Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
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Dear residents,
I'd like to thank the majority of our residents for following government guidelines during the Easter long weekend. I know it wouldn't have been easy with such sunny weather. By staying home you are saving lives and protecting the NHS.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank our residents and staff who have continued working during this time, sustaining vital services and keeping us safe. This weekend, our enforcement officers visited parks across the borough, talking to over 2,400 residents and dispersing 263 groups of people ignoring government advice. Please do continue to follow social distancing guidelines when you're making necessary travel or completing your daily exercise so that we can keep parks open.
A huge thank you to everyone that is working together across our communities to make sure friends, families, neighbours and strangers are supported during this challenging time. We've been blown away by our residents community spirit.
Our Community Help Network is currently crowdfunding to support local voluntary and community organisations, and we're getting ever closer to an amazing £30,000. If you can help push us over this line, please donate.
We’ve also now distributed more than 1,000 food parcels to eligible residents through the helpline, as well as provided food supplies to our local food banks. A big thank you to the team and volunteers who have made this possible, as well as to companies who have donated food. More information on the helpline and who is it supporting can be found here.
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 During this long weekend, key workers across our borough have been on duty, keeping us safe and protecting our health.
Please continue to donate personal protective equipment which has been given to our adult and children’s social work teams and agencies who are working to support residents with homecare and supporting living arrangements.
 We appreciate how hard it can be, not being able to go and meet friends or do your favourite hobby.
Our Virtual Culture programme aims to help through this time, by providing interactive and varied sessions to join in with - from home. There are a range of workshops and sessions for all interests, ages and abilities.
Launching this week, are a virtual dance party, a home film project, a book club, and a singing workshop.
 Two barber shops were instructed to close this weekend by our Enforcement Officers.
The government guidance explains what essential businesses can be open at this time. Our officers will take action against businesses that are not following these guidelines.
We understand it is a tough time for businesses at the moment and are working hard to support our local business network. Our website provides a guide on support available to local businesses, including information on the full range of government business advice.
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 If you require financial relief or assistance, we may be able to help. We know that this is a difficult time for many people so have pulled together a list of useful links and advice if you are struggling with money.
Visit our website for options and support. This could range from housing payments, paying Council Tax, or welfare assistance for bills or food.
During the COVID-19 emergency our staff are working weekends where possible, meaning most applications are being processed within three days where all relevant information is provided when applying.
 Thank you to those of you who #StayAtHomeSaveLives. We know it’s challenging staying home.
As we continue with the Easter school holidays, we've collected plenty of useful resources to keep you and your children entertained during this time.
Smokers in Waltham Forest are being urged to take up stop smoking support, with a new remote service now available, so people can receive free support from their own home.
Our friendly stop smoking advisors are on hand to provide free phone support with your quit attempt and can provide free nicotine replacement therapy by post for eligible residents.
Contact 0333 005 0095 or via the website today to start your smoke free journey. A range of apps and digital tools to support you quit are also available.
A number of Council services have been affected but we are working hard to ensure that vital services continue. Visit our website for up to date information on our services and how to access them.
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Information and advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing quickly and its important you keep up to date with those changes. The Council will be using email newsletters to keep residents and businesses up to date.
If residents have questions please visit our website, and use live chat to talk to one of our team, it's quicker than phoning.
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