Act fast for discounts on Havering Adult College courses

Having just celebrated 50 years of providing high-quality education and training, Havering Adult College has launched its 2015/16 prospectus.

Take 10% off courses when you enrol before Monday 31 August 2015 with our early bird discount. Quote ENEB15 to receive your discount.

More information available here or call 01708 434995.  

Dementia Action Alliance

Havering has formed a local Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) to encourage all local organisations, who are committed to transforming the quality of life of people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers, to sign up to become members.

The Alliance is currently recruiting members from all areas of our community. More information available here.

Goodbye rogue traders

The Age UK London Business Directory is an online service which aims to help reduce the risk of people in later life being exploited by ‘rogue’ traders.

More information available here.

Volunteer befrienders

Havering Association of Disabilities (H.A.D) is looking for volunteer befrienders to have a chat or share a pastime with a disabled person so they can spend time independently from their carer. Full training is given. More information available here.

Summer Reading Challenge

Havering Library Service needs volunteers to listen to children talk about books they have read for the Summer Reading Challenge in the school holidays. You will be volunteering for two hour sessions and can do as many as you wish.

Please contact the branch library where you would like to volunteer.

Friends of Raphael Park

If you have an hour or two to spare the Friends of Raphael Park could use your help for a variety of roles from making noticeboards through to joining the team on their regular litter picks.

For more information email here.

Thames Chase Trust

Volunteers are needed at the Thames Chase Trust, Forest Centre, Pike Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NS.

Meet others with similar interests, enjoy working as a team in a friendly environment by getting invovled in:

• Conservation work – working in the open with a trained leader throughout the Forest
• Clerical Support – a wide variety of administrative tasks
• Assisting with events

Email here for more details.

Walled Garden Volunteer Day

Every Thursday from 2 July, between 10am and 3pm at Walled Kitchen Garden, Bedfords Park, Broxhill Road, Havering-atte-Bower. RM14 1QH.

Volunteer 'members' help grow food, keep fit and improve their health and wellbeing through being in a natural environment and part of a small community.

More information available here.

Free publicity for your events

You can get free publicity for your community event - just complete the online form on Havering Council’s events web page. There is no charge for this service.

Fairkytes Live

On Friday 31 July, 7pm to 11pm, two prize-winning graduates of the Royal College of Music, Rebecca Baulch and David Black, will be performing at Fairkytes Live at Fairkytes Arts Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch. RM11 1AX. Buy your tickets online here

Courses for carers

Havering Association for People with Disabilities is running a series of courses for carers and people with disabilities during August, at 1a Woodhall Crescent, Hornchurch, RM11 3NN.

• Every Monday and Wednesday, 1.30 – 3.30pm. Gentle exercise
• Mondays 10 and 24, 10am – 12noon, Managing stress

Book courses by email here.

Exhibitions at Havering Museum

Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JU.

Stained Glass Spectacular until Saturday 29 August 2015.

More information available here.

Guided Tours of Upminster Windmill

The Friends of Upminster Windmill will give free guided tours of Upminster Windmill, The Mill Field, St. Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QL on the first and third weekends of the month. More information available here.

Upminster Tithe Barn Open Days

The Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia, Hall Lane, Upminster, RM14 1AU is open from 10.30am until 4pm on the first and third weekends of the month. More information available here.

Shirley Tours

Shirley organises a variety of outings, events and short breaks, there’s something for everyone and it’s all in a good cause. All profits made are distributed between two local schools, Hall Mead School and James Oglethorpe School, as well as All Saints Church, in Cranham and 1st Cranham Scout Group. More information at Shirley Tours.

Give and Take Days

Give and Take Days are on the last Wednesday of every month at Romford Central Library, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

Caligraphy and crafts

Meet on Tuesday mornings at Fairkytes Arts Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX.  For the over 60s.  For more details call 01708 222365.

..... and two

Drop in on any Friday between 10am and 12noon for friendly conversation over a cuppa at Elm Park Community Association Assembly Halls, Eyhurst Avenue, Elm Park, RM12 5UA. 

Social Hub

Active Living is working with partners to set up Social Hubs, which are informal drop-in sessions for residents 50+. The Silver Linx Social Hub meets every Monday between 10am and 2pm at Salvation Army, High Street, Romford, RM1 1JJ. For more information email Kim Crisp

Di's Diamonds

Di's Diamonds is a free-to-join social club for people aged 50 and over.  Run by Diana Speller and Kath Yates the club puts out diverse monthly programmes of events. More information available by email.

Techy Teas

If you are aged over 50 you can get free advice to help you make better use of your mobile phone, laptop or tablet device.

Just bring along your own mobile device to NatWest Bank (Romford Town Branch) 10 South Street, Romford, RM1 1RD between 10am until 12noon on the third Thursday of the month and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, while improving your IT skills. For more information email Kim Crisp . 

Ten Pin Bowling

The 50+ Ten Pin Bowling Group meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 11am at Namco Funscape Bowling at The Brewery, Waterloo Road, Romford, RM1 1AU for unlimited bowling and a hot drink for £5 per head. For more details email Ruth Symons.

Events at Havering Museum

Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JU. For more details email Havering Museum.

