Sir Mo Farah joins sport conference in Hounslow
 Sir Mo Farah recently joined more than 200 representatives from schools across Hounslow to champion the role that physical activity and sport plays in the lives of young people across the borough.
The annual conference, which was hosted by Sport Impact and funded by Hounslow Council, promotes the importance of children being active and developing a lifelong love of activity and sport.
Local and national sporting partners from the FA, Youth Sport Trust, Lampton Leisure, More Than Rugby and many more were joined by Sir Mo Farah, to hear about his incredible journey from local pupil to sporting legend. As a child he attended both Isleworth and Syon School and Feltham Community College.
Can you help shape Hounslow’s green future?
 Do you believe passionately in environmental issues and the need for us to rise to the challenges of climate change? Then you could be just the right person to join one of the borough’s Community Reference Groups (CRGs).
Hounslow Council is looking for people from all walks of life to sign up to one of three CRGs and help to make the borough a cleaner, greener and healthier place for generations to come.
CRGs are groups of like-minded people, from all backgrounds, who have a shared interest in improving their neighbourhood and environment. Now, the Council is updating the groups to expand the range of important issues cover.
The three groups are the Cleaner Greener GRG, the Climate and Clean Air CRG and the Youth CRG. The Cleaner Greener CRG will concentrate on parks and open spaces, waste and recycling, sustainable transport and environmental education.
Climate and Clean Air CRG issues include improving the borough's air quality and supporting the goal of Hounslow becoming a net-zero carbon borough.
The Youth CRG will be for young people aged 18 and 25 who want to play a role in shaping the borough’s response to environmental issues.
Email environmental.champion@hounslow.gov.uk for more information.
Give us your best shot
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Would you like to see a picture you took on the front cover of our resident magazine (Hounslow Matters) that goes to every household in the borough? Well now's your chance to enter our exciting competition. Closing date is Monday, 14 February at 11.59pm.
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West London Volunteer Fair
Are you interested in developing skills, meeting like-minded people or supporting your local community? Meet with representatives from 17 West London heritage sites and charities to learn more about volunteering opportunities near you.
We recognise that people volunteer for a wide range of reasons and we offer opportunities to match these. Whether you are a student seeking skills development, a busy worker looking for one-off opportunities, a retiree wanting to stay active or a full-time parent hoping to connect with your community - there are volunteering opportunities in West London for you. Come and find out what West London has to offer.
Date: 9 March 2022
Time: 1-4pm
Location: Hogarth's House
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Funding available to help with rising energy bills
 Hounslow residents could be entitled to energy-saving measures to help with the rising costs of heating bills.
The Council is promoting two schemes that could help eligible households to cut their bills and reduce carbon emissions in our borough.
Better Homes Better Health supports vulnerable residents, including people aged over 65, low-income families with children under five and people with long-term health conditions. You could be entitled to a home energy assessment, advice on energy saving and bills and support with claiming the Warm Homes discount. The scheme can also provide free small energy-saving measures such as draught-proofing and energy monitors.
The Green Homes Grant Scheme can also provide support for homeowners and people in rented accommodation on low incomes, whose homes have a reduced energy rating.
Under this scheme, residents could be entitled to up to £10,000 worth of government funding to pay for energy-efficient measures like wall, loft and hot water tank insulation.
The scheme also offers support with fitting environmentally friendly technology such as heat pumps and energy-efficient boilers.
You can find out more about the scheme, including links to an online application form, at: hounslow.gov.uk/greenhomesgrant or by calling Warmworks free of charge on 0800 233 5655.
Isleworth and Brentford Area Forum returns to Brentford Free Church
Chair and Councillor, Tony Louki, is delighted to invite residents for the first live, face-to-face Area forum this year on Thursday, 10 February. Focussing on local issues topics will include:
- An update from Brentford FC on how the club is settling into the new stadium; crowd management following the full return of fans and the transport impact of the closure of the Hounslow Loop Line on matchdays.
- A look at the proposed TfL plans for Cycleway 9 which runs from Hounslow Garage to Brentford.
- An opportunity to discuss policing in the area with the local Sergeant.
Information about Hounslow’s Summer of Culture Festival, running between June – August, and how residents can get involved.
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Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week
 Starting on Monday 7 February, Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week is a chance for Hounslow residents to add their voice to the thousands across the UK saying #itsnotok.
Being sexually harassed can leave you feeling upset, vulnerable and intimidated.
If you are not confident about speaking to the police but you still want to chat to someone, get in touch with: London Survivors Gateway: 0808 801 0860 or you can ask for a call back by completing an online referral: https://survivorsgateway.london/get-help-now/. You need to be aged 13 or over.
Hounslow’s One-Stop Shop, on the first floor of the Treaty Centre, is also open every Wednesday from 10am-12Noon, for free confidential information and advice. You can also call 07810 031 780 (Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm).
Garden Waste Collection Service – now available to book
 Click and collect: Sign up to this year’s Garden Waste Collection Service.
