 Let's talk coronavirus and you
The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on our daily lives, but what are you most worried about as the lockdown restrictions start to ease? Or maybe you’ve noticed some positives to staying home?
We are running a survey to help us better understand how you and your family have been impacted by the pandemic, so we can support you on the road ahead.
Simply sign up to Let's Talk Tower Hamlets and tell us your thoughts. Be quick - the survey closes on 17 June!
Fighting injustice and reviewing historical links to slavery
This evening, continuing our proud history of fighting injustice, we removed a statue of a slave trader in West India Quay, as pictured above. You can read a statement from Mayor John Biggs on this issue, including the wider conversation that's now needed to confront this part of our history.
We are encouraging everyone in our community to stand up to racism and injustice. Tower Hamlets is No Place for Hate and you can make your pledge online if you haven't already.
Earlier today, Mayor John Biggs welcomed the Mayor of London's commission to review and improve diversity in landmarks across the capital. The commission will look at murals, street art, street names, statues and memorials, and focus on increasing representation among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, women, the LGBTQ+ community and disability groups.
 Special coronavirus issue of Our East End out now
The June special edition of our quarterly council publication will be landing on your doorstep this week.
We look at the impact of the virus, pay tribute to key workers and volunteers and highlight a host of resources to support your health and wellbeing at this time. It's also a celebration of the borough's incredible community response, which has helped us all get through this crisis together.
 Support for market traders and businesses
More shops and market stalls are returning to business over the coming weeks as the government relaxes certain lockdown restrictions.
We're encouraging all retailers to carry out full risk assessments and to put plans in place to make their premises as safe as possible for staff, visitors and customers before reopening.
Support is available and we're urging retailers to complete our online form by the end of this week to let us know more about their plans and how we can help.
 Celebrating and supporting our carers
It's Carers Week and a chance to say a special thanks to the thousands of unpaid, non-professional carers in Tower Hamlets who look after their loved ones or support vulnerable residents across our communities.
We understand that there are many challenges for carers and that the pandemic may have brought additional stresses for you and your families.
The Carers Centre Tower Hamlets is here to help, and provides a range of support services and weekly activities for unpaid adult carers (aged over 16).
While the week brings an important focus to unpaid carers, we also want to acknowledge and thank all types of carers working so hard across our borough at this time.
 Free bike safety checks and security marking
It's also Bike Week, and we want to help and encourage more residents to travel by bike – avoiding public transport, where possible, remains key.
You can get a free bike safety check and a police security marking for your bike at Middleton Green on Saturday 13 June. Staff will have hand sanitiser and social distanced queues in place.
Please note, if you'd like to register for the security marking, you'll need to email your name, address and phone number to StepneyGreen.SNT@met.police.uk before you arrive.
 Reuse and recycling centre
The Reuse and Recycling Centre on Yabsley Street is now in operation with normal opening hours, but safety measures remain in place.
We hope to allow vans back onto the site from Monday 15 June but we urge people only to visit if your recycling cannot be stored at home or disposed safely by other means.
 Supporting the safe reopening of faith buildings
Some places of worship in Tower Hamlets could start to reopen from Monday 15 June for individual prayer as part of the government’s recovery plan.
However, before this can happen safety measures must be put in place in line with guidance on social distancing and cleaning to protect our residents, particularly those most vulnerable. If faith buildings are considering opening in this limited way, please also consider the impact on other local faith communities.
We are in contact with faith leaders across the borough to help with preparations for reopening safely. We hope that safety measures can be put in place in time but if they can’t, it’s important that faith buildings remain closed and residents continue to worship at home.
We know the importance of faith buildings and that they bring comfort, security and enrichment, but preventing the spread of coronavirus must remain our number one priority.
 Diabetes support for residents
Do you want to take control of your diabetes this Diabetes Week? Whether you find carb counting confusing or need advice on lifestyle or medication, there’s support available on all aspects of living with diabetes.
New research shows that people with diabetes are more at risk from complications due to coronavirus, so now it’s more important than ever to take action and get your blood sugars in range. Diabetes UK has a dedicated helpline and online tools to help people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes manage the condition effectively.
You can also continue to access your usual local diabetes support for advice through telephone or virtual appointments.
Coronavirus: useful links
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