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Supporting Refugees from Ukraine
The Government has launched a Homes for Ukraine scheme which provides a route to those who want to come to the UK who have someone here willing to provide them with a home – for as long as possible, and for a minimum of six months. It will enable individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation and provide a route to safety for Ukrainians forced to escape their homeland. People arriving under this scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years, and access healthcare, benefits, employment support, education, and English language tuition.
Our role
As a Council we have a critical role to play in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, supporting arrivals and local residents who are opening up their homes. As always, we will step up for our borough to deliver support in a true One Hounslow spirit.
As part of this, activity will include:
• Undertaking DBS criminal record checks for all adults (16 and over) in the sponsor household. The level of check is determined by the age and needs of the guests.
• Undertaking safeguarding checks for prospective sponsors.
• Providing a one-off interim payment (in line with other resettlement schemes) of £200 per guest staying with a sponsor in Hounslow to cover subsistence costs.
• Administering a monthly £350 Thank You payment.
Next steps
Over the next week we will continue to engage with local sponsors – Hounslow residents who have offered homes through the Government scheme. We are also working with partners who may be well placed to support sponsors and refugees.
A local information pack will be available very soon, and we have updated our website to provide a clear set of resources for arriving guests and sponsors respectively: www.hounslow.gov.uk/ukraine. At the current time we anticipate no more than a handful of families arriving over the coming days, but expect that number to rise over the next few weeks.
In the meantime, if you are contacted by residents seeking support, please direct them to Community Solutions who are on hand to help.
We will be closely monitoring emerging Government guidance around the scheme and will keep colleagues updated on the Council’s response.
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Pre-Election Period guidance
Join our next big conversation broadcast
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Our next all staff broadcast will take place on Tuesday, 5 April from 1pm to 2pm.
All colleagues are invited to join this big conversation, as we discuss our World of Work. A diary invite has been issued to you via Liz.Carey@hounslow.gov.uk, alternatively, you can join via the link here: broadcast event.
The session will be presented by Chief Executive, Niall Bolger, Assistant Chief Executive, Mandy Skinner, Director of HR & OD, Steve Whitehead and Director of Digital & IT, Mark Lumley.
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Kaarp staff benefits - April 2022 update
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With spring in swing Kaarp have some great benefits for all colleagues on offer. Check out their site to save on family days out, Easter gifts and holidays, home and garden products and much more.
Simply visit the website here: Kaarp benefits and use login = HOUNSLOW / password = BENEFITS.
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We're finalists - MJ Awards 2022
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We've got some exciting news to share!
Hounslow has been shortlisted as a finalist for two MJ Awards this year.
Our Community Solutions Team made the final in the Better Outcomes category, and our Digital and IT colleagues have been shortlisted in the Digital Transformation category.
A big well done to everyone in these service areas. The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony in June, so stayed tuned and fingers crossed for Hounslow!
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Stolen dog reunited with owners thanks to Hounslow Animal Control Officers
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A twelve-year-old Chihuahua has been reunited with its owners after being stolen nearly a decade ago.
The black and tan male called Ollie was taken in August 2012 while out walking in Beckenham, Kent.
Despite reporting the incident to the local police and working with the charity DogLost, Ollie remained estranged from the family, until our colleague Andy Newnham, was tipped off about a stray dog near Hounslow Heath.
Read the full story: reuniting a furry friend.
ITV London News interviewed Andy at the weekend, lookout for the video in Colleague Update on Wednesday, 6 April.
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April is Limb Loss & Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM)
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Limb loss and limb difference can affect all ages and backgrounds in a variety of ways. Individuals may be born with limb difference or face amputation later in life through illness or trauma.
To mark LLLDAM, our colleague, Kate Elliott, Principal of the Virtual College and member of the Disability Network shares her story.
Read more here: LLLDAM.
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Would you like to join the Environmental Ambassadors Network?
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Climate change is something that affects us all. As an organisation, we are working to meet the challenges we face through climate change.
We want to include everyone in our climate change ambitions and as part of this, we're creating a network of internal Environmental Ambassadors. It will bring together colleagues from across the council to help promote sustainability, encourage discussion and champion our Climate Change and Green Recovery agenda. You will also have the opportunity to facilitate and deliver training based on our Green by Design Principles.
The Environmental Ambassadors Network will meet quarterly, with meetings via Microsoft Teams (or in-person once), lasting for 90 minutes.
For more information and to express an interest, email: heather.carlisle@hounslow.gov.uk.
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COVID-19 update from Kelly O'Neill, Director of Public Health
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Whilst national restrictions have ended, levels of COVID-19 are currently very high and increasing in the community. Please remember what works – wash your hands frequently, socially distance where possible and wearing a mask in public places – this will help reduce spread and avoid further increasing pressure on our hospitals.
