Our cultural fabric
The residents of Waltham Forest have always stood together against the forces of hatred and division – never more so than during the calm and peaceful anti-racism demonstration in Walthamstow over the summer.
Islamophobia is an insidious form of hatred, the effects of which are felt every day by those in our Muslim community. 'Seeds of change' is the theme of this year’s Islamophobia Awareness Month and each and every one of us plays a small role in making widespread and meaningful change occur.
That’s why we’ve been out and about hosting school assemblies and working with mosques to promote hate crime reporting. You can also come and talk to our officers about your experience of Islamophobia and the support available for victims and witnesses of hate crime in one of the themed pop-ups taking place in libraries across the borough. Next week’s sessions take place at Walthamstow Library on Tuesday 19 November between 1pm and 3pm and again on Wednesday 20 November from 5pm to 6.30pm.
Our Muslim community is an integral part of the cultural fabric of our wonderfully diverse borough and beyond. This is a theme explored in the exhibition William Morris and Art from the Islamic World, which I’d encourage everyone to visit. Time Out has called one of the best spontaneous things to do in East London this autumn.
Speaking of arts and culture, William Morris Gallery is also hosting a special free Winter Late evening on Thursday 21 November, featuring crafts, exhibition tours, and our flagship Make It Happen 2025 programme is now open for submissions celebrating the diversity of Waltham Forest communities and local talent. Organisations can apply for grants between £1,000 and £15,000 for events to be delivered between May and December 2025. Read through the guidance pack for more information or join one of our tailored workshops designed to help you throughout the application process.
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.
 Starting from Monday 25 November, the Council is taking part in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a UN Women initiative to help educate people about violence against women and girls (VAWG). 16 Days of Activism events taking place include community quilt making and opportunities to meet our VAWG Team at local libraries, ending with a remembrance vigil at the Town Hall on Tuesday 10 December to honour those who have lost their lives to gender-based violence.
Our Stand By Her bystander intervention training gives you the tools to safely offer help if you see a women being harassed. The next session will take place on Tuesday 3 December over Zoom, between 6pm to 8.30pm.
 The consultation on improvements to Whipps Cross Road closes on Monday 18 November. To further improve the area for active travel, we are now planning to create two separate paths for pedestrians and for cyclists. As well as upgrading the path, we are addressing issues around motor vehicle dominance, safety and speeding, introducing safer crossing points and improving the way the area looks and feels.
 Experience the festive season in Waltham Forest with ways to get active and have fun, special shows and performances, exhibitions and much more. Whether you are looking for days out for the family, activities for children, or ways to spend time with friends, there's something for all ages.
Highlights include the brilliant Leytonstone Christmas lights switch-on event at St John’s Church Leytonstone on Thursday 21 November between 4pm and 6.30pm and the Wood Street Wonderland on Friday 29 November featuring lots of fun games, entertainment, market stalls, food and drink to enjoy.
 This winter, Waltham Forest Holiday Activity Programme will be running free activities for school aged children who are in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals (FSM) from Friday 20 December to Friday 3 January 2025. The programme provides children and young people free fun range of enrichment and sporting activities and enjoy a daily meal.
Booking is essential for all eligible children on all activities, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
 Looking for a fulfilling career in care? Then join us on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, from 10am to 2pm at Walthamstow Library, E17 7JN.
Meet with employers including Haven Care Ltd, Sunlight Care Group, ME Passport and In Home Care, who are hiring for positions like Care Assistant, Support Worker, Registered Nurse and more. Bring your CV and prepare for on-the-spot interviews or secure one for a later date. Don't miss this chance to launch or advance your career in the care sector.
 Next week you may notice some activity taking place over the Fellowship Square fountains, Revel Puck will be setting up their festive Spiegeltent from Monday 25 November, erecting a temporary structure over the fountains to keep them protected.
Access and use of Town Hall and the rest of the Fellowship Square Campus will not be affected by the works. Due to cold weather conditions the Fellowship Square fountains are usually switched off throughout the winter months. This coincides with Revel Puck Circus’ residency during December and into early January 2025.
Don’t forget residents can enjoy a 15% discount on all shows by using code WFLOCAL at checkout.
 We are providing free, drop-in sessions for people over 65 and those with disabilities who want help using their phone and/or tablet. Attendees need to bring their device, and you'll receive friendly support from an AbilityNet trainer. No need to book, just turn up.
They take place at Friday Hill TMO Office, 19 Chingdale Road E4 6HZ on Tuesday 19 November between 11am and 12.30pm and Tuesday 26 November between 11am and 12.30pm.
 It's National School Meals Week until Friday 15 November, and the focus is on healthy eating in schools. Waltham Forest has become the first London Borough to drop the standard sugar and salt-laden school ketchup and replace it with Real Good Ketchup, specially designed for children.
 If you missed Inside Out 2, or if the kids are ready to rewatch it, join Stow Film Lounge on Saturday 30 November for a screening in the Town Hall foyer. On the evening of Friday 29 November you can catch Thelma, the story of a 93-year-old grandmother taking revenge on a con artist.
Back to the garden
Art Forest School are hosting a Sensory Sand Garden session for children and young people with disabilities at Good Forest Studios on Sunday 24 November between 1pm and 2.30pm. The session takes inspiration from Japanese Zen gardens and the 'Shadow Boxes' of the 20th Century American artist Joseph Cornell, giving children the opportunity to make art in a way that appeals to their inbuilt inquisitiveness and creativity.
Friends of Lloyd Park Festive Fayre
Join us on Sunday 15 December from 12pm to 5pm for an afternoon of seasonal entertainment with festive drinks and snacks and childrens’ craft activities. Friends Of Lloyd Park Stall will be selling mulled wine, hot apple (with/without rum), and hot chocolate. Entertainment will include Ukelele17, Natural Voice Choir, Sing27, La Touche Gospel Choir and much more.
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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