2023: new challenges and exciting plans
I hope that you all enjoyed a relaxing Christmas and New Year. I’m already excited about the new challenges and opportunities that 2023 will bring – there’s a lot for us to look forward to.
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the EMD cinema in Hoe Street closing. It's also 10 years since the result of the public enquiry that ensured the much-loved former Granada cinema remained an entertainment venue for the whole community to enjoy for generations to come. Work to complete the renovation of the building to create the new Soho Theatre Walthamstow is anticipated to finish in late 2023 and I can’t wait to be able to welcome some of the biggest names in UK comedy, panto and theatre to the state-of-the-art 970-seat venue.
King Charles and The Queen Consort meet schoolchildren on their visit to Project Zero
In October 2022, it was an honour to be the first London borough the new King Charles III visited when he and the Queen Consort met the amazing team at Walthamstow's Project Zero, and it is fantastic to see local people recognised in the monarch's first New Year Honours list. Waltham Forest mortuary service operations manager, Jahran Allen-Thompson, and director of nursing at Whipps Cross University Hospital, Zebina Ratansi, both received MBEs. Jahran began as a mortuary volunteer in 2008 and recently won an unsung hero award for his dedicated work during the Covid pandemic. Congratulations too to artist Grayson Perry, who has been knighted. Grayson worked from his studio in Walthamstow for many years.
The cost of living crisis continues to cause real hardship among our residents and we are continuing to update our support for you. There’s information below about what help is available and where you can access it. And if you're worried about fuel bills and heating your home, you will still find a warm welcome at one of our Winter Spaces.
Happy New Year,
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
We know that many residents are struggling to make ends meet during the cost of living crisis, and that extra support is needed to help during this difficult time. Whatever your specific challenges or needs, we’re here to help. We have taken action to help support our residents this winter with a £4 million cost of living response, which includes direct financial support, help with retrofitting homes and investment in community initiatives.
We're focusing on these key areas to make sure you get the support you need:
Sign up to our news and events e-newsletter to receive our most up to date information, straight to your inbox.
Our Winter Spaces Network is still here for anyone who wants to visit.
The Winter Spaces Network is a collection of community and council venues across the borough that you can visit for free to keep warm, meet other people and find support. You will find them from North Chingford to South Leytonstone – check out our interactive map to find one near you, with new venues are being added all the time.
The London Legacy Development Corporation has awarded more than £600,000 to five local community projects in Waltham Forest in the first bidding round of the 2022 Carbon Offset Fund.
Successful projects in Waltham Forest include establishing a Library of Things kiosk at Leytonstone Library, the installation of solar PV Panels for 60 residential properties and two sheltered accommodation sites, solar PV systems and vertical wind turbines for John Walsh Tower and Fred Wigg Tower in Leytonstone, and installation of solar PV upgrades at 19 low rise general needs residential blocks in Leytonstone and Walthamstow.
The London Legacy Development Corporation Planning team collects carbon offsetting money from developers responsible for new development that require planning permission in its area.
#FRAGMENTS Chapter 3: Future 2043 has begun in Fellowship Square – the final chapter of a spectacular lightshow by local artists Greenaway & Greenaway and JFH Events, which has been brightening up the long winter nights since December.
The free sound and light show looks to 20 years in the future, celebrating the new year with colourful displays set to a musical accompaniment, alongside the Square's illuminated fountains. See it daily from 4pm to 10pm until Thursday 26 January.
It’s the start of Dry January and we’re promoting a healthy way of drinking to help residents who want to reduce their intake of alcohol. Come along to Walthamstow Shopping Mall on Tuesday 10 January between 12 noon to 3pm for free activities such as mocktail tasting and the 2-minute alcohol test quiz to help you go alcohol free for one month.
For support, go to the DrinkCoach website.
Our Pop-up Police Station programme rolls on, with January dates confirmed at multiple venues across the borough.
Launched last month, our joint-partnership with the Metropolitan Police gives residents a weekly opportunity to share your concerns about community safety, report issues and get crime prevention and safeguarding advice directly from local police officers and Council Anti-Social Behaviour and Neighbourhoods officers in a relaxed and informal setting.
Additionally, Humphreys Café in Highams Park, IG8 9RB, continues to host Cuppa with a Copper mornings every Wednesday from 11am, offering residents face-to-face interaction with their Neighbourhood Policing Team. Find a Pop-up Police Station near you.
