 Register to join Ask the Mayor live
Mayor John Biggs is hosting a special online edition of his regular Ask the Mayor question and answer sessions.
Join online on Tuesday 23 June between 7pm – 8.30pm to ask about the issues that matter most to you.
The event will focus on our response to coronavirus, how the council is supporting residents and businesses, as well as a range of other topics.
Please register to attend. You can also submit a question ahead of time.
 Paying tribute to the Windrush generation and their descendants
To mark national Windrush Day on 22 June, our local history library and archives will be sharing content from their local collections relating to Windrush.
Windrush Day pays tribute to the outstanding contributions of the Windrush generation and their descendants. It was introduced in 2018, on the 70th anniversary of the landing of the first Caribbean migrants in 1948 on HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks just to the east of London. Their arrival followed a campaign to entice people from the countries of the British Empire and Commonwealth to immigrate to the UK to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War.
Trapped in Zone One, a community arts collective in Spitalfields, will be launching an online project, inviting residents to share their Windrush stories.
The Museum of London Docklands has released, for the very first time, a selection of unheard histories documenting the lived experience of the Windrush generation and the generations that followed.
 Flying the flag with Pride
Today we proudly raised the rainbow flag outside our Town Hall in solidarity with members of our LGBTQ+ communities.
Lockdown has meant that plans for outdoor Pride events have sadly been cancelled this year. But don’t worry, our great partners at the East London Out Project and the Tower Hamlets LGBT Community Forum have created a fantastic virtual programme of arts and culture including film, comedy and music.
The next event is a special short film and discussion night at 7pm on Wednesday 24 June, celebrating the work of older LGBTQ+ women in front of and behind the camera. Book your place or check out the whole programme, which runs into next month.
 Canary Wharf’s Midsummer Festival goes virtual
With many missing the inevitable joy that summer festivals provide, Canary Wharf is helping to fill the void this year by streaming its annual Midsummer Festival online for the first time.
Those looking to celebrate the height of the season can do so virtually on Saturday 20 June when a packed programme of free online events designed with sunshine and summer traditions in mind will be on offer.
 If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you are not alone
Local and national support services are still available for domestic abuse victims and their children. We want to reassure residents that during the pandemic you do not need to stay at home if you need to escape abuse.
Domestic abuse can include psychological, physical, sexual, emotional and honour based abuse. In some communities, people avoid getting help as they worry about bringing shame and losing family respect. Please remember, there is never an excuse for abuse and if you are living with someone who is hurting you, threatening you or doing anything that makes you feel scared, then it is important to talk to someone.
If you’re in immediate danger always call 999. If you’re unable to talk on the phone, call 999, wait for the operator and then press 55. This will transfer your call to local police who will assist you without having to speak.
To get help and advice, call the 24-hour free National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
New funding available for small businesses and charities
In response to the pandemic, the government announced support for small businesses through the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Fund.
Although this brought relief for many, some businesses were excluded from these grants as they did not fall into certain categories and were not business ratepayers.
A new Discretionary Grants Scheme has been launched to support small businesses, market traders and charities that could not apply for previous schemes. Applications can be made until Monday 6 July 2020.
 Update from the UK Chief Medical Officers on UK alert level
The Joint Biosecurity Centre has recommended that the COVID-19 alert level should move from level four (a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially) to level three (a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation).
The chief medical officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have reviewed the evidence and agree with this recommendation to move to level three across the UK.
While this is a positive step, we must all continue to follow the government guidance to protect ourselves and each other from catching or spreading coronavirus.
 Coronavirus support line – update on opening hours
The opening hours of our coronavirus support phoneline (020 7364 3030) will be changing from Saturday 20 June. From this date, the phoneline will be available Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. It will no longer be open at weekends or in the evenings.
Until then the phoneline will remain open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 10am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm.
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