 On Monday 29 March, the rules around staying at home will be changing as part of the next step of the Government’s roadmap out of national lockdown.
The main change will be that you will be able to meet outdoors to socialise either with one other household or as part of a group no greater than 6 people.
Outdoor sports facilities may also reopen, but there will still be strict travel restrictions and you must continue to limit the number of journeys you take.
You must continue to work from home if possible, and travel abroad is strictly prohibited unless you are permitted to do so.
Remember, this is only one step in a long process. We must continue to work together, observe the rules and follow 'Hands. Face. Space.' in order to prevent more infections, which would only reduce our chances of meeting the June 21 date and going back to our normal lives this summer.
 World Autism Awareness Week is taking place from 29 March to 4 April. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. It is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways.
One in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK. Get involved and help create a society that works for autistic people.
There is lots of support available across the borough:
Whether you are a new carer or have been caring for someone for a while. Find out about Autism support in the borough – a guide to local services in Hounslow.
The Hounslow’s Autism Working Group meet every two months. We welcome people with personal experience of neurodiversity, including professionals and community partners. If you would like to receive updates and are interested in joining us please contact us at autismworkinggroup@hounslow.gov.uk.
Autism Hounslow is a peer support group for autistic people, their families, friends and carers who live in Hounslow. We work with other organisations to promote acceptance, awareness and inclusion of autistic people, ensuring autistic people can access work, community and leisure activities. To find out more or join us please contact us at adultautismhounslow@outlook.com
 Poll cards will begin to hit your doorsteps this week for the upcoming Mayor of London and London Assembly elections and two local by-elections in Cranford ward and Hounslow Heath ward.
Look out for your polling card and keep it in a safe place so you don’t forget election day! Remember to bring your poll card with you to the polling station on Thursday 6 May.
If you haven’t already - there is still time to register to vote. Online registration is easy and simple. Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Don’t forget to have your national insurance number to hand, as you will need this to complete your online registration.
Registering is not automatic and signing up to other council services, such as council tax, does not entitle you to vote. You can also apply for a postal vote by visiting our website.
 Waste and recycling collections will change due to the Easter Bank Holiday.
It is important to check when your collection will take place.
Good Friday (2 April) is a normal collection day and residents with a Friday collection day should leave their containers out by 7am.
 Hounslow Council’s garden waste collection service provides residents with 25 fortnightly collections from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, with a break of two weeks over the Christmas period. The service is a convenient, low-cost way for residents with gardens to dispose of cuttings throughout the year.
The annual cost of the service is £55 or £27.50 for those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. Residents are advised to sign up before 1 April to ensure they receive the service in full.
 If you fancy getting creative this weekend, why not share a photo of your crafty masterpiece for a chance to win a fantastic local prize.
To enter our competition, simply create something arty and share a photo with us.
If you need a few ideas to get you started, why not try:
- Decorating an Easter egg or Easter bonnet
- Drawing or painting a picture inspired by Hounslow
- Making a spring flower arrangement
- Taking a photo of your favourite place in the borough
All ages are welcome to enter, and we have lots of local prizes up for grabs, including vouchers for local days out, shops and more. Once you have completed your masterpiece, take a photo and send it to communications@hounslow.gov.uk, with the subject ‘Spring competition’. Please ensure to include your name, age, gender, home address and postcode and a contact email/telephone number with your entry.
If you are under 16, a parent/guardian/schoolteacher must submit the entry on your behalf.
Entries must be received by Monday 12 April, and winners will be contacted by Friday 16 April.
 If you are planning to get your daily exercise in this weekend through a walk around the borough, why not stop by one of our participating care homes to gift a Spring bulb. The Spring bulbs can be gifted as a sign of gratitude to care home staff, acknowledging all the hard work they have, and continue to do, throughout the pandemic.
To show your support please leave a ‘Spring bulb’ on the doorstep at the care home.
Please find below a list of care homes who wish to take part:
- The Mayfair - 139 Vicarage Farm Road, Heston, Hounslow, TW5 0AA
- Vicarage Farm Nursing Home - 139 Vicarage Farm Road, Heston, Hounslow, TW5 0AA
- Short breaks - Star Road (Star Road Respite Service) - 49b Star Road, Isleworth, TW7 4HU
- Maryville Care Home - 12-14 the Butts, Brentford,TW8 8B
- Poor Servants of Mother of God - 6-8 The Butts, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8BL
- Ashgrove Care Home - Fir Tree Road, Hounslow, TW4 7HH
- Cloisters - 70 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EQ
- Atfield House - St John’s Road, Isleworth, TW7 6UH
 Brentford FC Community Sports Trust have launched a brand-new, Post-16 girls programme trial day this Easter.
The programme will offer young talented female footballers the chance to compete in the English Football League’s prestigious community education alliance league and gain A-levels or a BTEC qualification at the same time.
Contact post16@brentfordfccst.com in case you have any further questions.
 Have you thought about taking up cycling, but want to give it try before you commit to buying a bike? Have you considered cycling to change-up your daily exercise routine?
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in the demand for bikes. Across London, many people are now using bikes as a new way of travel – meaning they can avoid public transport while keeping fit.
To make cycling more accessible to you and to give you the opportunity to try before you commit to purchasing a bike, the Council is working in partnership with Peddle My Wheel to deliver a 'Try Before You Bike Scheme'. The scheme means that all residents can try a brand new or nearly new bike for a small monthly fee, after which you can decide to purchase or return the bike.
 If you are aged 50 or over, are clinically vulnerable, a frontline worker or a carer, you can now book your COVID-19 vaccination through the NHS website even if you haven’t yet received a letter. Appointments are available at sites across the Borough and also Ealing, Wembley and Hammersmith.
You must book your appointment before you go to a vaccination centre. We are aware of other scam messages circulating – please ignore them. The NHS will never ask you for money or your bank details for your vaccination – it is free.
You can book an appointment now if:
- you are aged 50 or over
- you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
- you are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
- you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
- you have a learning disability
- you are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus
You can book appointments at a larger vaccination centres or a pharmacy that provides COVID-19 vaccinations.
Please make sure you plan your journey responsibly to allow for as much social distancing as possible.
 We are all eager to go back to doing the things we love, that's why we want to hear your thoughts on the COVID-19 vaccine.
Are you under 50? Take part in the short North West London CCG COVID-19 vaccination survey and be in with the chance to win a £150 amazon voucher.
This will help us the NHS to deliver an effective vaccine programme across North West London.
The NHS COVID-19 vaccination survey closes on Friday 16 April.
 We’re here to help you plan your free rapid tests around the forthcoming Easter weekend.
If you don’t have COVID-19 symptoms, getting tested regularly will help you to protect yourself and your family and you will still be able to get tested during the Easter break.
Please make a note of the opening hours for the following sites:
Opening times:
- Good Friday (2 April) - Closed
- Saturday 3 April - Open - 8.00am-4.00pm
- Easter Sunday (4 April) - Closed
- Easter Monday (5 April) - Closed
In the meantime, we’re open as usual, so please drop-in, or book online here www.hounslow.gov.uk/rapidtest or call to make an appointment: 0207 084 9697
For up to date details about our Mobile Testing Unit locations and opening hours, please keep an eye on our Twitter page.
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