving Trust’s ‘carbon cutter’ on line to check your carbon footprint?

Why not get switched on to Go on line at energy efficiency and save Barnet Homes ecohouse has been shortlisted as www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ yourself money?! finalist for the 2009 Sustainable Housing Awards calculator/start

Barnet Homes is seeking to create You can help us further reduce It’s also worth comparing prices greener homes for the future through energy and tackle global warming at for your gas and electricity our Decent Homes programme. a local level by following some very suppliers to ensure you are on We’re making thousands of simple steps at home. the best deal. New providers will properties more energy efficient by organise a switch if you want to. providing more effective insulation. And the best thing is – all of these Most also offer help for customers will save you money by reducing on low incomes who are struggling But we also need your help in the your energy bills. to pay their bills. fight to tackle climate change.

Ten top tips you can follow today and make a difference

Washing clothes at 30ºC Unplugging chargers Using energy saving uses around 40 per cent after your device has lightbulbs that last up less energy than higher charged saves a lot of to 10 times longer than temperatures. Use the energy. In the UK, 95 per ordinary bulbs can save economy button if your cent of the energy used around £45 over their machine has one. by mobile phone chargers is wasted. lifetime. The Energy Saving Trust can tell you who is giving these away Turning down your Close your curtains free locally. thermostat by just 1°C at dusk to stop heat cuts heating bills by 10 escaping through the Switching off your per cent and saves £65 windows and check computer at night rather a year. If you have a for draughts around than leaving it on saves programmer, set your heating and hot windows and doors. Use draft £96 a year and stops water to come on when required only. excluders if necessary. around half a tonne of unnecessary CO2. Also switching off Switching off lights Dripping hot water taps your monitor when you take a break when you leave a room waste enough hot water saves lots of energy. unoccupied saves to fill half a bath in a energy. week, so make sure you fix them. For more advice and information Turning appliances off rather than leaving them Only boil as much water www.energysavingtrust.org.uk on standby saves as you need in your on average around kettle, but make sure Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre - £37 a year. the element is covered Freephone 0800 512 012 by water. 12 Noticeboard

Hunt for local heroes

Does your neighbour go the We have five categories this year: extra mile to help others? Have • Community leader of the year you been a dazzled by a young • Resident / community group of Diary dates for person’s talent. the year • Volunteer youth worker Barnet Homes We are on the hunt for worthy • Young person Board Meetings winners of our 2009 Residents • Most creative idea Awards. The Board To enter, simply fill out the form on Monday 21 September Last year Barnet Homes residents the address slip of this edition of Monday 16 November June Gulle, Marge Lacey and Janet athome and return it to us at the Sackey were all rewarded for their Freepost address provided. Business and Resources dedication to their community. Sub-group If you want an extra form, call Tim Thursday 3 September Blanc on 020 8359 4821 or email Thursday 5 November [email protected]. Estate ideas Standards and Asset Management Sub-group Do you have a bright idea for Tuesday 20 October how we can make environmental Get online To attend phone Sarah Gillett improvements to your block on 020 8359 4804 or estate? Do you want to see all of your Barnet Homes accounts and Involvement Hub & surgery Last year Barnet Homes spent transactions in one handy place Wednesday 18 November £1.2million on making at the click of a button? from 6pm. Cheshir hall, neighbourhoods cleaner and Foster Street, Hendon NW4 2AA greener, and we’re now planning We are setting up a new online All residents welcome – contact similar work for 2010-11. service, which will give you 020 8359 4821 information about rent and Send you ideas to Veronica Lavin, garage accounts, your current Barnet Homes’ AGM at 11th Floor Barnet House, 1255 rent balance, recent transaction, Hendon Hall Hotel High Road, London N20 0EJ. and any outstanding repairs. On Wednesday 11 November To attend phone Sarah Gillett Alternatively, email veronica. If you are interested in making on 020 8359 4804 [email protected] use of this, please email or call 020 8359 5644. [email protected].

Each copy of athome is reviewed by a residents’ panel before it lands Bedazzled or on your doormat. But we need more members to make sure that our bored stupid? newsletter is helpful, relevant and easy to read for all of our residents. As a member of our Editorial Board, you can also have your say on other information provided by Barnet Homes – our leaflets, letters and What do you think of this our website. edition of athome? Did it make you want to nod off or If you think you’d have something to contribute, call Jonathan Lawn was the information helpful? on 020 8359 4911 or email [email protected]. p.9 overmatter p.2 image options

Keeping the peace! and afterwards she cupped my face in her hands, gave me a kiss and said ‘thank you’. I think if you can make a small difference to someone else’s life, then you can make a big difference to your own.