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Wednesday 15 December 2021
Dear Neighbours
I want to wish everyone in Redbridge a restful and happy Christmas.
We have all had a hugely challenging year with Covid impacting all parts of our lives. Now is a time to reflect on the achievements of the last year, but it is also a time to consider how tough it has been.
We also know that with the Omicron variant that we are not through this yet and we want you to be careful and ensure you have the vaccine and booster if you have not already.
Many of you will have been ill or have lost loved ones to this terrible virus and I am so sorry for any loss you may have endured. We also know many of you have had to cope with being put on furlough, having restrictions placed on your businesses and real impacts on you and your families’ health.
You have constantly demonstrated your resilience and generosity to each other throughout the last year. I am so proud to work for Redbridge and the people who call our borough home.
Throughout the pandemic our council has worked hard to maintain services and continue to improve Redbridge.
This year we have planted more than 40,000 trees, maintained our nine Green Flag Parks and introduced Enforcement Hubs to help make Redbridge safer.
We have made sure our rough sleepers have been looked after, ensured there is money to keep local businesses going and have stepped up our Work Redbridge programme to help people get back into work.
We know there is a lot more to do and we will be ready to continue our work again in 2022.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Cllr Jas Athwal
Leader of Redbridge
 Redbridge residents are invited to a virtual public meeting on Thursday 16 December at 6pm to learn more about what the latest Covid updates mean for local people and how they can help protect themselves and others.
The meeting will take place on Thursday, 16 December at 6pm via this live Microsoft Teams link and panel members will be discussing:
- Omicron variant and the new government guidelines
- How residents can get the COVID-19 vaccination
- Who is eligible for the booster vaccine and why
- Vaccinations and pregnancy
There will also be a live Q&A.
Everyone aged 18 years and over is invited to take the COVID-19 booster vaccination to protect you against the Omicron variant.
Book your booster via the NHS website
If you are eligible and haven’t had your vaccination, the time do so is right now.
Don’t risk remaining unprotected from COVID-19. Everyone over 16 is now eligible to book their first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination appointment by:
- booking via the NHS website
- booking by calling 119
- visiting your local pharmacy - listed here
- visiting one of the local vaccination centres listed on our website
All children aged 12 to 15 are also being offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The COVID-19 booster vaccine is available for people aged 18 and over, who have had a second dose of a vaccine at least three months ago.
Move to Plan B: changes to restrictions
The government has announced that England will move to Plan B in response to the risks of the Omicron variant. This means:
- face coverings are required by law in some public indoor settings, such as shops, takeaways, (where there is no space for consumption of food or drink on the premise), and cinemas
- office workers who can work from home should do so
- as of today, 6am Wednesday 15 December, certain venues and events will be required by law to check the COVID status of customers using the NHS COVID Pass or other accepted proof.
See here the latest guidance to visiting or working in restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs.
Santa Express comes to Redbridge: Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 December 2021.
Santa and his elves will be taking a break from the making and packing to sprinkle seasonal happiness this Christmas time.
Santa Express dates and opening times
Christmas Concert. Friday 17 December, 7:30pm: Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford Green.
Redbridge Music Service presents its annual Christmas Concert. The festive music features the Redbridge Music School Ensembles and Youth Choir.
Visit www.visionrcl.org.uk/events for booking details.
Christmas Market. Sunday 19 December, 11am - 5pm: South Woodford, George Lane (north-west) E18 1AY.
Features Santa’s grotto, children’s craft activities, festive stalls, delicious street food, and live music from local performers includes the London Forest Choir, the Redbridge Music Lounge and Crescendo Music School.
Cinderella. The Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford until Sunday 9 January 2022
To book and for all the information visit: vrcl. uk/cinderella.
Fairlop Winter Village and Ice Skating Rink. Open until Thursday 9 January 2022, 9am - 10pm.
Go skate on real ice. Grab a drink, some food, and celebrate the holidays. Online bookings are available at: Fairlop Winter Village.
 There will be no changes to your waste and recycling collection over Christmas and New Year. Your household waste and recycling will be collected as normal on your usual collection day over the festive break, so just place it out by 6am at the boundary of your property, on your regular collection day, and we’ll do the rest.
 Once the festivities are over we’ll collect real Christmas trees, for FREE, for recycling. To ensure collection:
- Leave your tree at the boundary of your property by 6am on Monday 10 January
- Remove all decorations
- Ensure your tree is clearly visible
We’ll be collecting between Monday 10 – Friday 21 January. Alternatively, you can take your Christmas tree to Chigwell Road Reuse and Recycling Centre.
We work in partnership with local charities to tackle and prevent rough sleeping in the borough.
We understand that you might feel compelled to give money to someone begging on the street. But by giving what you can spare directly to our partners, or volunteering, you can help people to make sustainable, life-changing steps that end their rough sleeping for good.
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The Welcome Project in Ilford helps rough sleepers get access to health, training and education services
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RAMFEL is a specialist immigration advice and legal charity, supporting non-UK nationals in Redbridge to help them get off the streets
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The Ilford Salvation Army supports people into work and longer-term accommodation
If you see someone sleeping rough, you can alert us through StreetLink on 0300 500 0914 or go to the StreetLink website.
 The holiday period can be a challenging time for many of us, there are a range of services available to residents to support your mental health, to help residents find a mental health service we have created the Redbridge Mental Health and Wellbeing Map.
We also have information on our website for coronavirus and mental health support.
The Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre is offering Redbridge residents tickets to see the Snowman for just £9 for performances on Sunday 19 and Wednesday 22 December at 7pm.
To book please call the Box Office on 020 7863 8000 or online and use the promo code: SNOW2
Please note that there is a £3 transaction fee for bookings.
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