On Wednesday 3rd June more than 60 residents packed into the Jessie Duffett Hall in Southwark, South London for the launch of the Wyndham Heat Network campaign, marking an important step forward in the fight for safe homes across the estates. The evening brought together residents, community organisations and local councillors to discuss the ongoing issues affecting people living on the heat network.
For years, residents have faced serious housing issues, including frequent outages to heating and hot water, damp and mould, overheating and repairs that were often delayed or ineffective. These conditions have, and continue to have, a significant impact on residents’ health, wellbeing and quality of life.
The meeting began with warm and welcoming conversations over fantastic jollof rice and the formal introduction of the Wyndham Heat Network Action Group, a resident-led campaign formed to address these long-standing problems and demand meaningful improvements from the council.
Throughout the evening, campaign spokespeople shared heartfelt and honest accounts of their experiences living on the estate. Stories of repeated hot water shortages, poor-quality repairs, damp and mould resonated deeply throughout the room and were met with nods of recognition and applause from many in the audience, for whom these problems were also a daily reality.
Spokesperson and resident, Fowzya, highlighted the importance of collective action and community organising in securing lasting change, whilst Amineatta called for the basic right to a dignified and safe home.
Respiratory consultant and Medact member LJ Smith also spoke about the health impacts of poor housing conditions and the importance of residents organising together to hold decision-makers accountable:
“Some homes have been severely neglected by landlords, by housing associations, and by councils. And people have been failed. And so in my clinic, what I hear every single week, what I see on my wards in hospital is that people do everything right. They eat the right things. They take the medicines they’re told to take. They get some exercise. And yet they are sick. And they know why they’re sick. And I know why they’re sick, but they don’t seem to be able to get the help that they need.”
Residents made clear that they are no longer willing to accept these conditions and have united around a set of key demands:
- Reliable heating and hot water for all residents
- Safe, dry and well-maintained homes
- Investment in the long-term condition of the estates
- A repairs service that is responsive, effective and accountable
Councillor Reginald Popoola, Southwark Councils Executive Member for Council Homes addressed the audience and acknowledged the failures of previous administrations. He recognised that residents’ demands were reasonable and committed to raising these issues within the council. Residents welcomed these comments, while recognising that the true test will be whether these commitments are followed by meaningful action.
The launch also marked the beginning of a new housing and health survey being carried out by Medact. The survey will document experiences of heating and hot water outages, damp, mould and other disrepair issues, helping to build a clearer picture of the challenges residents face. This evidence will strengthen the campaign’s call for long-term solutions to the heat network and wider housing problems, ensuring that residents’ voices and experiences are at the centre of demands for change.
The evening concluded with further conversations, community building and fantastic live music from Maya Bhardwaj.
The turnout and energy at the launch demonstrated the strength of feeling among residents and the growing determination to secure change. The Wyndham Heat Network Action Group is committed to continuing this work and building the collective power needed to win reliable heating and hot water, decent homes, and a housing service that works for residents.
If you are based in London and want to get more involved or have any questions, reach out to [email protected]. Otherwise sign up to our Homes for Health mailing list for updates on how the campaign progresses.
