28 March 2023
The first of three new cost-of-living payments for low income households will be made in April, the government has announced.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says that the payments will be made to eligible households between 25 April and 17 May.
It means that eight million means-tested benefits claimants, including people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits, will be entitled to the initial £301 payment.
There will be a further two payments in the autumn and then next spring, taking the total up to £900.
The money will be paid directly into people's bank accounts, without the need to make a claim.
On top of this, more than six million people with disabilities will get an extra £150. While next winter, more than eight million pensioners will get an extra £300.
You can find out more about advice, activities and support to help you during the cost of living crisis on Hounslow Connect or come to our next Cost of Living Marketplace on Wednesday, 19 April at Hounslow House between 10am and 1pm.
 When Hounslow resident Joanne Bruce decided to document a week in her life as part of Hounslow Council’s Summer of Culture, she had little idea that it would lead to international film success.
Joanne was born with cerebral palsy, which affects her coordination, muscle control and movement. She and the film’s producer Charlie Druce accepted Hounslow Council's Summer of Culture challenge to produce the video as part of the hugely successful Festival of Storytelling event. The duo received a small grant from the Council to produce the film.
The 12-minute video, entitled A Week In My Life, chronicles Joanne’s day-to-day life in Hounslow - from working as a customer service representative at Boots, socialising at the Hogarth Gateway Club and enjoying a Tai Chi session, to simply getting out and about in the community and enjoying life.
The finished product was such a hit that it has been named the Best Documentary Short in the Los Angeles-based One Reeler Film Awards.
It joined other winners in different categories from around the world, including the US, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
 Isleworth Green Gym offers an amazing free opportunity for local people to get involved in transforming local spaces for wildlife and the community.
All volunteers, irrespective of experience or levels of fitness, are welcome. Experienced leaders start and finish sessions with a few minutes of gentle exercises and stretches to get muscles ready and reduce the risk of injury. The group has a break halfway through the sessions for hot drinks, snacks and a chance to get to know each other.
Activities include creating wildflower meadows, planting, pruning vegetation, creating wildlife habitats, path maintenance and more.
The group meets on Tuesdays at Jersey Gardens, Wednesdays at Thornbury Park and Thursdays at Redlees Park. All sessions must be booked in advance and run from 10.45am until 2pm.
To book your place, please contact Naomi on gg-isleworth@tcv.org.uk or 07483149629.
 People in Hounslow who are living with drugs, alcohol or mental health issues or who are facing violence and abuse can find the support they need from EACH.
EACH Counselling and Support has been helping Hounslow residents from minority communities with alcohol and drug-related issues since 1991.
The Council-backed voluntary group has expanded the range of services it offers to include support for people with mental health issues, and those living with domestic abuse, as well as providing training and employment opportunities for community members.
EACH provides a drop-in service and a safe space for Hounslow residents with low or moderate mental health needs at The Star Centre, 63 to 65 Bell Road, Hounslow, which can be accessed by contacting EACH as below.
The EACH teams, which work in partnership with the Council as part of its innovative Community Solutions approach, provide a range of services in Hounslow including:
- Mosaic - a mental health counselling service for BAME communities, including refugees and asylum seekers
- Awaaz - a domestic abuse counselling service for BAME women
- BAME Independent Domestic Violence Advisor - a support service for women fleeing violence to access safety
You can contact EACH at 020 8577 6059 or email: info@eachcounselling.org.uk
 Hounslow’s health and wellbeing support service One You Hounslow is changing.
From April, the service that has helped thousands of borough residents to lead healthier, active lifestyles and make positive lifestyle choices, will get a new name, a new look and provide even more great services.
One You Hounslow was launched in 2016 as a partnership between Hounslow Council and Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust (HRCH).
Since then it has provided fitness and activity sessions, healthy cooking and eating courses and wellbeing support, as well as assisted more than 6,000 residents to stop smoking.
Now the service is changing its name to Healthy Hounslow and it will provide even more opportunities for residents to get involved.
There will be a new website and a new identity for the service.
The service is available to anyone who lives, works, studies and/or has a GP in Hounslow, via self-referral or referral by GPs and other local services.
The new website is currently under construction and will be ready soon.
Plans for a state-of-the-art health facility in Chiswick are now fully underway, with construction of the new, improved Chiswick Health Centre due to start in April.
The Council has teamed up with the NHS and developer Willmott Dixon to create the environmentally-friendly new facility, which will be located at the site of the current Health Centre.
While construction takes place, the health centre will temporarily move from its current base on Fishers Lane to a new location: 14-16 Stamford Brook Avenue from Monday, 17 April.
This relocation will include the follow GP practices:
- Chiswick Family Doctors Practice
- Chiswick Health Practice
- West 4 GPs
- Hounslow & Richmond Community Healthcare community services
Chiswick’s new health centre will also provide 55 new affordable homes for key health workers such as nurses.
The plans include modern consulting and examination rooms, district nurse facilities and community rooms.
A new public community garden, a private landscaped central courtyard, a fifth-floor garden terrace and gardens, will all improve the general look and feel of the area.
The new Health Centre is set to open in Autumn 2024.
The business will continue at the new address for approximately two years before returning to Fishers Lane.
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The government has announced that the Spring COVID-19 booster will be made available to the most vulnerable groups within the community.
Those groups that are eligible for the free booster are:
- Adults aged 75 years and over
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- People aged five and over who are immunosuppressed
Eligible individuals will be offered the vaccine around six months after their previous dose. The NHS will confirm how these groups will be able to get the booster soon.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 and the spring booster programme provides an opportunity for those who are at the highest risk of severe illness to keep their immunity topped up.
Find out more about the vaccinations by clicking the button below.
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 Looking to make a splash in the world of water safety?
Lampton Leisure is offering the opportunity for you to gain the Royal Life Saving Society National Pool Qualification on a course which runs from Tuesday, 11 April until Sunday, 16 April at the Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre.
Available for all ages and backgrounds.
Contact Yvonne Smyth for more information: Yvonne.Smyth@lampton360.co.uk
 Hounslow's Health Outreach Team (HOT) is out and about in the borough, supporting residents with their health needs.
The joint NHS and Council team is staffed by healthcare and engagement personnel, utilising the broad range of skills available within Primary Care Networks and the Council, including speaking community languages.
The bus offers services such as blood pressure tests and height and weight measurements.
Click the button below to find out the full schedule and locations.
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