Many pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit.

If you are over the State Pension age, claiming your Pension Credits means you will also be entitled to:

• The Winter Fuel Payment and other help with heating costs
• Help with rent and Council Tax
• Free TV License if you're 75+
• Help with NHS costs like dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments.

If you need help applying, you can contact Citizen's Advice, Peabody,or go along to the Havering One Stop Shop.

For more information about pension credits, you can phone DWP on 0800 991234.

Visit the DWP website

Do you know someone who is struggling to get online? Havering's Community Health Connectors offer:

• A free SIM card with 40GB of data, unlimited calls and texts from Vodafone and O2.
• Free smartphones for people without a working smartphone (subject to availability).
• Digital skills training.

Visit the links above to find out more about the offer.

Sign up to the Council's free damp and mould workshops to 

• Learn how to keep damp and mould out of your home
• Get a free box of gloves and 3 free microfibre cloths to keep your home damp free.

These sessions are ongoing throughout the year.

Find out more

Are you ready to manage your weight and live a healthier lifestyle? If you’re a Havering resident aged 18+, with a BMI between 25 and 44.9, you may qualify for the free Live Healthier Havering programme, run by Everyone Active in local sport and leisure centres.

 What the programme offers:

• 2 hour weekly group sessions for 12-weeks supporting you to achieve a realistic and life-changing 5% weight loss.
• Education sessions including nutrition, food labels, goal setting and stress management.
• Physical activity sessions that are fun for all abilities and fitness levels.
• Weekly confidential weigh-in to track your progress.
• Meet like-minded people and support each other to stay motivated and celebrate success.
• Follow-up sessions to help maintain your progress. 

The team especially encourage referrals from residents in Rainham, Harold Hill and Romford.

Visit their website

Are you facing challenges with anything education-related?

Sycamore Trust UK is hosting a Q&A on 18 November on Zoom with Thomas Emmett from Birkett Long LLP law firm, who specialises in SEND education law.

Places are free of charge, but must be booked in advance.

Reserve your place

Tapestry Care is excited to announce the opening of their new Men's Shed in HOPWA House's garden, open Monday - Friday 10am - 3pm.

A Men's Shed is a community-based workshop or social space where men can come together to do activities like woodworking, metal-work and other hands-on projects.

The shed will be open to men 18+ who would like to get involved in small work-shop projects. Soon, they will have a calendar of projects scheduled throughout the week.

The team are also looking for some volunteers to help with running the project.

Call Tapestry for more information on 01708 796600.

Visit the Tapestry website

Join Everyone Active's new Tai Chi class every Wednesday 2:15pm at Rainham Leisure centre, in the studio with a qualified Tai Chi trainer.

• Improve your strength.
• Get fitter and more flexible. 
• Improve your posture.
• Lower your stress levels.

All classes, including Tai Chi, are available as part of the GP Exercise Referral Scheme.

Find out more

The Sycamore Trust can support residents 18+ with:

• Employment support for autistic adults
• Help to apply for roles
• Interview support
• CV preparation
• Raising self-esteem and confidence
• Employers will be invited to offer work experience for suitable candidates and, in return, The Sycamore Trust will provide autism awareness training and an audit of the premises & recruitment process.

Contact Sycamore Trust

The Stop Smoking service gives residents aged 13+ living in Havering and Barking & Dagenham free advice and support to stop smoking.

• Get one-to-one support from a trained expert for up to 12 weeks
• Get a free vape via the swap to stop scheme to give up cigarettes
• Telephone / digital support available or face-to-face a location near you
• Can also help you to stop nicotine vaping.

Find out more

To celebrate The Habbit Factory's 20th Anniversary year, they'll join Dick Whittington and his Cat as they seek fame and fortune in an adventure through good old London Town!

With an action-packed swashbuckling story, magnificent musical numbers, spectacular sets, dazzling costumes and a joyfully funny script, Dick Whittington is the festive family pantomime that you won’t want to miss. Don't miss out on this unforgettable pantomime experience!

Every performance is relaxed.

Ticket Price: £12 per person. Group Bookings (10+): £115. Special discounts available! Email The Habbit Factory to secure your group seats.

Visit their website

Havering Community Nutritionist and Health Trainer Sharon Adkins and her SA Nutrition volunteers held a special Tea & Talk morning at Rainham Library, Pantry & Hub to raise awareness and money for mental health charities on 9 October.

If you are looking for free nutrition support, Sharon and SA Nutrition run free nutrition, cooking and information sessions at Rainham Library on the first Wednesday of each month from 10am (the Pantry opens at 11am til 1pm every Wednesday) for anyone who is looking for nutrition support.

Contact SA Nutrition

The following feedback opportunities are open for you to share your views:

• Survey for residents with Long COVID - share your thoughts on their plans for a new Long COVID Community Café in Havering.
• Romford Masterplan (closes 11 November)
• Havering Safeguarding Priorities 2024-27
• Havering Council Active Travel Survey for children and young people (closes 6 December)
• Active Travel Survey for adults (closes 6 December)

Browse all feedback opportunities