 It is my privilege to be writing to you as the new Mayor of Tower Hamlets.
Last week, thousands of residents exercised their democratic right to vote for their Mayor and councillors. The result was 24 councillor seats for the Aspire Party I represent, 19 for Labour, one Conservative and one Green.
I would like to thank the people of Tower Hamlets for giving me a chance to serve you again as your executive Mayor.
Whether or not you voted for me, I want you to know that I am here to serve everyone. I have always striven to serve all the communities that make up Tower Hamlets. And to give back to the place where I grew up.
I am proud of our rich culture and diversity, our incredible places and institutions and
a history that represents not just the story of London, but in standing up for what is right, whether fighting fascism in Cable Street, the right for women to vote in Roman Road, or the Poplar Rates Rebellion.
However, we also have deep contradictions, for example half of our children grow up in poverty, and many opportunities are inaccessible to most people. I want to invest in our residents, from our youngsters who are our future to our senior citizens. I want to make sure we go forward as one community with opportunity for all.
Together we will deliver on issues that I know are important to you, such as housing, education and helping people through the cost of living crisis.
Along with the newly elected members, I look forward to working alongside council officers, partner organisations, community groups and residents.
It is an honour to serve you once again.
In next week's newsletter I will outline our plan for our first hundred days, and how you can be a part of it.
Best wishes,
Lutfur Rahman
Mayor of Tower Hamlets
 Mental Health Awareness Week
This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week, with a focus on loneliness this year. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. As part of the NHS Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign, people are encouraged to ‘Lift Someone Out of Loneliness’ by taking a simple action to help someone who may be feeling lonely.
Five years ago, the council recognised the harmful impact that social isolation and loneliness was having on people of all ages and backgrounds. As a result, we launched a Loneliness Taskforce, introduced a small grant scheme and most recently launched the Tower Hamlets Connection Network that calls on partner organisations to come together to deliver an even stronger response to loneliness and isolation in the borough.
 Tower Hamlets mental health crisis line
The Tower Hamlets mental health crisis line is in place to support people that live and work in the Tower Hamlets area and are experiencing a mental health crisis. The free phone line, 0800 073 0003, is available 24 hours a day and gives callers support and advice from mental health professionals.
Any residents interested in finding out more about the crisis line can join a free Zoom webinar on Tuesday 24 May at 12pm, where there will be information shared and an opportunity to ask questions about the service and support available.
 Celebrate a street where you live
In the run up to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, our Local History Library & Archives will host a free event on Saturday 21 May to showcase the archives illustrating historic street parties in the East End.
The event will also feature a creative family workshop where visitors can make bunting and decorations inspired by old photos. In the afternoon, there will be talks from our local history librarian on the resources we hold for researching the history of your house, street and the people who lived there. Advance booking is required.
 Do something amazing: become a foster carer
Foster Care Fortnight runs from 9 to 22 May 2022. This year’s campaign celebrates the strength and resilience of fostering communities, and all they do to ensure children are cared for and supported to thrive.
We want to say a special thank you to the amazing fostering families and communities who make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children. Join the conversation on Twitter by using #FCF22.
 Free Sunday bandstand concerts are back at Victoria Park
Fantastic free concerts to liven up your summer Sundays are back at Vicky Park's famous bandstand, as we welcome Victoria Park Friends for their tenth anniversary Victoria Park Bandstand Season.
The season runs every Sunday in May, June and July and features a variety of music from Sondheim to Ska via brass band standards, a ukulele sing-along and a special celebration to mark HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
 Join us for a women’s safety walk and talk
Please join us for a women’s safety walk and talk taking place next Tuesday 17 May at 6:15pm, meeting at Tramshed on Digby Street and walking around areas of Globe Town where women have reported feeling unsafe. Local police will be on hand to listen to any concerns women may have around safety and security in the area.
Anyone who is interested in learning more on how to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls can also take a look at our training opportunities. These can be accessed by anyone living or working in Tower Hamlets using the link below.
Useful links
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