Visiting our parks? Don't be a tosser + Eid Mubarak to those celebrating!

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Message from the Mayor

Another weekend is upon us and we are now at the height of what should be the holiday season. I hope you can have a restful time, and if it is safe get to spend time with friends and family, or where possible get the chance to go away.

This weekend has added significance in Tower Hamlets. Many people from across our communities are celebrating an important event in the Islamic calendar, Eid Al-Adha, today and over the weekend.

Eid Al-Adha celebrates the end of Hajj and is normally a time of great celebration – families together, mass worship and pilgrimage. It’s also a time to celebrate the strong community we have here in Tower Hamlets – we work together, celebrate each other's successes and respect each other’s faiths. This year things are obviously a bit different but I think the same values and the same spirit remains. 

And so Eid Mubarak and very best wishes to everyone celebrating – I hope you enjoy this time with your family but please do so safely. We have put together guidance to help, which you can read about in this newsletter or on our website. I've also shared my greetings in a video message.

Mayor's video message on Eid

Let's all try to have a good summer, and enjoy the sunny weather ahead. But don’t forget that we're still at risk from the pandemic and we must all continue to play our part to prevent the spread of Covid-19. With ‘spikes’ in other places, we must try to keep the virus down in the East End. And that means everyone following the rules.

So while you get back out and about, supporting our local businesses and seeing your friends and family, you must keep doing so safely:

  • Please wear a face covering in all shops, while using public transport and if you're visiting a hospital. You should also wear one anywhere social distancing may be more difficult. It protects you and everyone else too. 
  • Keep washing your hands regularly with soap and water and using hand sanitiser often.
  • Social distancing is still essential, so please keep your distance when you're meeting up with loved ones outside of your household.

I also want to remind you of the importance of the Test and Trace programme, which makes sure that anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can get tested quickly. This is central to our efforts to keep Tower Hamlets safe - find out more in my video message. Anyone who thinks they need it can get a free test locally. 

This newsletter contains a host of further local advice and updates, which I'm pleased to say includes the safe reopening of some of our leisure centres.

Whatever you're up to this weekend, it will be a hot one, so please stay safe and enjoy.

Best wishes, 
Mayor Biggs


Celebrate Eid at home

Have a happy but safe Eid Al-Adha

Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating today and over the weekend. We hope that even though this will be a different Eid Al-Adha, that it brings peace, prosperity, and happiness to you and your family.

If you’re celebrating, please remember to do so safely to ensure you're protecting yourself, your family and friends and your community. Our local Eid advice covers worship, meeting friends and family, keeping a safe distance, maintaining good hygiene and what to do if you have symptoms of Covid-19.

Celebrate Eid safely >


Leisure centres start to reopen in Tower Hamlets

Better get back to the gym!

Leisure centres across England began to reopen last weekend, allowing people to start getting back to the gym floor safely. We're pleased to let you know that the following facilities are now open:

  • John Orwell Sports Centre in Wapping
  • Mile End Park Leisure Centre
  • Poplar Baths Leisure Centre
  • York Hall in Bethnal Green (except for the swimming pool and health suite).

A range of safety precautions are in place to help keep you safe and prevent the spread of Covid-19. 

The reopening of facilities comes as part of the council agreeing plans to support the borough’s main leisure contractor GLL, which has experienced a significant financial impact over lockdown, to keep leisure facilities in the borough running in a safe and viable way.

Find out more >


Enjoy the heat safely

Feeling the heat? 

We're in for another scorcher today and we want to help make sure you enjoy the sunshine safely. As the temperature rises, please remember to:

  • stay out of the sun between 11am - 3pm
  • wear sunscreen
  • drink plenty of water
  • check in on relatives, friends or neighbours who are elderly or vulnerable
  • do not swim in the Shadwell Basin - it is prohibited and extremely dangerous.

More hot weather tips >


Keep borough clean and tidy

Heading to the park? Don't be a tosser

The sunshine means it's a perfect time to get out and take advantage of the many wonderful parks and green spaces in Tower Hamlets.

But please enjoy our parks responsibly! Don’t toss your litter on the floor. Put it in a bin or take it home with you. We all must play our part to keep our borough tidy.

Additionally, please do not use any equipment that is wrapped up. Lockdown overlapped with the essential safety checks we have to carry out. Please be patient as we gradually reopen playgrounds and outdoor gyms, but they need to pass their independent safety checks first.

Visit your local park > 


Keep London Safe Test and Trace image

Book a Covid-19 test if you have symptoms

NHS Test and Trace is a national programme working to make sure that anyone who develops Covid-19 symptoms can be tested quickly. It also helps trace recent contacts of anyone who tests positive and if necessary, notify them so that they can stay at home and help stop the spread of the virus.

It is an essential feature of efforts to keep Tower Hamlets safe and drive down the rates of infection and transmission.

Mobile testing units are operating in the borough and are another way to get tested, alongside ordering a home testing kit. If you have symptoms of Covid-19, please book a test immediately.

Please note, if you have symptoms or a positive test result, you must now self isolate for 10 days  this advice has changed from seven days, so do check the latest on the government website

Book a test >


Health panel

Make your voice heard on new citizen’s health panel

The East London Health and Care Partnership (ELHCP) brings together eight councils (including Tower Hamlets) and 12 NHS organisations, which are combining their expertise and resources to ensure health and care services meet the needs of local people.

The partnership is looking for a wide mix of people to join its new online citizens’ panel. Taking part at a time that suits you, you’ll be able to give your thoughts on ELHCP’s ideas or proposals, provide suggestions on health and care issues, or related topics through short online or telephone surveys. 

Sign up today >


Mental health cafe

New ‘Together Café’ to support people’s mental health

A new café space offering support for people experiencing a mental health crisis has just opened its doors to those that live and work in Tower Hamlets. The charity Hestia and the East London Foundation Trust are offering support face to face, by video call or through the Tower Hamlets mental health crisis line. 

Trained staff at the cafés will help people to reduce their immediate anxiety, work with them to put together a safety plan and provide information on local resources. Support will be available through bookable appointments for people over 18 years old.

If you would like help, call 0207 771 5807 to book an appointment.


Healthier lifestyle support

Start your journey to a healthier life

Are you looking to achieve a healthy weight and improve your physical health?

Extra weight puts extra pressure on your body, making it harder to fight against diseases like cancer, heart disease and now, Covid-19. The government has launched its Better Health campaign to help you kickstart your health by setting weight loss goals, planning your meals, getting more active and much more!

There is also free local support available in Tower Hamlets, including online weight management programmes which can help you lose weight and keep it off for good.

Find out more >


Healthy Holidays food support image

Helping families have Healthy Holidays 

A reminder that through our Healthy Holidays food programme, we're providing meals and food bags to support children and their families throughout the summer.

If your family is eligible, you will be able to collect meals from four locations in the borough until Friday 28 August. You will also be able to collect activity packs full of ideas, advice and inspiration to keep active and eating well this summer.

Find out more >


Useful links


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