IlonaM

Following on from last poster, a google search turned up a LinkedIn page: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/chris-essex-hill-858151a - seems to tally with IT

Good news: enough people have donated for six more torture surivors to have full gardening therapy! That’s six people whose lives could be that little bit better. But it’d be great to raise enough for 10 people - that’s just £4,960 more. Can you help by chipping in? Direct link: https://action.freedomfromtorture.org/donate-fund-gardening-therapy-for-survivors?utm_campaign=22EA042&utm_source=email&utm_medium=fftml&utm_content=nodeadline Thanks for everything you do. Jack Steadman, Head of Digital and Campaigns

I thought this fundraising appeal for the Garden therapy programme of Freedom From Torture might be of interest: 'Torture survivors come along to the safe space of our garden to grow plants together. They get outside, meet new people and talk through trauma with people who really understand. But there’s a huge backlog of torture survivors waiting for gardening therapy due to Covid. I really don’t want to say ‘no’ to anybody, but we need extra donations so everyone can enjoy our garden. A full 20 week gardening therapy programme costs £1,240. Can you chip in whatever you can so no one misses out on this life-changing opportunity? Gardening therapy helps surviors of torture in all different ways. It grows self esteem, teaches new skills and helps people process emotions. And by living in the moment, it can help people stop constantly reliving trauma in flashbacks and nightmares. Every survivor of torture who wants gardening therapy should have it. I don’t want to think about how many people might miss out - unless we can raise the extra funds. None of our work would be possible without people like you. All of us at Freedom from Torture have so much gratitude for anything you can spare in these tight times. Thanks for everything you do. Karen Piper, Horticultural Therapist Direct link: https://action.freedomfromtorture.org/donate-fund-gardening-therapy-for-survivors?utm_campaign=22EA041&utm_source=email&utm_medium=fftml&utm_content=nocasestudy

Just a contribution following a rather big shock from EDF the other day. With my bill from March to September (reasonable and substantially in credit, which the eejits have refunded) they wanted to put my monthly direct debit up from £100 to £328 on the basis that my current usage for gas costs £237 a month (previously £57) and electricity £91 (previously £34). This is with scant use of gas (1 hr a day heating water, no central heating needed, and using gas hob for cooking). For someone in a one-bed flat (Victorian conversion) they suggested an estimate of over £4,000 usage cost over the coming billing year which was vastly different to my expectation given my day-to-day usage. Fortunately I persuaded them to keep the direct debit at its current level pending more elaboration from Truss. God knows what the gas bill will be when the heating needs to go on - I am disabled and can't manage without it. Scary.

Hi Joe, Yes, Martin Lewis' team has a lot of ideas. They created a 'Heat the human, not the home' guide earlier in the year - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/heat-the-human-not-the-home-save-energy/ - which has recently been updated. There have also been some interesting articles in the Guardian etc. with advice and health warnings which might be useful links to include. I have also been researching low-cost/energy-use cooking ideas and am quite taken by the Wonderbag which is a modern update on haybox cooking - starting a dish off on the hob and then transferring to an insulated bag/box which acts as a slow cooker using no power. There are lots of DIY guides for making one's own, using towels/old duvets etc as the insulation material, but I rather like the social enterprise ethos behind the Wonderbag which is a South African business working with local communities. There are lots of recipes available online as well as adapting slow cooker recipes - stews, soups, etc. but also some baking, so it is quite a versatile method. Best wishes, Ilona

The Forum really came together during the covid crisis and showed how valuable an asset it is to support, advise and cheer each other up during very tough times. I was wondering whether there could be either a dedicated thread or section for pratical ideas and signposting for the cost of living crisis? This would be separate to discussion of cost of living policy/politics etc. I was thinking in particular of both service user-led ideas [including but not limited to recipes, energy-saving, keeping warm, practical ideas etc.] and also links to advice or help suggested in the media/online etc. We have such a wealth of experience on the Forum that I'm sure that there would be useful ideas and advice that could be very constructive and helpful during the coming months.

'Energy Bills Support Scheme. Households will start receiving £400 off their energy bills from October. Most households will see the non-repayable discount automatically applied to energy bills in instalments over six months. A £66 discount will be applied to energy bills in October and November, rising to £67 each month from December through to March 2023. If you’re on a traditional prepayment meter, you’ll receive a monthly voucher which you can redeem at a local top up point identified by your supplier. Beware of scams. You do not need to apply for the scheme, and you’ll never be asked for your bank details. Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-bills-support-scheme-explainer?utm_campaign=ebss&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_source=nextdoor&utm_content=lon'

Had to google a picture - very beautiful creature!

