 Following the magnificent VE Day anniversary celebrations across the borough last Friday, today we have launched a new campaign to recruit foster carers for children in the borough in need of a new home. It's part of Foster Care Fortnight.
We’re looking for people from all backgrounds to join our wonderful community of foster carers. Foster carers do vital work and I'm proud of the work they and the support team at the council do in our community. Read more about Foster Care Fortnight below.
During these difficult times it is important that we are all considerate of each other.
If you ride a bike, then please do also think about social distancing. Don't ride too close to pedestrians on pavements and avoid cycling in busy parks. If you are a jogger, then please don't run up close behind pedestrians on pavements.
If you are pushing a buggy on a narrow pathway, then please step aside to give way to pedestrians coming the other way so that everyone can feel comfortable that the two metre spacing is maintained.
Now more than ever, public and personal hygiene is critical to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Do not spit in the street. If you can, use a handkerchief to catch any sneezes or to blow your nose. Wash your hands with soap and water regulalry, use hand sanitisers when out of the house, and wear a mask or face covering when travelling on public transport.
Please stay safe, follow the latest Government guidance announced today, and maintain two metres distance from anyone who doesn't live in your household.
If you want to contact me directly, please email me. However, please be patient as there may be a delay of a day or two in getting back to you due to the volume of messages I am receiving.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Following the Government’s announcement of an outline roadmap for the next period ot tackling the COVID-19 crisis, Transport for London (TfL) today set out its initial plan to support this and help Londoners who need to travel do so safely and sustainably.
The plan will require significant changes to the way in which people travel in London and will be supplemented over the coming days following advice on travel to be issued by Government.
By 18 May TfL has the intention of increasing service levels to around 85 per cent on the bus network, at least 70 per cent on the Tube and London Overground (in line with national rail services), 80 per cent on the DLR and a full service on TfL Rail.
London Underground is aiming to restore the Circle Line and to re-open some of the 37 stations that have been closed for several weeks. However, some stations will stay closed for now so that staff can be deployed to help manage any congestion at busier stations. Some stations with lift-only access may need to remain closed as social distancing is not possible.
If using public transport, or taxi and private hire services, TfL advice is to travel outside of peak times and use a facial covering, carry a hand sanitizer, and wash your hands before and after you travel.
Athough face coverings are unlikely to prevent you from getting the virus, they could help prevent you from giving it to others. Face coverings are particularly important where two metre social distancing is hard to maintain.
|
The Gerpins Lane reuse and recycling centre has re-opened.
The site, which is managed by ELWA (East London Waste Authority), will be available for residents to visit during the usual opening hours of 7.30am to 5.45pm Monday to Sunday.
Trade waste will NOT be accepted, and no large vans or trailers are allowed at this time.
Long queues were seen this morning outside the centre. To avoid wasting a lot of time sitting in a queue of traffic please, if possible, delay your journey until later in the week or next week.
The reuse and recycling centre in Frizlands Lane in Dagenham can also be used by Havering residents.
For more details of opening hours, permitted items that can be taken to the centres, and traffic restrictions that will be in place around them, visit ELWA's website.
|
 Over the next two weeks (May 11-24) Havering Council will be celebrating Foster Care Fortnight.
Today we’ve launched a new campaign to recruit foster carers for children in the borough in need of a new home. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds to join our community of foster carers.
See Havering’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families, Cllr Robert Benham's video launching the special fortnight.
You can find out more at a virtual coffee morning this Friday,15 May, at 11am or at a Facebook Live event on Friday May 22 at 10.30am when a foster carer and child talk about their experiences.
Email fostering@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 434574 to book your place.
 Across Havering there is a wide range of support available to anyone affected by COVID-19.
Bereavement line – Havering MIND is offering counselling to any Havering resident or Havering carer over 18 years of age, who has been affected by a bereavement or trauma relating to COVID-19. This free service is available seven days a week from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 1pm at weekends.
Email help@haveringmind.org.uk or telephone 01708 457040, or visit the Havering MIND website to complete a referral form.
Befriending line - The Tapestry befriending phone line, 01708 796611, is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and weekends, 10am to 4pm.
Havering Volunteer Centre – can assist with emergency supplies, medication delivery and collection, and even dog walking. Please call them on 01708 922214.
The Centre also provides a Check in and Chat befriending buddy service where they call anyone who is feeling isolated, alone and needing a friendly chat.
So far 415 residents are benefiting from these regular calls and for many they are a lifeline. One lady last week told the Volunteer Centre that their calls made her laugh and she had not done that in a very long time.
If you work for yourself you may be eligible to apply for the Government's Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
You can use an online checker to find out if you can make a claim.
|
 Havering Council is running a free-to-call helpline for residents with urgent emergency food or medicine needs because of coronavirus.
The helpline - 0800 368 5201 - is for you if you are already vulnerable and have no means of getting more food or medicine.
You can call between 11am and 4pm this Bank Holiday Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Alternatively, email: covid19support@havering.gov.uk.
 The Parents Association of St Peter's Catholic School, Romford, asked the children to make bunting to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day last Friday and then take their photo holding it.
Many of the children got busy and in total they made a magnificent 175 metres of bunting! Congratulations to all involved and well done.
Havering Council's online VE Day celebrations also proved popular. Over 10,500 people watched our video on how to make your own bunting and the Andrews Sisters tribute was viewed more than 3,700 times. In total the VE day video premieres were viewed by nearly 20,000 people.
Havering Council has paid a tuneful tribute to the borough’s “heroes” in a new video released on social media.
The video uses a cover version of David Bowie’s song Heroes – specially recorded by staff and students of the Havering Music School Community Orchestra – to say thank you to health, care, Council and ‘blue light’ workers as well as the neighbours, businesses and charities going the extra mile for one another.
The cover version, performed by over 50 people ranging from ages 8-82, also highlights the ‘keep calm and carry on’ spirit being channelled in the borough, from people sewing scrubs for hospital workers to creating protective face shields in schools.
|
Testing for COVID-19 is now available for all those who meet the eligibility criteria as outlined on the Government website.
The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.
The test is an ‘antigen test’. It tests if you currently have coronavirus.
The test to tell if you’ve ever had coronavirus (‘antibody test’) is not available yet.
|
Primary Colours is an annual arts competition for children in primary schools years 1 - 6 run by Havering Arts Development.
|
With VE Day celebrations just finished and the anniversary of the D-Day landings coming up in a couple of weeks, a story about Ronald Wilson from Upminster (pictured) is particularly poignant right now.
D-Day veteran Ronald suffered a stroke just as the coronavirus began to take hold. Havering-based Saint Francis Hospice stepped in to care for Ronald Wilson at his home.
As Ronald entered what would become the final two weeks of his remarkable life, his children spent their days and nights by his bedside supported by nurses from the Hospice.
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a huge decline in funding for the Hospice's services as fundraising events have had to be cancelled. The Hospice would be grateful for any offers of help.
|
|
