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Friday, 5 January 2024

Congratulations to the New Year Honours 2024 recipients

Cllr Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, has congratulated Hounslow-related recipients of the 2024 New Year Honours List, which marks the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK. As follows: 

Lee Doyle, BEM, CEO, of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and Jonathan McGoh, OBE, Co-Founder and Trustee, Reach Academy, Feltham, for being rightly honoured for their services to sport and education respectively.

District Judge Timothy Jenkins, OBE, of Brentford County Court for services to the administration of justice, and Ms Kathryn Leahy, OBE, former Director of Operations at Heathrow Airport for services to aviation transport and to major events.

New year money issues? Crosslight can help

Crosslight are experts in debt advice and one of the partners which helps deliver the Council's Community Solutions approach. They offer free, impartial debt advice for Hounslow residents. 

If you’re experiencing financial difficulty after the festive period, their Money Course is free and covers budgeting, saving and managing your money day-to-day. The Money Course is run in-person and live online via Zoom – find out more and sign up for your free place here.

First Cabinet Question Time of 2024 - Submit your questions

The second event of the Council’s Cabinet Question Time is coming to West Thames College on Wednesday, 28 February.

Residents are invited to submit their questions in advance. Details of the event can be found here. The independent chair for the event - Tracy Aust, Principal of West Thames College - will select the questions to be answered on the night by the Cabinet, with residents invited to attend in person. Residents will also have the opportunity to raise questions directly.

Your voice matters, so join us

Soul Purpose 360 is a new community group in Hounslow, committed to cultivating the personal and community leadership qualities in black and minoritised women.  Come along to this Council-led workshop on Wednesday, 10 January, 7pm - 9pm, at Hounslow House. The workshop aims to discuss and understand current barriers to engagement in the borough. This is a chance to meet new people and have your voice heard.

Report road issues to Hounslow Highways

Hounslow Highways had a busy start to the year on Tuesday, 2 January, attending more than 40 individual incidents during Storm Henk. All the incidents were made safe through the evening and night with final clear-up operations taking place on Wednesday, 3 January. 

Incidents included fallen trees blocking roads and some causing property damage; trees being uprooted; a telephone line brought down in Hanworth; and walls, fences and street furniture blown down.

Remember you can use Hounslow Highways’ Fix My Street service to report any problems on the borough’s roads, rain or shine.

Free event gives a greater understanding of autism in women and girls

Women and girls are less likely to be diagnosed with autism than men and boys. They could be use coping strategies to hide the features of autism in social situations, known as camouflaging or masking. However, this camouflaging can negatively impact women and girls, leaving them without the support they need.

To shed light on this subject, Autism Hounslow is hosting a free event  'Camouflaging: Women on the Autism Spectrum' at The Arts Centre in Hounslow Treaty Centre, between 2pm and 3pm on Wednesday, 10 January.

Guest speaker at the event will be Dr Laura Hull, a researcher into the differences in autism traits for different genders.

A free event to attend. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

There will be severe disruptions on the London Underground network services due to industrial action starting from the evening of Sunday, 7 January, through to the morning of Friday, 12 January. Please check updates on Transport for London (TfL) website or 'TfL Go' mobile app before travelling.

Protect your child and yourself against measles

A number of measles cases have been reported among children in North-West London boroughs over the last few weeks. The best protection against measles for any child or adult is vaccination; two doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine are required for protection. 

If you’re unsure whether your child is protected against measles, you can check in their Red Book, or contact your GP surgery. If your child has missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine, please make an appointment with their GP to get up to date with their vaccinations. If you think your child has measles, please do not send them to school and contact your GP for advice.

Childcare support for working families with two-year-olds

Starting in January 2024, eligible working parents in Hounslow can apply for 15 hours childcare support a week for their two-year-old children.

Parents have until 31 March to apply for a code, with the best timing being mid-January to the end of February in case they need to provide further information to support their application.

To find out more about childcare options in Hounslow, please contact Hounslow’s Family Information Services via email fis@hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 3470.

Brush up your digital skills in the new year

From Tuesday, 9 January, Learn Hounslow, the Council's adult and community learning provider, will run a free 'Essential Digital Skills' course at Meadowbank Adult Education Centre, every Tuesday and Wednesday, 6.15pm - 8.15pm. This is an entry-level course for learners to study for a qualification. 

Learn Hounslow will offer 'Cybersecurity Level One' qualification course starting on Monday, 15 January. 

Residents aged 19 or above are welcome to enrol in Learn Hounslow courses. Contact the team to find out more at 020 8583 6000 or email: courses@hounslow.gov.uk .