 Issue 2 November 2020
Donate to the Foodbox for Christmas
More people than ever will need help this Christmas and Hounslow Community Foodbox wants to ensure everyone has something to brighten up their Christmas. They are collecting donations to support families across the borough over the festive season. If you’d like to donate, HCFB will be collecting at Morrison’s in Brentford (228-246 High Street, Brentford, TW8 0AB) on:
- Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December
- Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December
The following items would be very welcome:
- Tinned food, cereals, pasta sauces, coffee, sugar etc
- Toiletries, toilet paper and cleaning products
- Selection boxes, toiletries sets, small toys and treats for children
If you can't visit the store in person but would like to donate some money, please click here.
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Join our Winter Warmth Campaign
Over the next few months a unique partnership of businesses, volunteers, sports clubs and departments across Hounslow Council will be working together to support those people in the borough who are most in need this winter. The Winter Warmth Campaign is being led by Ealing and Hounslow Community Voluntary Service (EHCVS) and is addressing the impact of Covid-19 by making it easier for people to find and offer help in their communities.
Cllr Candice Atterton, Cabinet Member for Adults, Social Care and Health, explains how people can get involved:“ “Through this year's Winter Warmth campaign, we want to encourage those who are already doing their bit to support their neighbours to keep going. We are calling on local people to support our campaign by making a simple pledge. This could be anything from donating much-needed funds to a local charity, supporting a neighbour with their shopping or donating to a local food bank. I have personally been inspired by a friend recently to support a local charity supporting homeless people.”
- To get involved residents and businesses can choose from the range of pledges that are available by visiting the EHCVS Social Action Page
- Or call the EHCVS Hounslow Volunteer Coordinator on 07378 147 005.
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Couch to Family Fit!
Couch to Family Fit has been created by Our Parks, the community fitness group.
It is a new 4-week fitness plan for the whole family. You and your family can join in with online classes from the comfort of your own home and get fitter at your own pace.
The plan involves three sessions a week, with rest days in between, and a different schedule for each week.
Find out more and join your free workouts
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Free Yoga sessions
Trinjan, the women’s social and community group, are running free Yoga sessions online via Zoom for Hounslow residents throughout lockdown until 2 December 2020. Two sessions are held every day and are led by Swarn Ghautora, a qualified and experienced yoga teacher.
For details on how to join email trinjanuk@gmail.com
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New - Couch to Bhangra
A lot of people want to feel fitter and want to find activities they can do at home with their family, so the community fitness group, Our Parks, have created Couch to Bhangra, an at-home dance exercise plan for beginners.
The plan involves three video sessions a week, with rest days in between and a different schedule for each of the four weeks.
Find out more and join a free workout
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Energy advice with Green Doctors
Your local energy experts - the Green Doctors - are offering free energy consultations by phone to help you save money and stay out of debt.
These consultations are provided for anyone on a low income or over 65 or with a long-term health condition or disability, and deal with:
- Why it is important to live in an affordable warm home
- Energy tariffs, switching provider and onward referrals
- What help is available through the Green Doctors programme
Find out more and book a consultation
A World Cafe for Hounslow
The Council is working with the Metropolitan Police and the organisation MutualGain to deliver a new World Café in our borough for Spring 2021.
World Cafés are community forums where authorities and public services engage with the local community around issues of concern, such as community safety.
MutualGain will deliver free training to 25-30 local people, so that they can help organise next year’s event. They are particularly interested in involving communities in Heston and Cranford to shape the programme.
MutualGain will be holding some 1-hour training sessions to train anyone who is interested in the planning and delivery of an effective World Café in Hounslow:
- Join the session onThursday 3 December (10am)
- Join the session on Thursday 10 December (10am)
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Return to Play funding
Sport England has opened their Return to Play Fund. The fund is to support the return to play during the Autumn and Winter. There are three parts to this new fund:
- Small Grants, Community Asset and Active Together crowdfunding.
All three are focusing on a safe return to play and narrowing the inequalities gap in sport and physical activity. Priority will be given to organisations working in areas classed as 1-3 from the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and those working with key beneficiary groups such as BAME communities and people with disabilities.
