The crisis isn't over
The cost-of-living crisis is still hitting many families hard and we continue to offer a range of support for people struggling with their finances in Waltham Forest.
Pension Credit in particular can be a lifeline for people of state pension age on low incomes, with many pensioners unaware of the support available. Indeed, an estimated 3,300 people in Waltham Forest are eligible for Pension Credit but are not signed up to receive it.
With Winter Fuel Payments now linked to Pension Credit, it's especially important to check if you are eligible and claim Pension Credit as soon as possible - from four months before you reach state pension age. You can get help with applying at our Pension Credit drop-in sessions, starting from Monday 14 October and continuing every Monday until Christmas, from 1pm to 3pm at Walthamstow Library.
As well as doing what we can to support residents, we are also determined to ensure that every pound spent by the Council comes alongside as many additional benefits as possible. Published last week, our latest Social Value Impact report demonstrates how we have been able to unlock more than £47 million in socio-economic and environmental value for residents since 2020.
We set a clear expectation with our suppliers here in Waltham Forest that we will work to deliver maximum benefit for local communities, so that our economy includes everyone. This work has so far provided 700 sustainable jobs for local people, diverted 7,279 tonnes of waste from landfill and meant an estimated £12 million extra in spent in our local economy.
By collaborating closely with suppliers here in Waltham Forest, we will work to ensure Council decisions continue to deliver as many real benefits for local communities as possible.
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.
 Looking for ways to build healthy habits and stick to them? Maximus is a service funded by the Council to provide free healthy living courses for our residents.
If you’d like to know more about living healthily, including creating lifelong habits that make a difference, sign up to one of the Maximus programmes. The deadline for adults and youth (teenager) programmes is tomorrow, Friday 27 September and the deadline for the Families programme is Friday 4 October.
 The Hive (formerly Suntrap) are hosting a personal wellbeing workshop on Saturday 12 October. Activities will combine lessons from nature, mindfulness, therapeutic and creative activities, giving you lots of takeaways for your everyday life. The workshop will be led by their Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner. Find out more here.
If you enjoy spending time outdoors working with liked-minded people, then we would welcome your help. From Sunday 13 October we will be holding monthly Sunday morning volunteer induction sessions. Please email thehive@walthamforest.gov.uk for more information.
 The Resue and Fair is taking place this Sunday 29 September from 12pm to 4pm at Handsworth Primary School, Highams Park.
There will be support from local community groups on reuse, repair, repurposing and upcycling for all manner of everyday items. Members of the local community are also talkin’ tools on a new podcast from Artillery Arts, which is well worth a listen for anyone who wants to know more about the Fair on 29 September.
 That's right, it’s Organ Donation Week!
There are more than 7,500 people in the UK waiting for an organ transplant, but only around 1,400 donors a year. It takes just 2 minutes to confirm that you want to be an organ donor, and you could save up to nine lives.
 Leytonstone’s Southfield Court – a 1970s four storey hostel with 40 flats – recently completed a state-of-the-art retrofit courtesy of contractors Aston Group, resulting in a major energy efficiency upgrade. Interim tests indicate Southfield Court will provide an improved Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B and a 60% reduction in energy use estimated to save more than £17,000 in energy bills per year.
 Join Stow Film Lounge on the Fellowship Square lawns from 6pm on Saturday 5 October, for a special screening of Amazing Grace in celebration of Black History Month. The 2018 documentary/concert film stars the legendary Aretha Franklin. It was shot in 1972 over a 48-hour period in Watts’ New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, this stirring document captured the live recording of the most successful gospel album in history. Doors open 6pm. Refreshments and snacks are on sale. No seating will be provided, please bring something to sit on.
 Last Saturday (21 September) was World Alzheimer’s Day, so we spoke to Cllr Sharon Waldron, Mayor of Waltham Forest, about her personal experiences.
Cllr Waldron has seen the impact dementia has had on her mother, once a beacon of the community who has slowly lost her independence over the years.
The Mayor has picked the Alzheimer’s Society as one of her chosen charities for the year, saying: “It’s really important that people know how to prevent dementia rather than accepting it as a natural part of growing older.” You can donate on their website.
 On Thursday 19 September, we celebrated the launch of the revised and updated Waltham Forest Local Heritage List at Stafford Hall, E17 with the community, following a public call for new nominations that took place earlier this year.
We received over 140 Local Heritage List nominations from the public and of these, 93 new additions have been made to the list. Every area has seen at least one new addition and for the first time.
 What’s going on over at CRATE St James Street this autumn?
CRATE's businesses are ready to welcome you: whether it’s getting your cycle serviced, booking in for a sports massage, browsing for dog accessories or vinyl records, or treating yourself to a facial. The Untraditional Pub's Oktoberfest is well underway – enjoy one of their specially-brewed Festbiers or a range of non-alcoholic drinks.
Classes are in full swing in the upstairs space - try your hand(s) at African drumming, Tai Chi, yoga, Qi Gong and much more. You can also get your fill from any one of the great eateries including Sri Lankan, Caribbean, Thai, Italian food or vegan chicken.
Laser precision
Join Zara for an exciting one-day workshop at Walthamstow Pumphouse Community Workshop, "The Tool House" this Sunday 27 October. Dive into the world of laser cutting and learn to transform 2D designs into stunning 3D objects, signs, jewellery, and more. With live demos and hands-on practice, you'll gain the skills to create your own unique projects. Perfect for beginners.
Don't wanna miss a thing
Movie nights are fantastic, but perhaps sometimes, the living room TV just doesn't cut it. At Library of Things Leytonstone, you can borrow a variety of things, saving money, space and the environment - including our projectors, which retail for around £370, to top off your movie nights from just £15 per day!
Customer Service Jobs Fair
Waltham Forest Jobs is hosting a Customer Services Jobs Fair at Walthamstow Library on Thursday 10 October. Whether you are unemployed or looking for a career change, this free event offers you the chance to connect with employers and will showcase a diverse array of career opportunities in security, retail, leisure and hospitality.
Bear with me
The Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Sharon Waldron, is raffling off a large teddy bear - courtesy of our friends at Project Zero - for charity, with all proceeds going to the Mayor's Charity ventures. Each guess costs £2 and the competition ends on Friday 8 November.
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).
Personal appointments with a level 6 qualified careers adviser are available every Thursday at Leyton Library from 10am to 4pm. 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.
You can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website, and check out our LinkedIn.
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