A new home for Christmas for Southwark tenants

19 December 2016

Several Southwark residents will be celebrating Christmas in a brand new council home this year – designed specially to support older people in our borough.

Southwark Council has built 42 Extra Care Homes at Tayo Situ House, along Commercial Way in Peckham, and the first new tenants have moved in just in time for the holidays.

The homes are the first Extra Care Homes to be completed in the borough as part of Southwark’s pledge to become Age Friendly, and are also part of the 1,500 new council homes set to be completed by 2018.

Cllr Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for adult care and financial inclusion, said: “It is fantastic that we are able to expand our range of new council housing to include these extra care homes.

“These self contained flats mean that our tenants can live independently in their own homes, but with care support on site around the clock there is that bit of extra help if they need it, so they can live safely and well. With additional community facilities and a garden area, tenants can also choose to relax with neighbours, make friends and hopefully not feel isolated or alone.  I hope this is the future of housing in our borough as we work towards becoming more Age Friendly, providing a wider choice for people as they become older.”

The Extra Care Homes were designed by architect’s PRP and will eventually complement the brand new day care centre set to be completed next door on Cator Street in 2018.

The community housing scheme has been named after the late Mayor of Southwark and dedicated Peckham ward member Councillor Tayo Situ. Cllr Situ was a Peckham councillor from 2002 up to his death in May 2011.

Cllr Johnson Situ, one of Tayo’s sons, also now sits on Southwark Council’s Cabinet. He said: “It is a wonderful tribute to have the new homes named after our father in the part of the borough that he loved and worked so hard for during his time as a Southwark councillor.

“It is especially fitting that these are not just affordable, new council homes, but homes that have a special purpose – to help some of our older residents stay happier and healthier in their own homes.”

The first resident to move into the scheme was Priscilla Chigwedere from the Peckham Rye area. She said: “I’m still learning my way round but it is beautiful, life in a place like this is beautiful. The people here are lovely, you just feel relaxed. I came and I immediately felt relaxed and welcome. A little party came to meet me, what more could you ask for.”

Paul Dwyer’s father, Kevin, also moved into the scheme this week. Paul said: “My dad needs extra support and the staff here can offer that. It is amazing, it is good to know someone is still here developing social care. These days you hear so much about how much social care costs but places like this show there is still hope.”

Page last updated: 29 December 2016