The crisis isn’t over: don’t axe our lifeline
Two years ago, the Government launched the Household Support Fund (HSF) to help the most vulnerable during the cost-of-living crisis. This winter we've used the fund to support thousands of residents, spending £4.2million on a range of services including providing free school breakfasts for 2,135 children, administering over 5,000 targeted payments to vulnerable households, and opening Community Living Rooms to provide warm spaces, advice and companionship for the people who need it most.
The Government hasn't released any details of whether the HSF will run beyond Sunday 31 March, despite being pressed on the subject. If the HSF is ended, we won't be able to provide these services beyond that date, but the needs of the people receiving them haven't gone away. We will continue to stand up for those who need it most, but we have to have the financial support to be able to do so.
Many of you will know the crisis faced by councils up and down the country following a decade of austerity and the prolonged increased demand for our services. We are urging the Government not to axe the HSF as it is a vital lifeline for our most vulnerable residents. Help us get the message across by signing our petition today and share the link with friends, neighbours and colleagues, so we can send Government a clear message that the crisis is not over. We owe it to people in Waltham Forest struggling to make ends meet.
With money being tight for so many, it was great news to hear that the Mayor of London will extend his universal free school meals programme for the next academic year. This means all primary school pupils at state-funded schools can continue to receive a healthy, filling meal each day from our award-winning schools catering team. We know that good nutrition fuels learning and improves children's health, and this will have a huge impact on our youngest residents.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
If you need help with finances, here’s how you can get support
We have information about support schemes, including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and more in one handy place on our website. You can also see if you can get help with your Council Tax – with discounts, exemptions, and ways to spread the cost of payments.
If you’d like to discuss help and support face to face, Citizens’ Advice drop-in sessions take place across the borough.
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
Out and about
With temperatures dropping this week we want to make sure residents have access to support in the event of freezing conditions. Remember if you see anyone sleeping rough, please send an alert to our dedicated outreach team via StreetLink, who’ll then connect them with local support services.
You can make a gritting or grit bin request, or check the location of your nearest grit bin.
At home
General advice suggests that heating your home to 18 degrees or higher can help reduce risks to health, but we know that for some of our residents struggling with energy costs, this can be especially hard. Support and advice are available via our Cost of Living support pages. We are providing support and advice to help every resident in the borough cut their energy bills down and keep their homes warm this winter. Find out in two minutes what services you may be entitled to with our Lower Bills Calculator.
Our Community Living Rooms are also open for you to visit a warm space and meet a friendly face.
Image: Jon Tyson/Unsplash
Love South Chingford’s Repair Club is back at 228 Chingford Mount community space throughout January and February. Bring in your broken household items, including electrical and mechanical, apart from microwaves. And best of all, it’s free. You’ll only have to pay for replacement parts, if needed.
When: every Wednesday and Sunday between 10am to 3pm, until the end of February
Where: 228 Chingford Mount Road E4 8JL
Check out our video on Instagram where we show you all of the ways we can help to get you cycling this year – including with your four-legged friends!
If you’re keen to cycle more, or want to try it out for the first time, we’re here to help.
You can borrow a bike for free from the council for a refundable deposit. The loan includes a standard or cargo cycle for up to 30 days, complete with a helmet, lock and lights. Please note, the cargo cycles are very popular so you may need to join a waiting list.
Our Let’s Get Digital drop-in sessions are starting again to support you using your device or getting online. No need to book, just turn up and receive one-to-one support from a friendly Digital Champion volunteer:
- Leytonstone Library, Tuesdays 5pm to 7pm
- Wood Street Library, Wednesdays 5pm to 7pm
- Walthamstow Library, Fridays 2pm to 4pm
Our website also has information on more support across the borough from Chingford to Leyton, and ways to receive help at home.
Libraries2You offers monthly book deliveries for residents who cannot leave their homes to visit the library. We have a wide and multilingual range of books, audiobooks and DVDs to choose from, and our friendly volunteers are always happy to stop by and return your old books. We can deliver to Waltham Forest care homes and nursing homes too! Interested or know someone who could benefit from this service?
