Whether you’ve achieved the exam results you wanted or not, there are always options and opportunities
Today is GCSE and Level 2 VTQ results day. The 2023 cohort of students will have spent a major part of their secondary school years being affected by the pandemic, so special congratulations on their results and for overcoming such substantial hurdles. A special thank you also to all school staff, governors, parents and carers who have helped and supported them during their learning and exam journey.
I remember how stressful exam results day and the days and weeks following can be, so fingers crossed our students are able to continue to realise their dreams and aspirations on the next part of their life journeys. Whether you've achieved what you wanted or not, there are always options and opportunities. You can get help making post-16 choices on our website.
Cllr Kizzy Gardiner, Cabinet Lead for Children and Young People, meets students and staff from Connaught School as they get their results
As part of World Car Free Day, we’ll be hosting Leytonstone Street Fest on Sunday 24 September. On the day, Church Lane will be closed to motor traffic and will instead be packed with activities and events for everyone to enjoy, including a street market, live music, crafts area, the All Ability Cycling Club, and health and wellbeing taster sessions and much, much more. Car Free Days are a great opportunity to celebrate local businesses and our communities by creating more public ‘people space’ for us all to enjoy – I hope to see you there. You can read more about our plans to make Waltham Forest a place for people, not cars on our website.
The ULEZ is extended across the whole of London from next Tuesday, 29 August. Please don't get caught out. Check whether your vehicle is already compliant, and how to apply for the scrappage scheme if not, on the TfL website. And don’t forget from this week the Mayor of London has greatly expanded the amount available and the criteria of who is now entitled to the scrappage scheme, so its worth checking again even if you’ve checked before.
“Let’s hope that much needed peace comes to Ukraine soon”
Today, Thursday 24 August, is Ukraine Independence Day. We marked the occasion by raising the Ukrainian flag above Fellowship Square, and this evening the Town Hall will be illuminated in Ukraine's national colours of blue and yellow. Diversity is our strength and I'm sure you'll join me in continuing to welcome everyone from Ukraine who has come to Waltham Forest and made it home, after fleeing the invasion and war in their own country. You can read some of their stories on our website. Let’s hope that much needed peace comes to Ukraine soon.
Finally a huge thank you to those residents who attended Leyton Great Hall on Monday, 21 August, to hear from Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police Commissioner, about his plans for the future of the force. They include more police support officers and putting more resources into hyperlocal neighbourhood policing by officers who know the area they work for. This is a welcome commitment to change and I look forward to seeing it implemented.
Clyde
Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Council and Cabinet lead for Climate and Air Quality
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
Did you know that lots of items that can't go in your green bin can still be recycled? This includes, but isn't limited to:
Here's a handy A to Z guide on what can and can't be recycled.
Image: Jenna Lee / Unsplash
Summer is well underway but there’s still time left to spot some of our most important pollinators if you're out in one of the borough’s beautiful green spaces over the next month. And if you want to learn more, then pop along to one of our free ‘Bee in the know’ events, which are taking place in local parks in the coming weeks. You can find out about how to take action for nature, learn about bees and what they need, and how to create your own bee block to give bees a home near you.
And don't forget The Hive open day on Monday!🐝🌳
Head to The Hive Epping Forest education centre this Monday, 28 August, for its family open day. Catch the shuttle bus from Chingford Station throughout the day, or join a free guided walk to the centre. Please note that due to space, there will be no general parking on site.
We’ve noticed a rise in dog mess around the borough. Now, we know most of you clean up after your pooch but if you don’t, why not? You're making the streets unpleasant for your neighbours and your doggy's doings could be a health hazard.
Help us keep Waltham Forest clean and tidy for everyone to enjoy – remember to take a bag to put your pooch’s poo in, and then drop it in the nearest street litter bin (not other people's residential black bins!)
And please do report dog mess in your neighbourhood on our website. We’ll clear it up, try to identify the dog’s owner and if we do, we'll fine them.
Libraries 2 You is a book delivery service available to residents who can't leave home to visit the library.
The service is largely supported by volunteers and ensures that housebound and nursing home residents have access to library materials from the comfort of home.
