WAndsWOrth
Issue 2 Autumn 2010
neWsPAPer
Advertise here
020 8516 7785
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
WAndsWOrth
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COVer stOrY
“People know what What
they want and how We Want
to spend the money”
1. Open it up to the community
Just before going to press a meeting was
held on the 23rd september in the dining hall
in the Atheldene between managers Will Olmi,
mark honan, staff and the clients. it was stated
that the centre would be staying open past 31st
march 2010. We are unclear as to the reason why?
2. Let the first floor out for offices
3. Keep the bottom floor open
for people with disabilities
4. Specialist services for people
with complex needs
5. College courses for 18+
Are there going to be
meaningful activities
for the clients?
6. Proper canteen, new drink
and snack machines
7. Older people can come
8. Clubs and groups can use it,
to hold meetings
9. Hire it out in evenings and
weekends
10. Everyone can help repair
and decorate it
11. Caretaker could live in the
flat, or rent it out to a couple
We want to know how much
is in the amenities fund.
12. Partition the stairs off for
easy access to the flat from
the ground
13. Raise money for a new roof
WAndsWOrth
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
3
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
COVer stOrY
Hannah Baker
I helped with the Atheldene story and I made sure
everything came together for the Word Up newspaper.
I work at Wandsworth Care Alliance. I support people
with learning disabilities.
Jason Samuels:
I interviewed 32 people for
the Atheldene cover story.
I work at the Atheldene
Centre and as a Travel Mate.
Let’s get straight to the point. Councillors, Directors
and a lot of managers you are not ready to hear
what people with learning disabilities are trying to say.
You need to be ready. We are all human beings
and it is time to start hearing each other for REAL.
We are talking about peoples lives here.
“A lot of people said to
me, I want to know why
they didn’t tell us before
so we had a chance to
speak out. It happened so
fast but they have been
planning it for a long time”.
It’s not fair on the clients.
Why didn’t managers fight
to keep Atheldene open?
I want to know the true
answer of why it is closing
down. It is good the
Atheldene is big. It gives
people space to move
around instead of staring
at four walls.
T
he Atheldene Centre on
305 Garratt Lane has been
open for 34 years. It is
well used by different groups
in our community. School
groups, dance groups, carers,
older people, staff. There are
computer courses, ceramics,
art and cooking classes. It’s
a place where people come
to relax, feel safe, or go out
with staff so they can learn to
become more independent.
What is a day
centre for?
The Centre is located with easy
they take good care of me,”
access to buses 44, 77 and 270.
says a woman coming to the
Clapham Junction and Tooting
Atheldene for many years.
Broadway underground are
all close by. It is a welcoming
centre for people with learning
disabilities to meet friends and
learn life skills. Clients say they
know shop keepers, doctors,
dentist and hospital, they are
all close by.“They all know me,
In January 2010 all staff were
told that the Atheldene will
be closing for good. “It all
happened so fast”, says one
woman who helps people at
the centre. Many people have
already lost their jobs and there
will be more staff cuts.
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
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COVer stOrY
“I think there’s
a lot of people
who don’t
have a voice”.
WhY is it ClOsinG
“This is hard on the clients,
one minute she (staff) was
there, next minute she’s gone.
She was a lovely lady, she
knew what she was doing
and a lot of people confided
in her”. Some staff are unhappy
about the closure but they do
not want us to use their names as
they are afraid of losing their jobs.
The council’s plan is to move
people out of the Atheldene
and open up other places in
Putney, Wandsworth Common
and Tooting. Andrew Pook,
a staff member for 30 years says,
“The new bases at Putney and
Wandsworth Common are
isolated and in need of plenty
work. Valuing People Now
was so people could be out
in the community more.
But the community does not
always accept them. The clients
were not asked if they wanted
to move. I thought the point of
Valuing People Now is to give
people more choices”.
At the time of writing this article,
Wandsworth Common Residents
Association said no to the move.
V
aluing People Now is a government three year big plan to
improve the lives of carers and people with learning disabilities.
This plan on paper looks good but what happens after three
years, and what about the people that do not fit into this plan? Everyone
is different and this plan will not suit everyone. The plan says:
“This strategy is inclusive of those groups who are
least often heard and most often excluded”.
“I did not even
know the
Atheldene
was closing”.
