Heatwaves and floods: the Climate Emergency is right here, right now
As I write, the unprecedented heat that has swept Europe has begun to leave us – but it is clear the crisis we face has not gone away.
One year on from last summer’s flooding in Waltham Forest, the heatwave represents another extreme weather event brought about by our own impact on the planet. Every year, another record is broken – the crisis is here, and it is here now and impacting all our lives.
We declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 warning that the risk of catastrophic climate change, including extreme heat, drought, flooding and climate-related poverty, would significantly increase without immediate action. We called on the UK Government to give us the necessary powers and resources to make local action on climate change easier.
Although the Climate Emergency is a global issue, it is important to have a dedicated local response now. Waltham Forest has led the way in this area through our Climate Emergency Commission and Enjoy Waltham Forest programme. Later this year, we will be publishing a Climate Action Plan to reach our ambition of net zero. It can’t just be about what the Council is doing – it needs every single one of us to take action. Find out some of the ways you can make a difference on our website.
This week, I was lucky enough to visit St Saviours Primary in Walthamstow to hear about their inspirational work raising money for refugees and learning about why people fleeing danger and persecution risk so much to come to the UK.
As the school holidays begin, I want to reassure parents that we are here if you are worrying about feeding your family. If your child is entitled to free school meals, we have an exciting free holiday activity programme to help families like yours, and have committed over half a million pounds to ensure that eligible pupils continue to get free school meals. More than 11,000 people in Waltham Forest visit food banks regularly and we will continue to support them and lobby Government to do more to help. You can find more support and information on the cost-of-living emergency here.
Finally, those of us of a certain age will remember pop icon Sonia. She'll be playing at Pride in Fellowship Square on Saturday 30 July. Book your free tickets and come and join in the fun.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader, Waltham Forest Council
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Friday 22-Thursday 28 July 22
Discover more Free Summer Starts Here events on our website. Please note that if your postcode is IG8, your nearest events will be listed under E4
This summer we will be running a range of free drop-in activity sessions across the borough for all children aged 5 to 11 and their families, between Monday 25 July to Friday 19 August. Sessions include workshops on circus skills, face painting, slime workshops, storytelling, laser tag, multi-sports and more.
Children aged 5 to 7 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the sessions. Children aged 8 to 11 may attend the session independently, however a parent, guardian or carer must attend the first session to complete the relevant paperwork.
Family sessions are limited to 60 children per session and will be offered on a first come first serve basis. No booking required. Please read full details here or check out the timetable [PDF].
Sessions will run from 10am to 12:30pm daily at the following primary schools;
- Chapel End Infants, 3 Beresford Road, London, E17 4LN
- George Tomlinson Primary School, Harrington Road, Bushwood, E11 4QN
- Henry Maynard Primary School, Maynard Road, E17 9JE
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Station Road, E4 7BJ
Waltham Forest Holiday Activity and Food Programme
Parents and carers throughout Waltham Forest may be eligible to benefit from a free holiday clubs programme for children and young people during school holidays.
The government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) enables children and young people to get involved in a wide range of fun activities and holiday clubs and enjoy a daily meal during their summer holidays.
The local programme is available only for those children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
Booking is essential on all activities, so book early to avoid disappointment. Places are limited for children to attend two weeks over the space of the summer across all activities. If more than two weeks are booked by the same child, the additional weeks will be cancelled.
Find full details on our website.
Image: Robert Hrovat/Unsplash
Did you know that trees cool the land surface temperature of cities by up to 12°C?
The Council’s watering of trees takes place between May and September each year. In the first-year after planting, watering takes place ten times, every fortnight. In the second year, watering takes place six times during that period, every month. In the third year, it happens three times, approximately every six weeks. Additional watering by local people is always welcome.
Over 8,000 trees were planted in Waltham Forest during the planting season but these trees will need extra watering during these hot summer months to help them thrive and cool our borough during future spells of hot weather.
Help our trees by giving a young tree two large watering cans every two days until the end of the summer. Just pour the water into the green bag near the trunk, or pour half the water into the irrigation pipe and half at the base of the tree. Watering should ideally be carried out in the cooler evenings. Maya, Yasmine, Ava and Mark are all watering Waltham Forest trees this summer.
This summer, there will be a range of free storytelling and story and rhyme activities for all the family from Monday 25 July-Sunday 4 September.
Our storytelling events are not only about reading books and improving literacy. Over the summer, there will be a range of expressive storytelling and story and rhyme activities to entertain, inspire, reminisce and imagine.
These interactive storytelling activities are great fun for all ages and will support the development of language, support learning, offer opportunities to socialise, encourage people to tell their stories and create a culture of shared learning.
Listen, watch, experience and share stories – come along and enjoy the fun.
Want to try out cycling? On Cycle to Work day on Thursday 4 August, Waltham Forest Council is offering a range of free cycling support to help more of you get on your bike.
There will be Free Dr Bike maintenance sessions will take place at Fellowship Square and Low Hall Depot on Thursday 4 August from 10am to 4pm.
If you are a new cyclist or wanting to brush up on your skills, the Council is offering free training to everyone who lives or works in the borough.
The Council is also continuing to offer free bike loans through the Community Cycle Loan Scheme. Email cyclehire@walthamforest.gov.uk to find out more and to book your loan.
Booking is now open for August's free Family Days at William Morris Gallery. Click on the links below to book as soon as possible – they fill up fast!
Image: Darling Arias/Unsplash
Want to learn how to repair, re-use or recycle the contents of your wardrobe? Then head to the Walthamstow Sell or Swap IRL pop-up shop in 17&Central Shopping Centre (formerly The Mall) next Wednesday, between 12-4pm, and Thursday, between 12-6pm.
