Families Matter Bitesize e-bulletin - March 2021

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FM E-Bulletin

Welcome to your monthly bitesize e-bulletin from the Parent and Family Support Service.

In these uncertain times we understand the pressures parents, carers and families are under and provide a wide range of services and support for all parents and carers in Tower Hamlets.

We offer early help, targeted services and family support in partnership with schools and community venues and most recently due to the Coronavirus our services are available online through webinars, virtual meetings and forums.

Here you’ll find regular updates, information, advice, and opportunities for you to join one of our virtual networks, support groups or attend a virtual parenting session to meet other parents and carers, share your experiences and learn from each other.

For more information about the service, visit our website.

If you like this e-bulletin please share on social media, through community networks or your school website using the following share button, or you can click the hyperlink in the top right corner of this email.

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Thank you

Thank you!

Thank you to all our partners and attendees who contributed to the first online Tower Hamlets Parent Conference.

The conference took place over three days last week with 400 bookings and was developed with members of the Parent and Carer Council to bring parents and carers together to access information, learn something new and celebrate the contributions parents and carers have made over the past year.

You can see the closing video from our key note speakers and partners here.


Cooking

Healthy start vouchers – worth up to £900 a year!

Did you know you may be entitled to vouchers to spend on essential food items if you receive certain benefits? Healthy Start vouchers can be spent on food and milk and can be used in all major supermarkets, local shops and even market stalls in Tower Hamlets.

The scheme is being increased from £3.10 to £4.25 from April 2021, to offer families:

  • £8.50 per week for each baby aged up to 12 months
  • £4.25 per week for each child under four
  • £4.25 per week if you are pregnant

Depending on your family size, you could benefit from £17.00 a week if you are pregnant, have a baby and a child under four, gaining up to £900 a year!

Find out more >


Easter

Looking for fun things to do over Easter?

The Local Offer is here to help, with details of upcoming events, activities, holiday clubs, and virtual offerings for children, young people and families.

Be inspired >


Bike

Free family cycle training for children three to six

Families in Tower Hamlets can take advantage of free cycle training courses. The courses are available during school holidays and are aimed at parents and their children aged three to six-years-old. 

For enquiries, email enquiries@bikeworks.org.uk

More details >


Childcare

Looking for childcare?

The Family Information Service (FIS) provides free, impartial information and advice on a wide range of services for children, young people, parents, and families.

FIS also offers a free brokerage service to all parents and carers who are looking for childcare in Tower Hamlets. This could be when you are looking for long term, short term, emergency, ad hoc or holiday childcare.

For more details
Tel: 020 7364 6495
Email: Family Information Service 


Maths

Maths at Key Stage 1- an online session for parents

Join this interactive online session, delivered by experienced practitioners from the Parental Engagement Team. You’ll gain an insight into what your child is learning at Key Stage 1 in maths and pick up some handy tips on how you can support learning at home and encourage mathematical thinking.

Maths at Key Stage 1, Friday 26 March, 10am- 11am

To book your place, email us stating your school’s name and child’s age.


Talk

What do you want to talk about?

The Parental Engagement Team are developing their ‘Platform to Talk’ summer term programme and are keen to hear from parents on the kind of topics they would like to talk about.

The discussion-based sessions provide a safe space for parents to come together, share their experiences and get reliable information from experienced practitioners. Past sessions have included motivating teenagers to learn and preparing for back to school.

To suggest a discussion topic for future sessions email the Parental Engagement Team.  


School boy

Secondary school place appeals deadline

Do you need help making an appeal for a Year 7 school place for your child?

Information and advice is available for parents to support the secondary transfer appeal process, including:

  • What an appeal is and what happens when an appeal is made
  • Your options if not offered a preferred school place
  • Things to consider when making an appeal
  • The appeal procedure timetable
  • How an appeal decision is reached

The closing date to lodge a secondary school place appeal is Monday 29 March, 4pm.

Email: Transition Support Service

Tel: 020 7364 1533


Covid-19

Tower Hamlets Covid-19 and me

Has your child been struggling during Covid-19? There is a weekly online discussion group, facilitated by a psychotherapist, which may be helpful.

The group, for young people aged between 14 and 19-years-old, is a safe space for them to share their experiences of the pandemic and help shape services for young people in the borough.

Every Thursday, 6pm- 7pm until 15 April
Zoom meeting ID: 817 0771 4422
Passcode: 352681

For more details email meera.kapadia@nhs.net


Community Navigators

Community Navigators are here to help

Tower Hamlets Community Navigators can provide advice on keeping healthy, details about how the council can help and information about other services that can give support. They can also give extra support to vulnerable or isolated residents.

For further information contact the Community Navigators


Childcare

Holiday Childcare Scheme

The Tower Hamlets Holiday Childcare Scheme is Ofsted registered and provides childcare for children aged three to 13-years-old. The schemes are held in Tower Hamlets schools during the school holidays (excluding the Christmas break).

Learn more >


Bangladesh

Bangladesh 50 years

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives are presenting a programme of online events exploring the connections between the War of Independence in 1971 and the local community in the East End.

All events are free and take place until May 2021.

Find out more >


Did you know that Tower Hamlets offers other email newsletters to keep you up to date on a variety of topics?

  See the list and sign up!