Now that you have a BG-read meter reading I would suggest submitting meter readings yourself rather than relying on estimated meter readings. It might not have helped in this instance, which appears very strange and hopefully can be resolved, but will keep more control over the readings relied on by BG. They will probably periodically come out to read the meter, but customer readings have more accuracy than estimates which rely on the 'average householder usage' rather than you personally. Other thing to check is whether a leak has developed on the pipe from your flat to the main. Strange to suddenly have such a leap in usage in the summer. I have to admit that, with the cost of living crisis, I am recording meter readings at the end of each month just to see if there are usage issues. I am only submitting a reading online when asked, but it is reassuring to see what's going on. I do not have smart meters, although I have an old OWL electricity monitor which is helpful. My fixed tariff deal ended earlier in the year and am now on standard variable, so want to keep a handle on it.

Just received an email purporting to be from Ofgem (but wrong address). Went to Ofgem website and there is currently a spate of scam emails apparently: 'Dear [] Starting today the Government has announced an energy bill rebate scheme This includes: A £200 discount on their energy bill this Autumn for domestic electricity customers. A £500 non-repayable Council Tax Rebate payment for all households that are liable for Council Tax. How do I apply for energy bill rebate? You can get your rebate via Ofgem portal by clicking the button below: ...' Advice from Ofgem: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/avoid-and-report-energy-scams

Had a couple of instances. First the Tuesday waste collection was missed until Wednesday fortnight. Then the recycling was missed on usual Tuesday and collected on the Wednesday. The garden waste guys have been collecting normally. This is on Underhill.

Southwark is collecting with a bit of disruption. Tuesday is our normal day we but hadn't had green bin collection for two consecutive dates, they collected this morning. Brown bin has been fine [on Underhill].

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/dogs-algae-highams-park-lake-chingford-east-london-b1017552.html 'Dog owners have been issued a warning after a number of animals died after drinking water from a “toxic lake” in East London. ... It comes after animal welfare charities warned dog owners of toxic algae building in waterways during the heatwave last month. Blue Cross charity said blue-green algae can produce harmful toxins which stop a dog’s liver from functioning properly. The charity said: “Exposure to toxic blue-green algae is often fatal, and can also cause long term health problems in dogs that survive after drinking or swimming in algae-contaminated water. “Call your vet immediately if you suspect poisoning. Some types of blue-green algae can kill a dog just 15 minutes to an hour after drinking contaminated water. "Dogs who have been swimming in water can get the algae caught in their fur, and can ingest it while cleaning themselves later on." Common symptoms of algae consumption include vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures or fitting, unconsciousness, confusion, drooling and breathing difficulties. “There is no antidote for the toxins produced by the bacteria, but if caught early enough, your vet will likely try to make your dog sick and attempt to flush the toxins from the body before they take hold,” the Blue Cross added. In the UK, incidents of blue-green algae can be reported to the Environment Agency which has a 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.'

I was wondering if someone wasn't using a smoker for fish/meat. Odd smell.

Yes, this is the second evening in a row that I have smelt smoke in the evening (Underhill/Horniman end).

Hi Foxy, When I had shingles many years ago I did not have it to the same degree as you, but the post-infection pain continued locally for some months afterwards. I have experience of Capsaicin cream for pain management though. It helps block the unwanted pain messages by creating an alternative message in the nerves [more info here: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-capsaicin]. It can have side effects, but when I used it I did not experience any. I would suggest trying it on healthy skin, away from the area affected by shingles, first so that you can have an idea of how it feels (often tingly, warming). Wishing you a speedy recovery. Ilona

Celia Hammond Lewisham Lewisham Rescue Centre and Veterinary Clinic 233-235, Lewisham Way, London, SE4 1UY Rescue and Homing Centre tel no: 020 8694 6545 Rescue centre email: [email protected] 'If you wish to support us in the care of our cats please do so by sending donations of cat food via our Amazon Wish List : https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/wishlist/NH7XY66SFO89/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_o or food can be dropped off at our Lewisham centre during opening hours Mon - Friday 9am - 5.30p.m or Sat and Sun 1p.m - 5p.m'

When I needed to get in touch with a local school I looked at their webpage. A round robin is just an email copied to multiple people so you don't need to write to each individually. Timeconsuming, but can be effective.

Is it a small or substantial amount? If small, surely BG can disregard it and the problem solved. The CAB or the MOney Saving Expert Forum might bring some good advice. Alternatively sending a request for help to the Guardian Consumer Champions might help resolve the issue by putting BG in the paper!: 'We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at [email protected] or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions'. Another option is getting your MP involved, if you haven't already.

If it is a young person's card how about local schools? Round robin email copied to numerous addresses? Alternatively post on Nextdoor??

Bernard Cribbins has passed away aged 93. Fantastic narrator on children's shows like the Wombles https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/bernard-cribbins-actor-dies-doctor-who-wombles-narrator-aged-93-b1015201.html

Forest HIll Cars collected me from Heathrow last month. Very pleased with meeting, price etc.

Up to date guidance accessible here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment Last updated 8th July 2022