Winter is coming: here’s how to prepare
We’ve all noticed the temperature has really dropped over the last few days and this weekend will see the first severe weather emergency protocol of the winter. This means councils and charities all across London are taking extra measures to support homeless people. If you suspect someone is sleeping rough, contact StreetLink London online or call 0300 500 0914. They will check on the person's welfare and can help them find somewhere safe to stay. It’s also especially important to look out for people who are more vulnerable at this time of year so please check on elderly relatives and neighbours regularly.
Many of you may be worried to turn on the heating, as fuel costs remain high. Remember you can find warmth and companionship at one of our community living rooms around the borough – find one near you on our interactive map. If icy weather continues, you may be eligible for financial assistance, such as the Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather payment.
Our gritters are primed and ready around the borough. Unfortunately, we can't grit every road and pavement and we prioritise the routes you use most, such as major roads and transport hubs. If you're aware of a road or pavement that you think is hazardous due to ice or snow, you can alert us by filling in a form on our website. And please do consider volunteering as one of our wonderful Snow Angels. We'll provide you with salt, a shovel and other items to help you clear snow and ice from pavements where you live.
You can find more details of cold weather support below, and we have really useful information on staying safe in the cold weather on our website.
Take care out there.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
You'll find loads of independent small businesses in Leyton's Francis Road
It's Small Business Saturday on 2 December so what better time to choose local and support one of our many independent, high street shops. Why not buy your next gift for this holiday season at a local, small business on your high street? Around 86 per cent of businesses in Waltham Forest are micro businesses (businesses with less than four employees). You can discover your local neighbourhood and find businesses near you on the neighbourhood social app, Nextdoor.
Lloyd Park in the snow
With temperatures set to drop this week we want to make sure residents are fully prepared in the event of freezing conditions this winter.
Our dedicated Snowdesk has been set up to address residents’ questions or concerns regarding extreme weather.
While our teams work in icy conditions to prioritise gritting and clearing of main roads, bus routes and areas of high footfall, it is not possible to cover all roads and footpaths in the borough. You can play your part by volunteering as one of our Snow Angels, making a gritting or grit bin request or checking the location of your nearest grit bin.
We're very happy to announce the launch of 1 Church Lane, a brand new community space, next door to Leytonstone Station.
After being empty for over three years, the venue will now play host to pop-ups for local businesses and makers, and community events.
We've been working with Places for London, the TfL Property Company, Good Shepherd Studios and We Flock CIC to bring this small but exciting space back to life, and you can apply to use it by emailing bookings@weflockcic.org.uk or by filling out the form on the Good Shepherd Studios website.
Thank you to everyone who came to our Christmas tree light switch on last Saturday - it was great to see so many people in the Square enjoying the carol singing, entertainment and festive fountain display!
As the temperature is dropping over the next few weeks, our Fellowship Square fountain will be off until further notice due to the risk of ice. We'll keep you updated when it's back on and when you can catch the displays when they restart.
Please do follow us on @fsqe17 on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with all things Fellowship Square!
Fancy an evening of live folk music? Then head to Walthamstow Folk Club, which meets every Sunday at 7.30pm in Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub in Hoe Street. Entry from £10 (£8 for some concessions. Ask on the door.)
Each week sees a professional act perform, with styles ranging from traditional and contemporary folk, to music hall and post punk. There are also spots for locals to perform a song, or recitation. The club is keen to support live folk music, particularly younger and female artists. New members welcome! Find out more below.
We want to talk to residents who have switched from driving to walking and cycling. This could be for your commute or running your business, taking the kids to school, or just for fun. Got a story to tell? Email us now campaigns@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Thursday 23 November was Carers Right Day, which was the perfect time to launch our All-Age Carers Charter.
This charter outlines our five priority areas from 2023 to 2026, as well as our commitments to all carer groups, including young carers, adult carers and parent carers.
The launch event was an information session hosted by our partners Carers First. Cllr Louise Mitchell, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, attended the launch and spent time speaking with Waltham Forest carers.
