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Friday, 6 September 2024

A hat-trick of nominees for Hounslow’s social workers

(L-R) Andy O’Sullivan, Jonas Kurkalang and Aaron Evans on the roof at Hounslow House

Hounslow Council has three social workers nominated in separate categories for this year’s Social Worker of the Year Awards, held in London in November.

Jonas Kurkalang has been nominated for Children’s Social Worker of the Year; Andy O’Sullivan is vying for Team Leader of the Year, Children’s Services and Aaron Evans is up for Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year. All three were nominated by colleagues at Hounslow Council and chosen by panels of independent judges including previous award winners, social workers, industry leaders and people with lived experience of social work.

The Social Worker of the Year Awards is the only major national awards event for social work in England, attracting hundreds of entries every year.

Helen Crafter, a foster carer from Chiswick describes Jonas as a “fantastic” social worker and expands upon the final moments of that process in a blog you can read on the Council’s website. 

Hounslow Council invites residents to comment on the Local Plan

Hounslow Council has officially launched the Regulation 19 Local Plan Consultation, offering the community a chance to comment on the plans that will shape future development in the the borough until 2041.

The consultation runs from Friday, 6 September to Monday, 28 October 2024, and this is the final opportunity for residents, businesses, and local organisations to provide their feedback on the proposed Local Plan.

SEND Surgery comes to Feltham Family Hub

Our SEND Surgery arrives at Feltham's Family Hub, TW13 5AF, on Wednesday, 18 September, 10am to 12.15pm, providing guidance, information and support for children and young people living with special educational needs and disability (SEND) and their families.

Whether you want to know more about SEND in general or have a query about your child’s SEND needs or EHCP, come and join us at and find out more about our local offer for families.

Cranford residents invited to shape new Community Hub

Cranford residents are being asked to give their views on a new Community Hub, which will bring support closer to where they live. The new Community Hub will be based at Meadowbank on Community Close. Under the proposal, Cranford Library will relocate to the building, which will continue to host adult education services. It will also improve access to support and advice on topics such as housing, finance and welfare, health and wellbeing, and opportunities for employment and skills development. 

Free, non-judgemental support around sexual health in Hounslow

This month is Sexual Health Awareness Month and there are two great services offering advice and support on sexual health, contraception and relationships in Hounslow.  Sexual Health Hounslow is running a free clinic at Heart of Hounslow every Wednesday from 1pm to 6.30pm throughout September. See what's on offer here. Young Sexual Health Hounslow (YHSH) is a free service for anyone aged under 24 in the borough.  If you are a teacher, you can arrange for YHSH to come to your school and give a talk to the pupils. You can read some of the testimonials from these sessions here. Get in touch with the team if you're interested.

Iconic venues in Hounslow open their doors to the public

Many of Hounslow’s iconic venues this month will be free to visit as part of the Open House Festival.

In partnership with Hounslow Council, residents and visitors will be able to access historic venues such as Boston Manor House, Kempton Steam Museum, Chiswick House and Gardens and Hogarth House for free and soak up the venues’ culture and history.

Other opportunities in the borough include a tour of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha (Gurdwara) in Hounslow or visiting the Toll House that stands by the lock above Brentford Bridge.

Advice and Information Fair

On Friday, 13 September, from 11am - 3pm, the Community Information Team will be out with the Adult Social Care Pop-up Information Shop, joined by social workers, Age UK Hounslow Advice and an Information Fair. Residents can find advice, information and signposting to local support.

#AskAboutAsthma 2024: helping children and young people to live their best lives

#AskAboutAsthma 2024 takes place from 9-15 September. This year’s campaign is focusing on helping children and young people with asthma to live their best lives. Good asthma control means having no symptoms, and can be achieved by following these four steps:

1. get an asthma action plan in place
2. understand how to use inhalers correctly
3. schedule an asthma review – every year and after every attack
4. consider air pollution and its impact on lung health

If you would like to learn more about asthma control, you can sign-up for this year’s one-day virtual conference on Thursday, 12 September 2024.

Join to learn about: practical steps to help children and young people live their best lives with asthma; vaping cessation in children and young people; severe asthma referral – who isn’t being referred; clinical and national updates. 

Justice in Motion - CODE

Bell Square is the exciting outdoor arts space in the heart of Hounslow town centre that brings together Hounslow’s communities and attracts visitors to enjoy free outdoor cultural performances - and it is celebrating ten years.

On Saturday, 14 September at 1pm and 4pm watch an urban odyssey into County Lines and Knife Crime. CODE is a spectacular blend of physical theatre, parkour and trials bike stunts with live rap and music. On an urban playground, skilled athletes and performers show how our young people are exploited by organised drug crime gangs.

Volunteer Taster Day

Ever thought about volunteering at a museum? You might be looking to upskill, to get some experience of the sector, or to meet likeminded people and be part of a community.

Come and join us for FREE at Gunnersbury Park and Museum on Thursday, 12 September, to dive into the world of museums and volunteering. Here’s your chance to find out more – a day at the museum including lunch that will give you the chance to meet the staff and existing volunteers, and to find out more (over 18s only please).