New survey on the mental health effects of pandemic
 Are you aged between 13 and 24?
We want to hear your thoughts on how you've been affected by the pandemic and the lockdown. We're particularly interested in finding out the impact of Covid-19 on your mental health and well-being.
Open to young people as well as parents or carers, completed surveys will be entered into a draw with a chance of winning one of five £20 prizes.
To take part in the survey click on the link here
The survey will close Monday, 3 January.
‘Trees’ a crowd this weekend
 There is a free tree collection event at Redlees Park in Isleworth this Sunday,12 December.
Hounslow Council has pledged to give away 500 trees to residents of the borough to plant in their own gardens as part of its commitment towards tackling climate change.
Residents, who have registered for the scheme, can collect their tree at one of the giveaway events being held in the borough.
Sunday’s event will take place in the carpark at Redlees Park between 10am and 2pm.
A further event is planned for Hounslow Heath carpark on Sunday, 16 January.
Find out more about the project and other green initiatives happening in and around Hounslow here.
Need a safe space for emotional support and a listening ear? Visit the MIND Safe Space Hub
The Safe Space is a local hub for anyone who feels they are nearing crisis point, including carers.
You will be greeted by friendly staff from Mind charity, who will always be there to listen to you and help you get the support you need.
They will give you some support and strategies to cope through planned activities or sign post you to further support. The service is delivered on behalf of West London NHS Trust.
Residents can access Safe Space during drop-in sessions at Southville Community Centre, Southville Road, Feltham, TW14 8AP or virtual by emailing safespacehounslow@hfehmind.org.uk or via the telephone by calling 0207 471 0584.
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Can you help your local area chill with a Community Fridge?
Community Fridge is a social space bringing together people to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste. The Co-op is working in partnership with Hubbub to offer funding to local groups to help them set up 100 Community Fridges across the UK.
Successful groups will receive:
- £4,000 funding
- support to set up a fridge
- membership to Hubbub’s Community Fridge Network
To find out more click the button below.
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Community-based specialist palliative care review free online event - Monday, 13 December
 The North West London health and social care partners would like to invite you to the first of a number of Community-based specialist palliative care review engagement events to be held between now and February 2022.
This is a first opportunity to hear the reasons why health and social care partners in North West London are carrying out a review of community-based specialist palliative care services.
By community-based specialist palliative care services we mean palliative and end of life care services that are provided in a community setting (ie. patient’s home, hospice inpatient unit or day care services, care home, community hospital/centre) by services with care professionals who have been specialist trained in this field.
We want you to tell us what is important to you as we look to develop these services for adults (18yrs +) to provide high quality care and good patient, family and carer experience.
The session is particularly relevant to people who have experience of community-based specialist palliative care services. The main two questions we want people to ask:
- What does good quality community-based specialist palliative care and support look like?
- What does good patient, family and carer experience look like when receiving community-based specialist palliative care and support?
Join us and have your say on what we need to do to improve community-based specialist palliative care and support where you live.
Date and time: Monday, 13 December 2021 1:30pm to 3pm
The panel: The panel will consist of NHS specialists.
To attend, click on the Eventbrite registration button below, after registration you will receive notification of your event ticket and you will receive the joining event link two days before for the event.
Hounslow High Street Festive Musical Performances
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Get into the festive spirit this weekend with the help of the Hounslow Music Service, and funded by the Council.
Hounslow High Street is hosting a series of performances including local musicians. Performances will take place outside the Holy Trinity Church, TW3 1HG.
Saturday 11 December:
- 11.00am to 1.00pm – Holy Trinity Church
- 1.00pm to 3.00pm – The Hudson Dukes
- 3.00pm to 5.00pm – Majestic Brass
Sunday 12 December:
- 12:00pm to 1.30pm – Osahn Humaran Jazz Quartet
- 1.30pm to 3pm – West London Brass
- 3.00pm to 5.00pm – London Street Band
If you can’t make it this weekend performers will be returning to the highest on 18 and 19 December as well.
Saturday 18 December:
- 11.00am to 1.00pm – Holy Trinity Church
- 1.00pm to 3.00pm – Barnes Concert Band Saxes
- 3.00pm to 5.00pm – Osahn Humaran Jazz Quartet
Sunday 19 December:
- 11.00am to 12.30pm – Ebony Steel Band
- 12.30pm to 2.30pm – The Hudson Dukes
Performers will be returning to the high street on the 18 and 19 December.
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Christmas tree collections dates
 Real Christmas trees will be collected between Monday, 10 January and Friday 21 January 2022. Collections will be on the scheduled Garden Waste collection week for your road – this will be on the alternate week but same day as your usual rubbish collection. More information and dates: www.hounslow.gov.uk/christmascollections
Putting your tree outside on the pavement on the wrong day might cause an obstruction to pedestrians so we are asking residents to please place their trees (with no lights or decorations) at the boundary of their property, not on the pavement, by 7am for collection. This service only applies to properties using black wheeled bins.
