The first residents moving into a new 42-flat care home in Peckham have been given a warm welcome in time for Christmas.
The new home in Commercial Way has been named Tayo House, after the late councillor Tayo Situ, who died in May 2011 whilst serving as mayor of Southwark.
The residents celebrated with a mince pie as they moved in on Monday. They were joined by Tayo’s eldest son, councillor Johnson Situ, and councillor Richard Livingstone, Southwark’s Council’s cabinet member for adult care and financial inclusion.
Priscilla Chigwedere from Peckham Rye 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.”
Cllr Livingstone 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.”
Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for business, employment and culture, said: “It’s 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.”
A new day centre for elderly people is also set to open close by in Cator Street in 2018.