Satinder S. Grewal, Loss Assessor for Aspray & Property Manager at SDL Property Partners, tells us about his involvement in local charity work

Following my background in Project Management, I was attracted to the challenge to manage buildings insurance claims as a Loss Assessor for Policyholders (whilst adding significant support to them at usually quite difficult times) at Aspray. Making a claim obviously results from an incident or loss which then requires time input with insurers and contractors for reinstatement works to fairly resolve. 

With all this experience in dealing with properties and buildings, the opportunity to provide further support with a block management service was pursued as an SDL Property Partner. In particular, the confidence from interpreting and understanding insurance policies, claim paperwork and terms, negotiations and management of contractors was a skillset that could benefit the role of a property manager. An understanding of client requirements, potential issues with buildings and of course health & safety can all be related to both roles as a Loss Assessor and Property Manager. 

Recently Aspray actually became proud ARMA Partners, starting with a conversation I managed to have with Nigel Glen and Jaclyn Thorburn from ARMA at a networking social event! This partnership between ARMA and Aspray should surely add value and benefits to the property management sector.

The time of year for giving

Most people will have seen the Christmas appeals for donations and volunteers to support the needy and less fortunate during the season of joy and goodwill. Although a long-term supporter of Crisis via a small direct debit, I had often also thought about making myself available as a volunteer at Christmas; either with logistical support or serving meals at a Crisis Centre for instance. 

Admittedly, usual family plans and some memorable (warm) winter holidays have been prioritised at the end of another year of hard work. From my building insurance claims management work with ARMA affiliated Aspray, the logical link towards adding a block management service as an SDL Property Partner keeps me busy enough throughout the year. 

It also happens to be my birthday on New Years Eve. Every year. So, my good intentions to volunteer with Crisis at Christmas have not materialised, yet…

Life beyond the desk

Where there is a will there is way; the objective is to merely volunteer and serve the needy. The numbers of homeless, rough sleepers or even people on (very) low budgets are an increasing social fact all year.  

With some inspiration and research, I made contact with Randeep Singh Lall, the founder and Operations Director of Nishkam (Selfless) Sikh Welfare & Awareness Team, popularly known as “SWAT”. Seeing the desperate situation of needy individuals in Southall over a decade ago, Randeep felt the urge to take action and with his own local network arranged an “outreach” service of meals and support. For Randeep and his team the rest is history. 

Now with over 1000 committed volunteers in distinctive red tops, they are serving almost 3000 meals at over 20 locations across the UK every week, not just at Christmas.

At the regular introduction sessions for new volunteers, Randeep himself details that although he had a good IT career and family, he still felt a void and wanted to do something more with his time and energy. I can relate to this having always been inclined to do more than just work, rest and play.

Over the years, beyond usual work and family commitments, I have volunteered as a mentor, Local Education Authority School Governor, a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, a Secretary for cultural events with the Mayor of London’s office, an “Observer” for the Institute of Advanced Motorists training and a support driver for various fundraising events. One of the events I find most rewarding to support is the annual Birmingham to London Bike Ride- I volunteer as a support truck driver on this tough weekend event which started 40 years ago!

Humanity regardless of religion or faith

The real irony amongst all this so far is that whilst initially connecting with the ethos of sharing and caring at Christmas, I actually found myself going full circle back to the faith I have been born into. 

The NishkamSWAT outreach sessions are taking the teachings from the founder of the Sikh faith (Guru Nanak Dev Ji) to the streets- in particular, the concept of “langar” or a free kitchen for all irrespective of race, faith or status. This year will be two thousand and nineteen years since the birth of baby Jesus; it is also (only) 550 years since the birth of Guru Nanak. The intentions, objectives and messages are the same, the religion itself is irrelevant or even any faith connotation at all. 

Serving someone in need is simply a humane act. Vegetarian “langar” is served in Sikh Temples or Gurdwaras (the Gurus doors), this even featured on Jamie Olivers’ “Meat Free Meals” with his visit to Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in Delhi where he reported up to 100,000 free meals served daily!

Getting involved

Closer to home, I joined the NishkamSWAT rota to serve meals at one of the larger outreach sessions along The Strand on Sunday evenings; typically 200 warm meals in under an hour. I have also supported the operation in Trafalgar Square and Camden. 

Beyond meals and some companionship, NishkamSWAT also offers clothing, basic medical attention, sleeping bags, personal hygiene supplies and whatever else has been collected or donated. A drug and alcohol support service has also been launched recently. 

