{"id":2941,"date":"2021-12-20T22:54:55","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T22:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onenorbiton.org.uk\/?p=2941"},"modified":"2022-01-18T19:04:06","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T19:04:06","slug":"report-on-crests-tuesday-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onenorbiton.org.uk\/?p=2941","title":{"rendered":"Report on CREst\u2019s Tuesday Club -Attendees pass the 1000 mark <\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jill Preston <\/strong>Chair of CREst & Dr Mike D\u2019Souza <\/strong>Chair of One Norbiton Dec 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Small Piper Hall set up as Food bank Summer 2021<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tuesday Club is a voluntary community venture. It was started on the 11th of April 2017 by Jill Preston, the Chair of CREst with the support of Dr Mike D\u2019Souza, Chair of One Norbiton. Its aim was to provide a personal service to \u2018Street-drinkers\u2019 who had surged in Norbiton following RBK banning them hanging out in the centre of Kingston. The club was based on CREst’s existing Mental Health Drop-in event that had been started many years previously, but which was no longer attracting many attendees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Club was advertised by word of mouth as being open to all local needy and homeless. We then recruited Sainsbury\u2019s Sury Basin whose customers donated weekly food etc. in receptacles placed at the supermarket exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPDATE ON ATTENDANCES AT THE CLUB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2017, <\/strong>between 7 and 29 people began attending each week and 475 meals were prepared and served in Piper Hall. In 2018, <\/strong>weekly attendance rates rose; ranging from 16 to 57 a week and a total of 2093 meals were served<\/strong>. In 2019, <\/strong>the attendance rates steadied to between 24 and 65 a week and a total of 2,112 for 2019<\/strong>. In 2020, <\/strong>before Covid between January and March weekly attendances varied between 32 and 52 and a total of 488 <\/strong>meals were served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 24th March 2020\u00a0<\/strong>the pandemic had created lock-down. However, this did not stop the\u00a0Tuesday Club\u00a0<\/strong>which has continued throughout to the present day<\/em>. Indeed, to meet the new needs of Covid, activities were expanded to include a\u00a0Saturday Food Bank outlet\u00a0<\/strong>until 31st\u00a0July 2021 by which time we were promised the Food Bank would take it over. Unfortunately, this relief service has only started up this month. At the time of writing (January 18th, 2020) we have just. welcomed\u00a0our 1000th(!)\u00a0<\/strong>attendee to the Club. Over 60 of these\u00a0have been volunteer helpers or \u2018Observers\u2019.\u00a0Since mid-October 2021 weekly attendance has risen by 36%\u00a0<\/strong>to an average of\u00a0around 70\u00a0<\/strong>with a high point of\u00a090<\/strong> on 21\/12\/21. This increase seems to be related to the recent drop in Universal Credit and the huge rise in power costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food Bank
<\/strong>Our Saturday food bank service attracted 68 <\/strong>of our usual Tuesday attendees as well as additional and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

different customers from the CRE who were in critical need of Food and support. On average, every Saturday, we were supplying food to 137 adults and 81 children<\/strong>. Furthermore, about 64 food parcels <\/strong>were prepared and home delivered every Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are fortunate that at least one of our three elected LibDem Councillors has been attending each week to help with more complex problems that residents encounter. This personal approach has helped to alleviate some of the stress which residents have been under.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR CLUB ATTENDEES?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Demography: <\/strong>Of the 967 attendees 386 (40.3%) have been female.
Age <\/strong>was not collected. Children and babies have attended but the majority are young to middle-aged adults Nationality:
269 (28.1%) have non-UK surnames <\/strong>(These include Polish, Greek, South Asian, Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern and West Indian names)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is their domicile status?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we studied them in 2020 we found that 57% of our attendees <\/strong>stated that they had
been Homeless <\/strong>at some time. Post codes gathered all our non-homeless revealed that, except 2 with TW codes, all were Kingston dwellers with KT addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How needy are our attendees?
Their Income<\/strong>: From a separate survey in 2021 of 32 attendees 18 (56%) of whom were women. 29 (91%) had incomes below the poverty line.
