30 January 2024
Last chance to get your free Covid-19 vaccines this winter
 Tomorrow (Wednesday, 31 January) is your last chance to get free Covid-19 vaccinations this winter.
If you are eligible and able to, we'd encourage you to drop into one of the locations in Hounslow that's stocking the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of tomorrow and get protection.
The locations that are still administering the Covid-19 vaccinations are:
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Feltham Pharmacy, 186-188 Uxbridge Road, Feltham, TW13 5DY (9am-7pm)
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Sabel Pharmacy, 446 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5TT (9am-6pm)
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Shah Pharmacy, 382 BATH ROAD, WEST HOUNSLOW, TW4 7HT (9am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm)
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West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, TW7 6AF (appointment only, call 07798570483 to book)
We recommend ringing the pharmacy ahead of travelling to check availability.
While Covid-19 vaccinations are coming to an end for the season, flu vaccines will be available until the end of March. You can get these from any participating pharmacies or through your GP, and also visit our Health Outreach Team (HOT) bus and get vaccinated that way, along with a full health check.
This week the HOT bus will be at Sainsbury's, 31 Essex Pl, Chiswick, London W4 5LY on Thursday, 1 February - from 10am to 4pm
No need to book in advance, just turn up on the day to meet our friendly team.
Take time to talk about mental health this Thursday
 Thursday, 1 February is Time to Talk Day. It is a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together and to talk. More importantly, it's a day to listen to others.
Organisers Mind say a conversation has the power to change lives. That’s why we’re encouraging people to come together to have conversations about mental health and how they feel.
You could host a tea and talk event in your office, or take the opportunity to chat to someone or text a friend.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope, ring Hounslow Safe Space on 020 3475 5185 to speak to someone. You can also watch our short film about avenues of support in Hounslow.
Most importantly, we encourage you not to go through this alone and #Justsaysomething.
Health & wellbeing activities for over 60s
 Calling Hounslow’s over 60s. It’s your chance to shine thanks to a series of fun fitness activities tailored just to you.
The Council has joined forces with its health partners to present Stay Fit, Stay Healthy. From February, we will be hosting three months of free health and wellbeing activities that could just change your life.
The programme offers the chance for residents to get out, get active, learn some new skills and maybe make a few new friends along the way.
- All the events are free and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- To book a session or for more information, you can email: activities60plus@hounslow.gov.uk or call 07974 622748.
Free courses at West London Wellbeing and Recovery College
 West London Wellbeing and Recovery College is open to everyone eighteen and over in Hounslow. It offers free educational courses and workshops on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and recovery.
The spring term courses include lunchtime workshops and evening courses on a range of topics. You can enrol for free and pick and choose the workshops or courses that would be useful for you.
Measles cases are rising - make sure you and your children are protected
 Measles spreads easily and cases are rising in London. Anyone who is not vaccinated can catch it and children are especially vulnerable.
The consequences of measles can be serious and sometimes fatal, so make sure you’re up to date with both doses of the MMR vaccine and ask your GP practice about catch up jabs if needed.
Anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice rather than visiting the surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness spreading further.
Memory Cafés now open in Hounslow
 Leisure centres across Hounslow are now being used as venues for Memory Cafés, supporting people in the borough who are living with dementia.
The cafés are open to those living with dementia, as well as their families and carers, and anyone who is seeking support with their mental health.
It’s a chance to meet people, enjoy a hot drink and a slice of cake, and keep your mind and body stimulated with some dementia-friendly games.
Memory Cafés schedule:
- Wednesday, 31 January, from 11am - 12:30pm at Isleworth Leisure Centre and Library, Twickenham Rd, Isleworth TW7 7EU
- Friday, 9 February 2024, 11am - 12:30 pm at Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre and Library, Uxbridge Rd, Feltham TW13 5EG
No need to book, just turn up on the day. Find out more by emailing here.
Help to stay safe and well this winter
Many of us are affected by the changing seasons, and the colder weather and shorter days may negatively impact our mental health.
To ensure you stay as healthy as possible this winter, Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind (HFEH MIND) have put together some advice for keeping well and warm.
The free Winter Wellbeing Toolkit provides tips for staying safe and healthy during these colder months.
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Meet NHS apprenticeship providers at Hounslow House
 Work Hounslow will welcome over twenty organisations, including: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and North West London Health & Social Care Skills Academy to a free Apprentice Marketplace event at Hounslow House on Wednesday, 7 February from 10.30am - 3.30pm.
Attendees will be able to:
- Discover more about apprenticeship opportunities or training programmes to increase skill levels
- Meet employers and training providers to discuss accredited qualifications to improve career prospects
- Speak to national and local organisations to learn about good local jobs
Free, fun and accessible cycle confidence hub launch events
 The council is launching two new cycle hubs, in Feltham Park and Heston Park, and celebrating the renovation of its Inwood Park all-ability cycle hub. Residents are invited to attend these events and find out about how they can feel more confident riding a bicycle and have fun.
At the launches, residents will find bike giveaways (at Feltham and Heston), markets selling affordable second-hand bikes, free Dr Bike repairs, cycle skills sessions and information about how they can sign up for free, fun, instructor-led, bookable lessons all year round.
Check out one of these fun events:
- Feltham Park cycle hub launch event, Saturday, 10 February, 1pm to 4.30pm
- Inwood Park accessible cycle hub launch event, Tuesday, 13 February, 1pm to 4.30pm
- Heston Park cycle hub launch event, Saturday, 17 February, 1pm to 4.30pm
Voting workshop for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
The Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD) is hosting Deaf Votes Count, a voting workshop for deaf and hard of hearing people, at Hounslow House (TW3 3EB) on Thursday, 8 February.
The event will run from 1:30pm-3:30pm and will provide an opportunity for you to find out more about the support available for deaf people around voting, voter ID, and much more. You will also be able to ask any questions you might have on the day.
There’s no need to sign-up for this event, just come along in good time. RAD is also offering 1-2-1 sessions, either in person or remotely.
RAD runs weekly drop-in sessions offering information, advice and guidance for deaf and hard of hearing people. Come along to Hounslow House every Tuesday from 10am-4pm or email HounslowIAG@royaldeaf.org.uk for more details.
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Learn about online accessibility and care & support resources at our free event
 Tuesday, 6 February is Safer Internet Day and the Council is getting in on the act by hosting a special Hounslow Gets Digital event at Hounslow House.
Representatives from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) will be on hand to talk about what tech support services are on offer locally. Our Health Outreach Team will also be there to chat about the support available in your community.
Hounslow Council’s Adult Social Care Info Shop will provide information about issues such as the care and support options available to people who are struggling to manage at home, what help is available for carers, and how to use Hounslow’s online directory of care and support services CarePlace.
Hounslow Gets Digital is a free event that will take place on the ground floor of Hounslow House on Tuesday, 6 February from 10am until 3pm.
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