 Ensuring our borough is Covid-19 compliant
Officers from across the council continue to work with police to ensure residents and businesses are complying with Covid-19 regulations - with around 20 council officers deployed across the borough daily.
Over the past week alone the team have carried out nearly 4,500 observations, identifying around 60 businesses operating outside Covid-19 regulations. The team deliver compliance advice positively, document findings and issue warnings or fixed penalty notices to those not following government guidance. For more serious breaches, the team support police with enforcement.
 No Place for Hate: Islamophobia Awareness Month
November is Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM), which aims to raise awareness of the national rise of Islamophobia and encourage better reporting of incidents to the police.
In Tower Hamlets, we believe that it is everyone’s job to stand up to Islamophobia and raise awareness of the ways it can present itself. If you would like to take a stand against Islamophobia, and other forms of hate crime, please sign our No Place for Hate Pledge.
The council takes hate crime seriously and we work alongside our partners to identify perpetrators, increase awareness of what a hate crime is and make sure people know how they can report incidents.
 Consultation on day support services in Tower Hamlets
We are consulting on proposals that will change day support in adult social care.
Day support includes activities, services and day centres for adults who need care and support.
We want to hear what you think about proposals. Let us know, using our online consultation and engagement site, Let’s talk Tower Hamlets.
The consultation will run until Monday 4 January 2020.
Along with the online consultation, we are writing to people who will be directly affected by proposals and who use those day support services.
 Covid-19 isolation support for Poplar and Bow
Housing organisation Poplar Harca has launched a new dedicated phone line to offer support for Poplar and Bow residents who need to self-isolate because of Covid-19.
The Covid and Isolation Community Support Hub (Bow and Poplar), run by Poplar HARCA staff and local volunteers, can help with:
- Shopping
- Collection of medication
- Welfare benefits advice
- Foodbank assistance
- Befriending
If you live in Poplar or Bow and need help or advice with any difficulties while you stay at home, you can call 020 7005 7608 Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm.
You can read about when you need to self-isolate on the council website.
Remember council support is available too, for all residents who need to self-isolate or need support around Covid-19.
 Children’s flu immunisations
Children whose parents agree for them to have the flu vaccine will receive this via nasal spray. However, parents who previously declined the nasal spray for their children due to porcine (pig) content will now be offered a non-porcine alternative administered by injection, available from mid to late November. Parents who have made their wishes known will be contacted by their GP or school immunisation service.
 Free and fantastic Idea Store activities for children
Idea Store activities and events for children have moved online! Click on the link below for more details and also contact details for each activity. The team will get back to you with a Zoom code and details of how to join.
All activities are FREE and are for ages five to 11- years - children must be accompanied by an adult at the start of the event.
Activities will run every week up to 19 December and then start again on 4 January 2021. We have heard on the Christmas grapevine that a special guest from the North Pole may be joining some of the activities to say hello!
We’re speaking to residents and businesses about a Masterplan for South Poplar to shape future development, transport and open spaces.
How can we develop better connections with the Isle of Dogs and improved public spaces while protecting the area's heritage and character?
 Help to make a more equal Tower Hamlets
This week the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Inequalities Commission met to discuss the issues that can prevent school, college and university leavers getting good jobs with positive career progression.
Education is one of the key areas of focus for the Commission, alongside community leadership, health inequalities and employment. It’s not too late to give your views on these subjects and help to shape the work of the Commission to bring about real and lasting changes.
 Children’s Old Flo quiz and art book
How much do you and the children in your lives know about Henry Moore’s Draped Seated Woman sculpture, known affectionately as 'Old Flo', which has been sited in Canary Wharf for over three years now?
To help youngsters get to know Old Flo, Canary Wharf Group has produced a new children’s quiz. The quiz encourages children to explore art, the history of Henry Moore’s Draped Seated Woman, and the process of creating a sculpture.
Download the quiz and the accompanying artbook or simply complete the online form if you would like a copy posted to your home.
 Online festival of Bangla drama draws to a close
A Season of Bangla Drama, our annual festival of British-Bengali theatre continues until this Saturday 21 November with a photo exhibition, plays, readings, and interactive live question and answer sessions.
Closing night specials include Goodbye Friend, based on the pandemic that has had a global impact. Audiences can also join in a live online Q&A session from 2.15pm-3.15pm, where participating groups and friends will look 'behind the tapestry' of 2020's A Season of Bangla Drama and into the unique blend of recorded performance and online conversation that has been Home Seasoning.
How has Covid-19 affected your family?
University College London wants to learn more about the impact of Covid-19 on families in Tower Hamlets with young children.
If you live in Tower Hamlets and you are pregnant or have a child, or children, under five-years-old, they would like to hear from you. Participants will be rewarded with a £10 shopping voucher.
The deadline to respond is Monday 30 November. Have your say
|
|
 |
Ask the Mayor online: Tuesday 24 November
Mayor John Biggs is hosting an online edition of his regular Ask the Mayor question and answer sessions.
Join online on Tuesday 24 November from 7pm - 8pm to ask your questions and get a live response from Mayor Biggs.
The event will focus on the tough financial challenges ahead for the council and we want to find out from you what services matter the most to you.
You'll need to register to attend where you can also ask a question in advance if you wish.
|
|
 |
Vote for Vicky Park in the People's Choice Awards
Once again, Keep Britain Tidy, organisers of the Green Flag Awards for the UK’s very best parks and green spaces, is asking the public to vote for their favourites in the People’s Choice Awards.
This year an army of experts awarded a record breaking 2,061 Green Flag Awards across the UK. You can find your nearest award winning space on the winners map and click the vote button to ensure your choice is counted towards the prestigious People's Choice Awards.
Voting closes on 25 November with the top 10 winning sites announced on 3 December. Vote for Victoria Park
|
|
 |
Useful links
Thank you for reading
We hope you have found this bulletin useful. Share this with your family and friends to ensure they have the latest advice on coronavirus. Anyone can subscribe using this link.
Updates in other languages
If you know someone who would like to receive advice in Bengali, they can subscribe to 'Bengali newsletter' for weekly news and updates.
|
