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Friday 23 December

Christmas message from Leader of Redbridge Council

Dear neighbours,

Christmas is a time for coming together, celebrating with our loved ones, and giving back to our communities. This December, we’ve been hosting events across Redbridge to get into the Christmas spirit and make new treasured memories with the people who mean the most to us.

Whether you want to pick up something special at a Christmas market, enjoy fantastic performances at our Redbridge pantomime, or try ice skating at our new rink in Fairlop Waters. There is something for everyone in Redbridge this winter.

Instead of travelling into Central London, why not stay local for your Christmas shopping this year? By shopping locally, we support our high streets and small businesses, reduce our carbon footprint and help to boost our local economies – all while picking up a bargain or two.

With the rising cost of living hitting local families hard through the holidays, Redbridge Council is stepping up support to help those most in need this winter. In addition to providing direct support payments and assistance with benefits, our council is working closely with local food banks and has opened a network of warm spaces. As we face the new challenge of the rising cost of living, we will once again rise to the occasion as a community.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year

Cllr Jas Athwal
Leader of Redbridge Council

Christmas and New Year bin collections

Are you wondering about bin collections over the festive break?

We’ve got it covered. All you need to do is check our handy guide & jot down your revised bin collection day for the Christmas and New Year period.

We are catching up this week on last week’s missed collections. We are operating a clear-all policy this week to help alleviate any refuse that may have been missed due to the severe weather last week. 

This means any side waste or excess waste that you have accumulated as a result will be taken on your normal day of collection. 

Christmas tree collections:

Our Christmas Tree collection is back. 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, Mon 9 Jan 

• Remove all decorations 

• Ensure your tree is clearly visible 

We’ll be collecting between Jan 9 –20. Alternatively, you can take your tree to Chigwell Road Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Redbridge food banks - changes to opening hours

Please remember that some food banks will be closing over the festive break.

The Christmas closure dates are as follows:

All Saints Church, Goodmayes - final session is Friday 23 December, reopening Friday 6 January

Grange Hill Methodist Church - Will be closed Saturday 24 December, reopening Saturday 31 December 2023

Jubilee Church, Ilford - final session is Saturday 24 December, reopening Wednesday 4 January

Woodford Baptist Church - final session is Friday 23 December  between 2:30pm – 4:30pm, reopening Friday 6 January

The above food banks will require a voucher to receive a food parcel.

For more information and how to access a voucher, check out our cost-of-living website.

GP appointments over Christmas and New Year

GPs in northeast London are reminding people that choosing the right place for medical help over the Christmas holidays can help them get the treatment they need faster.

More than 140,000 people attended A&E in north east London (NEL) last December and January, and local hospital emergency departments are expected to be extremely busy again this year. Patients will often be seen more quickly by visiting their local pharmacy or a GP, even during the holiday season.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme update

Over 500 local children have participated this winter in Redbridge’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. 

The scheme is open to children eligible for benefits related free school meals. It gives children the opportunity to learn new skills, participate in fun activities, make new friends and access good food through the holidays. 

This week Council Leader Cllr Jas Athwal (pictured) joined children at Cranbrook Primary School to see how they were finding the fun-filled activity days. 

There is still time to apply to join the special HAF Fun Day on Friday 30 December 2022 between 11am-4pm at Frenford Clubs in Ilford, The Jack Carter centre, The Drive, Ilford IG1 3PS. This special event is open to all children but book now to avoid missing out!

The HAF Fun Day includes sports, arts and crafts, seasonal smoothie making, hot food, and much more!  

Register for a place or send us an email. 

Don't miss out on Aladdin at the Kenneth More Theatre

With many hard-hit families needing to tighten their belts this Christmas, we've provided a range of free and discounted pantomime tickets to children and young people.

This special offer will allow children to enjoy hours of unadulterated fun at Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford, which is now showing the festive classic Aladdin at the iconic east London venue until Monday January 8. 

The pantomime at Kenneth More has previously been lauded as one of the best value-for-money shows in London – and this year is no exception.

There is still plenty of availability for Aladdin. You can book online or call the Box Office on 020 8708 8800.

Beware of burglars and car thieves this festive period

To make sure you and your family enjoy a safe and happy festive season, follow these crime prevention tips from the Metropolitan Police:

• Always lock (or double lock) your doors and windows before leaving the house and before going to bed
• Keep valuables out of sight
• Dispose of all boxes and packaging carefully, particularly from expensive presents
• In the evening, shut the curtains and leave a light on
• Set your burglar alarm, and if possible, invest in a smart doorbell.
• Burglars can hide behind tall hedges, allowing them to reach your home unseen by others, so keep them trimmed low if you can
• If you are visiting the shops this Christmas, be careful how you leave your car. Invest in a steering lock if you can and do not leave
  valuables or shopping on display

Mental health support over the festive season

If you need a little more help during the festive period, or if you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, then contact your GP or doctor. They can offer advice and care, or refer you to specialist services.

Support can also be found at: 

My Life Redbridge

Redbridge Youth Hub

Mental Health Direct

How to contact us over the Christmas period

Please be advised that the council and all of its offices will be closed over the Christmas period.

If you have a real emergency during this period, please contact us on 020 8554 5000.