The Forest Road junction at Bell Corner
Waltham Forest Council has begun using new powers from TfL against drivers of road vehicles caught crossing the white lines of mandatory cycle lanes in Forest Road.
Any road user caught doing so will receive a warning notice. Any subsequent infringements will attract a Penalty Charge Notice of £130 (reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days). From 19 June 2023, any drivers of road vehicles caught crossing the white lines of mandatory cycle lanes in Forest Road will automatically receive a Penalty Charge Notice, without warning.
We are lucky to have some amazing wedding and civil partnership venues in Waltham Forest and we’re thrilled to open up Fellowship Square for our Wedding Fair on Sunday 29 January between 11am and 3pm.
Grab your friends, family and loved one, and discover what Fellowship Square has to offer, along with local florists, catering, cakes, planners, furniture, photography and more. You’ll also be able to meet our Ceremonies Waltham Forest team, who offer bespoke wedding packages in iconic venues that reflect the vibrant character of Waltham Forest.
The event is free, but capacity is limited, so make sure you reserve a ticket for either the 11am to 1pm or 1pm to 3.30pm slots.
Do you want to learn how to fix and maintain your bike? Free bike maintenance courses are returning during January to Leytonstone, Hale End, Wood Street and Lea Bridge. Be quick as spaces are limited!
Visit the William Morris Gallery soon to see the current free exhibition, The Legend of King Arthur: A Pre-Raphaelite Love Story, which finishes on 22 January.
You can also book for the following special events this month:
-
14 January: Through the Cracked Mirror: An Adult Storytelling Afternoon
Join performance storyteller Olivia Armstrong as she unravels the mysteries of the Arthurian legends; the Lady of Shalott and Lynette. This session includes a tour of The Legend of King Arthur exhibition and an In Conversation. For adults aged 18+.
-
18 January: King Arthur's Other Countrymen
Join Dr Onyeka Nubia, historian, writer and presenter, as he reveals the diversity of characters in the original Arthurian stories, including knights from Southern Europe, the Middle East and further afield.
-
21 January: Young People's Design Workshop: Collaborative Banner
Work with textile artist Odette Steele to create your own pieces of art to showcase in your portfolios to universities or future employers, inspired by our collections. You will get a chance to try applique, printmaking, embroidery and embellishment.
 |
Did you know that children under five years old may be eligible for up to 15 hours per week of free early learning and education places at a nursery, pre-school, school nursery or childminder?
By taking up your free place, you'll help give your child the best start in life!
Early education supports your child’s speech and language, as well as their personal, social and emotional development. Check your eligibility for the 15 hours a week free childcare:
For more information, or help finding a suitable childcare place near you, contact the Early Years, Childcare & Business Development service on 0208 496 3566 or email the team.
-
Find support services in your area
Our 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. Support and community services in your area.
Join our Energy Legends
We are looking for Energy Legends who can support people to make their homes more energy efficient and lower their bills. Energy Legends will play an important role in providing practical support to people in their communities, making a real impact to the cost of living and climate emergencies. Tasks could include distributing energy efficiency items to residents, providing practical information and advice, and directing residents to support services. When you volunteer in Waltham Forest, you can also earn Tempo Time Credits which can be used for fun activities such as swimming or cinema trips.
Find out more and sign up.
Job opportunity: St James Street Big Local
St James Street Big Local (SJSBL) is a lottery-funded, volunteer-led community programme working on projects to make St James Street, Walthamstow a better place to live.
SJSBL is looking for a part-time Programme Manager with experience in project and budget management – a role that will also involve comms, finance, admin, events and more. The organisation particularly welcomes applications from people who have or can develop strong connections to the local area and are from Black and Ethnic Minority and Eastern European backgrounds. To apply, email a CV and a cover letter stating how you meet the criteria in the job description to stjamesbiglocal@gmail.com. The deadline for applications is midday, Monday 9 January 2023. Interviews for those shortlisted will take place the week beginning Monday 16 January 2023.
Apply for an arts and culture grant
There's still time to apply for the latest round of Make It Happen grants. Apply for up to £15k to run an arts or culture project in Waltham Forest during 2023 themed around either Storytelling or the Climate Emergency. Apply by this Sunday, 8 January 2023. Find more information and application details on our website.
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.
|
