Dear all

There is a cold weather alert for the next few days so please note this info and spread the word to look out for your elderly and vulnerable neighbours. Many thanks! Brian

Please remember to keep warm and safe.

You can keep your home warm – efficiently and safely by :

• Heating your home to at least 18⁰C in winter
• Getting your heating system and cooking appliances checked and keep your home well ventilated
• Use your electric blanket as instructed and get it tested every three years. Never use a hot water bottle with an electric blanket.
• Do not use a gas cooker or oven to heat your home; it is inefficient and there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and this can kill.
• Make sure you have a supply of heating oil or LPG or solid fuel if you are not on mains gas or electricity – to make sure you do not run out in winter.

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/lewishamandsouthwark/weathering-well/keeping-warm-and-well-in-winter/

Elderly and vulnerable residents

Southwark and Lambeth Councils have teamed up to deliver the Lambeth and Southwark Winter Well-Being (LSWWB) programme to help more vulnerable residents stay safe and well in their own homes and reduce re-admissions to hospital.

The programme includes three main areas:

• Safe and Independent Living (SAIL) that provides a quick and easy way to access a wide range of local services, co-ordinated by Age UK Lewisham and Southwark. The service has already been established in Southwark and will be rolled out to Lambeth by Age UK Lambeth
• The Red Cross Hospital Discharge is commissioned by and operates from Kings College Hospital to support patients going hospital from both emergency department and in-patients wards. The service already provides up to six weeks post discharge support for patients in their own communities and the new LSWWB will extend this to eight weeks as well as extending it to include St Thomas’s hospital
• Warm and Well in Winter is a successful winter health project delivered by Age UK Lambeth which uses local community and faith groups to promote practical messages about staying healthy, such as promoting flu vaccinations, and preventing isolation. LSWWB will see the project roll out to Southwark with Age UK Lewisham and Southwark

Refuse collection

During this period of bad weather, we are attempting to collect household waste and recycling as normal.

However, due to the severe weather conditions there may be some properties where we are unable to make a collection.  If this happens at your property, please be assured that your collection will be rescheduled and undertaken as soon as possible, once the weather improves.

Unless you think that it is only your waste that has not been collected and that your neighbours’ waste has been removed, there is no need to call the Council to report the issue as our crews will keep detailed records of roads where collections could not take place.

Parks

During icy and snowy weather the parks service will endeavour to open the locked parks by 7.30 am, but please bear with us during difficult weather conditions. We grit pathways in our parks on a priority basis, gritting main pedestrian and commuter/school routes first.

Please note that in extreme weather car parks and carriageways may remain closed to vehicles. Please take extra care after dark and try to only use main, pedestrian street routes if at all possible.

Rough sleepers

If you have any concerns about individuals sleeping rough or using the street unsafely in Southwark please contact via email streetconcern@mungos.org or call 020 7902 7941. The street population outreact team(SPOT) will respond to information provided.

Transport

Check the websites of transport providers for information on changes or disruption to services:

• Tube and Overground
• Buses
• Roads (TfL managed)
• River services
• Southern (National Rail)
• SouthEastern (National Rail)
• First Capital Connect (National Rail)