Staff at a home where
Atheldene clients live –
But yet VALUING PEOPLE NOW
does not say day centres should
close. It says local councils must
make sure people with learning
disabilities and their families
should have more opportunities
for better lives. That includes
giving clients a choice, or involving
them in important decisions like
where their centre should be
based and what it is used for.
WAndsWOrth
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
5
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
COVer stOrY
my friends are here
Chris Albury, supports Family Carers and clients at Mencap. “Their concerns about the new
hubs are health and safety,staffing levels and if people will be accepted. Our office
at Atheldene is based near the managers so communication is direct, we help
to prevent crisis, we can get on the case straight away. Staff ask us for help a lot”.
“i like it here,
i want to keep it
open. But the art
class does not have
paints anymore or
paper.” matthew
“People with special needs
get a raw deal. You build them
up and say you can do this,
you can do that. At the end of
the day it’s not their choice.
None of it is. Regardless
of what we think or Jason
Cochrane thinks, the decision
is already made. It’s almost
like being made redundant”.
Julie Maguire. She is a carer and
used to drive the green buses and
volunteers for Gateway clubs.
Many staff say - The land is very
valuable. It benefits the council
to sell the building.
Staff - “There is a lot of pressure
from above. Things are
different now. People are not
communicating”.
Staff - “It’s not fair on the clients
what is happening”.
Staff - “If you want my honest
opinion, I think the council is
doing it for the money. They let
the building go”.
Client - “I have been coming
to the Atheldene a long time.
It’s fun and I’ve met lots of
friends here”.
It’s good here because my boyfriend
is always at St. George’s and it is
close by, he is in there all the time.
We have been together for four years
and we are going to get married.
A Manager and Assistant Director
of Adult Social Services say -
The decision to
close Atheldene
was based on
the Paradigm
Review 2006
HUSH HUSH
Fuji, Client - “We can’t have
people going to different
places. This place (Atheldene)
is helpful to everybody”.
Client - “It’s got to do with the
money. We want to keep it
open. We would like answers.
It’s sad”.
On page 40 of the Paradigm
Report 2006 it states,
“There should not
be a closure plan
for Atheldene.”
“Someone with autism,
routines are very important,
we are talking about
peoples lives here”. A carer
“For as long as I have been
working with people
who have learning disabilities,
there are always changes
being made and nobody is
told about it. I am worried
about it closing”.
Marie Woods has been helping
people with learning disabilities
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
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COVer stOrY
Shirley, Terry and Connie a
Group of friends: “No one told
us where we are going next.
We would like answers.
We think it’s a good place here.
Everything you need is close by,
we want to stay together”.
Amazingly it took the Word Up
team, 2 weeks
to interview 27 people.
A total of 46 people
were interviewed between
July and September
What the Managers
and Directors
should do now.
Tell the truth to people.
Ask clients what they really
think and what they’re feeling.
Sit down with them and
let them ask you
everything they want.
“Jason my brother absolutely loves
the Atheldene. He’s always loved it.
It’s like a big social for him. It was like
a community. He’s known everyone
for many years, all the people there
are his friends. No one is giving
you the answers. There is no one
to answer these questions”.
Listen to the staff and
carers. (They know more
what they’re talking about
because they’re with
the clients most of the time).
Ask them to tell you their
real feeling from the heart.
Make time to listen
to people. It is your duty.
“No one ever asked
me what I thought.
I like it here”
Jim Johnson:
“Managers discuss
Fuji, client: “We should have done
something about the centre before.
If we sorted it out before this never
would have happened. This place is
helpful to everyone. When we have a
meeting I’m going to say something”.
FOR US where we
are going and when.
But people are clever
and can make their
own decisions.
It’s not right not to
let us know. I have
been coming here
6 or 7 years”.
WAndsWOrth
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
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don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
COVer stOrY
“
Let the
community
run
Atheldene
for you.
”
This is what people told the Word
Up team. After talking with so many
people Word Up thinks people know
what they want and how to spend
the money so everyone can have
Better Lives. “There’s loads you can
do for that building.
“If I win the lottery I’d buy that
place and do it up for them’.
A modern place, keep some of
the features, make it friendly for
them, like benches outside,
do the garden up. You can make
a new car park, electric gate so
they can come in and out easy.
I’d move into the flat upstairs and
be a caretaker myself” Paul Reekie
KeeP OUr Centre OPen
Mike Reynolds, neighbour:
They used to play football and do the flowers. I talked sometimes with
a nice young man from the centre. Its a shame it’s closing down but
they call this progress. If they had a petition we’d be willing to sign it.”
