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10 April 2020
Message from Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council
I hope you and your families are well and I want to thank all of you who have been following the Government’s direction to stay at home as much as possible. I’m pleased to say the vast majority of people and businesses are being responsible, thinking of others, and following the rules to protect our NHS and save lives.
This a very challenging time for us all and it will likely be a long road ahead. We are having to live, work and behave differently, but it’s so important that we all take seriously our duty to look out for ourselves, our friends and families, and protect the borough’s most vulnerable residents by not spreading the disease.
With the weather getting warmer, I know many of you will want to enjoy our parks this weekend. That’s understandable. They are a great benefit to people’s physical and mental health – particularly for those who don’t have a garden - and we want to keep them open.
However, everyone must use them responsibly, and only once a day for a walk or exercise, such as a run or cycle. This newsletter details the rules below. If some people selfishly disregard the rules, they may face a fine and we may have to close parks, which would be a great shame for everybody.
Our Council staff are continuing to work hard to keep delivering services and protect our most vulnerable and isolated residents. Our Community Hub, set up to ensure our most vulnerable residents get the food, supplies and support they need, has so far managed 2,500 calls and delivered more than 650 food packages.
Our waste and recycling crews continue to do an amazing job, as do our fantastic social care workers who are facing some very challenging conditions. Teachers are keeping schools open and care for vulnerable children and those of key workers, and our outreach teams have found safe accommodation for over 30 rough sleepers and continue to look out for others.
Over 1,000 businesses have contacted us for their grant payments – and so far we have distributed £2.7m - and are continuing to support more each day.
Finally, I’m extremely grateful to all of you who are also going above and beyond in your communities; there are inspirational stories across the borough. I’m very proud of the residents and businesses of Hounslow and I’m sure, if we all work together over these coming months, we will be stronger for it.
Have a good weekend, stay safe, and Happy Easter to you all.
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This weekend - stay home as much as possible and use parks responsibly
To reduce the spread of coronavirus to help protect vulnerable people and the NHS, the Government is urging everyone to stay home as much as possible this weekend. You should only go outside for – shopping for basic necessities, one form of exercise once per day, any medical need, travelling to work if you can’t work from home.
Hounslow's parks currently remaining open for the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend. We know how important they are for physical and mental wellbeing, particularly for people without a garden.
However, as Cllr Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Parks, warned yesterday, there will be patrols by police officers and the Council’s Enforcement teams to ensure people are behaving responsibly. Anyone breaching the rules could be fined, and the Council may be forced to close parks if irresponsible behaviours put other people at risk.
Please be considerate, think of others, and follow these rules so everyone can benefit safely from our parks:
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Stay local. Don’t drive out – many car parks will be closed.
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Stay 2m apart from people not in your household.
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Keep dogs on a lead at all time.
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Playgrounds, sports courts and outdoor gyms are all closed – don’t try to use them.
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Don’t meet up with friends – you could catch it off each other then spread to vulnerable members of your family.
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Don’t gather in groups – you will be dispersed.
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Keep moving – don’t sunbathe, have a picnic, barbecue or play games. The reason for this is we need a steady flow of people in and out. The more people who take up space for longer, the harder it is to keep 2m apart, and the fewer people can use the park. It’s about being fair and considerate of others.
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If the park’s very busy, give it a miss.
Report contraventions of coronavirus restrictions
Most businesses, other than those selling food and providing necessities, should not be open. If you are concerned about a business continuing to operate despite the current restrictions, please report it here or call 020 8583 4141. Please also tell us of any gatherings you are aware of in public places or anyone you consider to be behaving irresponsibly.
The general list of premises / services which are permitted to be open are listed below, though these are updated on the Government’s website:
Food retailers, pharmacies, medical services, hardware, health, car rental, bikes, newsagents, off-licences, petrol stations, post offices, banks, laundrettes, dry cleaners, pets.
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Calling former social workers
 Social Work England has launched the Social Work Together campaign urging former social workers to return to the frontline to support the local response to coronavirus.
A temporary register is live for previously registered social workers in England who left the register since 18 March 2018 to return to practice should they wish to help in the effort.
More information is available on Social Work England’s website.
Domestic violence - help is at hand
Tackling domestic abuse is an issue we take very seriously in Hounslow. We are aware that people may be particularly at risk during coronavirus lockdown, when victims of domestic abuse will be at home more with an abusive partner or family member.
The council has produced a leaflet which provides contact numbers for support services and safety advice for people experiencing domestic abuse during lockdown. If you, or someone you know, is in an abusive relationship please, you can download the leaflet here. The information is also displayed below.
Our specialist domestic and sexual violence service for Hounslow is still open (they can be contacted on 07810 031780 (open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and we have developed new ways of working to support people experiencing domestic abuse during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The government has confirmed that anyone who is at risk, or experiencing domestic abuse, is still able to leave their home and seek support. Refuges remain open, people experiencing domestic abuse can still call support services and the police for assistance.
If you or anyone you know is in danger, please call 999.
