Your chance to influence the future of policing in Waltham Forest
We know fear of crime affects many residents here in Waltham Forest. That's why this week we, in partnership with our local police, are launching our Citizens’ Assembly on The Future of Neighbourhood Policing.
A Citizens’ Assembly brings together a panel of residents from different backgrounds to learn about a problem before coming up with ideas to solve it. Letters will be going to selected households asking if they want to be involved – those that take part will be paid for their time.
Baroness Casey, in her report on the Metropolitan Police, said that Londoners’ voices are missing from the way we're policed. The new Assembly will give local residents that voice.
The first meeting will be held in early 2024, hearing stories from local people and national experts about their experiences dealing with the police. The Assembly will then put forward recommendations to our local police here in Waltham Forest.
But first we need to hear your experiences. You can read full details about the Assembly on our website and fill in the survey here. And please watch our video, featuring residents across the borough. Together, we can make sure Waltham Forest gets the best policing possible.
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
The appalling loss of life in Israel and Gaza following the terror attacks by Hamas has horrified us all. The murder and kidnapping of innocent people, including the elderly and young children, can never be justified.
There are many Waltham Forest residents who will have family and friends in the region, and our thoughts are with you. A book of condolence is now open in the reception area of Waltham Forest Town Hall for those who wish to pay their respects.
As a community, we stand together and reject hatred, division, and violence in all their forms. The Leader of the Council, Grace Williams, has been in close contact with the Borough Commander, Superintendent Simon Crick, to monitor the situation here in Waltham Forest. Police will be making extra patrols over the coming days and weeks to provide highly visible reassurance. The council is also in touch with local synagogues and mosques to make sure places of worship are protected.
If you see or experience any hate speech or harassment, please call the police on 101 or use the Stop Hate UK online reporting tool.
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
Find out more about recycling at our pop-up stalls across the borough. Discover which items to take to our free-to-use recycling centres, unearth some hidden gem bargains at our reuse shop and find out about the work of the Forest Recycling Project.
This year's theme encourages us to recycle items which are commonly missed in the home. This includes bathroom products, such as toilet roll (no paper) and empty shampoo bottles. Rethink your habits and recycle right. Check out our live Recycling Week events below:
Enjoy a night like no other this November at our Light Show Spectacular.
We will have some incredible in-crowd performers to keep you entertained prior to the main show. Expect to see towering ice people, juggling to music, alongside mesmerising illuminated stilt walkers dazzling from up high.
At ground level you'll find the juggling inferno – making incredible patterns in the darkness of the night.
When: Friday 3, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November (two shows a day)
Where: Fellowship Square, Forest Road, Walthamstow
A variety of ticket types are available, including packages in which children under 12 can join for free.
Congratulations to everyone who was celebrated at the recent awards night hosted by the Waltham Forest Faith and Belief Forum in the Town Hall council chamber. The group works to build good relations between people of different faiths and beliefs and recently honoured local groups and individuals who have made the lives of people in the borough better. Recognised projects included Community Food Share, Salaam Peace, Forest Women's Interfaith Network and Love North Chingford Gardening Group.
On Tuesday 10 October, we celebrated World Mental Health Day. It was an occasion to raise awareness of how mental health can impact a person's life, combat stigma, and make sure you know where to find the support you need.
If you're struggling with your mental health, there are many small steps you can take, such as talking about your problems with someone you trust, which can get you closer to feeling better.
We caught up with one of our amazing young people in Waltham Forest, Zaid, who shared his mental health story with us on our TikTok channel.
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JJ Khun from WIILMA talks about Black History Month on Instagram
Black History Month continues with a celebration of Nigerian independence this Saturday 14 October from 10am at Fellowship Square, including a flag-raising ceremony, speakers and performances. The Town Hall will also host the Waltham Forest Twinning Association’s Local SHEroes exhibition, celebrating trailblazing Black women from Waltham Forest, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, for a week starting Monday 16 October.
Last week we interviewed JJ Khun of WIILMA about their free Motown singing lessons throughout Black History Month. Watch the video here.
Okay, you may not find any Christian Dior nestling on the rails at 228 in Chingford Mount this week, but you could still pick up a fashion bargain. Paula's Pre-Love Pop Up Clothes is a community clothes shop that helps fund local project Football4impact.
Pop in for vintage clothing and shoes until Saturday 14 October.
How to report damp and mould
Damp and mould are easier to tackle when they're caught early.
If you're a council tenant or council leaseholder and your home has issues with damp or mould, please report it:
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Council tenants: complete our online e-form
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Council leaseholders: complete our online e-form
- Call our customer resolution centre on 0208 496 4197.
All residents can find useful information in our pdf leaflet, below.
Chase Lane Park levelling up engagement event
When: Saturday 14 October
Where: Chase Lane Skate Park, Chingford
Join us for a day of skating and BMX and tell us how we can improve Chase Lane Skate Park in Chingford, the trailblazing site of skateboarding and BMX in Waltham Forest.
From 11am to 4pm Everyone On Boards will be hosting demos with local legends, taster sessions, sharing the history of skating at Chase Lane Park and how you can get involved in the local skate scene.
Call-out for volunteer Covid marshals!
We’re looking for friendly, positive volunteers in Walthamstow who want to help the booster vaccination campaign against Covid-19 this autumn. You’ll be helping signpost patients through the Wood Street Health Centre site, helping them sign in and acting as an all-round friendly face, among other duties. Clinics are run every Saturday.
Careers sessions for 16- and 17-year-olds
Do you have a child who’s 16 or 17 and not currently in education or training?
Then suggest they come to one of our career guidance sessions, which take place at Leyton Library every Thursday from 10.30am to 4pm.
Email participationservice@walthamforest.gov.uk for an appointment.
Explore a career in scaffolding with free training
SIMIAN London Academy of Sustainable Construction (LASC) is offering a free Construction Operative Training Scheme (COTS) course to Waltham Forest residents, worth over £200. The one-day course is for people who are new to scaffolding. It teaches the basics of the industry and how to work safely with scaffolding and access equipment.
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.
You can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website, and check out our LinkedIn.
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