Enter your delivery postcode here to find out what IMD decile you are in
Disability Football
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is on Thursday 3 December 2020. Middlesex FA, together with London FA with be running a free virtual disability event to celebrate. Disabled people are twice as likely to be to less active than non-disabled people, and with four in five disabled people wanting to be more active it’s critical to understand how we can empower more disabled people to take part in physical activity. There will be 8 workshops throughout the day via Zoom, and they are aimed at absolutely anyone who has an interest in disability sport – such as players, coaches, parents, carers or sports clubs.
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Domestic Abuse - you are not alone
We take domestic abuse very seriously in Hounslow.
During lockdown people experiencing domestic abuse will be at home more with an abusive partner or family member. Keeping in touch with friends, family, neighbours or colleagues that you’re worried about during this time can help. You might not be able to visit them but can stay in touch by telephone, email, text or video call. Signs that someone you know may be experiencing domestic abuse are; feeling afraid of a partner or family member, shouting, threats, physical violence, monitoring emails, calls or text messages.
The council has a leaflet with contact numbers and safety advice for people experiencing domestic abuse. You can find the leaflet here.
If you know someone who might benefit from this, try and find a safe time to talk to them when their abusive partner or family member is not around.
Whilst staying at home helps stop the spread of coronavirus, home isn’t always a safe place. The government has confirmed that anyone who is at risk, or experiencing domestic abuse, is able to leave their home and seek support.
- If you’re experiencing domestic abuse Hounslow’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Outreach Service is still open and can be contacted on 07810 031780 Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm.
- If you or anyone you know is in danger, please call 999.
For more information visit the Council website
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Hounslow EU Settlement Service
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss National you and your family members must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 to continue living, working and studying in the UK. Registration means you will be eligible for:
- Public services, such as healthcare and schools
- Public funds and pensions
- British citizenship, if you want to apply and meet the requirements
Most people can apply online at Gov.Uk website, for those who are vulnerable or have other questions, free and confidential support is available from Hounslow’s Citizens Advice
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Interactive Covid-19 data for charities
The organisation New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) have built an interactive dashboard to help charities and funders see the places most affected by Covid-19. It also shows those that have underlying factors, such as age, health, ethnicity, economic indicators, and multiple deprivation, which may put them at risk. The dashboard also includes demand data showing what charities are experiencing on the ground and to set that against the official Covid-19 cases and death figures.
Learn more about using this data
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Hounslow Community Transport
Hounslow Community Transport (HCT) is delighted to announce that it has re-started the following key services for residents of the London Borough of Hounslow and surrounding areas:
HCT operates a fleet of wheelchair accessible 16 passenger minibuses that can be hired at very reasonable rates by schools, colleges and voluntary groups/charities etc. HCT can also provide experienced drivers if required.
Hounslow Shopmobility is located in the underground car park at the Blenheim Centre in Central Hounslow. A wide range of battery powered scooters and wheelchairs can be hired at very reasonable rates.
The operating procedures of both services have been fully reviewed in order to be Covid-19 safe.
Surviving in the face of Coronavirus
We are raising awareness of the vital work of our VCSE groups during the coronavirus pandemic to show our admiration for their determination and commitment to their communities.
If you are a voluntary group or charity who has managed to continue during this crisis, please send us some details of your achievements and we will be proud to share them.
Community.development@hounslow.gov.uk
DS Sports Club
DS Sports Club Is a community initiative, based in Brentford, that engages with young people through sports activities to provide them with some positive support, mentoring and education. DS Sports Club recognises the importance of diverting young people away from some of the negative issues that they have to contend with, such as loneliness, knife crime, mental health, obesity and other challenges they may face.
Using football as the catalyst, they provide sports sessions that will move young people away from harmful influences and give them some constructive support and guidance. Throughout the pandemic the DS Sports Club have been engaging with young people across the borough, providing online mentoring workshops on subjects such as health and wellbeing, fitness, nutrition and diet plans. These have replaced the regular face-to-face sports sessions.