You can pick up tips to help prolong the life of your favourite clothes – a huge help during the cost-of-living crisis and good for the environment too.
Did you know that if you're worried someone is at risk of modern slavery, you can refer it? It's really important that anyone who is at risk, is able to access support and be protected.
We want to make sure our residents know how to spot the signs of modern slavery. These include:
- unexplained injuries and/or looks neglected
- controlled or always watched by another person
- anxious, scared, withdrawn, distrustful or lacks confidence
- may live and work in the same place and/or doesn’t know work or home address
- no access to passport or documents. These may be held by someone else
- limited contact with family or the outside world
Refer someone you're worried about or learn more.
The Lea Bridge Area Framework is designed to help create a fairer and more equal 15-minute neighbourhood in the area and realise the benefits of development and investment in the area. This includes things like new play and open space improvements, health facilities, community spaces and social infrastructure.
You can learn more about the Area Framework and have your say on potential improvements to public spaces in and around Markhouse Corner – one of the exciting local projects to come out of your feedback on the project to date.
Waltham Forest Tamil Sangam (WFTS) is hosting a Tamil Cultural Day on 13 August
Local communities are hosting exciting cultural events in Fellowship Square this summer.
Try something new like Tai Chi or Yoga. We also have Tamil Cultural Day (August 13), Pakistan Independence Day (August 14) and Waltham Forest community talent show (August 28). See all these events here: Check out events.
If you would like to host a Community in Fellowship Square event, you have until the end of July to apply. Find out more and apply.
Summer is a great time to visit Walthamstow Wetlands, with lots of events planned for the coming weeks, including free guided walks every Saturday between 11am-12pm. Later in August, join a Wetlands Workshop: Action for Insects (Sunday 21 August,1-3pm), examining their importance and threats, followed by a butterfly identifying walk around the reserve.
Come along to a free cycling school this summer and improve your child’s cycling skills while they have fun. Whether your child is a beginner or just wants to increase their cycle confidence, there is a session to enjoy. If your child doesn't have a bike, we can provide a bike for the session.
Cycling School is free to primary and secondary aged children that live or study in Waltham Forest. The sessions will be held this summer in various locations across the borough, so you can choose a time and location that suits you best.
More info and book a place
Check out these great sports activities for children and young people this summer.
Beach volleyball
Feel Good Too, E10
25-28 July and 1-4 August, ages 7-16 Years
Experience the joys of volleyball on the sand. All levels are welcome – from complete beginners, to more experienced players who already train or compete regularly in either indoor or beach volleyball. All equipment is provided.
Book a place
Kayaking and water sports
River Lea; meet at Coppermill Lane car park E17
Sessions from 26 July to 19 August, ages 11-16 years
All abilities, from complete beginner to competent paddler. Sessions will focus on safe, enjoyable learning experiences.
Book a place
Sporting Pillar: football and multi-sports
Sessions from 25 July to 19 August,drills and competitions. No experience or equipment required.
Book a place
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Information and support for migrant and refugee communities
Waltham Forest Council invites refugee and migrant communities to an information event where you'll receive education support and information from council services and our external partners.
We offer free one-to-one support and advice about education for children and adults, English language (ESOL), school admissions, housing, immigration, employment and welfare. No need to book - come to Waltham Forest Town Hall on Tuesday 26 July from 1pm to 3pm. Children welcome. More information.
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New provider for Waltham Forest Healthy Child Programme
Tower Hamlets GP Care Group is the new provider of the Healthy Child Programme for children and young people in Waltham Forest following a competitive re-commissioning process. Under the Care Group, the borough’s Healthy Child Programme for families with children aged 0-19 years will continue to deliver high quality health visiting and school nursing services. Find out more about the change.
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Climate Action Challenge for businesses event
Waltham Forest Council declared an ambition to have net zero carbon emissions in the borough by 2030 and businesses are central to this ambition. The Climate Action Plan is being developed now and will be published in the autumn, setting out how we plan to help reduce carbon emissions and we would like the help of businesses to set out how we’ll achieve our goal. We are holding a session to better understand the climate-related challenges your business faces and what actions would help businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. But it will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about programmes and funding that are available for business taking climate action.
When: Thursday 28 July, 4.30-6.30pm.
Where: The Hall, Walthamstow Library
Book a place on the Climate Action Challenge business event.
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Summer Covid-19 vaccination clinics
If you’re travelling with teens and young children when the schools break up, they may need to prove they have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine before they can enter. There’s still plenty of opportunities for everyone aged 5 years and older to get vaccinated at our clinics.
Check our website for up-to-date vaccination clinics during summer.
Culture Fest 2022: call-out for creatives
Do you want the chance to showcase your talent or business at a special cultural celebration of our communities in Waltham Forest? Are you a singer, writer, dancer, caterer or food vendor, or involved in the fashion or arts and crafts industries? Register your interest now for the event, due to take place in Fellowship Square on Saturday 27 August.
Closing date: Monday 25 July 2022.
Jobs and Skills event
On Wednesday 27 July, 10am to 4pm, meet local employers and skills providers from a range of sectors at this Jobs and Skills event in Walthamstow. Take the next step applying for a job, an apprenticeship, adult education, work placements or getting guidance from employability specialists, including CV advice and interview coaching.
Book your place.
Current council vacancies and other local jobs
We regularly update the vacancies and local jobs listing on our Adult Learning website. Explore available job opportunities and apply for roles that suit you.
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