Ensuring no one in Waltham Forest goes hungry
I know that the cost of living continues to be many people's top priority. The huge increase in the cost of food has meant we’ve increased the council's support to the food banks that help an estimated 11,000 people a week across the borough.
It’s part of a wide range of support we’ve put in place to make sure no one goes hungry. This wouldn’t be possible without amazing partners to help us get help to those who need it.
From the volunteers at food banks, staff at the 54 schools providing free breakfasts to pupils, other voluntary and charity sector staff and volunteers who’ve given out over £1 million in relief payments to cover food, energy and other essential costs.
It's this collective effort that has resulted in Waltham Forest receiving a Good Food for All Londoners award this week - an independent pan-London assessment of council action around food
This work, in part paid for by the government’s Household Support Fund, has also gone toward retrofitting 2,000 homes in the borough to help cut fuel bills, saving each household up to £175 this year and helping to cut bills in the future. Watch our video explaining more here.
Sadly, there will be many who still aren’t aware of the help they could be entitled to, including extra support to pay council tax and other bills, debt advice, and help getting a job.
Please pass on the message to anyone you think can do with a helping hand during this difficult time. You can find details of all our support on our website.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Matthew learnt to ride at our All Ability Cycling Club
It's Autism Acceptance Week and we've been running some exciting events to celebrate our autistic and neurodiverse residents and to share information on how you can improve your understanding of neurodiversity. Join us for our final Autism Acceptance Week event at Fellowship Square this Saturday for a fun and inclusive morning of music making
We are working to make Waltham Forest more accessible and to support autistic residents feel more accepted in the borough. Our All Ability Cycling club can help all residents start cycling and is open to everyone, including older people and those with learning, physical and/or sensory disabilities.
Check out how Matthew, who is autistic, learned to ride a bike after attending our All Ability Cycling Club.
Guests at the recent Sweet Harmony exhibition at Vestry House Museum. Image: @pennydampier
Vestry House Museum is a well-loved local history museum in Walthamstow Village that also hosts the borough's Archives. We're currently working to improve these services and are establishing a new Community Advisory Panel as part of this. If you're interested in helping to shape the future of Vestry House Museum and Archives, why not apply to be on the panel? The deadline for applications is Monday 17 April 2023.
Young people in Lloyd Park, Walthamstow
Are you curious about what young people think about the climate crisis? Would you like to know how they learn about it at school and how Waltham Forest council are working with schools in the borough on this complex issue?
The Hive and Waltham Forest Climate Emergency team are holding a webinar for parents, guardians and anyone working with young people to address these questions and give you some tools for talking about sustainability.
At Waltham Forest Weddings, we will assign you a coordinator who can talk you through the logistics of your big day and help you plan it to perfection, your way.
We offer intimate wedding ceremonies or bigger celebrations at our iconic Fellowship Square – where else can you get married and have an iconic shot in the middle of a fountain?
We also have a variety of licensed venues including William Morris Gallery, Vestry House Museum and Walthamstow Wetlands. Follow us on Instagram to learn more.
Parents and children from Newport School in Leyton tidy their local area
Across the borough this weekend, 18 volunteer groups will be out tidying up and collecting litter as part of the Great British Spring Clean.
Come and join in to help your community, make new friends and help keep Waltham Forest looking beautiful.
Forest Flora and our volunteer team will help connect you to a volunteer group near you. Email hello@forestflora.co.uk or greenspace.volunteers@walthamforest.gov.uk to find out where you can help. Find out more about Keep Britain Tidy's annual Great British Spring Clean.
Would you like to celebrate the coronation weekend with a street party?
We would like to see as many residents as possible getting together with their neighbours to mark the occasion, so why not apply now to have your residential road closed to host a street party for your neighbours some time between Saturday 6 to Monday 8 May.
You have until next Friday, 7 April, to put in an application. Email street.parties@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Sign up for a free weight management course as part of Carers Active April campaign with Carers First in Waltham Forest.