Their Club Welfare Officer is available for young people, their parents or their carers for advice on Covid-19.
Contact: info@dssportsclub.com
DS Sports Club have recently received funding from Comic Relief Covid-19 Community Fund for their community engagement programmes.
This fund supports local grassroots organisations to respond to the needs of vulnerable individuals, families and communities during the Covid-19 crisis and to recover from the impact Covid-19 has had on their services.
Learn more about DS Sports Club
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ILAYS
ILAYS is a non-profit organisation, set up in 2004 by the East African community in West London. They are based in Feltham and their mission is to help BAME communities and new arrivals in West London to reach their full potential by supporting them to overcome the barriers to social inclusion so that they can see themselves as equal to people who were born and raised in the UK.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic they have been providing these services:
- Advice, information, guidance, advocacy and practical support on housing, education, training and employment.
- Offering food vouchers and essentials.
- Employment support and youth mentoring online and over the phone.
Email: Ilays@hotmail.co.uk
Website: https://ilays.org.uk/
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Last week for London Community Response Fund
The Mayor of London has announced a further £1.4million contribution to the London Community Response Fund to help community and voluntary organisations who have been badly affected by the impact of Covid-19.
The capital’s already-stretched voluntary and community sectors have seen a significant rise in demand for their services this year due to the impact of the pandemic and with a second national lockdown now in effect, this pressure is expected to increase considerably.
- Applications can be made up until 5pm on Thursday 3 December 2020.
Information about the London Community Response Fund and make an application
Funding to keep your community active
Crowdfunder has teamed up with Sport England to offer up to £10,000 in match funding to projects dedicated to enhancing the spaces in their local community that give people the opportunity to be active.
Sport England Coronavirus updates
As activity guidelines change, Sport England are updating their website pages to reflect what this means for sport and physical activity providers.
They have compiled advice and guidance on how the sport and physical activity sector can successfully and safely return to play.Their support includes the current government guidance, as well as advice for clubs, the professional workforce and volunteers.
Visit Sport England Coronavirus Updates
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Tesco Bags of Help
Bags of Help is Tesco’s local community grant scheme that funds thousands of community projects across the UK. During November and December, Tesco will be providing grants of up to £1000 to fund projects that support local children and young people. The application process is very accessible and projects can cover anything that benefits children and young people.
Information about Tesco Bags of Help
Find out if your organisation is eligible for this grant
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Volant Trust Covid-19 Response Fund
The Volant Trust has established a Covid-19 Response Fund for charities demonstrating a strong focus on alleviating social deprivation and helping vulnerable groups who have been particularly impacted by covid-19. Applications are considered at the sole discretion of Trustees.
Deadline is 31 December 2020
VCSE Strength Checker
The National Lottery Community Fund is offering all VCSEs in the UK an opportunity to analyse their organisational strengths and to identify areas that could be developed using a new diagnostic tool, the VCSE Strengthchecker
The VCSE Strength Checker will ask a range of questions about your organisation.
At the end, you will receive a personalised report highlighting your organisation’s strengths and areas to develop to build core effectiveness.
This feedback could be used as a guide to any work that you undertake to develop and improve your organisation.
Find out more and use the VCSE Strength Checker
Green social prescribing
The government is seeking expressions of interest for a project which aims to improve people’s mental health through green social prescribing. In July 2020, Environment Secretary George Eustice announced a £4million investment for a cross-government project aimed at “Preventing and tackling mental ill health through green social prescribing”.
As part of the project they are inviting Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs) leads to submit an expression of interest to become a “test and learn” site for the project. EOIs should be made in partnership with ICS/STP leads, natural environment sector leads and other key stakeholders, such as local authorities, voluntary and community sector organisations and public health.
Find out more
VCSE health check
Ealing and Hounslow CVS is offering free organisational health checks to VCSe groups in Hounslow. The health checks cover topics such as: Organisation overview, development areas, funding strategy, governance, monitoring and evaluation and developing an action plan.