28% <\/strong>reported their personal weekly incomes after housing as less than \u00a370pw
47% <\/strong>as less than \u00a3152pw
16% <\/strong>as less than \u00a3245pw
28% <\/strong>were in income stress and
28% in debt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their Health problems <\/strong>too were considerable; with 13(41\/%) having Physical problems and 18(56%) having Mental health problems while 15(47%) were lonely. When we studied them in 2020 a high percentage had addiction and other health problems. Not surprisingly, their measured Quality of life <\/strong>is very poor. <\/strong>Previous reports on this issue reveal that it is dramatically worse than the rest of Kingston\u2019s population. We have had to deal with occasional behaviour problems related to attendees emotional status, including recently to some objecting to wearing masks (they were given visors) and others refusing vaccinations. Most of our attendees, however, have been very friendly and collaborative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of our health findings have been corroborated by word of mouth from attendees and a recent survey done by Iona Lidington<\/strong>, Kingston\u2019s Director of Public Health, and her team. See \u201cCambridge Road Estate: A Health and Wellbeing Analysis July 2021\u201d <\/strong>The Key suggested priorities of this report to improve the health and wellbeing of people that live on the Estate are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(1) making it easier to book a GP appointment.
(2) developing a mental health strategy.
(3) reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
(4) developing a strategy to help reduce drug abuse on the Estate. (5) improving Estate services and cleanliness; and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(6) help residents with managing their long-term health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to such anonymous surveys, we have the advantage of face-to-face contact with this subset of this population in the CRE and its environment. <\/strong>In the context of the current policy to \u201clevel up\u201d, <\/strong>this presents a real challenge to our relatively wealthy Borough. A personal approach seems most likely to enable change so in the club we use first names rather than surnames.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

COVID<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Club has participated in Test and Trace and undertaken a separate mini survey in 2021. We asked 30 consecutive attendees and found that 22 had been Covid vaccinated but 27% (8) were refusing, sometimes vociferously. Because of working from home, RBK officers were rarely on the Estate in person. CREst and the Club however valiantly maintained an unbroken service and were often asked for help by residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT ASSISTANCE IS THE TUESDAY GROUP PROVIDING?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We set up a \u2018Just Giving \u2018platform which was supported by many residents and allowed us to continue offering fresh fruit and vegetables (not available at ordinary Food banks) This initiative was regularly supported by our MP, Sir Ed Davey and his wife, Cllr Emily Davey who donated goods every week. We also received donations from \u2018Save the World\u2019<\/strong>, City Harvest, The Dons , M&S<\/strong> and many ordinary citizens and businesses such as the Bricklayers Arms have come in bearing clothes or other gifts. It seems to us that Kingston is really a very generous place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, we open Piper Hall from Noon until 2pm every Tuesday offering company<\/strong>, a hot meal<\/strong>, takeaway sandwiches<\/strong>, drinks<\/strong>, and a selection of food<\/strong>. Clients are allocated 10 vouchers and can choose to \u2018spend \u2018them on a large selection of tinned goods and toiletries. We also provide fresh fruit and vegetables<\/strong> (which are not available in the Food banks) and have left surplus of these together with bread and in-date ready meals outside Piper hall for free collection by residents. We now participate in KVA\u2019s Good Food Group (run by Voices of Hope) for sharing healthy eating advice, and any surplus of donated food and we had valuable help from The Sunflower Streets Residents\u2019 Association with the Food Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Covid, we provided a venue for friends to meet up and play Pool, table tennis scrabble and other games as well as get advice on Housing etc and occasionally First Aid. Now we are participating in the Test and Trace battle with COVID and maintaining conviviality at a social distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Voluntary and Statutory groups have come to observe or contribute to the Club?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have welcomed observers from statutory and voluntary organisations such as Spear, KCAH, NHS, Public Health, Wellbeing, City Harvest, RBK Officers, and CRE Caretakers Save the World, Community Enterprises Love Kingston and the new vicar, Hugo Foxwood, who is opening a Community Cafe\/Food-bank in the Archway where people can get Power vouchers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO ARE DELIVERING THE TUESDAY GROUP SERVICES?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The club has been run by Jill with the invaluable help over the years of  72 Volunteers<\/strong>. A major component of the work has been the logistics of transporting heavy food.
