Come to the Civic Service

Havering residents are invited to join the Mayor, councillors and civic leaders at a special service to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen becoming Great Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

The service will be held at St Edward the Confessor Church in Romford Market Place from 3pm on Sunday 13 September. There are around 200 places available on a first come, first served basis.

Workshops to help your organisation

Havering Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is holding two workshops on Tuesday 8 September.

In the morning is Fit for Funding for anyone involved in fundraising, bid or tender writing, in small voluntary and community organisations wishing to look at options for survival and sustainability. 

In the afternoon is Monitoring and Evaluation for individuals who are responsible for carrying out or planning effective monitoring to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation.

For more details or to book your place email Tony Wright.

Learn to Sign

Mention this email update and you will get 10 per cent off the cost of a six-week Introduction to Sign Language course at Havering College of Further and Higher Education.

The course starts in September and more details are available by emailing Leanne Tattoo.  

Help stop domestic violence and abuse

There is free training available for people wishing to find out how they can help friends or colleagues who are victims of domestic violence or abuse.

The next course is on Wednesday 30 September at Havering Town Hall. Book your place on the course here and find out more about helping to stop domestic violence and abuse here.

Pressing play on care and support

Three short films currently playing in The Liberty Centre, Romford, highlight a range of community support for adults. The Shared Lives Scheme details how carers can make a lasting difference by sharing their life with someone who needs support. New Hubs explains how the Council is making it easier for residents to get the right information and advice to help with their care choices. Carers’ Register encourages the Borough’s army of carers to sign-up for a range of services. For more information contact Amy Reed.

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.

Can you help Silver Surfers?

If you have some time to spare and know your way around a computer you could be the ideal person to help residents of Havering Council’s sheltered housing schemes learn how to browse the web, use email and Skype to keep in touch with friends and family.

Volunteers are needed to work with small groups of residents across the Borough. If you can help please email Kimberly Miller.

Time for tea – volunteers needed

Contact the Elderly has launched monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties in Havering for people over the age of 75. The charity is looking for volunteer drivers to help out each month and for hosts who would hold a tea party once or twice a year. If you can help please email Katy Szita.

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.

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.

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.

Exhibitions at Havering Museum

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

Sutton's Farm Airfield, Hornchurch until Saturday 24 October 2015.

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
• 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.

Cycling Grants London scheme is open

Cycling Grants London is a new programme funded by Transport for London (TfL) and managed by the environmental regeneration charity, Groundwork. It offers funding to community groups such as residents’ associations, charities and youth groups for projects that encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to cycle safely.

New cycling projects can apply from today for up to £10,000 in funding over a three year period. The deadline for funding applications is 21 September. Apply for a grant here.

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.