The meals themselves are either prepared at a Gurdwara, a family effort, or donated by a number of generous restaurants and food outlets.

The food itself varies from traditional rice with daal or chickpeas to pasta, cooked mixed vegetables, pizzas, naans, samosas along with ample biscuits, fruit, bottled drinks as well as tea or coffee. Each warm drink is prepared upon request with due care for sugar and milk contents.

Even closer to home, I am now a core team member for NishkamSWAT in East London. Around fifty meals are served in Ilford High Road between 19.30 and 20.30 every Wednesday. During the same time frame on Thursday evenings, over 120 meals can be served at the Stratford Centre. Each site has its own challenges. Ilford is outdoors and exposed, whilst Stratford is inside a shopping mall which presently, due to a public Right of Way status, remains open throughout the night and has itself become an unofficial shelter for rough sleepers.

Reality of the front line

Whilst there is typically immense gratitude and positivity, we are essentially dealing with some very vulnerable individuals and groups. Drug and alcohol abuse and misuse is evident along with PTSD, mental health issues as well and physical assault injuries. There is also the dented dignity, externally and internally.

Impatience to be served and even aggressiveness have to be assessed; risks to all volunteers have to be carefully considered too including pick pockets, needles and even “personal space” particularly for our dedicated female volunteers. These issues and concerns are discussed and covered in the volunteer induction training “Managing Challenging Behaviours” and updated as necessary by SWAT HQ. With sincere sympathy as a parent myself, I have witnessed adults with young children queuing – even still in school uniform. We have even had to continue the outreach session whilst Stratford was in complete lockdown with armed Police and dogs, following another fatal stabbing of a teenager the same afternoon. 

However, the mutual objective remains; a food parcel is to be packaged and handed over with respect and without any judgement. The routine operation also obviously involves loading/unloading supplies, setting up/clearing serving tables and clearing away all related refuse responsibly. After all that, SWAT volunteers can return to their comfortable homes; the people we have just served can usually be seen wandering aimlessly or bedding down amongst ragged materials and cardboard.

A growing issue

There is plenty to reflect upon when seeing new or usually familiar faces queuing week after week at the outreach sessions; a sense of hopelessness with no real solution in sight.

Working in London Boroughs including Newham, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets, the reality of increasing rough sleepers is unmissable on my travels. Stratford itself has become a notable magnet or hub, perhaps it’s the “bright lights” effect since the 2012 Olympics and vast amounts of regeneration across E15 and surrounding areas.

Representing NishkamSWAT at a recent Homeless Link and Housing Justice meeting at the iconic Toynbee Hall Whitechapel, the role of various other faith and non-faith groups is described as a critical safety net in the Governments Rough Sleeping Strategy & Initiatives. The Governments aspiration is to end rough sleeping by 2027. The (second) deadline for Brexit was 31st October 2019. Cynicism aside and reality accepted there are many complex variables from the current status of the Private Rented Sector to the ongoing impact of Right to Rent tenant immigration checks.

Summary

The formidable hard work of Randeep (pictured on the left) and the team at NishkamSWAT, along with many other similar voluntary organisations, remains necessary- fact.

The BBC produced its own documentary following Randeep and other NishkamSWAT volunteers in “SWAT- Street Food Servants”. Most recently, NishkamSWAT was bestowed with “The Queens Award for Voluntary Service”, effectively an MBE for an entire organisation! 

Fantastic recognition, well done to everyone involved including donors, sponsors, partners and of course volunteers. 

NishkamSWAT is also fortunate to receive generous regular support from various large organisations with staff volunteering for CSR sessions. Along with all this, SWAT HQ also arrange their own fundraising events throughout the year including sponsored “sleep outs” in the streets, a 26-mile walk across the capital and the Snowdonia challenge.

As my own journey with Aspray and SDL Property Partners continues, there is no doubt in my mind that personal development benefits from voluntary efforts. As well as a sense of contributing positively to society, the increased confidence, knowledge and social interactions with like-minded individuals from varied backgrounds is a true gain. Attention to detail, decision making, awareness of surroundings and welfare, effective communication and interpersonal skills all traverse between my professional and voluntary roles. 

Perhaps it’s time for a valid CPD category for non-work-related voluntary commitments and development.

For more information on the work Nishkam SWAT do and how you can get involved, visit their website.