Waltham Forest's new university opens its doors for the first time
Back in March 2022 we announced plans to work with the University of Portsmouth to bring its new London campus to Waltham Forest. This weekend sees the doors of that campus opening for the first time as prospective students get the chance to look inside its new base in Juniper House, opposite Walthamstow Central station, as UoP London hosts its first open day.
It’s estimated the campus will boost the borough’s economy by up to £372 million over the next 20 years, providing an estimated 500 jobs, as well as opportunities for businesses across the borough. As it expands over the next five years, between 3,000 and 4,000 students are expected to be studying here, including many from Waltham Forest.
Around 90 postgraduate students are set to begin next month, with undergraduates joining them in September. The campus is an exciting opportunity for our residents to get a world-class education on their doorstep, with courses designed to give students the skills they need to compete in our local jobs market, as well as benefit from all that university life in London offers. There are scholarships and bursaries to help residents who may never have otherwise considered university to be supported financially as they study. If you know someone who might be interested, please do encourage them to check out the UoP London website and to book a spot at the open day this Saturday, 27 April, from 10am to 12.15pm.
Opening up education and opportunity to more people is an important part of our Mission Waltham Forest plans. Seeing University of Portsmouth London open its doors this weekend is the start of an exciting period for the borough and I can't wait to welcome the first students next month.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
 The impressive flower wall at the new campus
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
 The amazing Alison Steadman and Roger Sloman in Mike Leigh's classic, Nuts In May
Stow Film Lounge is taking us out onto the Fellowship Square grounds for a special outdoor screening of Mike Leigh’s much-loved comedy classic Nuts In May on Saturday 4 May. The film's leads Roger Sloman and Alison Steadman will be reunited once again to take part in a post-film Q&A - and possibly a few songs. In the spirit and indomitable style of Keith and Candice Marie the audience is encouraged to wear jumpers, legwarmers, flat caps and bobble hats.
In partnership with Pillars brewery there will be on-site refreshments, music and pre-film entertainment. So bring your picnic blankets, cushions or camping chairs to enjoy the great British outdoors with this rarely screened gem on an inflatable super screen.
 From top, left to right: our Under 15 and Under 17 girls, Under 15 boys, Under 17 boys and Under 13 girls teams pose with their medals
Last Saturday, 20 April, 29 young people from Waltham Forest took part in the TCS London Mini Marathon.
The race gives the UK’s most promising young athletes from London boroughs, regions and home nations the chance to compete against the best new talent in British road running over a 2.6k course.
Over the years, the event has launched the careers of international athletics stars including Laura Muir, Keely Hodgkinson and Josh Kerr – not to mention Sir Mo Farah, who won the Mini Marathon three times.
 Chingford Library Digital Champion, Elita
Chingford residents, do you need support getting online or using your device? Our Let’s Get Digital drop-in help sessions take place every Thursday 3pm to 5pm at Chingford Library, The Green.
Look out for our Digital Champion volunteers in pink t-shirts who will be available to provide you with free, one to one help from setting up your phone, to online banking/shopping, and much more.
 In the week of William Shakespeare's birthday, we bring you news of the East London Shakespeare Festival's latest offering, the romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing.
It's due to be performed in parks across Waltham Forest in June and July. Gates open an hour before the show, so bring a picnic and head down early to soak up the atmosphere.
- Previews: Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June, Higham Hill Hub, E17
- Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 June, Leyton Jubilee Park, E10
- Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 June, Fellowship Square, E17
- Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July, Highams Park, IG8
- Wednesday 31 July, Langthorne Park Amphitheatre, E11
 If you’ve been struggling to get to William Morris Gallery before 5pm, you will be able to visit until 8pm on Thursdays from May to September. Take advantage of the summer opening hours to enjoy Art Without Heroes: Mingei. Deeney’s Café will also be open to enjoy drinks inside the glasshouse and on the veranda, overlooking a sunlit Lloyd Park.
On selected Thursdays, the gallery will also be hosting special Open Nights – more announcements on this coming soon!
 To help parents get involved, there's a £70 nappy voucher available for every baby in our borough. By using just one reusable nappy a day instead of a disposable one, you can save almost a thousand disposable ones from incineration. Switching full time can also save you up to £200 per year.