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Recycling and waste collection over Easter
Today, Good Friday (10 April), will remain a regular collection day, so if your collection day is on a Friday, then please present your waste and recycling as usual. There will be no waste, recycling or garden waste collection this Easter Monday (13 April). All collections will be a day later. To see the schedule visit here.
Space Waye is closed today and Easter Monday (13 April) re-opening to trade only on Tuesday 14 April at 10am. Space Waye remains closed to the public. More info.
Space Waye is closed on Good Friday (10 April) and Easter Monday (13 April) re-opening to trade only on Tuesday 14 April at 10am. Space Waye remains closed to the public. For more information see HERE.
To help reduce pressure on our waste and recycling collections, please see our top 5 Tips for waste reduction
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Keep recycling out of your rubbish bin, to help make waste services run as efficient as possible. Take advantage of the weekly recycling service by disposing of all food waste (where available), paper, cardboard, plastics bottles, tubs pots and trays, glass, tins, cans and foil. For further info visit http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/recycling
2. Reduce the amount of general waste in your rubbish bin by recycling your food waste. Did you know that around a third of all black bin bag waste is made-up of food waste? If you receive a kerbside collection and don’t have food recycling kit please order by visiting https://www.westlondonfoodwaste.com/.
3. Avoid unnecessary food waste by checking out https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes for some meal inspiration. You can even search recipes based on the food you need to use up and select any dietary requirements you may have.
4. Avoid doing any clear-outs, as this will likely increase the amount of waste and recycling you generate. If you do need to dispose of larger items, please use our Bulky Waste collection service which continues to run as normal. For more information www.hounslow.gov.uk/BulkyWaste
5. Maybe now is the perfect time to learn a new skill and reuse some clothes. Through upcycling and mending, you can turn a pre-loved item into something new and unique! If you would like to give this a go, check out the Love Your Clothes’ website https://www.loveyourclothes.org.uk/.
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Advice in accessible formats and different languages
It is important that everyone knows what to do in order to protect themselves and others during the coronavirus outbreak. You can find on our website links to documents and resources in different languages and formats, including accessible guides for people who are registered as deafblind or visually impaired
Government information is available in Arabic, Bengali, Traditional Chinese (Cantonese), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu, Welsh. The web page includes:
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A staying at home guide is available in easy-read format
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Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults.
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Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection.
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Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as being extremely vulnerable.
Local events and things to do
Our cultural delivery partners, Watermans, haven’t forgotten their local community at a time that you can’t visit them in Brentford.
They have curated a great programme of activities that you can enjoy from home over the Easter break. There’s a children's theatre show, called Butterflies – a Tangled Feet and Half Moon production for younger children, that explores themes of friendship and courage in a spellbinding way. There are craft activity projects for children and adults to get creative with – making bunting in paper or fabric. There’s also free streaming of a West End production of Wind in the Willows, recorded at the London Palladium.
To access these and other events, please subscribe to their newsletter:
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The Chiswick Calendar has come up with a brilliant roundup of fun and interesting things to keep you busy during the lockdown. With activities organised into those suitable for adults, older and younger children, there’s something there for everyone.
https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/lockdown-things-to-do/
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More family fun during the lockdown
For children aged 0-5 years
Hounslow Children's Centres are still offering support. They have great ideas for things you can do with you child, a few of these are listed below.
Coming soon: weekly online activities, singing and story times recorded by Children's Centre staff.
Hungry Little Minds Simple, fun activities for kids, from newborn to five.
Over 5 and family fun
For children aged 5 to 11 years here is a celebrity online daily timetable
Tate Kids: play free art games and fun quizzes, find art activities, read about artists and share your art.
Visit museums and landmarks around the world from your own home, take virtual tours of places like:
- The British Museum, London
- Guggenheim Museum, New York
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
- Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
- The Eiffel Tower, Paris
- Stone Henge, England
- The white house, Washington
Make your own hand-washing song: You may already be aware of the online resource for making a personalised hand washing poster which you can easily add your favourite song lyrics to. Teenagers will love this as well: www.washyourlyrics.com
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Online resources for health, education and wellbeing
OneYouHounslow provides a full list of activities to help you and your family stay active and healthy from home.
#10today offers short routines for healthy activity.If you like listening to the radio why not try listening online, tune in to join many others taking part.
Adaptive Yoga with Wheelpower designed for wheelchair users to help with exercises from the comfort of home.
MIND the Mental Health Charity has compiled a list resources and information to help you stay active and healthy, alongside information on mental health and wellbeing.
We know that it is a worrying time for many, so Healthwatch Hounslow will be running weekly sessions providing information, signposting, guidance and support to residents worried about the current outbreak of the coronavirus by Zoom conference call and WhatsApp.
They will be taking place: Every Monday 10am to 11am and Wednesdays 2pm to 3pm
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Latest information and advice
If you think you know someone who’d like to receive this e-newsletter, forward it on and they can subscribe here.
The Council has a coronavirus advice webpage which is updated daily with the latest local information for residents and businesses.
You can also follow us on social media using the links below.
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