From 1 May there will no longer be a need to book an appointment in Health Visitor clinics.

Please come to one of our Drop-in Clinic Sessions at one of the Family Hubs to have your baby or child weighed, or to speak to a member of the team about any questions you have about their health, growth, or development.

Clinics will run at:

• Leyton Family Hub on Mondays, 9.30am to 11.30am
• Walthamstow Family Hub on Tuesdays, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
• Leytonstone Family Hub on Wednesdays, 9.30am to 11.30am
• Chingford Family Hub on Thursdays, 1.30pm to 3.30pm

We also have weighing only sessions at:

• Chingford Health Centre on Tuesdays, 9.30am to 11.30am
• Langthorne Health Centre on Fridays, 9.30am to 11.30am

How often should I get my baby weighed?

Our Health Visiting Services continue to run a daily duty line, please call 0300 033 6200 if you wish to speak to a member of the team.

Come dressed as one of your favourite book characters and share a page with family and friends or with library staff in our rhyme time session.

Suitable for all ages:

Walthamstow Library, Monday 15 May, 11.30am to 12.30pm

Chingford Library, Wednesday 17 May, 11.00am to 11.30am

Higham Hill Library, Saturday 27 May, 2pm to 3pm

Lea Bridge Library, Thursday 25 May, 4pm to 6pm

Wood Street Library, Thursday 25 May, 4pm to 5pm

Why not take a walk in the spring sunshine and boost your child’s speech and language skills at the same time?

The scenery is constantly changing, giving you something to talk about.

Here are some ideas to consider as you walk:

• Take it slow: Notice what your child is interested in and get down to their level to talk about what you see. It might not be what you expect – a hole in the fence, some rubbish, a shiny beetle. Mark these with simple sentences like: ‘oo, there’s a hole’, ‘wow a shiny beetle’.
• Listen together: Perhaps your child is more interested in what they can hear. Listen to the sounds and use phrases like: ‘it’s an ambulance’ ‘the digger is rumbly’.
• Take photos: You could take photos of your child’s interests to look through later, show other family members and encourage more chat together.

Check out the Words for Life website for more information.

Walking in towns and cities

There is an estimate of over 5 million carers in the UK and 76% of them are not able to do as much physical activity as they would like because of the pressures of their caring role.

To support carers in Waltham Forest, our partners from GLL and Better Gym are offering a £30 monthly (over 50% discount) membership specifically for carers, which includes all Better centres, fitness classes, gym and of course our famous pools at any time we are open. You can claim the discount by Sunday 14 May.

Any questions please contact Daniel Bank at GLL.

Better Gym membership for carers

If you have a prepayment meter installed in your home, don’t forget to redeem you £400 voucher from the Government energy support scheme.

Vouchers can be redeemed at a PayPoint shop or Post Office, and must be redeemed by 30 June 2023.

Haven’t received your vouchers? Check your mail, texts and e-mail (including spam folders) in case they have been received. If you can’t find your vouchers or they have expired, contact your energy supplier who will be able to reissue them.

Find information and advice on lowering your bills and making your home more energy efficient online or call free on 0808 196 8260.

Energy Advice London