 Some 70 per cent of homes in Waltham Forest were built before 1944. Retrofitting can play a huge part in making them more energy efficient, helping to keep them warmer and cheaper for residents to live in. Measures like installing solar panels, heat pumps and insulation can make a huge difference.
If you're a local builder, electrician, plumber or other trades person, our free Green Homes webinar is a great opportunity to learn more about retrofitting and training opportunities in Waltham Forest. It takes place online on Wednesday 1 May from 8.30am to 10am.
 The NHS bowel cancer screening kit can detect signs of cancer before you notice anything wrong, making it easier to treat it.
The kit is usually sent to you every two years by the NHS if you’re between 54 and 74 years old and registered with a GP.
If you’ve received it in the post, put it close to your loo so you don’t put it off.
If you've misplaced your bowel cancer screening kit you can order a replacement here.
 World Immunisation Week is celebrating 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). The EPI ensures children and adults are vaccinated and protected from over 13 serious illnesses, giving them a chance to thrive.
Vaccines can protect yourself and others, so it’s important that when they're offered, to you or your children, you take up the chance.
Child immunisations rates are unfortunately quite low in Waltham Forest, and with measles cases rising in London, we want to remind parents and residents to speak to their GPs to make sure their children MMR vaccinations, as well as others are up to date.
Covid boosters: book now
If you’re invited to get a spring 2024 Covid-19 booster jab, please take up the chance.
 The bridge will be replaced this summer
Overground services disruption this summer: details
There will be no trains on the Chingford to Liverpool Street line between Chingford and Hackney Downs for 16 consecutive days this summer. This will affect services from Highams Park, Wood Street, Walthamstow Central and St James Street, as well as Chingford. Services between Stratford and Meridian Water via Lea Bridge will also be affected.
Essential work on a 150-year-old bridge on the line near Hackney Downs means bus replacement services will run between Saturday 20 July and Sunday 4 August.
 Mayfair makes a return to Lloyd Park
The annual Mayfair returns to Lloyd Park on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May, from noon to 5pm.
The event, organised by the Walthamstow Friends of Lloyd Park, will feature food and drink stalls, Morris and Maypole dancers and activities for all the family including adrenaline-pumping action at the skate park and on the basketball court.
If you want to enter your pooch for the popular dog show, advance registration runs from Saturday 27 April to Saturday 4 May. Visit the Mayfair Facebook events page on Saturday 27 April for registration details
Don't get caught out by housing scams
Our Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) is currently conducting a joint investigation with Newham, Islington and Lambeth councils into Right to Buy and housing waiting list scams. This is in relation to an alleged fraudster's Instagram and Snapchat accounts claiming to give priority status to secure council accommodation via the Housing Allocation system, as well as speeding up the Right to Buy process.
Millions of cyber-crimes and phishing scams are reported every year to the police so please be vigilant. The Metropolitan Police has created a series of books and videos with info on common scams and advice on how to stay safe online. For more information and learn how to protect yourself online, visit the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System website.
If you would like to make a genuine Right to Buy application to purchase your council property, please visit our website.
If you feel you may have been a victim of one of the above scams, email fraud@walthamforest.gov.uk.
🎼May half-term music courses for young people
Youth Choir
For young people aged 11 to 16 who love to sing. No previous singing or musical experience is needed - just your voice and enthusiasm to sing.
Thursday 30th May, 10am to 3pm, Holy Family Catholic School and Sixth Form, E17 3EA.
Tickets: £25 plus £2.80 booking fee per student.
Soundshapers Creative Music Ensemble
The two-day project will have a focus on making fresh sounds through jamming, exploration and composition. It is open to musicians in Years 7 to 11 who play an instrument at Grade 1+ , intermediate or advanced standard.
Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 May, 10am to 3pm, Holy Family Catholic School and Sixth Form, E17 3EA.
Tickets: £50 plus £4.88 booking fee per student.
Free digital skills training for over 65s
Ability Net is running free digital skills training sessions for over 65s at Priory Court Community Centre, 11 Priory Court, E17 5NB. No need to book, just turn up.
- Friday 26 April, 10.30am to 12pm: Using social media
- Friday 3 May, 10.30am to 12pm: Booking GP appointments
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.
|
