Coronavirus Update: Choosing local, stop and search and leyton library to reopen

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Leader of the Council Clare Coghill green background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Over the last couple of weeks, I'm sure you'll have been as pleased as I have to see life slowly return to normal with the reopening of restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians and other local businesses. On Wednesday we launched our Choose Local. Support Everyone. campaign to showcase the brilliant businesses of Waltham Forest, and provide tools for both our residents and businesses so they can continue to show their support for the local area.

Waltham Forest is full of gems: From a soft drinks manufacturer, bargain kings at the markets, trusty convenience stores, to a furniture maker with a mission to help disaffected young people in the community, this borough is jam packed full of incredible businesses. We spoke to some amazing businesses in the borough and heard about why choosing local is so important… Have a read

However, these businesses are just the tip of the iceberg, and who knows the place better than the locals? We want to hear from you. Tell us about your favourite businesses via social media, and show your pride in your borough and #ChooseLocalWF. I am very much looking forward to getting back to some of my favourites such as Gigi's on Wood Street and Hirondelle on Hoe Street.

We're also taking this as an opportunity to say thank you to those shopkeepers, tradespeople and business owners who have supported our communities during this time. From all of us here in Waltham Forest - thank you.

The government announced this week that from Friday 24 July it will be mandatory to wear face masks when in shops and supermarkets as it is already on public transport. By complying with these new guidelines, we can help stop the spread of coronavirus across Waltham Forest, keeping our loved ones and communities safe.

Choose Local. Support Everyone.

Alcohol and lockdown

If you have been drinking more alcohol at home since lockdown, you’re not alone.

Around one in five people, who drank alcohol before, have been drinking more frequently since the lockdown. Maybe you want to learn how to cut back or are concerned about a loved ones drinking.

Try these top tips to help cut back on your alcohol intake:

Try the NHS One You ‘Drink Free Days’ app to help you track your drinking, set goals and see the benefits.
Let your friends and family know you're cutting down and it's important to you – ask them for support.
Cut back a little each day or each week so it feels more manageable

If you need additional support or are struggling to cut down on your own, contact CGL – our local drug and alcohol support service. You can use the online referral form or call 0203 826 9600 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday).

Get support

School travel survey

Whether your child has been attending school throughout lockdown or will be going back in September, we'd like to hear from you about your travel options.

It's important for us to understand how families are planning to travel to school in September and what would make it easier for you/your child to walk, cycle or scoot to reduce pressure on the transport network.

We're collecting this information through our school travel survey, and would be grateful is parents could complete it by Monday 20 July.

Complete the survey

Stars can't shine without darkness

Win a gift voucher and have your art recreated on a local mural, by entering Waltham Forest Friends and Neighbours (FAN) summer art competition!

If you're aged 5 and up, we want to see your creative art that captures the community spirit of our residents helping each other during the Covid-19 crisis.

Show us your artistic talents and enter our art competition by Sunday 2 August.

You can also use your creativity to connect with other Waltham Forest residents, by registering for our Share-ArtBox project. Participants get free art and craft boxes to share their culture, ideas and craft skills with each other.

Council Services

Our teams are continuing to deliver vital services and are working hard to reopen services as and when it is safe to do so.

Learn more about our services and how to access them.

Concerns about covid

Think you have coronavirus symptoms, but worried about work?

We know the thought of having to self isolate and stop working can be worrying for lots of our residents at the moment, but it is vital to self-isolate if needed to stop the spread going any further.

For residents who do test positive for coronavirus and need to self-isolate, there is financial support available to help them through this difficult time. Dependent on your working situation. there is statutory sick pay or universal credit and support for our self employed residents too.

Learn more about the NHS Test and Trace and help protect our communities visiting our website.

Leyton library to reopen

We're pleased to announce that following the recent government guidelines that libraries can reopen, Leyton library will be reopening from Monday 20 July.

So far we have opened Leytonstone, Walthamstow and Hale End library and have enjoyed seeing our residents use these shared spaces again.

Please note that this is at a reduced capacity and extra measures have been implemented to ensure social distancing can be followed at all times.

Please ensure you support library staff by following these guidelines at all times.

Learn more about libraries

Virtual summer holiday programme

We are excited to be launching the virtual summer holiday programme which will have a range of free activities for children and young people to all take part in over the summer weeks. We will also be tweeting throughout the summer for things to do as a family in and around Waltham Forest.

We are working with schools to ensure provision is available for vulnerable children and young people most at risk during the summer holidays.

Get involved

Get online for new skills

An exciting range of free online courses and career guidance is available to Waltham Forest residents who want to learn new skills, train for a new career or develop personal resilience.

Morgan Sindall Property Services and Aston Group, contractors for Waltham Forest Council housing, have launched a programme of free pre-employment and online training courses and workshops to support residents through the Covid-19 crisis.

Courses include counselling, caring for children, data protection, business start-ups and improving exercise, health and nutrition.Residents can also access career guidance using Skype or MS Teams, or via telephone.

Learn more

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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