What extra spark will you add to your life in 2024 to help you feel happy and fulfilled?
💚Maybe you’d like to volunteer, helping build your community.
📚Maybe you’d like to spend more time reading books.
💍Maybe you’re thinking of popping the question to your loved one.
The Council can help you with all of that, and much more. Check out Part 2 of our Helping You Stick to your New Year's Resolutions blogpost by searching ‘resolutions’ on our website, or click on the button below.
Drop in to a webinar next Wednesday 17 January (6pm to 6.45pm) and get your questions answered about our 0 per cent interest energy upgrade loan, which will help with the upfront costs of boosting your home's energy efficiency.
The loan can cover solar panelling, other renewable energy, heat pumps, double glazing and insulation.
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DashDotDance’s fortnightly creative dance workshops offer an accessible and welcoming space for disabled young people and their siblings to dance together.
Explore, learn and create with the only dance company in East London to offer IRIS, the innovative inclusive dance syllabus created by Stopgap Dance Company – a “global leader of disability access in dance.”
Spring term 2024 sessions run on the following Mondays: 8 and 22 January, 5 and 19 February, 4 and 18 March.
- Juniors (8-12-years): 5.15-6pm
- Seniors (13-21-years): 6.15-7pm
Cost: £1.50 per session (free spaces available.)
Venue: Leyton Family Hub, 215 Queens Road, E17 8PJ.
To book or find out more, email Vicki at hello@dashdotdance@gmail.com.
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Image: @alexandriaphotography
Save the date: Waltham Forest Ceremonies wedding fair, 4 February 2024
Are you planning a wedding this year and in need of some inspiration? If so, then why not come along to the Waltham Forest Ceremonies wedding fair on Sunday 4 February 2024.
As a guest, you will have the opportunity to tour Fellowship Square and speak with our lovely registrars, as well as meet local businesses and vendors who can help bring your Pinterest vision board to life.
You’ll get a free glass of bubbly, and a goodie bag upon arrival, too!
We want to hear about brilliant buildings and amazing spaces that look great and meet the needs of people who use them like making them safe, environmentally friendly, and inclusive.
Nominations will be reviewed by an expert panel of judges (you can see them in our picture!), and shortlisted entries will be announced in spring 2024 along with the chance to vote for a people’s choice award. The awards ceremony will be held at the William Morris Gallery in summer 2024. Send in your nominations by 10am on Monday 15 January 2024.
Join contemporary artist Kelly Frank at William Morris Gallery for a guided painting session inspired by the work of JMW Turner and Hurvin Anderson, whose work features in the Gallery’s Radical Landscapes exhibition.
Using watercolour and masking techniques you will create an experimental map, exploring mindful painting practices, cartographical tools, and social mapping. The session is aimed at participants aged 60 and over and no experience of painting is necessary. Book with donation: pay what you wish.
When: Monday 15 January, 10.30am to 12pm
Where: William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London E17 4PP
🏫Apply for your child’s primary school place now
Children start school in the September after their fourth birthday.
If your child was born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020, you can now apply for them to start reception in September 2024. Don’t forget to make your application before the closing date of 15 January 2024.
Free training for future theatre technicians
Are you the person who always fixes the TV, or helps the family with their tech problems? Are you passionate about live events and wonder how it all works behind the scenes? Perhaps you already have some technical experience, but can’t get your foot in the door to start a new career?
Future Formed has partnered with some of London’s most exciting theatres – including Sadlers Wells, The Barbican and Soho Theatre, to create theatre technician training and paid placements across London.
Last year we supported 27 residents into training. Over 50 per cent of them used it as a springboard to launch a career in the backstage theatre roles. This is a rare opportunity to gain a foothold in an industry which is often incredibly hard to find a way into.
Applications close on Wednesday 24 January.
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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