Q. Why can’t we keep the Atheldene open?
A. i don’t see why that could not happen. But i am not
sure why people would want that happen. A Senior Manager
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
heAlth
I
f you eat too much you
get big. But lots of people
do not care. We want
chicken and chips, fizzy
drinks and McDonalds.
Sometimes we can’t be
bothered to cook our
own dinner at home and
have a treat instead.
“Hmm, nice day to have food.”
Suddenly, oh no! I remember what
the nurse said. Oh dear. What have I
done? Nurse told me to do a lot
of exercising and enough walking up
and down. Alright then, I’ll go out and
walk. I pull the curtain but it’s raining
again. Aww, no. I’ll stay
in and do it tomorrow.
Soon you are lonely, crying and
upset. I don’t like my body. I’m
too big, I’m too fat. I want to go
to the gym, but I’m scared.
WAndsWOrth
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Caroline has a certificate in
Leadership and Management
from the Chartered Management
Institute. She also advises
the Wandsworth Health Action
Group at the Joan Bicknell Centre.
Learn more about what this group
is doing in the next issue.
Advice for health and well being
- Look at the labels for the ingredients
- Watch out for sugar and salt
- Walk instead of taking the bus
- Use your Freedom Pass to get a
discount at gyms in the borough.
Maybe you want a friend or an
advisor to help you get up and
go. There are two dieticians in the
Community Learning Disability
Team and they are very good. But
you could be on the waiting list for 7
months. So what else can you do?
People eat because of stress or
they are bored. Maybe you don’t
like your body. You go to the
doctors and they say, “You’re
overweight! If you don’t be careful,
we’ll see what happens to you.”
You hear the words heart attack,
stroke, diabetes and you feel
nervous, scared and not happy.
We don’t want to die young.
The nurse says you have to be
careful with what you eat and
do a lot of exercise. You think that’s
good advice. Alright then, from
today, I will eat healthily. So you
leave and go home. You sit down
and relax. Next thing, you are
hungry. Oh yes, you go in the fridge
and start looking, picking the food.
Caroline Ogundeji
“I live independently which I
enjoy very much. I am a travel
buddy for the last five months.
Help me start a support group.
Your health matters. If you would
like to join the group or help out,
you can call and leave your
name and contact details on
020 8516 7773. It’s up to you.
We’ll get back to you soon.
Watch this DVD
‘Staying Healthy’ is the name of an
excellent movie I saw at Brixton
Ritzy Cinema. It was made by
people with learning disabilities.
We have 7 free DVDs available.
If you would like one please call me.
Look at these websites
You can see and print for free lots
of easy to read and colourful
information about 75 health issues
Go to www.easyhealth.org.uk or
www.advocateforhealth.org.uk
I help people to get to where
they are going safely. Tinu and I
work with Hannah on Mondays
on health issues including dieting.
I am able to talk about
health issues in Word Up so
that people who read it will
understand that eating well
is important to your health”.
Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
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9
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
Though some people
may not believe us,
what we are about to
tell you did happen.
Brian Easton & Joe Wallace in conversation.
Weird
BelieVe
And
it Or
WACKY
nOt
Wandsworth
Believe it or not?
I
was standing in the gardens
in Battersea in 1964 and there
was an object in the sky.
It didn’t fly very low or very high
and you couldn’t hear the motors
going as it glided across the sky.
I thought it was unusual to see a
flying object at this time of evening
(about 4.30-5.30) and I just stood
there staring at it. It was a silver
object and I had never seen
anything like it before. I could
see it for about ten minutes
before it got too far away to see.”
Joe Wallace: “Seven years ago
my mum and I saw a flying object
through our sky light. It flew very
fast with no sound. It was a dark
silver oval shape. The day was
Tuesday. I finished my breakfast,
came up the stairs and I looked
up at the sky light. My mum saw
it too. The thing had no wings.
It was not a plane or anything
I’ve ever seen before.
Then in August 2010 I went to see
my dad at work. We were on the
car park roof in Southside shopping
centre and I happened to look up in
the sky and saw three flying objects.
My dad saw them too. The time was
between 5:00 and 5:15. They were
shaped like stealth planes below
the clouds, moving side to side,
and then just disappeared.
“There is no way
anyone could film
things like this
because it happens
too quickly and you
don’t always have a
camera with you”.
