Tenants and Resident Associations across Southwark have been looking out for the neighbours, fundraising for keyworkers and – most importantly – having lots of fun while social distancing.
Here’s a round up of what some of our brilliant TRAs have been doing during the COVID-19 crisis.
If you’d like your TRA to be included in Southwark News, email editor@southwarknews.co.uk.
Nunhead rocks to the jail house
Nunhead’s very own Elvis continues to bring up the community’s spirits. Every Thursday he’s adding a bit of sparkle to Buchan TRA, singing ‘Jail House Rock’ – very suitable for the lockdown.
The estate’s residents have also been busy making jelly as an added treat for self-isolating residents’ food parcels they’re delivering.
Kingswood bunnies
Kingswood TRA made the most of Easter with all children on the estate given a chocolate egg.
They also ran a cake bake challenge and colouring-in activities throughout the bank holiday – with plenty of hot cross buns too.
On St George’s Day they held a virtual afternoon tea with families joining in from their living rooms. One mum was so appreciative of all their support she put together this lovely bouquet of flowers with a hand-made card by her children to say thank you for their support.
Neil Coyle’s nappy run for the Brandon
Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle was praised by Brandon 2 TRA chair as an ‘angel’ after he stepped in and donated nappies to help struggling parents. He was out delivering supplies with councillor Alice MacDonald last week.
Out on the Brandon #SE17 this afternoon delivering nappies for local families with Cllr ?@Alicemac83? & ?@merseylady? – please email or call if you also need help! pic.twitter.com/pqwjS7tcT1
— Neil Coyle (@coyleneil) April 23, 2020
Neighbourly love may flower in Rotherhithe
Twenty particularly medically vulnerable neighbours are having regular hot meals delivered to their doors in the Canada Estate.
The residents are also showing their love for the NHS with this new banner. They’re printing poster updates for people affected by redundancies and financial difficulties due to COVID-19 – directing them to support services.
Peckham estate comes up tulips
Queen’s Road Peckham’s ARARA has Joined forces with their local Mutual Aid group to leaflet drop hundreds of households.
They’ve also been helping with food provisions, and given more subtle support with a focus on mental health by brightening up the estate. They’ve held a sun-flower growing challenge, installed new street planters full of tulips in bloom, and organised a window rainbow competition for the kids.
Thank you NHS from the Lettsom
Lettsom TRA has raised £500 for the NHS.
They have also organised their community to write messages for frontline workers on an estate-wide thank you card, and for younger residents to draw pictures and put up in their windows to spread some cheer.
Inter-faith food on Old Kent Road
Many TRAs are tapping into community faith networks to reach more vulnerable people and recruit volunteers.
Ashley and Cooper TRA are working with their local Mosque in Old Kent Road to help with food deliveries for shielded and particularly vulnerable residents, and supporting residents throughout Ramadan
4Covid-19 Old Kent Road Mosque Community Centre/Southwark Emergency Food parcels Distribution for the elders/Vulnerable ones due to the coronavirus outbreak and the starting of the Holy month, Ramadan. Special thanks to those who came through and helped out with distributions???? pic.twitter.com/1hkqfUag2M
— Hajia Saidat (@princess_okes) April 26, 2020
Cooking up a treat on the Rye
The TRA has partnered with London Senior Social to deliver 890 hot meals across the estate and beyond.
Its members are urging people in need to pop a note through the TRA hall’s letterbox if they need extra help or would like to find out more about the support on offer.
How SGTO is helping and how to get involved
Members of Southwark Group of Tenants Association have been busy during the pandemic supporting their neighbours and bringing out the best in the community.
They’ve been working with food banks, volunteer chefs, delivery services and Southwark Council to send food in bulk to estates in need.
SGTO and its tenants and residents associations across the borough are also conducting daily welfare checks on particularly vulnerable members, delivering crisis packs including blankets and tea bags, and helping provide interpreters for people who don’t speak English and are struggling to access the services they need.
And during the lockdown they’re still actively involved in politics with a new weekly Resonance FM show (104.4FM and online via Resonancefm.com) with local politicians answering questions submitted by listeners.
For anyone who wants to up their skills during the lockdown SGTO also has online courses in English, finance, health and safety and first aid – all online.
To contact Southwark Group of Tenants and Residents’ Organisations or find out more about your local TRA call 0207 639 6718, email info@sgto.co.uk, visit www.sgto.co.uk or follow them on Twitter.