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Welcome to this week's Hounslow Matters, featuring news of fresh creative funding for Hounslow, support for SEND families, free swimming and yoga for young carers and so much more!

Council secures fresh creative funding 

Is the Park Life for you?

Have you ever fancied running a food stall or coffee trailer in one of Hounslow’s parks?

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from mobile catering facilities to operate within Hounslow's parks and open spaces throughout Spring and Summer 2026.

This opportunity is open to all new and experienced providers of mobile food and drink, in and out of the borough.

We are seeking:

• offers that will provide healthy snacks, meals and or beverages to a diverse audience who visit the borough’s parks and open spaces
• someone who can demonstrate environmental responsibility by limiting their carbon footprint across all aspects of operation, including their mobile catering unit, food sourcing and recycling

If you think you’ve got what it takes, download the application form in the link below.

Young Carers in the swim 

This week saw Young Carers Action Day, the centrepiece of a week of activity where The Carers Trust are calling for a Young Carers Lead in every UK school.

William Kocela (far left) from Isleworth has cared for his mother since an early age and participates in a project funded by Hounslow Council that supports young carers with free swimming and yoga sessions at Hanworth Leisure Centre.

Hounslow Swim Club offer free yoga and swim sessions for young carers aged 5-18 (up to 25 for people with SEND) on Saturdays during term time at Hanworth Leisure Centre, TW13 5EG. A free general swim is also on offer for cared for parents/guardians, as well as and parents/guardians and their children with additional needs.

For details e-mail: enquiries@lbhsc.org.uk

Check our William's story via the link below.

Advice, support and employment guidance for SEND families 

The Council is committed to supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to prepare for adulthood.

Join one of our information and guidance sessions on Teams to learn about the free support and opportunities provided by the Community Provisions team and the Project SEARCH Supported Internship programme. 

Session dates: 

• Tuesday, 17 March - 6pm-7pm, on Teams
• Wednesday, 22 April - 6pm-7pm, on Teams

The Community Provisions team provides support for adults in the borough who are living with a learning disability or autism. 

The Project SEARCH Supported Internship programme is a one-year work-based programme for young people aged 17-24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 

Click the button below to register and receive the joining link. 

Meanwhile, the SEND Local Offer also pops up in Heston on Tuesday, 17 March at the Community Hub and Library from 3pm - 5pm.  Come on down for advice, guidance and support from our expert team - SEND Local Offer | London Borough of Hounslow

Help the NHS reduce medicine waste

Did you know unused medicine costs the NHS £300 million per year? We can all do our bit to reduce this by only ordering what we need. 

The biggest waste comes from repeat prescriptions, with people ordering more than they require and it going unused. So before ordering more medicine, please check carefully what you have left.

Stockpiling medicine doesn't work as many medications go out of date quickly and won't be effective when you need them.

Community health event in Isleworth

Head to the BridgeLink Centre in Isleworth for a community health event from 11am-1pm on Thursday, 26 March.

Chat with health and social care professionals, ask questions, get guidance and discover new services. You don't need to book a place, just turn up on the day.

Have your say on climate change 

There is still time to share your views on Hounslow’s draft Climate Change Resilience Plan, which sets out how the borough will prepare for hotter summers, heavier rainfall and other impacts of climate change already affecting our communities. The Council wants to hear from residents across the borough to make sure the plan reflects local priorities, concerns and experiences. The consultation is open until Friday, 27 March. How to take part: Read the draft plan and complete the online survey on Let’s Talk Hounslow Request a paper copy, large print or translated version via consult@hounslow.gov.uk or 020 8583 2000 Pick up and return surveys at your local library Or download the survey (under “Important Documents”) and email it back Residents’ feedback is vital to ensuring the borough can adapt homes, services and communities to future climate impacts.

Not sure where to start with AI?

Human-Driven AI CIC is running free 10-minute sessions in Brentford every Thursday at Digital Dock, delivered in partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow Council.

Come and talk to the team about: a business idea, job application, side income, a creative project or just getting started with AI.

No tech knowledge is needed. It's just a short, practical conversation to help you move forward.

Digital Dock, 205 High St, Brentford | Every Thursday | 12 – 2pm | Free to attend

Sign-up for garden waste collection

With spring just around the corner, residents can now renew or sign up for this year’s garden waste collection service.

The Council’s paid-for garden waste collection service is designed to simplify garden maintenance with regular, hassle-free waste collections.

West London’s first-ever Right to Grow policy launched

The Council’s new policy, called Go Forth and Grow for the Future, opens up unloved and unused public land. Communities, schools and volunteer groups are invited to apply to use this land to grow food and to garden. Our project has the support of Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter OBE, who also backed our Grow for the Future scheme.

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