Experiencing street harassment? Download our Safe Streets app from the Google Play or App Store
We are committed to making Waltham Forest a place where women and girls feel safe to live without fear or harassment and are taking part in 16 Days of Activism to highlight violence against women and girls (VAWG) and some of the amazing work being done locally to combat it. Check out these events:
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Creative Hour: creative session for women and non-binary people living, working, or studying in the borough, taking place at Walthamstow Family Hub, 313 Billet Rd, London E17 5PX, from 10am until 12pm on Wednesday 6 December. No booking required.
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Making Change Happen: learn more about how we're tackling violence against women and girls, Leyton Great Hall 1A Adelaide Rd, London E10 5NN (on the corner of the High Road), from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday 6 December. Book here.
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Meet the VAWG team: join us for coffee and cake at Walthamstow Family Hub (details above) from 12.30pm to 3pm on Friday 8 December.
Join a special supper club on Thursday 7 December for a glorious international banquet and the chance to fundraise for Stories & Supper’s work with refugees and asylum seekers in Waltham Forest.
Arrive at 7pm for a welcome drink and amuse bouche, before sitting down for a three course meal which will take you on a journey from Central Africa to Latin America, from the Caucasus to Sri Lanka, ending with a homage to the beloved quince tree at the Stories & Supper allotment. Your meal will be interspersed with poetry readings and stories from refugees and asylum seekers in the Stories & Supper community.
Tickets £40, or £50 for solidarity tickets, helping to support the organisation's continuing work. Book now.
Festive events around the borough.
✂️Walthamstow Wetlands Winter Crafts workshop
Sunday 10 December, 2 Forest Road Walthamstow N17 9NH, 12pm to 2pm. Free (or £5 with donation.)
An afternoon creating winter crafts using natural materials. Book now.
🛍️Furnishing Futures Winter Sale
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December, from 10am to 5pm. Unit 4 Mentmore Studios, 11 Argall Avenue, E10 7QE. £2 cash suggested donation on entry, or £4 by card
Furnishing Futures is a local organisation that works with the interiors industry to create healing homes for women and children after domestic abuse.
Beautiful gifts and a selection of lighting, homewares and furniture, sold at least 50 per cent off recommended retail price, with all proceeds raised gong towards their work with domestic abuse survivors. More info
🍔Blackhorse Collective Winter Street Food Festival
Saturday 2 December 11 am to 3.30pm and then again from 4pm to 10pm; Sunday 3 December from 11am to 6pm. Signature Brew, Uplands Business Park, E17 5QJ. Free entry.
Some of the UK's finest street food vendors offer up Christmas specials. More info.
🛍️Leytonstone BIPC Winter Market
Saturday 16 December, from 11am to 6pm. Leytonstone Library. Free entry.
A range of Waltham Forest businesses will be selling and showcasing their goods, along with festive food and drink at a winter market hosted by our Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC). Find out more.
🎤Festive sing-a-long in Francis Road
Thursday 7 December at 4pm. Francis Road, E10. Free entry.
ZipZap provides weekly music, drama and sensory classes for children under five in Leyton and Walthamstow. It is hosting a festive family sing-a-long as part of Francis Road lates.
🛍️Highams Park Festive Flea Market
Sunday 3 December, 11am to 3pm. All Saints Church Hall, E4 9QZ. Free entry.
Sustainable Christmas shopping event with vintage, preloved fashion, antiques, homeware and more.
🧮Festive scavenger hunt
Saturday 16 December, from 10am to 12pm. Leyton Jubilee Park, outside Kukoolala café. Free but register below.
Have some family fun with Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service’s festive-themed Maths Scavenger Hunt. Perfect for families with children aged three to 11, this festive adventure combines the magic of Christmas with the joy of solving mathematical puzzles to find prizes.
Tell us about your Christmas events
If you're planning a free community event for the festive season, email Residents' News. We'll try to mention as many as we can in the next few weeks. Register here.
More free childcare from April 2024: will you qualify?
Do you have a child aged between nine months and two years? Are you a working parent/carer?
An updated online eligibility checker is now live, allowing you to access personalised information on any free childcare support available to you, as well as find out more about the existing free childcare offer and schemes that could help with childcare costs. You will also be able to sign up for a newsletter which will provide updates on when to apply, and more information about future changes as they are rolled out. Sign up 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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