Pop Up Police Stations and winter weather
I know from speaking with many of you that community safety is a key priority. Everyone should feel safe from crime and anti-social behaviour.
It’s really important that you have access to police and council officers when you don’t feel safe or have been the victim of crime. This is why we’ve worked with the police to open regular pop-up police stations across the borough where you can drop in and discuss issues that matter to you with police and council officers in a relaxed, informal setting. All through December and into the new year sessions will take place across the borough– find out when and where the nearest to you will take place on the council website.
The weather is still bitterly cold. Council teams have been out all week gritting priority roads, pavements, and cycle lanes and will continue this work while the cold snap persists. Please be patient and understanding as they work across the borough, and take extra care when you’re out and about. Read more about gritting in Waltham Forest and let us know of anywhere that needs more attention. If you're feeling the cold at home, you can find details of our Winter Spaces Network where you can get a hot drink and warm up in venues across the borough on our website.
Don’t forget about the extra support we’ve put in place this winter to help you through the cost-of-living crisis. Christmas can be an especially difficult time if you are struggling – help is here for you in Waltham Forest. Please don’t suffer alone.
Finally, I'd like to take the opportunity to wish Walthamstow's Fleur East good luck in this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing final. The former Holy Family student who found fame on The X Factor has dazzled on the dancefloor this series. We'll be cheering for you, Fleur!
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Bin collections
Waste collections have resumed following Monday's bad weather. With Christmas on the horizon, you can find out about our festive period collection dates here, including our free real Christmas tree recycling service.
Schools
Some schools have now reopened following this week's icy conditions. Check our website for the latest news about school closures.
Cold weather support
Our website has useful guidance to help you and your loved ones stay warm and well this winter. Please look out for others who might be vulnerable to the cold. Check up on your neighbours and your loved ones often. Call 999 if you think the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger or needs urgent care. Winter wellbeing advice.
Financial support this winter
Support is available if you're struggling to buy food, prepare hot meals or heat your home. Check out our website for our winter safety net guidance.
Gritting
Our teams have been out clearing snow and gritting footways around the borough. We're not able to grit all roads and have prioritised key routes, including main roads, bus routes, access to fire stations, police stations, hospitals and ambulance stations, steep hills, shopping areas, bus stations, railway stations and other high pedestrian use footways, and other busy footways.
If an area near you hasn't been cleared, you can request gritting or find your nearest community grit bin here. Please note, you will be asked to register for My Account if you've not previously done so.
 Tell Streetlink
Cold weather is especially difficult for anyone living on the streets. If there's someone in your neighbourhood you think may be sleeping rough, please use Tell Streetlink to connect them with local support services. There is an app available for Android and Apple devices, or you can use the website also.
South Chingford Community Library is home to one of Community Living Rooms
Our Winter Spaces have been busy this week offering a warm and friendly welcome to residents who've managed to make it outside during the bad weather.
The Winter Spaces Network is a collection of community and council venues across the borough that you can visit for free to find support, companionship and a warm place to relax. South Chingford Community Library in Chingford Mount Road is home to one of our Community Living rooms. It's accessible to wheelchairs and offers comfortable furniture, mobile and laptop charging facilities, power-points, computer facilities – you can even borrow books. And if you enjoy your visit, why not volunteer at the library?
Find a Winter Space near you on our interactive map.
This is your last chance to get have your say in Waltham Forest’s Big Youth Conversation.
If you are aged between 11 and 25 and live, work, play or study in Waltham Forest, we want to hear from you! Tell us your thoughts, ideas and opinions on the things that matter most to you.
Complete the survey or share it with a young person before Friday 16 December 2022 for a chance to win a £100 voucher.
Holidays are best spent with family and friends. Here’s how you can safely enjoy the festive season with your loved ones.
Get your Covid-19 booster
If you’re age 50 or over, come along to our pop-up vaccine clinics and top up your booster for extra protection this winter. Walk in or book online to guarantee your vaccine.
Grab a free test kit
We’re giving away free test kits to help everyone stay safe before spending time with others. Visit our website to see when and where you can get your test kit while stocks last.
Stay home if you’re not feeling well
No one wants to miss out on meeting with friends and family, but if you’re not well please consider staying home to protect the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Also, keep children at home if they’re not feeling well and if they have symptoms of flu-like illness, diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
Are you aged between 5-16 and in receipt of benefit related free school meals? Do you live or go to school in Waltham Forest?
This winter we have a wide range of free exciting activities across the borough for you to enjoy during the winter holidays as part of the Waltham Forest Holiday Activity and Food Programme. The sessions will offer opportunities to try new activities, learn new skills, have fun, make friends and enjoy a free meal every day.
The Council and Metropolitan Police are working together to launch Pop-up Police Stations in venues across the borough. They give residents the chance to talk directly with local police officers as well as Council Anti-Social Behaviour and Neighbourhoods officers every week, in a relaxed and informal setting.
Pop along to Humphreys Café in Highams Park, which is hosting Cuppa with a Copper mornings every Wednesday from 11am to meet the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Find a Pop-up Police Station to talk about community safety, report issues and get crime prevention and safeguarding advice from police and council officers.
Greenleaf and Stoneydown Primary Schools visited Fellowship Square to complete our new Children’s Trail. Afterwards they told Leader of Waltham Forest Council Cllr Grace Williams and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Alistair Strathern, what they enjoyed most about the trail - and now you and your family can do it too.
Just pick up an activity pack from the desk at the Town Hall and join Amity the lion in exploring the square. Amity has lots of activities and fun facts for children to learn, and you can collect a prize for taking part. The trail is designed for schools and families, suitable for age 6+.
In 2013, photographer Lloyd Ramos graduated from university and found himself helping out at his parents’ Filipino/East Asian grocery on Walthamstow High Street. Over the next decade he began to document the daily rhythms of life on Walthamstow Market. You can now see a selection of his work at Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow Village from Wednesday to Sunday between 10am to 5pm until Sunday 14 May 2023. And check out Ashton John’s video portraits of market traders too. Entry is free.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a very common group of viruses. More than 70 per cent of people who are unvaccinated can get HPV infection, which can lead to cancer and genital warts. It is important for young people to get the HPV vaccine to be protected. The vaccine is safe and effective: more than 280 million doses have been given worldwide. Parents and carers are encouraged to give consent for their child to get the vaccine.
 Immerse yourself in one of London’s most vibrant areas through a new short film, showing a day in the life of Blackhorse Lane. The 4-minute video was commissioned as part of the area’s designation as a Creative Enterprise Zone – a London of Mayor initiative to protect creative districts, providing affordable rent for artists and creative businesses, as well as expert advice and creative employment opportunities for local people. Read more about the plans on the council website.
-
Find support and community services in your area with our new map
Our new support and community services map hosts a database of organisations across Waltham Forest, so you’re able to find the right type of support you need in your local area. The map shows a wide offering of services such as creative activities, health and wellbeing, employment and volunteering and support with the cost of living crisis. View the directory.
-
Pop-up food bank
Donate or collect food at a pop up food bank, organised by Waltham Forest Islamic Association and partners. It takes place this Saturday, 17 December between 10am and 5pm at Ghousia Grove Road Hall, 119-123 Grove Rd, London E17 9BU. Collect what you need, no questions asked – everyone welcome. Find out more.
A career in local government
The National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) is a two-year scheme for graduates who are interested in a career in local government. We’re looking for applications from Waltham Forest residents who either live here or have parents who live here. Find more information online or email NGDP@walthamforest.gov.uk. Applications to join the programme close on Wednesday 4 January 2023.
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.
|
