A message from the Mayor of Tower Hamlets
This week we launched our campaign to mark White Ribbon Day and 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, key awareness days that shine a spotlight on violence against women and girls (VAWG).
One in three women were subjected to at least one form of harassment in the UK last year. Results of a survey by UN Women published in March 2021 found that 97 per cent of young women in the UK said they had been sexually harassed, while 80 per cent reported experiencing sexual harassment in public spaces.
These numbers are totally unacceptable and more must be done to protect women and girls, and to stamp out every form of violence, abuse and harassment. This is why we're encouraging all our residents to support White Ribbon Day by signing the campaign pledge and becoming an ally on this critical issue.
Our community safety teams will be out and about over the next 16 days of activism, providing support and information to residents about domestic violence, women’s safety, and gender-based abuse. You can find out more and where they will be on the council website.
Tackling VAWG is a priority for Tower Hamlets Council, and we are working to address it in its many forms. We know, often, sexual harassment can be linked to the night-time economy, which is why we’ve partnered with Hackney Council and City of London to launch #DontCrossTheLine – a trailblazing campaign against harassment and misogyny on nights out.
It uses stark, perpetrator-targeted messaging that lists the types of behaviours - like touching, groping, or grabbing - that are not tolerated in night-time venues in Tower Hamlets and our neighbouring boroughs.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses harassment or abuse can report incidents to police by phoning 101, or in an emergency by calling 999. We all have a part to play in never taking part in, condoning, or staying silent about violence against women and girls.
Lutfur Rahman
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets
 Best places to visit this Small Business Saturday
Small business owners in Tower Hamlets have shared their local recommendations for where to eat, drink, and shop ahead of the annual UK-wide grassroots event Small Business Saturday.
Tower Hamlets’ newest traders, graduates from Rebel Business School, will be at Roman Road Square, Globe Town, selling an array of unique products. The market will take place on 2 December from 11am-4pm.
 Get ready to vote for the next Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets
Are you a young person living in Tower Hamlets aged 11 to 17 years old?
From 4 to 10 December 2023, you can vote online for the next Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets.
The Young Mayor and their deputies are the voice of young people in the borough, and they work closely with local young people and services to understand issues and raise concerns.
 Open for business
Local small business owners and budding entrepreneurs were invited to Tower Hamlets’ Town Hall to meet the council’s key business support services in a bid to improve access to business support.
 Join our fostering family
We need more people of all ages and backgrounds to become foster carers - and strongly encourage those who can offer a home to vulnerable children and young people to consider becoming a foster carer.
Come along to our information evening from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday 13 December at the Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, where you can discover what foster carers do and the support available from the council including fantastic training, a 50 per cent reduction in your council tax bill and up to £850 per week per child depending on age and need.
 Government minister marks launch of £10m pilot scheme in Tower Hamlets
Dame Andrea Leadsom, Minister for Public Health, Start for Life and Primary Care, was welcomed to the John Smith Family Hub on 23 November to discuss the council’s involvement in the Government’s Start for Life Workforce Development pilot.
The pilot, funded by the Department for Health and Social Care, offers five local authorities a share of £10million over two years to test ideas on how best to support the workforce to give babies the best start in life.
 The Digital Voice Switchover is happening
The UK’s telephone network is changing. Between now and 2025, most telephone providers will be moving their customers from old analogue landlines over to new upgraded landline services using digital technology. The new network will provide a future proof, more reliable and dependable broadband service that will support the UK for decades to come.
This means services that rely on the old landline system such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.
The BT Open Reach Bus which will be visiting Tower Hamlets to give more information about what this means for you. It will in Bethnal Green Professional Centre, 229 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6AB, on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 December from 9am to 4pm.
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