Household Support Fund extended until next spring
Earlier this week, the new government announced that the Household Support Fund (HSF) would be extended for an extra six months through until March 2025.
We are pleased to have received the clarity we need about the future of this important fund in good time as we head into towards winter. The HSF, launched in 2021, has been invaluable in helping the most vulnerable in our community through the cost-of-living crisis.
The scheme was last extended in April this year. Since then, more than £600,000 in HSF funding has helped support thousands of local people, providing 116,485 free school meals for children, school holiday meal vouchers for more than 12,000 families, and direct payments to 1,800 vulnerable households.
It’s really important that anyone struggling or feeling the pressure financially looks into the other support on offer in Waltham Forest via our website. Additionally, Winter Fuel Payments are now linked exclusively to Pension Credit, so it's especially important that anyone on a lower income who is above state pension age takes the time to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit.
The Grenfell Inquiry yesterday published the second phase of its report into the horrific tragedy that killed 72 people in June 2017. Our thoughts remain with everybody affected by Grenfell, particularly those who lost family, friends and homes on that awful night.
The report makes for difficult reading. It shows how these households were failed on every level, both by public sector bodies and private companies. What will cause the most heartbreak for the families of those lost is that this tragedy could, and should, have been prevented. The onus is now on us to show that we take the learnings from the Grenfell tragedy very seriously and that we will act in response to the inquiry’s recommendations.
As a Council we are committed to doing everything we can to improve building safety as part of our work to tackle the housing crisis. We have invested over £40m in a comprehensive building safety programme to make our high-rise blocks even safer through upgrades like retrofitting sprinkler systems since 2017, and improved overall housing standards for people living in high rise accommodation. However, we recognise there is much more to do – it is crucial that we continue to make progress quickly.
We will read the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report closely and act wherever necessary in response to the recommendations. We will do all we can, working closely with the government and our residents at every step to ensure everyone is safe in their homes.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Please note, if your postcode is IG8, your nearest events will appear under E4. If you live in E7 or E15, check out E11. You can also find online events on our website.
 It's back! The Mount Festival returns to Albert Crescent on Saturday 14 September from 11am.
Albert Crescent, E4 will be free of traffic for the day with an abundance of fun things for all the family, from music and performance to food, activity taster sessions, face painting, children's play, market stalls and opportunities to link in with local organisations and see the amazing work they do in the community.
 The autumn 2024 Best Start in Life (BSiL) timetable contains a full list of all the sessions for under-fives you’ll find at our four Family Hub areas. Check the Chingford, Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone sections to see the autumn timetables for all locations, including Family Hubs, libraries and many other community spaces across the borough.
We are keen to get your feedback on the BSiL sessions, so if you want more certain activities or to tell us how to improve or what works, let us know by filling in this survey.
 Tour de Waltham Forest is coming up in just a few weeks! We’re gearing up for the best Tour yet on Sunday 22 September. If you haven’t yet, take a look at the Eventbrite page for all of the event info and FAQs, and grab your free places.
To help you prepare, we have lots of Dr Bike sessions taking place this month across the borough, including one a week in the lead up to the Tour. This is a chance to bring your bike along and have our mechanics take a look and make adjustments for free. You can see all of the dates and locations here.
If you or your family would like some free cycling lessons, we have availability in the next couple of weeks from our providers Cycling Instructor. Fill out their form to request your lessons.
 Feeling the urge to get moving after watching the Paralympics? You’re in luck! We’ve just launched a new hub showing just some of the ways you can get moving in Waltham Forest.
It can be easy to build movement into your daily life, all while having fun. There are lots of ways to do it, with accessible classes, community-led activities or walking and cycling groups being just a few examples. If you or a family member are living with a disability, there are a range of inclusive, adapted and all-ability options for you in the borough.
 Join us in Fellowship Square from 6pm this Saturday 7 September for a special outdoor screening of the much-loved classic Hollywood musical Calamity Jane! The film follows the life of the heroine who would prefer shooting targets than chasing men - until she falls for Wild Bill Hickok (Howard Keel), who would never pursue a tomboy like Calamity Jane.
Full price tickets are £12 with £8 concession tickets available. Snacks and drinks will be available and attendees are encouraged to bring something to sit on.Â
 Whether you like it or not, the festive season is fast-approaching. This December, why not elevate your Christmas celebration by hosting it at William Morris Gallery!
Nestled in the heart of Lloyd Park, this venue offers the perfect blend of historic charm and contemporary elegance, ensuring your event is nothing short of spectacular. Contact venues@walthamforest.gov.uk to discuss party options for 2024.Â
 We are undertaking essential works to resurface Hoe Street between Pendlestone Road and Lea Bridge Road from 9 September 2024 to 18 September 2024 between 9pm and 5am.
During these times, access to this part of Hoe Street and the following side roads will be closed: Pendlestone Road, Grove Road, Granville Road, Clarendon Road, Boundary Road, Bakers Avenue, Livingstone Road, Poplars Road and Sycamore Path.
Give cancer a shake with coffee and cake
Walthamstow Central Baptist Church at 101 Orford Road, E17 is hosting a Macmillan Big Coffee Morning and Cake Sale on Saturday 28 September 2024 from 10.30am to 1pm.
Come and enjoy some delicious homemade cakes and homemade jams while supporting the fight against cancer.Â
Primary and secondary school applications open
If your child is in Year 6 and was born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014, they are eligible to apply for secondary school places, starting September 2025. Year 7 applications close on 31 October 2024.
If your child was born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021, they are eligible to apply for primary school places, starting September 2025. Reception applications close on 15 January 2025.Â
Count those beans!
Choosing a career in accounting can provide job security, excellent earning potential and a variety of career paths. Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service are offering a range of AAT Accountancy and Bookkeeping courses starting in September, for people with little to no prior experience.
You will study part-time and courses can be completed in a relatively short period, so you can quickly enter the job market. Those on a low wage or receiving certain benefits may qualify for a 100% or 70% concession.
Baffled by scaffold?
If you live in Waltham Forest you can apply for a free CISRS Construction Operative Training Scheme (COTS). This one-day course, usually costing £200, is for people who are new to scaffolding and teaches the basics of the industry and how to work safely with scaffolding and access equipment. The free course is being offered by SIMIAN LASC (London Academy of Sustainable Construction). For more information and to apply, email bookings@simian-risk.com or phone 0345 6022 418.
Green and serene
Our free Green Construction Jobsfest is coming up on Wednesday 18 September. This is for anyone, at any stage of their career, with an interest in construction: whether that’s in brickwork, wind turbine engineering, roofing, air and heat source heating and much more!
Careers guidance
Our Participation Service are offering weekly one-to-one careers guidance appointments for 16 and 17-year-olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). Â
Personal appointments with a level 6 qualified careers adviser are available every Thursday at Leyton Library from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Sessions could include:
- One-to-one careers guidance to help you plan your next steps.
- Details on open days and vacancies.
- Support with applying to college and applying for jobs.
- How to search for an apprenticeship or jobs and writing a CV.
- Interview practice.
Those interested - including parents and carers - should email participationservice@walthamforest.gov.uk or telephone on 020 8496 1920 between 10.30am and 3pm on Wednesday to Friday.
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.Â
You can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website, and check out our LinkedIn.
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