Read more here: increase in Omicron variant BA2.
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Project Search - can you help?
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Project Search is a transition to work programme for young adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism. Hounslow has proudly hosted the initiative since 2015 with great success.
To support this year's Project Search, we're looking to connect with departments from across the council who can offer our young people work experience.
If you'd like to get involved, or find out more, please contact mica.hutton@hounslow.gov.uk (Programme Tutor and Co-ordinator) or nicky.bitar@hounslow.gov.uk (Host Business Liaison).
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Are you a cyclist? Free repairs at Hounslow House
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Did you know that there are free cycle maintenance and minor repair workshops for colleagues at Hounslow House every month?
Dr Bike sessions are held on the first Tuesday of each month, next to the staff bicycle shed on the ground floor.
The next session takes place on Tuesday, 5 April from 12pm to 2pm. Pop along at any time - no appointment necessary.
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School holiday activities in Hounslow
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With the school holidays upon us, why not visit inHounslow.com to check out what's going on in and around the borough.
From Easter fun at the Water and Steam Museum to spring crafts at Hogarth's House - there is plenty to see and do in our beautiful borough.
Take a look here: what's on in Hounslow April 2022.
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Grab a coffee at Hounslow House
Coffee Republic, on the ground floor of Hounslow House, is now open every weekday from 8am to 2pm.
All colleagues are entitled to a 15 per cent discount, simply present your LBH ID card when paying. Loyalty cards are also available.
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Do you have an Adecco agency worker in your team?
As we approach the Easter bank holiday weekend (Friday, 15 April to Monday, 18 April) please be aware that there will be changes to the timesheet approval process for all Adecco agency worker workers. If you have an agency worker in your team, please read the following guidance: agency workers - Easter holidays.
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Get active with April with BetterPoints
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Regular exercise has huge benefits to not just our physical health, but also our mental health. As we step into spring it’s a great time to venture out for that lunchtime walk, bike ride, run or whatever physical activity you enjoy.
Through BetterPoints, colleagues can earn rewards for every physical activity they take part in. Each time you’re active, you'll be awarded a point and entered into the monthly prize draw.
For more information and detailed instructions on how to download the app, please visit our BetterPoints page: get active with BetterPoints.
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Need some fitness inspiration?
Check out the active April calendar from Action for Happiness.
Stress Awareness Month - April 2022
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We can all experience a certain amount of stress in every day life. Sometimes stress can cause you to take action to make a positive change but prolonged high levels of stress can be harmful to health.
Good Thinking is a tool that can be used to help investigate why you are feeling stressed and what action you can take to try and overcome the stress you feel.
Take a look at the online resources available here: Good Thinking website.
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Last chance: Easter charity raffle
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The Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow, Councillor Bishnu Gurung, is hosting an Easter raffle to raise funds for the Mayor’s charity, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).
There are plenty of fantastic prizes up for grabs including a Cadbury Easter hamper, M&S voucher and Fullers hamper.
Tickets cost just £5 for five entries, and can be purchased over the phone or by bank transfer. Find out more and enter here: Easter raffle information.
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Leave a message for Councillor Curran
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If you would like to send a message to Councillor Curran, we will be collating these in an e-card over the coming weeks. Please submit your message here: leave a message for the Leader.
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Emotional and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
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Our EAP is here to support colleagues with free, independent and confidential advice. The service provider, Validium, will always keep your identity and anything you discuss confidential.
Further information on the EAP service can be found here: how to access the EAP.
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Jobs and volunteering
Fancy a career in communications?
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We are recruiting for three new apprenticeship roles in the communications team:
- Digital communications apprenticeship
- Campaigns apprenticeship
- Internal communications apprenticeship
These opportunities are a great way to kick start a career in communications, offering lots of hands-on experience in a friendly and creative team.
Apply here: Council vacancies.
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Skilled volunteering opportunities
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Are you looking to give back to your local community through volunteering? Do you want to offer your skilled support, or would you like try something completely new?
Ealing and Hounslow Volunteer Centre is promoting a range of skilled volunteering roles, within different voluntary and community organisations in Hounslow. Check out the latest roles on offer below:
- HR volunteer at Hounslow Swimming Club
- Chair at Isleworth Voluntary Care Network
Find out more and apply: skilled volunteering roles.
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Don't forget, you can check out all the Council vacancies on our website page here: jobs at Hounslow.
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Before you go...
Let's keep in touch
If you have a new starter in your team or need to register someone to receive the Colleague Update, please email liz.carey@hounslow.gov.uk.
Do you have a story to tell?
If you'd like to submit a feature for the Colleague Update please get in touch with liz.carey@hounslow.gov.uk, we'd love to hear from you!
Next update
Wednesday, 6 April.
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