It's welcome support – but many need more
I welcome today’s long-awaited announcement from the government about how it’s going to help people with spiralling energy bills.
What the plan doesn't take into account, however, is the large cost that will still fall on people on lower incomes. With 11,000 people in Waltham Forest using food banks regularly, even with today’s announcement, bills are rising sharply. With many already struggling to feed themselves and their children, as well as keeping them warm, more practical support is needed.
Since September 2021, the Council has given £4.6 million of financial support to help residents cover food, fuel, wider essentials and emergency housing costs, working alongside our fantastic voluntary sector.
We are determined to do everything we can to provide extra help for vulnerable groups - more details in the coming weeks.
We need to recognise that plans announced today will be paid for by borrowing and paid back long after those who put them into place have gone.
I would have loved to have seen the UK government following the lead of Wales, where they are ensuring that all children get a basic meal each day, to ease the burden on families. We will continue to look for new ways to help our residents through this cost of living crisis. For the most up to date support available, go to our website.
As I write this, we are hearing that the Queen is unwell. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my best wishes. I’m sure she is in the thoughts of everyone in Waltham Forest at this difficult time.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Friday 9 to 15 Thursday 2022
Discover Free Summer Starts Here events on our website
The new Best Start inLife characters
Say hello to six new, unique super-helpers, who will give us a hand in engaging and supporting Waltham Forest families at our brilliant Children and Family Centres to ensure all children get the Best Start in Life. Follow the stories and learn more about how we can support you and your child by signing up to our Best Start in Life newsletter on our website.
And if you haven’t been to your nearest Children and Family Centre, why not pay them a visit? You’ll be able to access advice and information to support children’s growth and development, and it’s a great way to make friends with other Waltham Forest parents.
Cllr Limbajee, Chief Superintendent Crick and Cllr Williams
North East London’s new Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, has set out his ambition to lead a police service that reflects the community it serves and re-establishes a culture of policing with consent in Waltham Forest.
He has also welcomed Dan Greaves to the position of Corporate Director of Community Safety and Resilience at the Council. Together with Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Khevyn Limbajee, they will work with emergency services and community partners, to oversee a community safety review which aims to restore the trust and confidence of Waltham Forest residents.
Read about a fresh start for community safety in Waltham Forest.
Huge thanks to students from Lime Academy, Chingford Foundation School and South Chingford Foundation School who have come up with some brilliant ideas to redevelop Albert Crescent in Chingford Mount.
The Council was awarded Covid-19 recovery funding by the Greater London Authority to involve children in planning their local area. We then worked with students to come up with a series of recommendations. Their suggestions included phone charging points, Wi-Fi and features you can play on.
The Council’s Area Regeneration team worked with ZCD architects on the Child Friendly Chingford project and additional funding is now being sought to help make the students’ ideas reality. Once secured, their suggestions will form part of the Council’s plans for the area, which includes making Albert Crescent a hub for street markets and events. The plans will then go to public consultation.
Did you know there are many different types of items that can be recycled from your home, including small electricals, household batteries, clothes and shoes?
Small electrical items that can be recycled include small toasters, irons and electric tools. You can also recycle all types of clothes. Simply place them inside a regular plastic carrier bag and leave them on top of your bin on your collection day.
Women and girls deserve to feel safe in our communities. That’s why we’ve launched the Waltham Forest Safe Streets app, which lets you anonymously report incidents of street harassment and access support from specialist services. Using the app helps pinpoint locations where people are vulnerable to harassment, so that the Council can work to make our streets safer.
Polio vaccine pop-up clinics are now available for children in Waltham Forest aged one to nine. The polio vaccine will be a booster on top of your child’s routine immunisations, or a catch-up dose.
The next clinic dates are Tuesday 13 and Tuesday 27 September, 3.30pm to 7pm, at Priory Court Community Centre, E17 5NB.
Appointments can only be pre-booked. To request a booking slot, email polio@v-uk.co.uk stating that you live in Waltham Forest.
And get your free Covid-19 autumn booster now
The next phase of the NHS Covid-19 booster programme began on Monday, 5 September. The autumn booster aims to protect those at highest risk from the virus, with care home residents and staff, and people who are housebound the first to get jabs.
Residents aged 75 and over will soon be invited to book an appointment. Other eligible groups should wait to be contacted by the NHS.
Image: Soo Chung/Unsplash
Seniors’ Club is inviting older residents to enjoy an Afternoon Tea and Tea Dance in Walthamstow Village on Thursday 22 September 2022 from 2 to 4 pm.
People attending are welcome to come in 1940s dress, with a prize up for grab for the best costume. The event will be held at Waltham Forest Community Hub, 18a Orford Road, E17 9LN. Tickets cost £5 for Seniors’ Club members and £10 for non-members.
Anyone interested for themselves, a friend or family member, can call 020 8223 0707 to book.
Members of volunteer group the Loopy Walkers are coming to the end of a four-month 200km walk around London, Essex and Hertfordshire to mark the 25th Anniversary of Branches homeless hostel.
Branches provides essential services to single homeless people in Waltham Forest and the Loopy Walkers have raised more than £15,000 over three years to help the hostel. They're aiming to raise £2,500 this time, with every £1 being matched by their sponsors. Amazing!
This is not a drill! The Althea McNish: Colour is Mine exhibition at William Morris Gallery must end this Sunday, 11 September.
The landmark retrospective of one of the UK’s most innovative textile artists has gone down a storm with critics and the public alike. Find out more about the first designer of Caribbean descent to achieve international recognition before it closes.
Free business networking event
Local business owners of Waltham Forest are warmly invited to the Business and Networking event at Waltham Forest, where you’ll get a chance to meet your fellow business owners. You’ll also be able to chat to Cllr Vicky Ashworth, the Council’s political lead for businesses, and the Council’s Sector Growth team about what support is available to you. Sign up.
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.
And you can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website or LinkedIn.
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