Those living in flats will need to contact their managing agent or resident association to arrange a single bulk collection of trees at their development or block of flats. Requests should be emailed to recycling@hounslow.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can drop your real Christmas tree off for free between 24 December 2021 and 28 January 2022 at:
- Hanworth Air Park - Hounslow Road car park TW13 6AA
- Hounslow Heath – Staines Road car park TW4 5AR
- Redlees Park - Worton Road car park TW7 6DW
- Bedfont Lakes - Clockhouse Lane car park TW14 8QA
- Gunnersbury Park - carpark via Popes Lane W5 4NH
Space Waye - North Feltham Trading Estate, Pier Road, Feltham TW14 0TH
Christmas Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) returns
 Hounslow Council will be filling the festive holidays with fun and food for thousands of children and young people across the borough, with the return of the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF).
During Christmas, there will be a feast of free activities on offer at 27 different sites across Hounslow. It includes everything from sports coaching, cookery lessons, arts and crafts and computer skills workshops.
The scheme targets children aged between five and 15, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Hounslow Council is working in partnership with local schools, community organisations, faith groups as well as existing holiday and sport club providers to deliver the HAF.
Inspired by the ongoing campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford to end holiday hunger, the HAF will also ensure that children and young people will receive a healthy meal while enjoying their activities.
Funding for the programme comes from the Department of Education. The HAF ran successfully in Hounslow over the school summer holidays.
The initiative aims to ensure that children eat healthily and are active. It also seeks to reduce social isolation and ensure that the children are engaged with school and other local services.
Eligible children will receive a holiday activities voucher from their school, which will take them to the Council’s www.hounslow.gov.uk/holidayactivityfund where they can find more information to book activities.
Tell us your views
The Hounslow Business Impact Survey is now live and will help the Council understand the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit on businesses in the borough. This year participation also brings the chance to win a £100 gift card.
The survey aims to help develop a better understanding of the current climate in which the borough’s businesses are operating. It will gather businesses views, investment experiences, confidence and intentions looking forward.
All completed surveys received will be entered into our free prize draw to win a £100 gift card. The deadline to complete the survey is 16 January
For more information and to complete the survey, visit your page here.
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Brentford Christmas celebration
 This weekend, Brentford Market Square will be hosting a full range of fun activities for everyone to get into the festive spirit.
Activities include the Christmas Tree lights switch on with former Brentford FC player Marcus Gayle, musical performances, the special Christmas Market on Sunday, and Wreath making plus much more.
Visitors will also be able to make donations to Hounslow Community FoodBox, including food and toys for Christmas.
Finally, our Community Solutions team will be present to offer any advice and guidance to residents who may need it – come and say hello or visit Hounslow Connect for more information.
Find out about more festive activities taking place in Hounslow by clicking the button below.
Important changes to Hounslow's ward boundaries
 Elections for the London Borough of Hounslow are set to change next year with an increase in the number of wards.
The next local election in Hounslow will be held on Thursday, 5 May 2022 and will see the introduction of new ward boundaries which may impact where residents vote and for which ward.
As part of these changes, implemented by the Local Government Boundary Commission of England (LGBCE), the number of wards will increase from 20 to 22, and the total number of councillors who represent Hounslow will increase from 60 to 62.
These changes may also mean that from May 2022 some ward names will be changed and some residents’ addresses may fall within a different ward.
For more information on these changes and local elections, visit our page here
Learn Hounslow Open Day at Brentford Library
Begin your lifelong learning journey at Brentford library with Learn Hounslow, who will be hosting an Open Day on Thursday, 16 December at Brentford Library to showcase their latest course offering.
If you are interested in learning new skills to find a job, gain a promotion, maintain your health and wellbeing, improve your confidence or develop a hobby, the Learn Hounslow service will have a course for you.
Learn more about our local course offer, this includes:
- ESOL : English for Speakers of Other Languages
- Digital Skills
- Identifying and Controlling Food Allergy Risks
- Food Safety & Hygiene
- Fine Art
- For more info, visit www.hace.ac.uk
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Green volunteers’ plant-astic achievement
 Tree planting is well underway in Hounslow.
This week has seen at least 1,500 saplings go into the ground as part of an open spaces’ improvement project in Hounslow South
Hounslow Council’s Parks Team has supported the local branch of Trust for Conservation Volunteers and others in planting 1,500 young trees or whips at Farnell Road. The whips will create a 200m hedge line for birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife visiting the site.
Hounslow’s Greenspace 360’s Tree Team are also planning saplings in parks and open spaces across the borough.
In 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency and pledged to reduce carbon emissions in the borough and enhance our open green spaces.
Planting trees is a great way of contributing to both initiatives. Between now and March 2020, 250 standard-sized trees and more than 6,000 whips will be planted across the borough.
This is in addition to the 500 trees the Council has given to residents to plant in their gardens.
For more information on tree planting in Hounslow, visit our pages here .
Are you looking for a job with the NHS?
In partnership with the NHS, the Work Hounslow service has access to the latest NHS vacancies and opportunities.
If you live in London Borough of Hounslow and would like a job with the NHS, contact or register your interest with Work Hounslow today.