I
have worked at the Atheldene Centre for
many years. I make and stain picture frames.
When I was young I used to do boxing and
running. A life guard once saved me from
drowning. I thought I could swim and jumped
in, but I sunk. I was about 10 years old.
I live with my girlfriend Christine. I enjoy coming
to the Word Up meetings and I find it very
interesting working on this article. I am sure that
there are other people beside us on this planet.
Brian Easton
I
work as a travel mate for a company called
Hail. I started to work there at the end of
September and I really enjoy it. My job is very
important. I help people get around London,
from the green buses on to the regular buses.
Hobbies include wildlife, parakeets are my
favourite birds, reading, my favourite author
is Ray Gordon, and films. I think Word Up is an
important newspaper because it gives people
information about what’s going on and it is
written in a very readable language.
Joe Wallace
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
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rOehAmPtOn UniVersitY
A Breath of Fresh Air at
Roehampton University
On 27th August the Word Up Team took a trip to the beautiful
campus at Roehampton University. Jackie Brown treated us to
lunch, a tour of the campus and an interview with Pauline.
Pauline and her team of 7 people help them find a note taker.
run a disability service for students We help sort out disabled
student allowance or timetables.
on campus.
Q: What do you like best about Roehampton
A: I love the lakes and the trees
here. It is also close to London.
Q: Why do people come to see you?
A: People find out what support
they can get or have an
assessment. Some people come
to us because they’re lonely or
they’re behind on their course-work.
Q: What sorts of disabilities can you help?
A: A whole range of disabilities
and learning disabilities. We see a
lot of people who have dyslexia or
autism. We talk to their lecturers or
Q: How many people come to you?
A: There are 8000 students.
About 1000 students live here.
We see about 6oo people for
disability issues every year.
Jackie is a senior lecturer in the
department of Social Sciences
and she is now involved in disability
studies. She has been a supporter
of Word Up and Wandsworth Care
Alliance from the start.
A huge Thank You to Jackie
from the Word Up Team
Anna Brickwood
I work as a travel mate for
a company called Hail.
I have worked there for the last
13 months. I work six
days a week and really
enjoy every day.
My colleagues and clients
are very helpful and nice
and always ask how I am.
At weekends I enjoy socialising
with my friends. We go for ten
pin bowling, drinks and racing.
The newspaper is very important.
It allows people to get to know
who we are and what we do.
WAndsWOrth
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
11
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
PrOFiles
CARERS AND FAMILIES
WE NEED YOU !
Carers and parents and family play
a huge part in the lives of people with
disabilities. In the next issue we want
to spend some time talking about what
it’s like being a parent or carer.
What sorts of things would you
like to see us research or print
in this newspaper? How can this
newspaper be helpful to you?
Call Janice on
020 8516 7773
or email
yourviews@wordup.co.uk
Paul Reekie
Sapna Patel
I am a football fan. My team
is Chelsea. I work for Hail as a
travel mate. I enjoy doing that
job because it allows me to get
out and meet people, and it gives
me confidence. I look after my
mum who will be 80 next year.
I have a 3 year old beautiful
daughter. I live with my parents
who help me out a lot with my
daughter. The closure of the
Atheldene Centre is sad.
She walks with the help of a
walking frame. ‘Word Up’ is a
good newspaper. I have one in
my bedroom. I read it all the time.
It’s handy for lots of people
who meet there. I enjoy going
on the internet to watch the
Steve Wilkos show. The Word Up
newspaper is a very good idea.
Janice Durham
“I have worked at New
Beacon Books in Finsbury
Park for the last 30 years.
I am also a carer for a man
with Alzheimer’s. Word Up
lets people know what help
is needed in the community
to support people with
learning disabilities and their
carers. Parents and carers
are very important and play
a huge part in the lives of
people with disabilities”.
Will Aslan
Cindy Soso
I am a Project Support
Worker. I have been
working on this project for
the last ten weeks, I have
had a really great time,
getting to know all the
clients. I am very proud of
their hard work in bringing
together the ‘Word Up’
magazine. I wish the team
of ‘Word Up all the best.
I am a graphic designer, and I
have been doing this for over
fifteen years. I was asked by
Hannah to get involved with the
production of Word Up.
I feel that the newspaper is
providing a very important
role in letting people have
their voice heard. I appreciate
the hard work being done by
the whole team and I am glad
to be part of this process.
