Lewisham Tenants Fund

Spotlight on Somerville United TRA's spring festival

This TRA committee is well known for getting their community involved and keeping things lively.

On Saturday, 4th April, they pulled off a cracking Easter Spring Festival that brought the community together once again.

Norma Rochester, who’s both vice chair and treasurer, led the way, helping the committee make sure everyone had a brilliant time on Easter Saturday.

A great community project in the borough, supported by the Lewisham Tenants Fund — Hazel Grove Community Garden.

Tenants and Residents Association -Spot Light

Lewis Silkin House Residents Association is an Independent Living Housing Scheme for residents aged over 60, was launched in June 2024 and quickly showed how bringing people together makes residents feel right at home.
The committee gave their members a treat with Fish and Chips, a raffle draw, and Karaoke on Good Friday, 3rd April, to celebrate Easter together.

How did the committee plan their Good Friday event?
It was simple!

Firstly, a committee member carried out a survey to find out how many residents were interested in having Fish and Chips just by knocking on doors.
Fish and Chips isn’t cheap these days, so the association chipped in to keep costs down—their members only paid £7.50, while non-residents had to fork out a bit more.
33 people, majority residents, gathered in the lounge for lunch, enjoying music played by DJ Steve that inspired everyone to sing. The atmosphere was lively and cheerful, and before long, the lounge had become a vibrant dance floor buzzing with excitement.
The committee is buzzing to get going again—they're already thinking about putting on a summer barbecue and, fingers crossed, a day out this year too.

Kender TRA was recently featured in the Lewisham Tenants Fund April newsletter:

With Shirley Henry Stearns leading the charge as Chairperson, and her awesome team backing her up, the committee put in a couple of grants to the Fund and was awarded funding for a community event and for travel. The TRA hadn’t done any community events for around four years, but this time they decided to cover everything themselves and bring back a favourite trip from years past—a fun day out at the Birmingham Christmas Market.
Kevin Stearns, Treasurer, took care of all the trip planning, and he said the Lewisham Tenants Fund’s help was a game-changer—without it, the outing just wouldn’t have happened.

Kevin’s Handy Tips for Getting Residents Involved!

Every household in the Kender Estate TRA area got a newsletter about the trip to the Christmas market. 350 newsletters were distributed by the help of local youngsters pitching in to help. The newsletter had a handy tear-off slip so people could let the committee know if they fancied coming along and nab a spot on the coach—a tenner deposit per person, but they would only lose it if they didn’t show up. If they did go, their deposit was returned. So, in the end, it didn’t cost their members a penny!
Kevin reckons the LTF travel grant was a lifesaver, as coach hire these days is seriously pricey. In the end, 22 residents and their families came along on 20 December, and everyone had a cracking time.

Happening now...Lewisham Council Housing Services, repairs drop in at St. Laurence church Catford
Stop by the Lewisham Tenants Fund table to say hello.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) are recruiting for a Chair of the Residents' Panel.

They are seeking applications from current residents of high-rise buildings. The panel has been running for over three years and has become an integral part of how BSR works.

Applications close on the 10th May 2026

Link to apply is in the comments

A great turnout from residents of Winslade estate, at the Tenants & Residents Association information evening last Thursday. Thank you to all those involved.

Lewisham Tenants Fund, membership to Tpas, enables tenants, LBL staff, board members, and councillors to access a variety of exclusive member benefits designed to enhance and support engagement excellence.
https://www.tpas.org.uk/

Congratulations to the committee and residents of Bembridge, Harmon and Pelican House on a successful inaugural Tenants and Resident Association meeting held on 7th April. A great step forward in building a stronger more connected community - well done to everyone involved

Calling all Rosenthal House Residents - TRA information evening tomorrow from 7pm at the Irish Centre, hope to see you there.