A south London mum says she is having carry her nine-year-old daughter up three flights of stairs days after having a major operation on her leg because the block of flats they live in has no lift.
Jade Kendall and her two young children live in a top floor flat in Bermondsey, Southwark.
A few weeks ago, her daughter Chloe underwent an eight-hour surgery on one of her legs after being diagnosed with a health condition two years ago. Jade’s daughter is due to have a second operation, on her other leg once she has recovered from the first procedure.
While in recovery, Jade’s daughter is using a wheelchair and crutches, however only the first flight of stairs in their block of flats is fitted with a handrail which her daughter can hold on to.
Jade, who is asking to be moved somewhere more appropriate, claims she first informed Southwark Council about her daughter’s operation over a year ago.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) just before her daughter’s first operation, Jade said: “[The council] has got to learn they can’t treat people like this, especially because we’re going into hospital tomorrow not knowing the unknown.
“It’s going to take me longer trying to get my daughter up and down the stairs, and then I’ve got to try and make sure my four-year-old doesn’t fall down the stairs; he’s only little, he’s got little legs. I feel like I’ve been let down and I feel like [the council] just don’t care.”
Jade said she practised carrying her daughter’s wheelchair up and down the stairs but struggled. She said: “It’s also going to be very weighty and I’ve got to try and make sure I don’t do my back in. It’s all concrete floor as well.”
Jade, who gave up her job as a teaching assistant two years ago to care for her daughter, said she was told by the council that because her block of flats has a communal stairwell, a stair-lift can’t be fitted. Jade says she is also overcrowded, and has been bidding weekly on properties however she is currently on Band 4 of the council’s housing register, which is the lowest priority for rehousing.
She believes that because she has historical rent arrears, she has never been moved to a higher priority band. Jade grew up in care ever since she was born and was given the flat by the council when she was 17. She said because of her circumstances as a care leaver, she fell into rent arrears and has been paying them off using a payment plan.
Her friend, Kathleen Coughlan, told the LDRS: “Jade has challenged this for so long and all the council just keep holding onto is historical rent arrears which she’s been paying off. She’s paying her rent, she’s maintained that tenancy for 17 years. I don’t understand how she’s only on Band 4, I really don’t get it.”
She added: “Just the simple fact of bringing a wheelchair up and down with a poorly child; she’s going to be very poorly afterwards as well. She’s not really being listened to. It’s the children that are in need, medically this can’t be right. They’re not listening, they don’t listen.”
Councillor Michael Situ, Cabinet Member for Council Homes, told the LDRS: “Our priority is for all residents in Southwark to have a safe, decent home which fits their needs. There is a huge demand for social housing in the borough with a waiting list of over 18,000 households with varying requirements and accommodations needed.”
Mr Situ added: “Despite the difficulties this presents we are rising to the challenge to build more council homes and do everything we can to support residents in transferring or transforming homes to meet their needs.”
