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Friday, 28 June 2024

Hounslow's high flying graduates

DFN Project SEARCH is a year-long supported internship for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism and yesterday saw the graduation of Hounslow's 2023/24 cohort.

The interns have been gaining valuable experience of the world of work at Thorpe Park, London Twickenham Stadium Hotel and the Council.

A number have already secured full time paid employment with all other graduates actively applying for permanent positions.

Over the past 10 years, Hounslow has supported over 100 young people into full-time paid employment through this initiative, with 78% of the graduates securing positions.  

As part of Hounslow Council’s Youth Skills and Employment Guarantee (YSEG), there are 26 supported internships from September 2024.

If you’re interested in applying, or are a parent/carer of someone you think would benefit from this supported internship, express your interest via projectsearch@hounslow.gov.uk

Don't forget to vote!

Come and say hello to our friendly, helpful staff working at your local, fully accessible polling station on Thursday, 4 July. They’d like to see your poll card, as this helps to speed things along, although it isn’t essential to vote. But you will have to present an accepted form of photo ID to have your say in the UK’s next government. All polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm and it’s good to vote as early as you can, so you don’t get caught in a last-minute rush.

Award winner in the hood

Jennifer Hood, from the Council’s Travel Training Team, won ‘Best Newcomer’ at last Friday’s National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Birmingham – an event that invites entries from England, Scotland, and Wales.

Travel Training is part of the Local Offer for people with Learning Disabilities that also includes ‘drop ins’ for families around the borough - see story below.  Click the link for more about Jenn's story.

SEND drop-in service comes to Isleworth

As part of the 'Local Offer', our SEND drop-in for Hounslow families, arrives at Redlees Park Play Centre in Isleworth on Wednesday, 10 July, from 10am to 12.15pm.

The SEND Local Offer provides information, help, guidance, and support for children and young people living with special educational needs and disability (SEND), their families, and professionals - all in one place.

If you are a parent/carer of a child or young person with SEND, we know it can be difficult finding your way through the system and getting clear information and answers to questions.

These sessions are designed to signpost and support, so please try and join us.

Booking summer holiday activities

On Friday, 28 June, parents and carers with children aged between 5 and 16 who are eligible for free Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF), will receive e-vouchers from schools to book activities from HAF providers.

The programme will take place across the borough from 29 July to 30 August. Full details are now available on Hounslow Family Services Directory website. For enquiries, contact the team via email HAF@Hounslow.gov.uk.

Build it and they will come 

A newly-developed nine-month architecture traineeship, Build The Way (BTW), is launching in London's architecture sector. Established as a trial in 2021, the programme, which starts in October, welcomes applications from young people in Hounslow over 18 and not in formal education. It aims to help under-represented groups enter the architecture profession in a more tenable and financially feasible way. 

If you can make it over to east London on Monday, 1 July, there is an event where you can find out more at: Dalston Pavilion, The London School of Architecture, 4 Beechwood Rd, London, E8 3DY from 1pm - 2.30pm.

Alternatively, find out more and apply below:

Free dance duet in Bell Square

A fast-paced dance duet, ‘Amaranthine’, will be on stage at Hounslow Bell Square on Saturday, 6 July, 1pm - 4pm.

The performance, intricate and emotionally charged, follows a couple in conflict as they desperately try to reconnect and find resolution.

Green circles

Circles in the Park, a community event celebrating nature, wildlife, and local biodiversity, is coming to Bedfont Lakes Country Park (TW14 8QA) on Saturday, 6 July.

The event will feature Council teams, local community groups and fun activities for all of the family – come along from 12pm - 4pm to see what’s on offer.

To read more about this and other great events that are taking place in Hounslow’s parks over the summer, please click the button below.

Check the halls

If you’re in need of a venue for an event, celebration, or special occasion, why not consider hiring one of Hounslow’s public halls? There are numerous historic venues across the borough that are available to rent, such as the Grade II listed Isleworth Public Hall (pictured), Chiswick Town Hall and many more. Whether you’re searching for a venue for a celebration such as a birthday party or a wedding reception, a corporate conference, or community event, Hounslow’s halls offer varied and attractive buildings to suit all budgets. For enquiries, please contact the halls team at halls@hounslow.gov.uk

Bowled over by men's cancer event

Last Friday’s Bowling Balls event at Trinity Church proved a huge hit for men with learning disabilities in Hounslow.  Organised by the Community Provisions team, it featured presentations on male cancers from senior nursing practitioners that helped attendees understand what to look out if you’re concerned about bowel, breast, testicular or prostate cancer.

There was also a lengthy Q&A session, food, and plenty of fun and games including skittles, bowls, indoor archery, and limbo dance!

Watch this space for news on similar up-and-coming events.