Helping your neighbourhoods thrive
I'm really proud about our new approach to bringing the improvements that you, our residents, want to see in your neighbourhoods.
I understand the pride you have in the place that you live, and I want you to be confident that we share your pride. Making sure that people have easy access to the things they need and that they feel safe when out and about is so important.
Earlier this week, I visited Chingford Mount to hear what people want to help their neighbourhoods thrive. Hearing first-hand from residents is vital as we work together to make our wonderful borough an even better place to live.
I know that crime is a major worry, which is why we set up our local Pop-up Police Stations, allowing you to talk to local police about your concerns. We have a hotline for reporting anti-social behaviour or graffiti and littering, like this tunnel in Artesian Walk in Leytonstone that our neighbourhoods team recently cleaned up.
Before and after views of the tunnel in Artesian Walk, Leytonstone
This is a real opportunity to make our services for residents even better. I want everyone to be able to fulfil their full potentials, benefit from our shared prosperity, and have their voice heard. Please read more about our neighbourhoods approach on our website.
People are, of course, at the heart of our neighbourhoods. This week, on International Women’s Day, Wednesday 8 March, I joined others to celebrate one of our amazing volunteers, Fatima Qasmi, at the unveiling of a Waltham Forest local blue plaque in her honour. You can read more about the great work Fatima does in our community below – and if you would like to volunteer yourself, find details on our website.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
A Waltham Forest local blue plaque was unveiled this week at Grove Residential care home in Walthamstow to celebrate Fatima Qasmi, a community chaplain who has worked tirelessly for the people of Waltham Forest since moving to the borough in 1987.
The ceremony took place to mark International Women’s Day, with Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council, speaking warmly about Fatima’s work in the borough. She was joined by Deputy Leader Cllr Ahsan Khan and Cabinet Member for Jobs, Social Inclusion and Equalities, Cllr Vicky Ashworth, as well as staff, residents and friends.
Fatima began volunteering by assisting her husband, the late Imam Ilyas of Leytonstone mosque. She has continued her voluntary work, offering bereavement counselling and support to grieving families of any faith and no faith, and regularly conducts end of life visits at Whipps Cross and other hospitals, care homes and hospices. Thank you for your amazing service Fatima!
Do you have a spare room and could benefit from some help with day-to-day tasks?
Waltham Forest Council, in collaboration with Two Generations, are working to introduce a new Homeshare scheme. This brings two people together, often from different generations, under one roof. Its benefits include companionship for both individuals.
Homesharing supports many people, including older residents, those living with mental health problems or those with physical disabilities, by introducing them to a bespoke match.
Show image from ‘The Terrible, Terrible Past’, performed by Raw Academy at Soho Theatre
The creative talent of Waltham Forest’s young people and the strength of the borough’s relationship with Soho Theatre reached new heights this week.
Four youth theatre groups from the borough are performing to sold-out audiences in the West End, in a partnership between Soho Theatre and the National Theatre’s Connections festival. Troupes from Norlington school, RAW Academy, Act2 Academy and On Point Theatre (Leyton Sixth Form College) are performing cutting-edge new writing at the festival, celebrating the best UK talent.
Find out more about the festival on Soho’s website, or more info on Soho Theatre Walthamstow on our website.
Our Pop-up Police Station programme rolls on at multiple venues across the borough.
Launched in December last year, this joint-partnership with the Metropolitan Police gives residents a weekly opportunity to share their concerns regarding 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.
Humphreys Café in Highams Park continues to host Cuppa with a Copper mornings every Wednesday from 11am for face-to-face meetings with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Find a Pop-up Police Station in your neighbourhood.
Monoux College students with Cllr Ashworth outside William Morris Gallery. Credit: Rio Blake
28 Monoux College pupils recently joined us for a week of professional experience. Eight Travel and Tourism students, shadowing the Communications Team, developed strategies for engaging young people in Climate Action and Community Safety work. Meanwhile, 20 Creative Media students produced social media campaigns to draw young people to William Morris Gallery.
Helping to raise young people’s creative career aspirations is a cornerstone of our Creative Industries Hub work. By sharing their experiences and views, the students also helped us understand better how to communicate with young people, one of the recommendations of our Big Youth Conversation survey. Thanks for joining us!
Looking for a route into a creative career?
London’s creative industries have always been one of the capital’s key strengths and is a vital source of new jobs. We're excited to be leading on a new Creative Industries Hub, part of the Mayor’s Academy programme. It will offer pathways into work in the creative sector for residents of Waltham Forest, Enfield, Haringey, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge and Havering. Register for support in the Creative Industries Hub.
Current council vacancies and other local jobs
We regularly update the vacancies and local jobs listing on our Waltham Forest Jobs 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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