To arrange a health check please email iain@ehcvs.org.uk Mobile: 0786 9376836
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A survey for groups working with young people
Young people have been particularly badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Social and physical activities have been restricted, their education has been disrupted and their future employment prospects look bleak. As a result we are seeing record levels of poorer mental and physical well-being, with surveys showing that there is a feeling of increased helplessness among young people about their future.
The Centre for Youth Impact, London Youth and Partnership for Young London have provided youth organisations with an opportunity to contribute to a shared picture of the existing and emerging needs for young people across London.
Their new survey will collect important data from youth sector organisations across the region so that together we build a greater understanding of what is needed on the frontline. This survey is for local VCSE organisations working to support young people.
It should be completed by Monday 7 December (9am)
More information and take part in the survey
Virtual after school sport club
Every day at 5pm from 16 November until 18 December, children and young people can join in with the live broadcast for free on then Youth Sports Trust YouTube channel
The After School Sport Club will be led by Athlete Mentors from different backgrounds, abilities and sports.
More information and get involved
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Harlequins Foundation activities
Harlequins are providing online activities to help you keep fit as part of their Stay Home Stay Safe Workout.
The Zoom sessions run from 16 November – 16 December and are for everyone aged 14+
- Monday & Wednesday (6.00pm – 6.45pm)
Register for the Monday session
Register for the Wednesday session
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Ealing & Hounslow CVS courses
International Day of People with Disabilities
Hounslow Council in partnership with Ealing and Hounslow CVS is hosting a half-day webinar to mark International Day of People with Disabilities which is celebrated annually on 3 December. It aims to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development.
Date: Thursday 3 December (2.30pm – 4.30pm) Zoom
Register here
Introduction to implementing a digital strategy within an organisation
This free session is designed to answer your questions about planning and implementing a digital strategy within an organisation.
This will help you to use online tools such as the internet and social media to raise awareness of your organisation, to attract people to your website and to bring in more customers and service users.
Date: Wednesday 9 December (11:00am – 12:30p) Zoom
Register here
Digital Marketing Training for Women
This free Digital Marketing Training is designed for women who sell their products or services through social media, Etsy, -bay and Amazon
The training will be focused on digital marketing and to include:
- Basics of digital business and digital marketing
- Reaching consumers digitally- includes search engine optimisation
- Importance of content and structuring of sales pages
Training will take place on December 4, 11 18.
Register here
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Digital Skills Courses
Hounslow Adult and Community Education (HACE) provide a wide range of courses to help adults discover their full potential and are currently offering an extensive range of great online learning opportunities.
Here are some upcoming free courses to help you and your family improve your digital skills
Essential Digital Skills; FREE qualification course
Learn how to use your laptop, computer or tablet to access information, use the internet and communicate online safely.
This is a 12-week course starting in January 2021, taking place over 2 mornings for 4 hours per week.
This is Entry Level 1 or 3 and before you register for the course you will need to book an initial assessment on either:
9 December (9.30am – 2.00pm) or 16 December (10.00am – 2.00pm)
Digital Skills for Employment
This course is held on a Saturday from 9.30am – 11.30am.
The course runs for 5 weeks; you can choose between 9 January - 5 February, or 27 February - 27 March.
Keeping Yourself and Your Family Safe Online
This course is held on a Tuesday from 12 noon – 2.00pm. The course runs for 5 weeks starting on 12 January 2021.
For details of all courses and to book a place or an assessment please phone: 0208 583 6000 or visit: www.hace.ac.uk
Watch a short video about HACE
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Domestic abuse in the deaf community
SignHealth is a charity that works to break down the barriers to good health and wellbeing for deaf people.
They partner with the NHS and other services and take on projects, carry out research and raise awareness to promote easier access to healthcare and information.
On 9 December they are supporting the campaign: No Violence against Women and Girls with two workshops about domestic abuse in the deaf community.
The workshop will explore how to support deaf people who are experiencing domestic abuse and provide information about the experiences and fears of the deaf community and what resources and support are available.
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