We are a safety net for people in Waltham Forest facing hardship
The cost of living crisis is all around us. We see it when we go shopping, in the bills we pay, and in our monthly rent and mortgages.
Here at the council, we also see it because when times are tough, more people turn to us in their hour of need. What that means is an increased demand on a range of services at a time when costs are soaring.
You may have seen in the news that local authorities across the country are facing financial hardship. Waltham Forest is not immune to these challenges.
We have always tried to make sound financial decisions in the interests of residents. We have a legal duty to balance the budget, which sits alongside our moral duty to protect the most vulnerable. Over the next few months, we will be putting measures in place to meet both these demands.
To give you an idea of the challenges we face, we are looking after 1,000 more elderly and disabled adults than we were four years ago. The number of local people presenting as homeless has gone up 50 per cent in the past year alone, while the number of children needing special Education, Health and Care plans has risen from 1,800 to 3,000 over the past three years.
Since 2010, we have made savings of £120million. But even so, after 13 years of austerity, we are facing a significant budget deficit. Things are far more expensive now than they were last year. Interest rates have been at a 15-year high. Tough choices will have to be made about everything we do. What is not a choice is doing nothing because that will mean we will be unable to protect the services residents need. You have my personal commitment that every decision we take will prioritise and protect residents.
We are determined to use our resources to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Watch our video to find out more, and I will keep you informed whenever we have difficult decisions to make. And please remember, that if you're struggling financially at the moment, see our cost of living support on our website.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Thankfully, we haven't seen a significant rise in hate crimes in the borough following recent events in Israel and Gaza. However we are working closely with community partners to monitor the local situation and remain vigilant. If you see or experience hate crime or harassment, please call the police on 101 or use the Stop Hate UK online reporting tool. By reporting incidents you can help prevent anyone else being victimised.
Our neighbourhood teams are looking out for graffiti and any other signs of hate crimes, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and we are working with schools, local faith leaders, and the police to keep everyone in our community safe. You can read more about how we respond to hate crime and how you can get involved in the No Space For Hate campaign on our website.
November is Islamophobia Awareness Month, an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of our Muslim friends, neighbours, and colleagues in Waltham Forest. Our diversity is our strength, and we are at our best when we come together. We will not let the events of the last few weeks divide us.
No Space for Hate training opportunity
Stop Hate UK in partnership with No Space for Hate will be hosting a training session on Tuesday 21 November at 10am to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month. The session aims to help ensure that Waltham Forest remains a safe and welcoming place for people to live, visit and work in. The one hour session will cover topics such as the definition of hate and discrimination, recognising the different types of faith-based hate crime, reporting and understanding the impact hate crime can have upon individuals, families and communities.
Spaces are limited and will be granted on a first come first served basis. Please email nospaceforhate@walthamforest.gov.uk.to find out more.
Come to Chingford Station Community Hub on Sunday 19 November from 11am to 4pm for an action-packed day of events and activities.
Organised by Chingford Historical Society and Love North Chingford, with the support of Waltham Forest Council, the day will give visitors a chance to see model trains, a working model steam engine, tours of the station and its history, films, children’s art activities and an opportunity to ride an old RT Bus.
Major AA Church QVRM VR R SIGNALS MOD military Commanding Officer representative, joins Leader of the Council, Cllr Grace Williams, the Mayor, Cllr Roy Berg, and Cabinet Members Cllr Vicky Ashworth and Cllr Louise Mitchell, at the launch of the action plan
On Sunday 12 November, the council publicly renewed its commitment to the Armed Forces community by launching its new Armed Forces Action plan, and re-signing the Armed Forces Covenant. The action plan sets out commitments to the Armed Forces community across eight key areas, including support with housing, health and wellbeing.
If you are a veteran, serving personnel, family member or know someone who is, please visit the Armed Forces Action plan page to explore the available support, and learn more.
Check out the new public square design with nursery and sport facilities
Waltham Forest Council and its development partner Taylor Wimpey have revealed a new design for the centre of Coronation Square in Leyton. Coronation Square will be a vibrant public space and a hub for creativity, leisure, sports and culture, which provides a place for the community to come together in a new destination for Leyton town centre. Find out more about the public square coming to Leyton.
