A love of reading starts from day one
 From this autumn, every baby born in Hounslow will receive a My First Library Card to help them begin their reading journey.
As part of our commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life, new parents can collect their baby's card when they register their birth, alongside a Bookstart pack. The card opens the door to free books, stories, activities and support for the whole family.
Free vaccinations in Heston
 The Council’s Health Outreach Team (HOT) will be in Heston next week to give free health MOTs in the HOT bus. You don’t need to book, just turn up on the day and the friendly team will do the rest.
It’s also a chance to get free Covid-19 and flu vaccines. Don’t forget to bring your NHS number along if you wish to be vaccinated.
You can see future opportunities to meet HOT and get free vaccines on the Council’s website. Dates will be updated regularly when confirmed, so please keep checking in to see what’s coming up near you.
Book ahead and be bewitched
 There are all manner of spooky happenings occurring across venues in the east of the borough building up to and including Halloween this year.
Scary light show: Gaussfest
Witness a public demonstration of indoor lightning and magnificent light shows. London Museum of Water and Steam, Sat 10 Oct, 10am to 5pm.
Murder and intrigue: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Sign-up for an unforgettable night where questions become accusations and Dr Jekyll’s carefully constructed world fractures. Catch the play at Boston Manor House, 14 October to 1 November, 2pm to 6pm.
Spooky Cinema: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Meet newly engaged couple Brad and Janet as they stumble upon the home of the charismatic Dr Frank-N-Furter, and a night unlike anything they could have imagined! Gunnersbury Museum, Fri, 30 Oct, 7pm to 9pm.
Protect your parcels from theft
 With more people shopping online, parcel deliveries have become part of everyday life. Unfortunately, unattended packages can be an easy target for thieves.
Police in Hounslow are reminding residents to take a few simple steps to help keep deliveries safe.
Here are some practical ways to reduce the risk of parcel theft:
- Avoid leaving parcels in open view on doorsteps, porches or in communal entrances.
- Use parcel lockers or collection points where available, especially for high-value items.
- Arrange deliveries for when someone is home, or redirect parcels to a trusted neighbour, friend or alternative address.
- Track your deliveries and enable notifications so you can collect parcels promptly after they arrive.
- Provide clear delivery instructions and ask that parcels are not left outside your property.
- Consider installing a secure, lockable parcel box fixed to your property.
- Keep communal entrances secure by ensuring doors close and lock properly, and never allow unknown individuals to follow you into shared areas.
If you believe a parcel has been stolen, report it to the delivery company and contact the police on 101 if a crime has occurred.
Breaking the Stigma of addiction
 Breaking the Stigma is a podcast featuring real-life stories, expert advice and honest conversations about substance use, mental health, recovery and rebuilding lives.
There’s no single story of addiction – and sometimes hearing someone else talk openly about their experiences can be the first step towards asking for help.
The podcast is for both residents who want support and professionals who work with residents facing addiction.
 Help us shape our Employment Drop-In Support Service, which returns to Holy Trinity Church, Hounslow, on Monday, 12 October from 1pm to 4pm.
The service is aimed at adults with disabilities or health conditions who are looking for work, struggling in their current job, or would like some guidance and confidence to take their next step. But how would you like us to help you? Let us know by emailing Community.Provisions@hounslow.gov.uk.
The drop-in is run by the Community Provisions team, who work with Hounslow residents looking to explore support including job searching, applications, CVs, interview preparation, job retention strategies, reasonable adjustments and much more.
Further dates are scheduled on the second Monday of every month and the service is supported by the Employment Opportunities Service and Connect to Work programmes.
Landlord Forum new date
 Join us at Hounslow House, 7 Bath Rd, Hounslow TW3 3EB on Thursday, 29 October from 5pm to 8pm for an informative and engaging event tailored for landlords in Hounslow.
With major changes in the private rented sector, this forum is a great opportunity to get up to speed on the Renters’ Rights Bill and what it means for landlords.
Hear from expert speakers including The London Landlord Accreditation Scheme, the London Fire Brigade, tax and insurance specialists and senior housing officers, covering essential topics such as fire safety, landlord tax and insurance, housing standards and property licensing, as well as the support available to help you stay compliant and confident.
 Find the right support for your child or young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Come and talk to us in person at one of our monthly SEND drop-in sessions, where you can speak to a professional face-to-face for advice and support.
The next date for the diary is Wednesday, 14 October, 10am to 12pm (Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre & Library).
Changes to birth and death registrations
 Birth and death registrations are moving to an electronic system, from Monday, 9 November which means paper registers will no longer need to be signed.
For births, appointments will remain face-to-face and you will need to provide documentary evidence of your identity.
Please check what ID you need and make sure you bring it with you to your appointment.
There will also be more choice when registering a death, you will be able to register in person or by telephone.
Further information will be available on our website.
 Take a break, share experiences and enjoy activities with other unpaid carers at our regular Carer Cafes across the borough this October:
• Saturday, 10 October - The Chiswick Cinema, 94-96 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 1SH - 11am to 1pm. Free ice cream or drink and slice of cake included
• Thursday, 19 October 2026 - Hounslow House (6th Floor), 7 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EB - 1pm to 3pm
• Wednesday, 28 October 2026 - Bristol Court, United Drive, Feltham, TW14 9AG, 2pm to 4pm (pictured)
Postponed Summer on the Green event
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Council tenants are invited to join us at Mission Hall Community Centre on Saturday, 10 October from 12.30pm to 4pm.
There will be free food/snacks and drinks provided. You can also come along and meet your Housing officer for housing advice, support with your tenancy or ASB issues. Get support with benefits, tenancy issues, and anti-social behaviour concerns whilst enjoying fun activities for all ages like face painting and smoothie bikes
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It's time to talk about libraries
 Talk to us about opening our library and community hubs longer, including into evenings and at weekends, at an online event, Wednesday, 14 October, 6pm to 7pm.
We'll take you through the technology that will help to control access and keep visitors safe. You can also hear what we've learned from other councils that have already introduced self-service library hours.
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