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We have come out of lockdown, but the virus is still around, so we must all continue to follow the guidelines.
Advice from Havering
The Havering Council website continues to host a comprehensive range of information and advice on all aspects of life during this coronavirus pandemic. So for all the latest information and advice locally, please visit their website: www.havering.gov.uk
Havering coronavirus helpline
If you, or someone you know, have concerns around care, urgent issues around health and wellbeing, or lack of access to supplies including food and medicine please call our free to use helpline: Tel: 0800 368 5201.
Lines open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm.
Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm.
Email: covid19support@havering.gov.uk
Advice from Havering
The Havering Council website continues to host a comprehensive range of information and advice on all aspects of life during this coronavirus pandemic. So for all the latest information and advice locally, please visit their website: www.havering.gov.uk
Havering coronavirus helpline
If you, or someone you know, have concerns around care, urgent issues around health and wellbeing, or lack of access to supplies including food and medicine please call our free to use helpline: Tel: 0800 368 5201.
Lines open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm.
Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm.
Email: covid19support@havering.gov.uk
Latest newsletter - January 2022
Back copies of BETRA News, our Out-of-hours Emergency Procedures booklet and our Residents Handbook - on our Publications page
BETRA Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) was formed in April 2004, part of a government scheme to help give back some power to residents on estates.
We are run by a small, voluntary board consisting of local residents, supported by the estate manager Lloyd Edwards and a small staff team. 
Our aims
We strive to make our community a friendly, welcoming and comfortable place to live. We work to ensure that our estate is maintained and our residents supported to the highest levels possible. And we encourage residents to play an active part in the running of our organisation, the building of our community. Our estate Set in Harold Hill, part of the London Borough of Havering in East London, our estate is made up of 13 Houses, all of which are three stories high: BETRA EventsBETRA Board meeting
Our next meeting is now scheduled to take place in the BETRA office boardroom in late January or early February at 7pm. Date to be confirmed. See notice boards for details. BETRA Bingo The last Wednesday of each month, in the boardroom, from 5-7pm Suspended until further notice. Meet friends and neighbours for an easy-going chat over a few games of bingo, followed by an end of game buffet on the house. All Safer Neighbourhood TeamPolice officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team will continue to hold contact sessions in the BETRA office over the next few months
Residents are free to come along and discuss any issues of concern they may have. Or you may have information that you want to pass on to them, or simply wish to know what the local Police are doing in the area. All discussions will be in strictest confidence. These meetings take place in the BETRA office every two weeks. Contact the office for details of the next meeting. Our newsletterOur newsletter is published quarterly. If you would like to contribute an article, perhaps on the ways we can improve our community, or if you have any other suggestions for the things we could include, please get in touch with Lloyd. All ideas welcome.
See back copies of BETRA News. Home swapDid you know the mutual exchange scheme allows social housing tenants to advertise their property with a view to swapping their home with another social housing tenancy?
If you would like to advertise your flat for a mutual exchange, we can publish your home’s details here. We will not publish names and addresses, just the key information. Currently there are two properties on offer on the estate:• 2 Bed top floor flat • 3 bed Middle floor property If these are of interest, or you have friends in the area looking to swap, please get in touch. For a more direct approach to swapping homes you can register with www.homeswapper.co.uk 
Need help with computers?Residents sometimes ask us for help with using computers. In fact, there is help available in our local neighbourhood.
There will be current restrictions affecting the following services due to the Coronavirus pandemic - see websites for the latest information. ICT Skills Training At The Betty Strathern Centre, ICT Skills Training provide free basic computer courses to local adult communities in the areas of East London and Essex. Training ranges from the basics, such as how to turn on a computer, searching the Internet, creating and using emails, to more advanced accredited courses using the Microsoft Office programmes. For the accredited courses, there would be a small charge towards the cost of your second qualification certification. Tuesdays 10:15 – 12:15 at Betty Strathern Centre, 41 Myrtle Road, Harold Hill, Romford, Essex, RM3 8XS Website: ictskillstraining.org.uk Harold Hill Library Then there's always Harold Hill Library. Our local is located on Hilldene Avenue. It’s a very popular facility, fully accessible, and with lots of events and activities, including a Citizens Advice Service every Monday and Thursday 10am-2pm. You can phone Harold Hill Library on 01708 434973 for more information. Here ere are some of the facilities it has to offer: • 11 computers providing internet access • Homework station • Four car parking spaces • Six cycle posts • Minicom • Limited Exhibition space • Adult reading group • Young at Heart group that meets the last Tuesday of every month • "Reading Buddies" to help your children develop their reading skills • Regular baby rhyme time sessions for under threes and story times for under fives • Black and white photocopier • E-books and audio books. |
Near & deer
They may have become a rather familiar sight, but it’s worth stopping occasionally to marvel at the fallow deer who roam around the estate.
Social updateIn light of the recent Covid cases,
we are still holding off on organising large-scale community events on the estate. We feel this is the best course of action for now, but watch this space as there may see the chance to start organising get-togethers again before too long. In the meantime, activities and events may become available through the local council, so do keep checking its website for updates, and sign up for their email newsletters. Remembering WendyIn May, just as things were beginning to brighten and lockdown was coming to an end, we heard the saddest of news: the death of our Chairman, Wendy Thomas.
Wendy, who had been Chair since 2016, died suddenly while at home. Although her death came as a shock to us, Wendy had been struggling with poor health for the last couple of years. This exceptionally difficult last year took its toll on her. In a recent newsletter, Lloyd pays tribute to Wendy. Her contribution to the work of BETRA, especially on the social side, will be sorely missed. It is only thanks to people like Wendy that communities like ours are able to thrive. Board member and current Treasurer, Jill Horsham, has kindly agreed to take over as Acting Chair until elect Wendy’s successor at the annual general meeting, due soon. BETRA's current officials: Jill Horsham - Acting Chair and Treasurer Keith Mercury - Secretary 
Above, Lloyd Edwards, BETRA Estate Manager, and below, Jennie Goddard, our Part Time Housing Assistant. 
Jennie's worldJennie Goddard on the top tips she most often gives residents
I would always advise tenants to keep up with their payments for rent / charges and to not fall behind. If they do find themselves having difficulties making payments, or their circumstance have changed, it is of the utmost importance to inform Havering of any changes. The importance of not spending outside of your budget and to regularly check / make a list of your outgoings and money coming in. Not all tenants have access to PCs, so we are able to assist them with whatever they need when they come to the office and we can carry out searches for them. Some of our tenants struggle to cope with changes to their day-to-day lives, finding even slight changes unsettling. Sometimes all they need is a little guidance, and it’s great when we are able to provide this. 
Local Heroes
Let’s hear it for BETRA’s community wardens. For the last 10 years or so, they have played an important role in supporting our community. Community wardens work alongside other Council staff, the police and police support officers, working together with BETRA to make our estate as pleasant as possible. They provide an approachable, friendly and a highly visible presence in the areas where council tenants and lease- holders live. They can help with general enquiries about the estates as well as anti-social behaviour. If you are currently experiencing noise or any other type of anti- social behaviour, then please contact the community wardens on 01708 726 685 and request a visit. If, however, you have concerns about criminal behaviour you should always contact the police. Easter Egg Hunt
Coming soon! - watch notice boards for details. 
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