A former Labour mayor of Kingston has frequently cooked our meals and all three of our local Liberal Democrat councillors have attended and helped. We have had cross party approval and RBK Council Officers have generally been supportive particularly by ensuring the free use of the Halls and by refurbishing unused space for our use as a pantry. However, organising and providing the current level of voluntary help has been very stressful indeed and we list below all those who have participated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

List of Volunteer Helpers since 2017
Allie <\/em><\/strong>Croker, <\/em>Amanda <\/em><\/strong>Oram, Amelia<\/strong> Marinko, Angel<\/strong> Levick, <\/em>Anna <\/em><\/strong>Tugendhat, <\/em>Annabeth <\/em><\/strong>Derry, <\/em>Astrid, Brendan <\/em><\/strong>Hynes, <\/em>Caroline <\/em><\/strong>Frost<\/em>, Cecilia <\/em><\/strong>Wilkins, <\/em>Claudia <\/em><\/strong>Estrada, Claudia<\/strong> Gravira, <\/em>David <\/em><\/strong>Ryder-Mills, <\/em>Debbie <\/em><\/strong>McArthur, <\/em>Despo <\/em><\/strong>Stevens, <\/em>Dylan <\/em><\/strong>Trivett, <\/em>Ed <\/em><\/strong>Naylor, <\/em>Elaine <\/em><\/strong>Erskine, <\/em>Emily <\/em><\/strong>Davey, <\/em>Emily <\/em><\/strong>Rhoades, Emma<\/strong> Hinde, Evie <\/strong>Hinde,  <\/em>Fadia <\/em><\/strong>ALRomeed, <\/em>Geraldine <\/em><\/strong>Burgess, <\/em>Gwen <\/em><\/strong>Harlow,  <\/em>Gwen <\/em><\/strong>Oearson, <\/em>Harry <\/em><\/strong>Shepherd, <\/em>Holly <\/em><\/strong>Rhoades, <\/em>Hwa <\/em><\/strong>Bleakley, <\/em>Iain <\/em><\/strong>Benson, <\/em>Imogen <\/em><\/strong>Marinko, <\/em>Iren <\/em><\/strong>Rakosa,<\/em> Jane <\/em><\/strong>Shave, <\/em>Jill <\/em><\/strong>Preston, <\/em>Joanna, Jonathan <\/em><\/strong>Seyghal<\/em>, Joy <\/em><\/strong>Bowers, <\/em>Jules <\/em><\/strong>Doig, <\/em>Kay <\/em><\/strong>Homes,<\/em>Kerri, Lara <\/em><\/strong>Gibson, <\/em>Lily <\/em><\/strong>Herbert, <\/em>Lucia <\/em><\/strong>Esteban, <\/em>Luciana <\/em><\/strong>Estrada, <\/em>Lucy <\/em><\/strong>Hastings, <\/em>Lynlie <\/em><\/strong>Clark, <\/em>Maeve, Magali <\/em><\/strong>Berger, <\/em>Mapheson <\/em><\/strong>Janarthan, <\/em>Marcela <\/em><\/strong>Benedetti, <\/em>Margaret <\/em><\/strong>Hannington, <\/em>Mary <\/em><\/strong>Graham, <\/em>Mathusa <\/em><\/strong>Janarthan, <\/em>Michael <\/em><\/strong>Burke, <\/em>Mike <\/em><\/strong>D’Souza, <\/em>Miranda <\/em><\/strong>Gibson, <\/em>Monica <\/em><\/strong>Gibson, <\/em>Monique <\/em><\/strong>Sinclair, <\/em>Nigel, Nikki <\/em><\/strong>Borthwick, <\/em>Nina <\/em><\/strong>Dulanto, <\/em>Olie <\/em><\/strong>Wehring, <\/em>Pamela <\/em><\/strong>Dulanto, <\/em>Phil <\/em><\/strong>Hutchinson, <\/em>Rachel <\/em><\/strong>Herbert, <\/em>Rashid <\/em><\/strong>Ali, <\/em>Rhiannon <\/em><\/strong>Harlow, <\/em>Ruth <\/em><\/strong>Dawson, <\/em>Sarah <\/em><\/strong>Clay, <\/em>Sara <\/em><\/strong>Derry, <\/em>Sonia <\/em><\/strong>Delgado, <\/em>Suzanne <\/em><\/strong>Seyghal, <\/em>Tony <\/em><\/strong>Forecast, <\/em> Trudy <\/em><\/strong>Barker.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT OTHER AGENCIES ARE PROVIDING SIMILAR HELP IN KINGSTON?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KCAH and the local Churches Food bank are invaluable (particularly for Fuel poverty vouchers; indeed, without the help of our local Churches it is hard to see how many disadvantaged people in Kingston would survive. In addition, we have had help from KVA\u2019s Food Group and from NHS Wellbeing for addiction services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW WILL WE ALL <\/strong>KNOW WE\u2019RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In additional to the Director of Public Health’s Key suggested priorities we would like to suggest the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n