The latest vacancies available include:
- Hub Care Co-ordinators (Band 4)
- Hub Lead Care Co-ordinators (Band 5)
Visit the Work Hounslow website to read through the full job descriptions and apply.
If you have any questions, contact the Work Hounslow team on work@hounslow.gov.uk or visit the website to get in touch.
For more information: www.workhounslow.co.uk
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Add more joy to your holiday season with a fantastic exclusive offer from Lampton Leisure
 12 Days of Fitmas for £12! New customers can get 12 consecutive days' multi-site access with our 12 Days of Fitmas trial offer throughout December across Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre, Isleworth Leisure Centre, Heston Pools & Fitness, Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre and New Chiswick Pool.
Get unlimited access to group exercise classes, swimming pools, fully equipped gyms, Les Mills online classes and health suites where available! Not forgetting the healthy Snack Box cafes* to keep you fuelled up.
If you are already a member of one of the leisure centres, they’re offering you one free pass for 12 days for one guest. Work out together, swim together, drink gingerbread lattes together, be together this festive season and enjoy the 12 day free guest pass.
Both offers can only be purchased at one of the five leisure centre’s receptions, so pop in today to get started. T&Cs apply.
*Available in Heston, Hanworth, Brentford and Isleworth.
Christmas recycling and rubbish collections 2021
 Over the Christmas and new year period, both the Garden Waste and Bulky Waste Collection service will be suspended for two weeks to assist with the additional workload. The last day of these services will be 24 December 2021 and will resume normal service on 10 January.
For more information and to download our Christmas collection leaflet, visit our pages here
Could you open your doors to a child this Christmas?
 Could you provide a safe and loving home to a foster child? Thousands of children come into care every year, and many don’t get to celebrate Christmas in a secure and supportive home they can call their own.
We are recruiting for people of all ages and backgrounds to be foster carers and right now, we’re especially looking for short and long term carers for sibling groups and teenagers. A lot of people think they couldn’t foster for a number of reasons but it’s who you are, not your background, age or sexuality that makes a great foster carer.
Fostering may be tough and demanding, but it will also be the most amazing job you could ever have and we’ll support you every step of the way including comprehensive training and support and a generous fostering allowance.
Consider changing a child’s life by fostering with Hounslow Council and this time next year you could be helping a child celebrate a magical Christmas together. It could be the most rewarding decision you ever make so visit our website to find out more visit our pages here
Christmas fun right here on your doorstep
 There's plenty to do and see this Christmas in Hounslow. There's everything from a spectacular Christmas market in Chiswick House & Gardens and festive Crafternoons for the family at Gunnersbury Park Museum, to Christmas dinners at local pubs and Christmas classics in The Chiswick Cinema.
Whatever tickles your fancy this festive season, you’re sure to find something right here in Hounslow
To find out what's going on in Hounslow this Christmas, click the button below.
Work Hounslow Apprentice Workshop
Work Hounslow will be running a series of bi-weekly Apprenticeship workshop sessions for residents.
Upcoming dates and times
15 December 2021, 1-2pm, Kingsley Academy.
The workshops will look into:
What is involved in an apprenticeship?
Who is eligible?
What types of apprenticeship opportunities are available?
What's next & how can Work Hounslow provide support?
For more information on Work Hounslow click the button below
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Help Hounslow's very own Toy Story
 That's A Wrap is a Hounslow based initiative, bringing residents together in support of local causes through community collections.
We’re appealing for new toys for local children (0 to 16 year olds) who would otherwise be excluded from festivities this winter. We’re working with local charities to identify those in need.
Monday - Friday: 8.30am to 6pm
Saturday: 8.30am to 5pm
Sunday: 10am to 4pm
Directions Bus route: E8, 117, 235, 237, H37
Train: Piccadilly Line, Hounslow East Station
Free Rapid Test available
 If you don’t have Covid-19 symptoms, get your FREE rapid test by
REMEMBER: If you do tests at home, you’ll need to report your results online here: Report your test result online or by calling 119.
You can also walk-in to one of our testing sites at:
- Heston Library (New Heston Road, Hounslow TW5 0LW) between 8am-4pm Mon-Sun.
- Bedfont Library (Staines Road, Bedfont TW14 8DB) between 8am-4pm Mon-Fri.
Or, if you prefer, you can visit one of our Mobile Testing Units this weekend.
REMEMBER: If you HAVE got Covid-19 symptoms, make sure you get a PCR test – even if your rapid test shows a negative result. To book a PCR test and for more information on testing, visit: www.hounslow.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Vaccinations – available this weekend
 For all types of vaccinations (first dose, second dose, third dose for immunosuppressed, booster), there are several types of locations where you can get your vaccination appointment in Hounslow.
- At a drop-in vaccination clinic
- At a pharmacy
- At a GP-led clinic by invitation
- At school (for healthy 12-15 year olds) or via the National Booking System
All of the above are safe choices and at every location staff will be properly trained to give you your dose of the vaccine. If you are not sure what type of vaccine you require, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Or book an appointment via www.nhs.uk or call 119.
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