Coronavirus Update from the Leader of the Council: We can tackle coronavirus together

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Leader of the Council Clare Coghill green background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 

Walthom Forest

Dear residents,

I have never been more proud to serve the Waltham Forest community. Over 4,000 volunteers, 30,000 PPE donations and £40,000 raised for the voluntary sector. We whipped up this little video so I can say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

As we deal with the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at how we can adapt the borough to ensure the safety of staff, residents, and businesses as we deliver essential services on which the community relies.

The key message right now is that the lockdown is not over and neither is the threat from this deadly virus. The best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is to stay home if you can, keep a safe distance of two metres from others when you do go out, and regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water.

I know many of you will want to know when schools, libraries, and leisure centres will reopen. Making sure we can safely reopen these vital community facilities is a priority for us. However, this will take time and I will make sure we keep you informed as this work progresses.

I know the many green spaces and parks are one of the things we all love about Waltham Forest. As the government announced, people can now spend more time in parks in their household groups or with individual friends. This makes enforcing social distancing far more difficult so we would ask everyone to act responsibly and with consideration for the whole community. Team sports and drinking alcohol will not be tolerated.

Please continue to support local businesses and traders as much as you can and keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours. Waltham Forest is defined by its sense of community, togetherness, and belonging and while we may have to stay apart, we are all in this together.

Advice if your child is unwell

Whipps Cross Hospital Entry Sign

While we are all staying at home to ensure that coronavirus does not continue to spread, it can be confusing to know what to do if your child is ill or injured.

It can be very difficult to decide if or when to call your child’s GP, NHS 111, or go the Accident and Emergency Department, but please remember that these services are still providing the same safe care that they have always done and you should continue to use them. 

For more information on which service you should use read the advice and guidance

Recycling Centres reopen with restrictions

RRC

Our Reuse and Recycling Centres (RRCs) are now offering a limited service to help people who are at risk from waste stored at home. Remember you must book ahead or you will be turned away!

At the moment, Gateway Road RRC and South Access Road RRC will accept garden waste (plants/branches - not treated wood or timber), general waste and small electrical and electronic items. Bulky items such as chairs and mattresses will be accepted but staff will not be able to help you with them – you must be able to carry all your items without assistance.

King’s Road RRC, which will be available to book from Saturday, will only be able to accept garden waste.

Find out more and book a slot

Please note the booking site is not compatible with Internet Explorer.

Local yoga business flexing with the change

abby - east of eden

We’ve been amazed at the response to the coronavirus crisis from our local businesses. We spoke to Abby from East of Eden in Walthamstow who explains how she has adapted to coronavirus to offer online yoga pilates pilates classes. Watch our interview with Abby here.

Are you a small business? Make sure you check your eligibility for a small business grant and keep up to date with our support offer.

Financial help

Financial Support

We are working hard to support the community financially. We have already given out over £35 million in small business grants and over 1,500 residents have accessed our hardship fund. 

If you and your family are in severe financial hardship during this time, there is local welfare assistance available that can help with food vouchers, gas/electric payments, and support to buy essential household items. 

We know that residents may also be experiencing worry related to their housing situation. Whether you are a private or housing tenant, we have support available to you during this time. 

Help with housing during Covid-19

Temporary road measures to keep you safe

temporary road measures 2 metres

You may have noticed temporary road measures have arrived in your local high street area. The Enjoy Waltham Forest team have been making sure that high footfall areas across the borough are equipped to be able to support safe social distancing. These temporary measures include suspending parking bays to widen pathways and also installing floor artwork and lamp column signage to reinforce this message.

So far, we have introduced these measures in four areas of the borough, however will be introducing more over the next few weeks. To stay up to date, sign up to our Enjoy newsletter or to read more visit our Enjoy website.

Community Help Network update

Community help network banner

We started the Community Help Network helpline to provide emergency food parcels, and other support, for older and vulnerable residents who needed help when the supermarkets were overwhelmed and lockdown measures began. Since then we are proud to have bought and distributed over 3,400 food parcels to residents, as well as supplying food to sheltered housing, women’s refuges and local foodbanks – all with the help of our fantastic volunteers. 

From Monday 11 May 2020, we have put in place a new service working with Morrisons to provide a food parcel doorstep delivery service to support these residents in need. This is a paid for service available for those who are over 70 or vulnerable, and Morrisons aim to process orders within 24 hours. You can find more information on the service here. Any residents who need help accessing this service can phone the Council to ask us to order for them.  

We are continuing to support established local food banks with food supplies, and prescription collection and befriending services are available free of charge.

THANK YOU!

We wanted to say a big thank you to our registered food bank partners Eat or Heat, Hornbeam, PL84U Al-Suffah, The Rukhsana Khan Foundation and Al-Fath Trust for your amazing work over the past two months supporting residents who are struggling to get the food they need. We know that many residents want to help, and if your circumstances allow you can donate directly to support foodbanks with supplies. Please check the individual website links for details.

Thank you again to everyone who donated. Almost all of the crowdfunding money raised has already been distributed to local organisations helping residents through the COVID-19 outbreak. Age UK Waltham Forest, Citizens Advice Waltham Forest, the Rukhsana Khan Foundation, Al-Fath Trust, Revert 2 Reality, Samaritans of Waltham Forest and St Margaret’s with St Columba are supporting residents with telephone befriending, advice and food parcels.

Council Services

Waltham Forest Town Hall

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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