Rogue landlord from Isleworth fined £115,000
 Investigations led by the Council’s Planning Enforcement service found that the rogue landlord had rented out the separate unit for six years. The tenant was found to be living in squalid and dirty conditions with a toilet located less than 1m from the kitchen.
Councillor Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development at Hounslow Council, said:
“Many of the residents who live in these appalling conditions are vulnerable and do not have the resources to challenge their landlords. I am proud of the work the Council’s Planning Enforcement team has done in this case; enforcing this breach of planning regulations and addressing the substandard conditions that the tenant was having to suffer.”
Search and you shall find
 Only 4.8% of people in England with a learning disability and/or autism, known to local councils, secure paid employment. DFN Project Search this week launched the first National Supported Internship Day and Cllr Bath and Cllr Chaudhary celebrated with some of our own interns, including Kinan Patel (pictured, third from right) and Katharine Davies from the Department of Education (far left).
Having meaningful paid employment is known to improve health and wellbeing and is central to individual identity and social status. If given the correct support and opportunities, young adults with SEND can thrive in a wide variety of jobs, enabling them to become net contributors to society.
Hounslow has a higher average of young people with health education plans and is one of over ten local authorities that have adopted Project Search. To date, Hounslow has average outcomes of 70% - 10% above the Project Search average. Kinan spoke of his own positive experience:
"My experience with Project SEARCH is excellent because I have vastly improved my confidence and independent skills for example travelling to and from work. I really enjoy working in the IT department because I have learned a lot from my mentors and managers."
Sky ups the ante at BridgeLink Centre
 Local media and entertainment company Sky has opened a digital hub at The BridgeLink Community Centre, close to its group headquarters in Isleworth. Located on the Ivybridge Estate, the community centre provides critical services to more than 3,000 residents, including after-school homework clubs, youth clubs, holiday clubs for local children, coffee mornings, training, and consultation programmes. Sky is enhancing these services by providing free wi-fi, access to digital devices and digital skills training.
Through its Sky Up programme, Sky is empowering individuals through greater connectivity and access to vital digital skills training, supporting them to reach their potential.
Pic caption: Hounslow Council Leader Shantanu Rajawat (centre) was joined by local MP Ruth Cadbury to launch the exciting new digital hub.
Contracts signed to transform Chiswick Health Centre
 Chiswick residents can look forward to better health outcomes after the contracts to a brand-new state-of-the art health centre were signed by Hounslow Council, the NHS and Willmott Dixon. The new facility will also provide 55 new affordable homes for key health workers such as nurses.
Helping Hounslow mend items for free
 Hounslow Council has partnered with Traid to host a free repair café in Heston.
As part of Hounslow’s Heston in the Loop, residents can learn clothing repair skills and find out about issues in the clothing industry. Simply bring along the things you want to repair, and we’ll do the rest.
You’ll learn how to give your clothes a new life by mending buttons, rips and tears. Plus, we’ll even provide free bike repair service on the day too.
Wednesday, 5 April, 4pm -7pm
Heston Community Centre, Vicarage Farm Road, Heston, Hounslow, TW5 0EE
Easter Holiday Fun at Boston Manor Park
 Come rain or shine, the egg-cellent team at Brentford’s Boston Manor Park are hosting fun for all the family this Easter.
There’s two weeks of activities between 3 April and 16 April, and there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s mosaic making, nightime wildlife viewing, or storytelling performances for the little ones, the Parks team have you covered.
To find out more about the full schedule of activity or to take a look at Boston Manor Park’s annual school workshop programme, click below.
Spring COVID booster available for vulnerable groups
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.
Get ready to ride with free Dr Bike repair sessions
 Two extra Dr Bike sessions have been organised for you to have your bike examined and repaired next week.
Mechanics from local firm CycleInstructor will be able to check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears to racks, pedals and saddles. The expert mechanics know bikes inside out and will be able to fix any minor faults or make any adjustments necessary.
For any major faults they cannot fix, the mechanics will advise you what needs to be done and outline the possible costs. There is no need to book; just turn up in good time and queue.
You can visit the Dr Bike mechanics on Monday, 3 April at The Bridgelink Centre, 373 Summerwood Road, TW7 7QR at 1.30-3.30pm and on Wednesday, 5 April at the Heston Community Centre, Vicarage Farm Road, TW5 0EE, 4-6pm.
You can find out more about Dr Bike sessions and all other upcoming dates and places they run below:
Healthy Hounslow is here
 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 below will go live this weekend.
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