Green-fingered residents can now sign up for this year’s Garden Waste Collection Service. It’s a convenient, low-cost way to clear out the cuttings that runs from Friday, 1 April until Friday, 31 March 2023.
Residents subscribing to the service for the first time, receive a 240-litre brown-wheeled bin unless they are exempt from using a wheeled service.
Collected every fortnight by the Council’s collection partner, Recycle 360, the garden waste service provides a total of 25 collections, with a break of two weeks over the Christmas period. The service costs £55 or £27.50 for those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. Residents should sign up before Friday, 1 April to ensure they receive the service in full.
Residents without access to a computer can subscribe by calling our Contact Centre on 0208 583 5555.
Social entrepreneurship project proves successful
 Young residents have completed a two month social entrepreneurship project, in partnership with Hounslow Action for Youth (HAY) and Ultra Education.
Funded by Apple under the Made In London programme, HAY worked closely with Hounslow Council to identify young people, aged 15-19 (or 25 if they were a Care Leaver) who were not in education, employment or training, who could use their creativity and passion to start a business.
The project provided exciting engaging workshops, hosted by Hounslow Adult Education in the Hounslow House Library classrooms, on how to start a business – despite the challenges of the pandemic – along with expert information, support and guidance on becoming successful entrepreneurs.
On Thursday 27 January, Cllr Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Youth Services joined the virtual graduation ceremony to celebrate the fantastic achievements of the young people who completed the programme.
To find out more about HAY future projects contact Bijal.Karavadra@hayonline.org.
Women's EURO 2022 Legacy Sessions
In the run up to the WEUROS the FA has set a target to encourage 200,000 more girls to play football in schools and 14,000 more women and girls to play competitive football in grassroots clubs across the UK! Why wait until the summer to feel part of this exciting event, get involved in some great local sessions now;
Women’s Adult Recreational Football - Free sessions at Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub. Contact lbsmith@brentfordfccst.com
Just Play Women’s Football- Fun, Free, Just Play Football for women of all abilities at Indian Gymkhana, Osterley. Contact indian.gymkhanafc@gmail.com
Street 45 Soccer- Women’s Football session at Heston Leisure, Wednesday afternoons. Contact sophia@streetsoccerlondon.org
Wildcats Football 5-11 years- Nishcam School, Beavers Community Primary School and Springwest Academy. Visit Weetabix Wildcats - (thefa.com)
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Get involved in 'Save The Hounslow High Street'
 As part of the Innovate & Grow business support programme SaveTheHighStreet.org are delivering a range of unique support for high street businesses, start-ups and landlords as well as anyone passionate about helping their local high streets succeed.
You can find out more and join for free by visiting SaveTheHighStreet.org/Hounslow
You can also 'Meet the Save The High Street Hounslow team' at an online event being hosted on Tuesday, 8 February at 3.30pm.
There is also still time to take part in the The Hounslow High Street Startup Competition.
Applications are now open for businesses to win rent-free space, hands-on support and grant funding to help launch onto a high street in the borough. This competition is open to online businesses, market traders, creative makers and new startups who would like to offer their products or services from a high street location in March.
Applications close on Friday, 18 February 2022.
Free business masterclasses
 As part of the Innovate & Grow business support programme, the Council has partnered with Rebel Business School to deliver an exciting and innovative business support programme. The programme aims to help businesses to thrive, not just survive.
Rebel Business School are running a series of free masterclasses for Hounslow businesses or entrepreneurs. It doesn’t matter if you need help choosing the right idea, getting things off the ground or growing that business you’ve had for years, the support is tailored for everyone.
Sessions include:
Last chance to book your space for online creative writing workshop for adults
 There's still time to join us in a fantastic series of free online creative writing workshops for adults through all library services in London. You don't need any particular writing experience, but If you’re a little more experienced in writing that’s great too.
Our workshop takes place on Tuesday, 8 February at 10am with former television producer and journalist Arun Das.
Competition winners will see their work published in an anthology, and win a place at a special day of masterclasses for talented writers.
For more information about City of Stories Home including top tips on how to write a short story visit the home page here.
Pride in Hounslow - Celebrating LGBT+ History Month 2022
 Next week marks the start of LGBT+ History Month. This is an annual celebration of the LGBT+ community’s rich history, that takes place every February in the UK.
Hounslow Council are flying the rainbow flag to show our commitment and support to LGBT equality for the LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, plus) community, the wider community, and our staff with a range of events.
Calling all art lovers
 On Friday, 15 February at 7pm via Zoom, Chiswick Pier Trust (CPT) will host a free, live and online talk on the great British artist Sir Stanley Spencer (1891-1959), focusing on his life and work and connections with the River Thames.
The 40-minute talk will be presented by Keith Le Page from Stanley Spencer Gallery.
Book your free tickets by clicking the button below or visit https://chiswickpier.org.uk/ to see the future programme of free ‘Talks by the Thames’.
Brentford FCCST Traineeship programme – spaces available
Practical steps for Covid-19
 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, to find out more visit our pages here.
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.
COVID-19 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.
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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