Summer Connections 2025

We’re thrilled to share the latest news in this year’s summer Connections 2025. 

This summer, we’re bringing you: 

Latest updates: Get the latest information on our staff, our last open event and access to our recent policies. 

Resident spotlight: Read about JJ Appleby, a proud father, football lover, and award-winning reggae artist who moved to the UK from Jamaica a long time ago. 

How communities can help your wellbeing: If you’re feeling disconnected, get tips on to boost your wellbeing with your community. 

Support against glaucoma: This summer’s Connections raises awareness of glaucoma, a serious eye condition that can cause vision loss without early signs. Learn if you’re eligible for a free test and how Glaucoma UK can support you. 

Money matters: Join Jane and Evelyn as they discuss the changes to Winter Fuel Payments. 

Competition time: Join the fun and challenge your wordsearch skills by finding 20 languages. 

We hope you enjoy our latest Connections edition. If you’d like a print copy, please get in touch with us at citeam@ccha.biz or call us on 020 8680 7532, or freephone 0800 054 6710.    

If you have any feedback about Connections, please email it to Sam at samm@ccha.biz.  

Want to receive Connections straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email list today.  

Stay connected and happy reading! 

We’ve partnered with Croydon Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to offer free support to residents who live, work, or study in Croydon. 

What kind of support can I get?  

When are the meetings taking place?  

Meetings will take place every last Friday of each month. The next four appointments taking place at our office are:  

Where are the meetings taking place? 

Private sessions will take place in our office and will be treated with confidentiality. 

Office: ccha, 29 Sheldon Street, Croydon, CR0 1SS. 

You’d need to book an appointment with our Welfare and Income team to attend. Contact us at 020 8680 7532, freephone 0800 054 6710, or email income@ccha.biz. 

Repairs to my home (not gas related) 

For emergency or urgent repairs, please report it to our Customer Service Advisors (CSAs) on 020 8680 7532 or freephone 0800 054 6710. You can also email non-emergency repairs to customers@ccha.biz. 

If you contact KNK to report your repair, you’ll be redirected back to us. By calling us directly, Debbie and her CSA team can ensure your repair is logged. This will help us to: 

Gas boiler related issues 

For all heating and gas servicing enquiries, call Smith & Byford on 020 8652 7016 or email cchagas@smithandbyford.com.  

If you think your gas appliance is unsafe, turn it off and contact Smith & Byford using the above telephone numbers. They will attend to test the appliance.  

If you smell gas, think there is a gas leak or have reason to suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, you should immediately call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999. 

Need help? 

If you’re not sure who to contact, just give us a call and we’d be happy to advise.

Is the Winter Fuel Payment back?

The government has made a major U-turn on Winter Fuel Payments (WFP) following backlash after removing them from all but the poorest pensioners last year.

Who will receive the allowance and who will miss out?

This year, the WFP or Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) will be paid to people born before 22 September 1959. Pensioners with a taxable income of £35,000 or more will have to pay it back via the tax system. Residents can call us on 020 8680 7532 or learn more about how this works on the government’s UK website. Nine million pensioners will receive the allowance this year.

How much will I receive?

Whether you are below age 80 or above and have a taxable income of over £35,000, most households will receive between £100 and £300 a month.

When will I receive the money?

You will receive a letter around September/October telling you how much WFP you will receive. You should then receive your money around November/December. If you think you are eligible and don’t receive it by the end of January 2026, you can contact the WFP helpline on 0800 731 0160.

As a pensioner, do I need to apply?

Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. 

What happens if my taxable income is more than £35,000?

HMRC will take back your Winter Fuel Payment through PAYE or your self-assessment tax return.

Is there support for the younger generation?

Help over the winter months may also be available for younger people, such as:

For more information, watch our 4 minute long YouTube video.

If you need support or would like to discuss this further, get in touch with Jane and Evelyn on 020 8680 7532, or freephone 0800 054 6710 or email income@ccha.biz.

With so many changes happening, keeping you informed and ensuring you have all the resources you need is vital. Jane and Evelyn are here to answer your questions, provide guidance, and help you navigate the process seamlessly.

Check out our latest video answering our most recent enquiries by our residents.

