Investing to build great neighbourhoods to live, work and play
Everyone benefits when our neighbourhoods are treated with respect, and when they provide a safe, green place for all residents to enjoy. This summer your councillors will be talking to residents to hear about the improvements you want to see in your area as part of the new My Neighbourhood approach.
Each ward in Waltham Forest will see improvements which residents will have the opportunity to feed into through their local councillors. Look out for more information in the coming weeks.
When our neighbourhoods are safe, parents feel more confident letting their children play outside – something which has sadly been less possible in recent years. Our pioneering Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have thankfully reversed that national trend. By hugely reducing through traffic in residential areas, we have opened them up to families to enjoy their neighbourhoods even more. We continue to look at how we can bring these positive benefits to even more people.
You may also be able to apply for a free local Play Street in your area. These allow regular closures of residential roads to through traffic for just an hour or two, while they remain open for resident and emergency services access. Who wouldn’t want to see kids playing together and making new friends on their doorstep as they chat with neighbours over a cuppa? As we look forward to the Coronation of King Charles III in early May I’m delighted to see that we have over 70 roads closing for street parties across the borough, from Chingford to Leytonstone, so neighbours can celebrate safely together.
Congratulations to Leyton Orient, whose men's and women's teams have both won promotion from their respective leagues!
I’d also like to say Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating this special occasion, and I hope you enjoy marking St George’s Day on Sunday.
Clyde
Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality, Waltham Forest Council
We're very excited to say that the University of Portsmouth is set to open an Admissions and Recruitment Centre (ARC) in Walthamstow Library to prepare for the launch of its new campus in Waltham Forest next year.
Visit the ARC to meet University staff face to face on Wednesday afternoons between 2pm and 6pm, to discuss courses and entry requirements, and find general information on the campus. UoP London plans to open to its first students in January 2024, occupying two floors in Juniper House near Walthamstow Central Station. The number of students will grow over the next few years as a main campus building is constructed nearby on the site of the current Central House.
The University of Portsmouth is one of the top modern universities in the country. Its London campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as an extensive programme of work-based learning opportunities in the form of apprenticeships and continuous learning programmes, all designed with the needs and skills of local people and businesses in mind.
The campus will bring an estimated £372 million in wider economic benefits over the next 20 years, as well as the creation of over 500 jobs in the borough during construction and once the campus launches.
This month, the scaffolding which has covered 186 Hoe Street, Walthamstow for many years is being gradually removed, revealing the iconic facade of Soho Theatre Walthamstow. The building, which many know as the Granada or EMD cinema, or the Mirth, Marvel and Maud bar, has been sensitively revived and restored to its original splendour thanks to the Council’s purchase and development of the building. This includes reinstating the Dutch Gable curved roof and original 1930s green trimmings over the entrance.
Find more information on the project and sign up to our newsletter.
This Sunday, 23 April is St George's Day and we will be celebrating by raising the flag of St George in Fellowship Square and lighting up the Town Hall in red and white in the evening.
If you're coming to the Square on Sunday, why not check out the Wellness Market from 11am to 5pm? You'll also find the new Saturday Social street food market on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. Entrance to both markets is free so why not come along and support some great local businesses? Find more information on our Fellowship Square markets on our website.
On Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby in the event of major incidents such as severe flooding, fires or extreme weather in your local area.
If you have a compatible smart phone or tablet, it will do one or more of the following for around 10 seconds:
- make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent
- vibrate
- read out the alert
The government does not need to know your phone number or location to send you an alert but your phone must be switched on and connected to a 4G or 5G network. Find out more about the new emergency alert system.
Congratulations to Leyton Orient on winning promotion, not once, but twice!
Not only have the men's team secured their place in League One next season, but the women's team have won promotion to the Premier Division of the Greater London Women's Football League.
Well done to both on an amazing achievement – and we'll let you know details of the club's celebrations when they're confirmed.
Tour de Waltham Forest is back this summer. The free cycling event takes place on Sunday 11 June from 9am to 5pm in Leyton Jubilee Park.
Get on your bike and try one of four routes, which vary in length and difficulty. You’ll get to ride on some of the borough’s best cycle tracks and see green spaces and landmarks in and around Waltham Forest.
Would you know the right action to take if you saw a woman or girl being harassed on the street? Would you feel comfortable safely intervening?
We’re asking men in Waltham Forest to take part in our Bystander Intervention training sessions and help tackle street harassment and violence against women and girls. The course is designed by women, and explores the actions and attitudes that can lead to harmful behaviour, giving real-life case examples and examining how men can best respond if they witness street harassment in real life. The session is taking place on Tuesday 25 April 6pm to 8:30pm over Zoom.
Inside one of the new Jazz Yard homes
The Council's housing company, Sixty Bricks, was at the London Home Show at the QEII Centre in central London last weekend, giving home buyers the chance to learn about the Jazz Yard development in Brunner Road, Walthamstow.
If you are looking to buy a home, there are shared ownership opportunities available at the Jazz Yard - find more information online or email sales@sixtybricks.co.uk.
This Saturday, 22 April, is World Earth Day. We can all do our bit to protect the planet. Find out how we're working to tackle the climate emergency in Waltham Forest below.
Tell us what you want from our Family Hubs
We want to talk to parents in Waltham Forest about your experience of local support and information and understand what you need from our Family Hubs.
If you are a first time mum with a child under the age of one, or are at least 25 weeks pregnant with your first child, we would love for you to take part. Everyone who does will receive £60 as a thank you for your time. Please complete your details here and if you are selected, our partners at Neighbourly Labs will be in touch.
Let us know how we can improve Adult Social Care services
We have online and in-person sessions where you can meet other people and share your ideas on how services are designed and delivered. You will be reimbursed for your travel and time. Get involved.
Young people and the climate emergency webinar
Are you curious about what young people think about the climate crisis? Would you like to know what they learn about it at school and how the Council is 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. When: 26 April, 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Where: online. Info and book.
Become a Digital Champion
Do you enjoy helping friends or family get to grips with their computers or phones? Are you passionate about everyone being able to make the most out of what technology has to offer? Are you looking for an opportunity to support in your local community? Then why not consider becoming a Digital Champion in Waltham Forest!
We have launched a new project in Waltham Forest to increase digital accessibility, connectedness, and skills for communities in the borough. Being a Digital Champion is all about supporting residents one on one via library drop-in sessions to grow their skills and confidence using digital tools.
Learn more and sign up
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 check out our LinkedIn.
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