If you’re a carer, this course is designed to help you get a better understanding of nutrition, and support you to achieve a healthier life. Participants will have access to Waltham Forest’s Better Gyms across the borough, with personal inductions, fitness classes and swimming pools, plus free membership upon completion of course. Enrolment day is Friday 31 March from 12.30pm to 2.30pm at the Central Resource Hub, 1 Russell Road, E10 7ES.
To find out more, email wf@carersfirst.org.uk. Spaces are limited and conditions apply.
Find more support and information about events and activities for carers in Waltham Forest.
Springfest kicks off this weekend in Fellowship Square so come along and join us for a range of free and low-cost activities.
- Saturday 1 April: Saturday Social - a street food and produce market (10am to 4pm). It's free, just turn up!
- Sunday 2 April: Go East Vintage - a vintage traders market with street food, a bar and entertainment (10am to 5pm). Get your ticket.
- Monday 3 April: Darling's Café: a new place to eat and drink opens on the Square
Learn some new skills on your bike during the Easter holidays, regardless of how confident you feel on two wheels.
There is a range of sessions for various abilities, including complete beginners' training, level 1 bikeability (off-road) and young adult (16+).
- Monday 3 to Thursday 6 April: Leyton Jubilee Park
- Tuesday 11 to April 14: Sir George Monoux College
Cllr Karen Bellamy with DJs Annie Neale and Jim Watson
On Saturday 25 March, the Mayor of Waltham Forest hosted a Soul Extravaganza at the Grand Hall, Leyton in support of her chosen charities, Whipps Cross Hospital Breast Clinic and Solace Women’s Aid. Thank you to everyone who attended, including the fantastic DJs, who gave up their time and kept the dancefloor moving until late.
On Friday 31 March, schools across the Borough will be taking part in a non-school uniform day in support of the Mayor’s Charities, and on Friday 14 April, a Civic Gala Dinner will take place. If you would like to join us for the event or donate raffle prizes email
mayor@walthamforest.gov.uk.
TfL has announced it is looking into expanding its bus network in outer London which could bring a new, faster bus route to the borough.
The Superloop would be made up of express routes that circle the capital, connecting key outer London town centres, stations and transport hubs. It would be designed to provide quicker journey times with buses stopping less frequently.
TfL will be consulting on a proposed section that could go from Walthamstow via Ilford to the Royal Docks in one direction and towards North Finchley via Edmonton and Arnos Grove, in the other. You can give your views at the link below.
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New health and wellbeing surgery for residents
As a part of our Safe Streets pilot, we are holding a monthly Health and Wellbeing Surgery for people living in Waltham Forest to address a number of subjects that affect how people feel, including anti-social behaviour, tenancy support needs, drug addiction, crime and violence.
The first surgery will take place from 11am-1pm on Wednesday 5 April at the Regeneration Portacabin, Hall Road, London, E15 2RL (opposite Downsell Primary School. No need to book, just turn up.
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Change in Community Equipment Contractor from 1 April 2023
Have you been supplied with equipment to help you at home, such as a raised toilet seat, shower chair or bath lift, via social care or the NHS by Medequip? Well, from Saturday 1 April 2023 the service will be provided by NRS Healthcare. The Medequip phone line will automatically divert to NRS Healthcare's number: 0300 100 0253.
The NRS Healthcare service operating hours will be Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. The Out of Hours service will continue to operate in the evenings, Sundays and Bank Holidays. This service is 24/7.
Details of what equipment has been delivered to you in the past and when it will need to be serviced has been passed to NRS Healthcare. NRS Healthcare will contact you at the time servicing is due to make a date to visit.
Apply for our Digital Inclusion Fund
We have launched a Digital Inclusion Fund, with between £1,000 and £9,999 available to community groups who are active in the borough for projects to help people in Waltham Forest get online.
You could be a cooking class that involves online tutorials and finding recipes online, or a local group supporting residents with English as a second language and assisting them with apps and online tools to improve their language skills. Or any other ideas your group has to get residents connected!
Applications are open until midnight on Monday 10 April and full guidance and information on how to apply and who is eligible is available on our website.
Apply now.
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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