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
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WAndsWOrth
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GAllerY | AdVOCACY PArtners | WhO’s WhO
Sadiq Khan
Labour MP Earlsfield,
Balham, Furzedown,
Tooting and
Wandsworth Common
the Parents information
Group for people
with learning disabilities
and difficulties
0207 219 6967 Work
0208 682 2897 Work
sadiqkhan@sadiqkhan.org.uk
self advocacy can support
big changes in your life
Councillor James Maddan
Cabinet Member (Adult Care)
meet and talk to other parents
say how you feel
jmaddan@wandsworth.gov.uk
The Members’ Room,
The Town Hall,
Wandsworth High Street,
London SW18 2PU
email Keesha on
keesha.sinclair@advocacypartners.org
Come and
Join today!
Chris Buss
Director of Finance
Valarie Campbell
My favourite hobby is eight ball. My
husband Clive and I play it often.
Clive is in an eight ball competition. My passion is drawing, I started
this year. The Word Up! newspaper
helps people to get to know what’s
going on and it’s written in an easy
way to read. I work as a travel
mate. I help people travel safely.
0208 871 8300 Work
cbuss@wandsworth.gov.uk
Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London SW18 2PU
Contact Keesha on
0207 924 7772
Dawn Warwick
Director of Adult Social Services
0208 871 6291 Work
dwarwick@wandsworth.gov.uk
Fairfield Annex, Town hall
Wandsworth High Street
London SW18 2PU
Will Olmi
Printed by
harmsworth Printing derby,
northcliffe house,
meadow road,
derby, de1 2Bh
Wandsworth Borough Council
Day Centre Manager
0208 871 7779 Work
wolmi@wandsworth.gov.uk
Colin Thorne
I work at the Atheldene Centre.
I have lots of friends here.
I have worked here for three
years. I really like working here.
Everyone is nice to me. I enjoy
working on the newspaper.
WAndsWOrth
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
13
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
trAnsPOrt
I help people
with walking
difficulties and
I make sure
they can feel
confident and
independent.
Do you need support
to travel? I can help.
My name is Tope
and I work for HAIL
as a travel mate.
Travel mates help
people with learning
disabilities get around
on public transport.
All the travel mates look
after their clients and make sure
they are safe.
They teach them to cross
the roads safely and find a
seat on the bus. Police know
travel mates, so if there are
any problems on the bus,
there is help nearby. Police
also come to the First Route
training days where clients learn
to use the bus.
Travel mates are trained on their
own bus, on a route from the
Green Man Pub in Putney to
Roehampton. Anyone can get
a job as a travel mate including
people in wheelchairs, blind
or deaf people. There are 30
people working for HAIL Travel
Mates and 16 of the staff have
learning disabilities.
by Tope Olaofe
Travel Mates started in
North London before coming
to Wandsworth two years
ago and this year they won
an award. If you want to
know more, talk to your
social worker, stop into the
Atheldene or contact us.
Wandsworth transport Action
Group (WtAG) is doing a travel
survey. We want to hear from
you. do you like travelling by
bus, tube or train or are you
having problems? Facebook or
email wtag2010@hotmail.com
Call 0208 874 7279.
Wandsworth travel mate
c/o Generate Shop
229 Garratt Lane
London SW18 4DU
tel: 020 8874 7279
mob: 07765 252410
You can also contact
southside travel Buddies:
31-33 Lumiere Court
209 Balham High Road
Balham
London SW17 7BQ
tel: 020 8772 6222
email:
info@southsidepartnership.org.uk
Tope Olaofe
I enjoy coming to the meetings,
talking about issues to go into
the Word Up! newspaper. My
main interest in the newspaper
is the transport issues. I go to
share ideas and I enjoy playing
football in Wandsworth.
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Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
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Weird
COmmUnitY
And???????
WACKY
neWs
Voices for people with learning
disabilities in Wandsworth
A Centre for Independent
Living in Wandsworth is possible
Dawn Warwick, Director of Adult
Social Services tells the CIL
steering group she is very
committed to see it happen
A CIL is for disabled communities
to give advice and support on
information about groups, budgets
and advocacy. The CIL would be
open for people with any kind of
disabilities and learning difficulties
in Wandsworth. Disabled people
will be running it, with peer support
and professionals or carers.
On 6th September, the CIL steering
group gave a presentation to
Dawn Warwick at Bridas House
about the work it has been doing
to make a Centre for Independent
Living in Wandsworth.