From large print to audiobooks, DVDs and more, materials can be tailored to meet your needs and interests.
If you or a loved one would benefit from the Libraries 2 You delivery service, sign up today.
Make the most of the outdoors and your summer holidays at Fellowship Square.
Thursday 24 and Friday 25 August, 11am to 5pm: 3D scanning, making sculptures and digital modelling with Compiler Zone. Join us for exciting one-hour family-friendly workshops (age 5 plus) to make and create artwork. Various sessions, £5. Book tickets.
Friday 25 August, 12pm to 12.45pm: free HIIT Basics class hosted by Waltham Forest Leisure Centre
Saturday 26 August, 11am to 5pm: Go East vintage market, with arts, crafts, bouncy castles, food traders, and free music sessions from Lycaeum Music Bus. Hosted by SASB Events. The popular Bus King Theatre also returns from today with shows from 11.30am, until Thursday 31 August. Tickets cost £8.60, including fees.
Sunday 27 August, 11am to 6pm: Health and Wellbeing market. Find everything you need to live a healthier life, including yoga, HIIT, dance classes, and amazing products from local traders. Plus free fountain to play in, giant lawn games, gardens, Fellowship Square Trail, and food and drink from Sweet Tooth, Délice and the café in the Assembly Hall.
Could your business grow with a little help from the Productive Valley Fund (PVF)?
If you’re based in the Upper Lee Valley or looking to locate there, the PVF is a loan fund set up to help transform your business. Get a loan and create jobs for local residents, and improve or create commercial space in the area. Loans can be used for refurbishment costs and/or purchasing production equipment. Han, the owner of Blackhorse Lane Ateliers, was able to use the fund to buy the UK’s first sustainable denim facility.
Join us on Saturday 16 September at our latest Community in Fellowship Square event.
Local groups are hosting a range of exciting activities from 11am to 5pm, including:
- Family Day by the Afro Caribbean Elders Society
- Abya Yala (celebration of indigenous culture) by GB Carnival
- Tamil Cultural Workshop and Dance Performances by Waltham Forest Tamil Sangam
- Inclusive Dance Party by Speaker Box Party
- Qi Gong by Dao Lu CIC
- Food, Community and Planet by the Hornbeam, the Gleaners and hubRen
- Introducing Hong Kong and Culture Exchange by the Waltham Forest Hong Kong Community
Entry is free, so just turn up and enjoy.
Results rethink if you’re aged 16 and 17
Have you just finished year 11 or 12 and are looking for advice and guidance on your next steps?
Our 16-17 Participation Service will be providing advice and guidance after exam results for you and your parents/carers over the next few weeks.
Drop into Leyton Library every Thursday from 10am to 4pm from Thursday 24 August to Thursday 28 September at Leyton Library, High Road, E10 5QH.
And check out our post-16 choices advice online.
Help improve local end of life care services
Do you have experience of supporting somebody with a life-limiting condition, either informally as a family member or friend, or as a formal carer? Then NHS North East London would like you to share your experiences to help shape and improve local end of life care services.
Please complete a short, confidential survey about the support you receive, or have received, and also about the care the person you have supported received, or is still receiving.
123 and 158 buses to move to 24-hours service
From Saturday 26 August, bus routes for the 123 and 158 will become 24-hour with the introduction of 30-minute night services on all nights of the week. Daytime schedules for both routes will continue as now. Find out more.
Find your perfect opportunity in construction
Have you signed up to our Construction Jobs Fest yet? You could find your next big opportunity in the construction industry with a range of live job opportunities. Meet a range of employers on Tuesday 19 September 11am to 2pm at the London Academy of Sustainable Construction (LASC), Hollydown Way London E11 4DD. Demos on the day include slating and tiling, waterproofing, solar panelling and lead/metal sheeting.
Social workers wanted
We're looking for new, qualified recruits to join our exceptional team of social workers.
The salary and financial benefits are very competitive, caseloads are kept manageable through the support of our highly experienced leadership staff, and we pay unique attention to your personal training and growth (last year we promoted 38 staff members.)
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. And check out our LinkedIn.
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