Local schools raise the bar in this year’s Dragon's Den
 The winning team with Youth Council member Madiha Azizi (far right)
The bar at this year’s Dragon’s Den event for local schools – in association with The Social Enterprise Academy - was raised to the max.
The Dragons, who consisted of Madiha Azizi, a 17-year-old student and Youth Council member, Phillip Walker, Director of Lifelong Learning, Skills and Employment at the Council, and Jason Long and Deborah Phethean, senior executives at local software company SAP, witnessed a wonderfully diverse set of ideas from ten local schools.
The overall winners were Chiswick School (pictured) and ‘Celestial Flow’, an affordable, hygienic range of menstrual products featuring comic characters to get the message around period poverty across to young people. The runners-up were Heathlands, and their ‘Forever & Always’ range of handmade flowers to fund the school’s Breakfast Club, and Kingsley Academy’s innovative ‘Fash Flip’ idea around the re-purposing of clothes to combat fashion waste.
In all, ten schools competed, in order of presentation: Chiswick School (two teams) , Lampton Academy, Kingsley Academy (two teams), Heathlands, Logic School, Spring West Academy, Grove Road, Green School for Boys, Rivers Academy and Oaklands.
Due to the high quality of entrants, all schools received a special award to be detailed on the Council channels over the course of next week.
Free family show this weekend
 Come and visit Bell Square tomorrow (Saturday, 16 May) for a free Summer of Culture performance, blending folk and contemporary movement with Indian classical dance.
Watermans is presenting Roots to Rise - a story of three women, each absorbed in the chaos of her own world. The performance runs as two 35-minute shows at 1pm and 3pm.
Carer Cafés across the borough
 Do you care for someone? An adult relative, friend, or neighbour? Join us at one of the regular Carer Cafés in Chiswick (pictured), Feltham and Hounslow to connect with other carers, relax and learn about looking after yourself, as well as those you care for.
In addition to free hot drinks, treats, guest speakers and wellbeing activities, the cafés also offer 50 BetterPoints for weekday events and 100 for Chiswick Cinema’s Saturday gathering.
Upcoming live sessions include:
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Chiswick Cinema (94-96 Chiswick High Rd, W4 1SH) – Saturday, 16 May, 13 June* and 11 July, 10am -12.30pm *Carers Week special with guest speakers
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Feltham (Bristol Court, United Drive – off Bedfont Lane, TW14 9AG) – Wednesday, 20 May, 24 June, 22 July, 2pm - 4pm
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Hounslow House Sixth Floor (lift access available, TW3 3EB) – Thursday, 21 May, 18 June and 16 July, 1pm - 3pm
Living well with dementia event
There will be an event on living well with dementia at Syon House on Wednesday, 20 May.
As part of Dementia Action Week 2026, this event offers an engaging mix of activities, informative talks, and opportunities to connect with anyone interested in learning more about dementia.
Sessions and activities include:
- Interactive workshops on caregiving, wellbeing, and promoting independence
- Expert talks covering dementia, legal rights and local support
- Soothing Namaste sessions featuring hand massages, gentle movement, and calming sounds
- A captivating performance from the Hounslow Symphony Orchestra
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Young people invited to design Think Well logo
 Secondary school‑aged young people in Hounslow are invited to design a logo for Think Well, a new youth‑friendly wellbeing hub opening at Beaver’s Children’s Centre in Cranford in summer 2026. The space will be free to access and designed with young people, for young people. It will offer a relaxed, non‑clinical environment focused on wellbeing and positive mental health.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May), the Council has launched a campaign where young people who live or attend school in the borough can submit a photograph of their logo design via the online form.
The deadline for entries is Sunday, 24 May. The winning designer will receive a £20 voucher and their design will inspire the final Think Well logo.
Hounslow’s Mockingbird Constellation celebrates during Foster Care Fortnight
 Hounslow’s Mockingbird ‘constellation’ aims to offer foster carers and their families a sense of community and support and has recently celebrated its first-year anniversary.
Now, featuring a group of eight families, members Eithne, Arun (pictured, first and second left) and Sukh (far right) share their thoughts on what it means to them and what advice they would offer to prospective foster carers in Hounslow.
Logistics and warehousing training information session
Logistics and warehousing is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in the borough. Work Hounslow is offering a free training programme. as well as a guaranteed job interview in this sector, for eligible residents aged 19 and above, unemployed and not in education or training.
This includes individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those who have been in care.
To learn more about the programme and next steps, residents can join an information session on:
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Are your children safe from measles?
 Recent outbreaks in London mean it’s now more important than ever to protect your children from measles.
The first step is checking if they’ve had both doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine and catching up with any they’ve missed. The vaccine is available free of charge through the NHS at any age.
There are a few simple ways to check if your child has had both doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine:
- Look in their red book, where vaccinations are usually recorded
- Check the NHS App for their vaccination records
- Contact their GP surgery who can confirm which vaccines they has received
- If your child is at school, you can also ask the school nurse for help
Have your say on building safety
 Do you live in a high-rise building? Join the first Building Safety Group event, open to tenants who want to be involved in improving safety where they live.
The Council's Compliance Team will be there to talk through our building safety strategy and listen to your experiences. This is an opportunity to have your voice heard and work with them to make sure building compliance meets residents’ needs.
Just turn up on the day or email engage@hounslow.gov.uk
Fifty years of care at St Mary’s
 Rosemary Manipon’s half century of service at St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home in Chiswick was recognised last month with a special celebration featuring family, friends, and colleagues.
Rosemary, originally from the Philippines, began working at the St. Mary's Convent and Nursing Home in Chiswick in 1976 (pictured).
St Mary’s was actively supported by Florence Nightingale in its early years, and remains a thriving care community. The home has retained an Outstanding score from the CQC for the Responsive Criteria in a recent inspection.
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