“Give something back to those who give so much”
Thank you for all your nominations for this year’s Pride of Waltham Forest awards. Lots of you have been in touch already to tell us about local people who are making a positive difference in Waltham Forest.
I'm honoured to be judging the Leader's Civic Award, which is for people who have given long-standing service to our borough. If you know someone who has gone above and beyond to help and support the people in Waltham Forest who need it most, or have worked to improve access to facilities, services and social groups for traditionally under-represented groups within our communities, nominate them today.
Other awards include Climate Champion and Local Business of the Year – so please give something back to those who give so much. It will take minutes to do but mean so much.
It was great to complete our first ever Let's Talk Waltham Forest webinar alongside home heating support experts HEET and Citizens Advice to answer your questions on the cost of living crisis.
We will be announcing a new winter package of support in the coming weeks, and reading the hundred questions we received showed to me where that support is needed most. If you weren’t able to join the session and want to know how to reduce your energy bills, what support is available to help with spiralling household costs or how to get debt advice, you can watch the recording here.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
We’re celebrating the best in our borough as part of the Pride of Waltham Forest Awards. Read about the awards and categories on our website.
We’ve already seen a fantastic number of nominations for a person or organisation in your community who has made a positive impact in your life. It could be for your Health and Wellbeing Champion, the Community Sports Club that has been there for you throughout the year, or the Volunteer who’s given up their free time for other people. Say thank you to your local hero with a Pride of Waltham Forest Award nomination!
Nominations close on Friday 21 October. Get yours to us as soon as possible by clicking the link below.
Alex Hodson (HEET), Nazmul Khalique (Citizens Advice) and Cllr Grace Williams at this week's Cost of Living Q&A
You can now watch our online Q&A on the cost of living emergency, which took place on Wednesday 5 October.
The Facebook session included tips on practical, simple steps we can all take to reduce our bills, manage our finances and save money.
Our panel answered a number of questions from local people on subjects including where to ask for assistance if you’re struggling, advice on keeping warm and safe this winter, and how to keep your family fed with healthy, cost-effective meals.
The session lasted for one hour and was led by the Council Leader Cllr Grace Williams, who was joined by Nazmul Khalique (Citizens Advice) and Alex Hodson (The HEET Project).
And don’t worry if you are not on Facebook, you can still watch a recording of the seminar, even if you don't have an account.
Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Karen Bellamy, and Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Khevyn Limbajee, will attend a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral this Sunday 9 October to mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2022. This year’s ceremony will demonstrate solidarity with the East and Southeast Asian communities targeted with racist hate crime during the pandemic.
Hate crime has been a major focus of the Council’s Community Safety work, with our Bystander Intervention Training empowering residents and local businesses to tackle hate crime from the ground up and making Waltham Forest #NoSpaceForHate.
Last week we officially launched the Best Start in Life programme at our four Children and Family Centre Hubs throughout the borough. It was fantastic to see so many parents, carers and children come along to enjoy the activities and learn more about the hubs and the support on offer. Thank you to everyone who popped in.
Families were also able to meet our Superheroes, six unique characters who will help us and our Early Years partners engage with families in Waltham Forest.
If you couldn't get to one of the launches and haven't yet registered at your local hub why not visit and meet the friendly team? You can also register online.
There's still time to let us know how we can improve our recycling collections in Waltham Forest.
In our survey, you will find different options to choose between to allow the borough to improve its recycling rate. This includes changing the frequency of bin collections.
Be sure to provide your views and suggestions. Your feedback is vital and will be used to help inform our future recycling strategy.
Black History Month 2022 is now officially underway with children’s Ludo sessions, creative writing workshops and pop-markets continuing celebrations across the borough this weekend.
Placing local community groups, museums, libraries and local school at the very heart of operations, Black History Month in Waltham Forest offers a jam packed programme of events and activities, celebrating the contributions of our Black community.
The Attainment of the Holy Grail tapestry by Morris & Co.
We're so excited that The Legend of King Arthur: A Pre-Raphaelite Love Story opens next week at William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow.
Presenting Arthurian myths and legends through the eyes of Pre-Raphaelite artists such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Morris himself, The Times has already raved about the exhibition, which you can visit from next Friday, 14 October.
There are a number of events planned to coincide, including curator tours and the Mayor's special fundraising tour and reception. Young residents will also love our latest free Creative Kids event, Brother Rabbit. Book now as these fill up fast!
Did you know that if you have the Covid-19 and flu vaccines while pregnant you will pass some protection on to your baby, which will last for the first few months of their life? So you can protect yourself and your baby with one shot.
It’s safe to have the flu and Covid-19 vaccines during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. It’s also safe to have both the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time.
New polio booster vaccination clinics are also open for families to book their child’s polio booster vaccine. It is available for children aged one to nine to protect them against the spread of polio. The polio virus has been detected in sewage in several London boroughs, including Waltham Forest. Contact your GP to book your child’s vaccination or attend a clinic.
Whether construction is in your DNA or you’ve never even thought about it, our JobsFest on Wednesday 26 October at the London Academy of Sustainable Construction in Leytonstone has something for you.
We’re joining forces with dozens of local employers to offer live jobs for entry-level and experienced workers, as well as chances to get skills and experience. VR headset demos will help show the future of construction, and must-see talks from industry experts will set you along the right path.
A previous Tai Chi session in Fellowship Square
Head to Fellowship Square this Saturday, 8 October, for the latest free community events.
The next Full Moon yoga and gong meditation session also takes place in Fellowship Square this Sunday, 9 October. Tickets cost £3 and are available online.
Join award-winning design collective Assemble at a creative open day at Vestry House on Sunday 16 October between 11am and 3pm. There will be a series of drop-in workshops inside and outside, finishing with refreshments from 2-3pm.
The open day is free. Please note: children must be accompanied at all times.
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Money advice for residents
Are you worried about how you are going to pay your bills this winter? We have collected lots of useful information on our website to help. You can find details about financial support, grants, local food banks and more. Please don't suffer alone. Money help and support.
Green Business Network: Climate Action Planning
Join our interactive evening for local businesses to learn more about the Action Plan being developed by Waltham Forest Council. Hosted by Cllr Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality, at Leytonstone Library on Tuesday 11 October between 4.30 to 7pm. More info and book.
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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