Latest newsletter -
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The search is on...for a new WendyRemember Wendy? Our late, much- missed former social secretary, Wendy Thomas, played a key role for BETRA. By taking the lead on organising social events and activities, she helped turn this estate into a community.
We held regular bingo sessions for some of our elderly residents, family fun days on the green in the summer, and special Easter, Halloween and Christmas dos for the children. Then along came Covid... Fortunately, nearly everyone affected by Covid made a full recovery. We now want to get back to organising the kind of social scene we once took for granted here at BETRA. To do so, we need people willing to plan and run such activities and events. Most of all, we need someone to lead the way, someone like Wendy. If we could find them, that person would enjoy the full backing of Lloyd, Jennie and the Board. Could you be that person? If so, please make yourself known to us! BETRA’s postponed AGM is coming up in February. Come along to that meeting, and let’s get things rolling. Annual General Meeting If you are interested in getting involved with our social committee, or any other aspect of our work, why not come along to the Annual General Meeting? Every year we hold an AGM to discuss plans for the company going forward, as well as appointing committee members into positions of post for the company for the year. The AGM is an open meeting, so please do come along. 
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
See notice boards for details. 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 and in the newsletter. We will not publish names and addresses, just the key information. Currently there are two properties on offer on the estate:
Need help with computers?Residents sometimes ask us for help with using computers. In fact, there is help available in our local neighbourhood.
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. |
BETRA's new bookletsWe have produced new editions of three BETRA publications:
• Residents Handbook - all new residents receive a copy of this booklet. • Guide to out-of-hours emergency procedures and other useful information - all new residents receive a copy of this. • Board Members Handbook - Board members each receive a copy of this. All three booklets are now available on our Publications page. 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.
The BETRA BoardBETRA's current officials:
Jill Horsham - 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. 
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