January is traditionally the month when we think more about our health and wellbeing. Less smoking and drinking, more exercise and healthier eating.

Over the next month, we will be looking at what Havering residents can do to improve their health.

We’re now in Dry January. Could you go alcohol free for the rest of the month?

It will give your body and mind a reset and you’ll reap the following benefits:

• better sleep
• improved mental health and concentration
• look and feel fabulous
• save money

You can get lots of tips to help maintain Dry January. Visit the website below. 

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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has asked people to take extra steps to minimise the spread of illnesses in schools, in the wake of rising COVID-19, scarlet fever, and flu cases.

If your child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has cleared up.

Parents are also urged to remind children about the importance of washing their hands with soap and warm water. Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them is another simple way to help stop illness from spreading.

Adults are also advised to stay home when unwell, and to wear a mask or face-covering when out and about in public places.

If you feel unwell with flu or COVID-19 symptoms, please steer clear of healthcare settings such as GP surgeries or hospitals unless urgent, and do not visit vulnerable people unless you need to.

The flu vaccination is still available for all eligible groups and is the best protection against the virus. Unfortunately, vaccination rates among young children is still low. Getting your child vaccinated protects them and others they come into contact with, and it’s still not too late.

Eligible children include:

• those aged two years or three years on 31 August 2022
• all primary school-aged children
• some secondary school-aged children

You can get more information getting your child vaccinated against flu on NHS.UK.

Flu and COVID-19 are currently at high levels and are likely to continue to rise in the coming weeks. High numbers of scarlet fever cases also continue to be reported.

Visit the local vaccination centre walk-in clinic on Wednesday 11 January, 10am to 2pm at YMCA, 29 Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 0PH.

No booking required.

1st, 2nd and 3rd COVID-19 vaccinations (16 years and over), 4th COVID-19 boosters and flu jabs (50 years and over) are available.

It’s not too late to get an earlier dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if you need one. Don’t delay - flu and COVID-19 can be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter.

If you had a real Christmas Tree last Christmas, make sure to recycle it now the festive season is over.

You can take it to Gerpins Lane reuse and recycling centre or if you are a Garden Waste customer, cut it in half and place in your green bin with the lid closed.

Remember to take all decorations off the tree when recycling.

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Please also remember that there are revised waste collection dates running through to next Saturday (14 January). Check the table below for new dates. Normal collections resume on Monday 16 January. 

Before Christmas, we launched our ‘Warm Coats’ initiative at Rainham Library, where anyone can pick up a warm coat for free.

We are asking if anyone can donate any unused adult or children’s coats that are warm, good quality and undamaged to kick-start the project. 

Please call Rainham Library on 01708 434970 before bringing in donations.

The Council's Budget Consultation 2022/23 has now closed.

Thank you to everyone that took the time to read our proposals and let us know your thoughts. Your feedback is vital to understanding how the tough choices we have to make will affect residents.

We will now take time to consider your comments before final proposals for next year's budget will be brought to Full Council in Wednesday 1 March, so look out for a Living in Havering budget special once the budget is agreed. 

Do you care for someone with dementia? Alzheimer's Society holds a weekly Carers Information and Support Programme to help carers to better support relatives with dementia. 

The sessions provide a listening ear, as well as equip carers with the tools to look after loved ones and ensure they are getting the right emotional and financial support. 

The sessions take place online using Zoom. The next session is next Tuesday (17 January) at 6:30pm - 7:30pm, with further sessions the following three Tuesdays. Please book in advance by emailing or calling Nyree on 07759 119516. 

The Arts Society, Havering is hosting Cubism Explained, by Steven Barret. This lecture sets out the theory behind Cubism so it's beauty can be truly appreciated. The lecture takes place at New Windmill Hall, Upminster on Tuesday 10 January, 10:30am to 12pm.

Tickets cost £8 for non-members. Visit the website for more details. 

Dragon Theatre Company is putting on a production of Cinderella, the UK's favourite pantomime, at Havering Road Methodist Church between Thursday 26 and Saturday 28 January. 

A classic story full of wonderful characters, from the downtrodden but plucky heroine to the satisfyingly ghastly ugly sisters, with live music and oodles of audience participation!

Doors open at 2pm and 7pm each day, with tickets available from £8. Call the box office on 07960 676180, or visit the website for more details. 

Creative Re-Work is holding an online introduction session offering more about their free Collage Arts Programmes to help Londoners to build knowledge, skills and relationships with creative communities.

No matter your creative background or history, your skills, lived experience and knowledge are important, and creative coaches are on hand to guide and support you on your creative journey.

The introductory session takes place from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesday 11 January. Book your place online. 

Havering Fabian Society's 2023 programme starts with an Open Meeting on Thursday 12th January from 7.30pm at Saffron House in South Street, Romford.

The guest speaker for this event is Hope Mendy-Wilson, Chair of Romford Constituency Labour Party, who will give a talk entitled Re-thinking Local Politics. The meeting is free to all. 

The monthly Big Smile Collective Clothes Swap takes place next Tuesday (10 January). Come along and bring your clean clothes, shoes, bags and accessories you no longer wear, and swap them for a new wardrobe.

The event takes place at New City College, Ardleigh Green Road, RM11 2LL from 5pm - 7pm. Entry costs £3. 

For further information, send an email or visit the website.

Wennington Road will be closed between its junctions with New Road and East Hall Lane from 8am on Monday 9 January, through to 5pm on Sunday 15 January 2023. 

Western Road, Romford, will be closed from its junction with Mercury Gardens between 8am and 5pm on Monday 16 January.

Ockendon Road will be closed between Stubbers Lane and Pike Lane for repairs from 9:30am to 3pm on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 January. 

Norwood Avenue and Birkbeck Road will be closed for sewage works at their junctions with Dagenham Road.

Norwood Avenue will be closed from 8pm to 5am the following morning between Tuesday 17 and Saturday 21 January. Birkbeck Road will be closed 8pm - 5am from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 January. 

Public transport