Thank you to our amazing gardening volunteers who came to the Cairo Road Community Planting Day on Saturday 11 November. Over 20 residents and Cllr Ahsan Khan braved the cold weather to plant bulbs and plants ready for spring next year. The Cairo Road scheme is one of the Levelling Up Fund projects taking place in Walthamstow to unlock its potential as an inclusive, safe, and welcoming cultural destination. Find out more about the improvements in Walthamstow.
Join us in Fellowship Square from 3pm to 8pm on Saturday 25 November for our annual Christmas tree lights switch on and enjoy a whole host of fun to welcome in the festive season. This event is free, but some activities may charge.
You'll find activities for all ages including candlelit carol singing, a festive bar from Big Penny Social and amazing street food from KERB+. There will also be festive film screenings from Stow Film Lounge of Christmas Carol Medley (free) and Die Hard (tickets from £8.)
Street performers will be whizzing and twirling around the fountain, which will have a special choregraphed festive display for this event.
The Christmas tree light switch on will be 5pm and a detailed schedule can be found on our website.
And check out the café on the Square!
VIVA! VEGAN has arrived at the Fellowship Square café, bringing a wholesome and nutritious plant-based menu to the square. It offers great coffee and pastries, healthy snacks and delicious lunch options including soup and curries, all aiming to divert from food waste and create a 100 per cent carbon negative café.
VIVA! VEGAN is open from 8am to 6pm every day.
Congratulations to Louise Evans, a resident at Mapleton Road Care Home in Chingford, who celebrated her 100th birthday last month.
Louise enjoyed cake, refreshments and music with the other care home residents and staff. She had previously celebrated at her family home with her children, grandchildren and other family.
Mapleton Road is one of three Council-owned care homes in the borough. All are rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission.
Image © William Morris Gallery
On Thursday 30 November William Morris Gallery is celebrating the festive season with a special Winter Late. The Gallery will be open after hours, with something for visitors of all ages to enjoy, including:
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Crafts: create your own Victorian Yuletide pomander. This drop-in activity will be available on the first-floor landing, starting at 5pm and running until 8pm. Suitable for children (aged 5+)
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Curator-led tours: join tours of the Radical Landscapes exhibition at 7pm, 7.30pm, and 8pm. Simply sign up at the front desk
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Music: enjoy performances by the Rose and Crown Singers.
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Late night shopping: the William Morris Gallery Shop is offering a 10 per cent discount on selected items
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Deeney’s Cafe at William Morris Gallery: sip on mulled wine and a variety of seasonal treats
Admission is free. Just drop in.
Lucy and Nigel have opened their hearts and homes to support a vulnerable adult.
They are Shared Lives carers, who provide a family experience for an adult who has care needs, such as learning, physical or sensory disabilities, mental health or an older person with dementia.
While the role is challenging, Lucy has also found it fulfilling. She said, "Making them happy and knowing we are helping with their development into society is rewarding."
Find out more about the Shared Lives scheme and how to become a carer.
Unwrap the festive season
The festive season is fast approaching and what better way to celebrate than by embracing your creative spirit and learning new skills at Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service. This November and December, we are delighted to bring you a spectacular line-up of courses infused with the magic of the holidays. From ceramics to horticulture, our courses will inspire you to craft, grow, and embrace the festive spirit in unique and imaginative ways. And best of all they are all free!
Come to our carers' careers day
Interested in finding out more about being a carer and the support you are entitled to in this role? Carers First is hosting an event in Lloyd Park on Thursday 23 November, which is also Carers Rights Day. It takes place in Le Delice Community Room, from 1pm to 4pm. Come along to Caring for Your Future to speak to professionals and ask questions.
Looking for a job in construction?
SIMIAN’s London Academy of Sustainable Construction have numerous employment and training opportunities available for local people. They also provide free scaffolding and construction training. Get in touch with the team by calling 0345 602 2418 or visiting the website below.
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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