Safer Routes
20 per cent of young people aged between 13 and 17 have been the victim of violence, according to the Youth Endowment Report's most recent survey of more than 10,000 teenagers in England and Wales.
In the capital, we know that the vicious cycle of youth violence - particularly knife crime - is driven by a belief among young people that they need to be prepared to defend themselves. Through our conversations with young people in Waltham Forest, we know that they feel the most unsafe in the hours after school or sixth form specifically.
This is the motivation behind the Safer Routes programme, a brand new initiative co-designed by young people to help keep them safe in the times and places they feel most vulnerable.
Funded across the whole borough for the next two years into early 2027, fully qualified teams - from our provider Creative Engagement Services - are being stationed along heavy footfall areas near schools and high streets between 3pm and 6pm each weekday to help ensure the safety of young people, offering guidance and pathways to diversionary activities and services in the borough.
So far, the programme has seen an overwhelmingly positive response from schools, young people, parents and local businesses. If you have interacted with Safer Routes, we would also love to hear feedback and suggestions.
On a related note, we are also hosting a public Community Safety webinar in partnership with the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday 2 April from 6pm to 7pm, to provide updates on crime and community safety and respond directly to residents' questions. If you would like ask council, police, or neighbourhood officers about any of your community safety concerns, you may submit a question in advance.
We need your input to ensure that all residents in Waltham Forest feel safe, welcome and included in their homes and communities.
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.
 From next week, black bins (refuse) will be collected every two weeks rather than weekly for residents living in kerbside properties.
Those with a communal bin will still receive weekly collections.
For some residents, this change will begin on the week beginning Monday 24 March, and for others it will start on the week of Monday 31 March.
 Leytonstone celebrated the launch of its new Leytonstone Entertainment Guide with an event last Saturday.
Open Leytonstone saw local businesses coming together to put on events, activities and performances throughout the day.
The Leytonstone Entertainment Guide was codesigned with the Leytonstone Town Team, made up of local businesses and resident representatives.
 The Morris Mania exhibition opens at William Morris Gallery on Saturday 5 April and tells the story of William Morris's iconic designs, their lasting influence, and their widespread presence in popular culture. Get involved! Donate or lend Morris-patterned objects either now, or throughout the run of the show. Help to document the ways in which Morris design is often a backdrop to our everyday lives by submitting your photos to the Living with Morris photo archive. Are you living with any Morris patterns in your home? Send your images to: wmg.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk.
 Taking part in their short 10-minute survey will help them understand how they can improve the visitor experience on their reserves. We hope you enjoyed your latest visits, even if you haven’t been to the Wetlands recently please consider taking the time to give them your feedback. You’ll also be in with the chance to win a £20 shopping voucher by participating.
 Planning permission has been granted to repurpose the railway arches in Courtney Place, by St James underground station in Walthamstow.
The proposals form part of a transformation plan to grow the local economy and improve community safety with the potential for the arches to be used for office space, workshops, shops, small food and drink establishments.
Delivery of these improvements is subject to ongoing surveys, discussions with key rail infrastructure partners and landowners, and cost assessments.
 Get your tickets for Waltham Forest's homegrown independent music festival, taking place in Leytonstone on Saturday 3 May, with over 20 live artists and DJs across various amazing venues.
The line-up includes Alexis Taylor, Bill Brewster, Sophie Jamieson, Nadeem Din-Gabisi, with a BBC Introducing Stage featuring Lewis Daniel, Graecyn, Kemi Ade and much more, watch out for further announcements in the coming weeks. One ticket will get you access to all the music - starting at lunchtime and running until late.
 Did you know that you don’t need a big house to foster? If you have space in your bedroom for a cot, you could foster babies. Older children need a spare room.
To find out more please visit www.localcommunityfostering.co.uk or join our fostering information coffee drop in at Hale End Library on Tuesday 25 March from 10.30am to 2pm. It’s a great opportunity to find out more about the support and training we offer and to hear the real-life experience of a foster carer.
 Waltham Forest residents aged 50 and above who live in local sheltered housing are benefitting from interactive cooking classes this winter. The programme is part of a joint wellbeing push from the council’s Independent Living Service, Early Help Teams and the Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service.
So far more than 50 residents from across three different sheltered housing schemes have been taught how to use the popular energy-saving cooking appliance, the air fryer. The four-week culinary classes are not just about learning new healthy recipes and building on existing cooking skills; they're also helping residents to be safer and more cost effective in the kitchen, whilst stirring joy and encouraging socialisation whilst learning.
 Come join Mile Rainbow's East Asian Dance Club, taking place every Saturday, from 5 April to 13 December 2025.
Experience gentle martial arts, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese dance, as well as Hip Hop, Bollywood, Urban, Contemporary dance & more! Open to all ages 3 and above and adults, no booking required—just show up!
Open day for people on the council housing register
If you're on the housing register and would like to find out about alternative housing options, register now to attend our Housing Options Open Day on Wednesday 16 April at Frederick Bremer School, Siddeley Road, London E17 4EY.
There are three hourly sessions, from 9.30am, 11.30am and 2.30pm.
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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