Friday Afternoon Reminiscence

Every Friday at 1.30pm until 3.30pm, £3.00 per person. Friday’s are fascinating when local people gather to share their memories and pictures with others in the Museum. Come along and join in or just sit and listen.

Sunday stroll at Rainham Marshes

Join one of our experts to discover the wonderful wildlife on the reserve. This is the perfect opportunity to improve your identification skills, meet like-minded people and walk off that Sunday lunch. Takes place every Sunday 1pm to 3.30pm. No need to book.

Meet at RSPB Rainham Marshes, New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ.  Admission £5 (£4 RSPB members). For more information email Rainham Marshes.

Sunday night live….

Free Live Entertainment with a Twist of Faith.  Great Artists and a fun evening.

Sunday Night Live Upminster, Costa Coffee, 34 Station Road, Upminster, RM14 2TR, second Sunday of every month 5.30pm to 7.15pm. Host: Kevin Nichols 07876 682402.

Sunday Night Live Romford, Costa Coffee, The Brewery, Romford, RM1 1AU, second Sunday of every month at 7pm.  Host: Justin Lewis 07877 843060.

A stitch in time

In Stitches sewing group meets every Thursday from 10am until 12noon at Harold Hill Library, Hilldene Avenue, Harold Hill, RM3 8DJ and at Hornchurch Library, 44 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB every Tuesday from 2.30pm.

Growing friends over 50’s club

Growing Friends, an over 50's club, is held on the first Wednesday of each month in the garden at Bedford’s Park Walled Garden, Broxhill Road, Vyner Street, Havering-atte-Bower,  RM14 1QH. More information is available by emailing Kirsty.

Parkinson’s UK (Havering and District Branch)

Parkinson’s UK (Havering and District Branch) holds regular meetings on the first Tuesday of every month, from 2pm to 4pm, at Langtons House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1XJ.  For more information email Brenda Crissell.

Men’s walking football

Walking Football is a slower paced version of the beautiful game, aimed at men who are keen to keep an active lifestyle despite their age or ability. £3 per session.  Booking is required. For more information email Stuart Robinson.

• Mondays 12noon, YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 0PH
• Tuesdays 10.30am, Play Football Romford, King George Playing Fields, Eastern Avenue West, Romford, RM7 7AY (outdoors, 3G pitch)
• Wednesdays 8pm, Play Football Romford, Eastern Avenue West, RM7 7AY (outdoors, 3G pitch)
• Thursdays 7pm, Abbs Cross Health and Fitness Centre, Abbs Cross Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 4YB (indoor sports hall).

Beginners Ballroom and Latin Dancing

The class is for adults of all ages, to learn a new skill, get active, have fun and make new friends.

Every Friday, 7.30 - 8.30pm, Diana Clifford, Anthony Clifford Studios, 66 Albert Road, Romford, RM1 2PP. The class is pay as you go £8.50 per person. More information available here.

Havering Over-50s Forum

Havering Over-50s Forum is a non-political organisation that offers a platform where the over 50s can find information and raise issues which are of concern to them.

The Forum is open to Havering residents.  The first monthly meeting is free, then £5 annually. Meetings are usually on the second Tuesday of each month from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the Council Chamber, Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Roford, RM1 3BD.  For more information email or call 07504 654686.

Two grants from Ford

There are two grants available from Ford Britain Trust:

• Small grants for amounts up to £250, available four times each year
• Large grants for amounts of more than £250 and usually up to a maximum of £3,000.

Large grants are considered by the Trustees twice a year. Grant applications supporting the following activities will be considered:

• Work that has clear benefits to the local community/environment
• Work with young people/children
• Education/schools (mainstream)
• Special education needs
• People with disabilities.

A tip from a previous successful applicant is that if your organisation has a link with a retired/past/present Ford employee then the chances of securing a grant are much greater – you should include the employee ID number if possible.

Deadlines are:

• Small grants: Tuesday 1 September, Sunday 1 November                          
• Large grants: Tuesday 1 September.

More information available here.

Morrison’s Foundation

The Morrison’s Foundation has been set up to make a difference in the communities they serve. Charities looking for funding on a particular project should download and complete the online form and send to the address listed. Applicants must be from a registered charity whose project will improve people's lives. More information available here.

St. James's Place Foundation

The St. James's Place Foundation's Small Grants Programme is available to smaller UK charities working nationally, regionally or locally with an annual income of up to £750,000 and to special needs schools. More information available here.

Funding available to help young people volunteer

The Alec Dickson Trust provides grants of up to £500 to help young people up to the age of 30, or small groups of young people, who run a volunteering or community service project in their local area. The Trustees particularly like to fund projects that involve lots of volunteers, and/or encourage these young people to stay engaged as volunteers in the long term. Trustees will meet twice a year to consider applications. More information available here. 

£1,000 available from Persimmon

Persimmon Homes Community Champions fund has up to £750,000 funding over the next 12 months to fund local community initiatives. The charity match programme will give donations of up to £1,000 each to local UK groups and charities, which have already raised funds themselves. A total of up to £52,000 a month is available from Persimmon Group's 24 businesses. To apply complete the online form available here.