When we visited Dawn Warwick
she said that she was “very
committed to see it happen.”
As there’s no money, finances
or budget for this to happen at
the moment we need evidence
to show that the disabled will
benefit from CIL.
There are people on the steering
group representing organisations
with learning disabilities, physical
and mental health. We still need
a constitution, mission statement,
business plan, development worker,
volunteers, and development plans.
We will also visit other CILs and
present to the Health Commissioner.
If you want to join us, please contact
Susan Wheeler-Kiley on
0208 516 7768
freechoice@wandcareall.org.uk
- LD Partnership Board is a group
of professionals.
- They meet every 8 weeks around
the borough.
- They are supposed to speak
up for people who can’t
speak and represent learning
disabilities to the council so they
know how to spend their money
and LDDF fund.
- Some people are not so clear
about what it means - For more
information about what they
do you can contact:
Mike Abel our co-chair and
the Wandsworth Commissioning
and Development officer on:
mabel@wandsworth.gov.uk.
0208 8718900
WAndsWOrth
neWsPAPer
Valuing People Now Support Team
What they do is
1 Communicate your views or
problems to national government
2 Help you to be aware about
issues you are worried about
Transport Employment Housing
Personal Budgets. When you come
to meetings you Learn, Get skills,
Become confident. If you want to
go, contact Margaret Royle
Margaret.royle@dh.gsi.gov.uk or
02079721240. For carers, professionals,
people with learning disabilities
Sister Act Says it is time
to listen to us
Sister Act is trying to motivate
and encourage people to be
more assertive, to speak up and
get their voices heard. We know
about changes in the government.
We are very well trained from:
Marigold Training and People First.
Being User Led, Business Planning,
Management, Equal Opportunities.
We also get support from WCA.
We want a place where people
can feel safe, chat, get advice:
A Drop in centre or CIL. We have a
range of disabilities and difficulties
We understand the issues.
Michelle Albury
“I volunteer my time going to
meetings to support people
with disabilities. I tell them where
to go and how to get there.
A lot of people do not know that
the Atheldene Centre is closing,
and the new hubs are all over
the place. The reason why the
Centre is closing is because
Wandsworth Council wants to
save lots of money and they
are not thinking about people’s
welfare. People with complex
needs, we need to find a way
to make sure they can understand
what is in the Word Up newspaper”.
WAndsWOrth
neWsPAPer
Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
15
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
COVer stOrY
so who is making the
money out of Atheldene?
T
he Atheldene has a 27
rooms and a dining hall
with a stage for about
200 people. There are four
kitchens, showers, gardens and
a greenhouse. There is also a
3 bedroom penthouse flat on
the roof with large balcony
and views. Clapham Junction
trains, Putney and Tooting
underground are minutes
away. Two bedroom flats in
the area go for about £350,000.
Everyone we spoke to agrees
the main problem is the roof.
It must be replaced. Word Up
has been told it can now cost
2, 3 or 6 million pounds to
fix up the Atheldene.
People want to know why
repairs were not done
properly and sooner.
Wandsworth borough
residents have a very
low council tax
“This building is solid. It could
last another hundred years,”
says a professional builder
“If you want my honest
opinion they’re doing it
for the money” says one
person. “But we are
talking about people’s
lives here,” says another.
Go up to the 3 bedroom flat on top of the
Atheldene and you have views from the
balcony all the way to the river. Bus 270
takes you straight to the lovely Putney
and Richmond Park.
Dawn Warwick and
Councillor Madden have
not been able to talk to
us on these matters.
See page 12 on how to contact them yourself
16
Issue 2 Autumn 2010 |
don’t be shy, Get in touch. We want your opinion.
WAndsWOrth
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WOrd UP teAm
Welcome
from Word Up Team
W
elcome. We are a group of people with learning disabilities with people
supporting us. We are ready and able to listen. We respect your opinions
and ideas. You can get support from us to express yourself. We can help you
to speak, write, type or draw what you need people to understand. We use
plain english and we are honest. We meAn BUsiness. how can we help you
if you have a problem? You can contact us on:
Word Up news, Wandsworth Care
Alliance, trident Business Centre
89 Bickersteth road,
newspaper@wandcareall.org.uk
tooting
london sW17 9sh
www.yudu.com/item/details/202217/
Wandsworth-Word-Up-Issue-I
- Please contact us if you need this on audio cassette,
Braille or in large print.
- To view us online
0208 516 7785