If you want require support from our our Welfare Benefit & Debt team, please call us on 020 8680 7532, or our freephone 0800 054 6710. Alternatively, you can email income@ccha.co.uk.

 

On 10 and 11 June 2025, we hosted our resident open event at our office on 29 Sheldon Street, bringing together over 50 residents for an engaging and productive meetup. The event connected our staff, contractors, and board members with our residents, giving a sense of community and collaboration. 

During the event, residents actively took part in discussions and addressed their concerns. A massive thanks to our contractors, KNK, Smith & Byford and Chequers, who helped residents with their questions. 

Many of our residents appreciated our team’s openness and willingness to listen to their needs. It was heart-warming to see residents connecting, sharing stories, and building relationships. 

One of the residents said, ‘Meeting the staff in person, many of whom I’ve only spoken to over the phone, was such a pleasure. It was wonderful to meet Debbie and her team finally, my housing officer, the transfer locator, contractors from KNK and Smith & Byford, a board member, the marketing officer, and Martin. Not to forget our director, who left a lasting impression with a gentle, caring, and approachable nature.’  

Additionally, everyone who attended will be entered into a raffle. We’ll announce the winners next week. We look forward to next year’s open event, where one of the sessions will be in the evening to allow those working during the day to meet us. 

Join us next Tuesday or Wednesday at our offices to meet staff, contractors and other residents.

This is your chance to have a look around and meet our new repairs contractors KNK!

Location:  ccha, 29 Sheldon Street, Croydon, CR0 1SS  

Dates & times available:  

Sessions are first come first served.

To RSVP, please call us on 020 8680 7532, freephone 0800 054 6710 or email citeam@ccha.biz. Let us know what date and time you’d like to attend, if you have any dietary requirements and if you are keen to see any staff in particular.

To ensure that your missed bin collection is reported and resolved quickly, check your local council’s website.

Once you have the necessary information, you can report a missed bin collection by contacting your local council directly. This is done by phone or online, and you will need to provide your address and the type of bin that was missed. Some councils may require you to provide more information, such as the date and time the bin was put out for collection.

Most councils have a time limit for reporting missed collections, so it’s best to report it as soon as possible.

If your bin has been missed due to a particular issue, such as a blocked road or adverse weather conditions, your council may provide additional information on when your bin will be collected. Sometimes, they offer a temporary solution, such as an extra collection or communal bins.

Reporting a missed bin collection is simple:

Proper waste disposal is important for a clean and healthy environment

You should always use the right bags for different waste types: food waste in compostable bags and general waste in black bags. This helps ensure that waste is collected correctly. 

Recycling is important too

Use designated bins for paper, cardboard, plastics, glass and cans. Rinse containers to avoid contamination, and check recycling symbols, as not all plastics can be recycled. 

Hazardous waste, such as chemicals, batteries, and electronics, must be disposed of separately to protect health and the environment. 

Always dispose of waste on designated collection days to avoid attracting pests and creating issues for neighbours.

In the next few weeks, we will share with you tips on how to: 

Following these guidelines will help you and your surrounding to keep the community clean and safe.

We strive to providing excellent customer service that places you at the centre of everything we do. Clear communication and responsiveness are necessary in building a strong relationship between us, you, and all our residents. Below, we outline our Customer Service Standards, which are designed to ensure you receive the highest level of support.

Phone support

When you call our main number, we strive to answer within 5 rings. If we can’t take your call right away, our automated messaging system will inform you of your place in the queue.

Call back

If we can’t speak with you immediately, we will acknowledge your call by returning it within 2 working days. Please allow us more time to gather the necessary information for more complex queries.

Handling your letters

You can expect an acknowledgement via phone call or text within the next working day. We aim to respond to your written inquiries within 5 working days.

Email responses

When you email us, you’ll receive an immediate automated acknowledgement from our group email account confirming that we have received your message. We commit to providing a thorough response within 5 working days.

In person visits

If you prefer to meet with us in person, don’t hesitate to contact us in advance to schedule a face-to-face appointment. Our office operates on a booking system to ensure your visit is productive. We aim to schedule your appointment within 7 working days.

Our promise to you

When you contact us, we want you to feel we’re approachable and easy to work with. We are dedicated to treating you fairly and respectfully and ensuring a positive experience in all your interactions with our team.