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Recognising our community heroes
I’m thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the Pride of Waltham Forest Awards 2025. These awards are a celebration of our community and the people who work so hard to make it a friendly, supportive, diverse, sustainable, and creative place to live.
It’s always a highlight of the year for me to look through the hundreds of nominations we receive. At the last awards, we recognised community heroes including Tommy, a street cleaner in Chingford, who received an overwhelming number of nominations; Ruby, an inspiring young person who had survived a brain tumour; East London Out Project (elop), for their outstanding work supporting the local LGBTQI+ community; the Women Over Fifty Film Festival, who worked with care homes to provide film screenings for older residents; and many more.
You can submit as many nominations as you like across the nine awards categories so please do think about who deserves some recognition and get your nominations in - they can be for an individual, community group or business. We’ll be celebrating the finalists with a ceremony at the Town Hall in September.
I really hope those celebrating Eid al-Adha last weekend had a joyful and peaceful time. It was great to see our diverse culture celebrated across the borough and we were lucky enough to enjoy a staff Eid Picnic at the Town Hall earlier this week.
Eid Mubarak!
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
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What's happening where you are |
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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.
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Free Refugee Week community events |
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 There are a number of free community events and fundraisers taking place next week for Refugee Week. The programme includes free film screenings, art exhibitions, music and poetry, comedy from HAVEN Coffee, a community celebration from Waltham Forest Migrant Action and a free community lunch organised by St Barnabas Church.
There will also be a free family art workshop run by refugees with lived experience of displacement, featuring hands-on activities for children of all ages on Thursday 19 June from 3.30pm to 5pm at Lea Bridge Library, just drop in.
Most events are free or donation based and open to the whole community.
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Celebrate people, plants and community
Come and celebrate Refugee Week on summer’s longest day - Friday 20 June - from 3.30pm to 9pm at OrganicLea’s 12 acre market garden and woodland edge, 115 Hawkwood Cres, Chingford, E4 7UH.
There will be stories to highlight the global journeys of common plants, music from a range of artists including Mbilla Arts with drums and miremba for all to join, and food served from 7pm to 8pm.
The event is free and open to all. For more details and to register contact activities@organiclea.org.uk or call 020 8524 4994.
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Makin' Make It Happen, happen |
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 Our mission is for Waltham Forest to be a great place to live and age well – ensuring all residents can live healthier, longer and more independent lives regardless of their age.
Being creative and taking part in cultural activities can help keep us well, aid recovery from illnesses and contribute to longer, better lives. As part of the delivery of our Cultural Action Plan, this year we are funding the Make It Happen 2025 projects to specifically focus on creative health. Activities are due to take place throughout the year supporting the health and wellbeing of our residents through arts and culture.
Congratulations to the ten recipients who will be delivering these events and activities with residents all around the borough.
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Hold forth in Chingford North (North Chingford) |
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 Get ready to bring the past to life and celebrate the rich history and culture of North Chingford during the first ever North Chingford Heritage Festival happening this summer from Saturday, 21 June to Sunday, 6 July 2025.
The festival will include heritage bus tours, walks, talks, open houses, heritage train rides, children’s craft, theatre, film ,music, exhibitions, and much more.
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 Make your summer unforgettable, with free events and activities to art trails, exhibitions and the great outdoors – there is something for everyone to enjoy right on your doorstep. Here, we will be sharing some highlights and inspiration to help you get the most out of your borough. Whether you are looking for activities suitable for the family, the children or friends, of all ages – Discover Your Summer in Waltham Forest.
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 Carers make amazing contributions to families and communities throughout Waltham Forest, and this Carers Week, we want to highlight what's available to you as an unpaid carer.
If you care for someone but aren't sure if you're classed as an unpaid carer, you can get a carers assessment. There's also lots of support available from our commissioned charity Carers First.
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 Looking for a fun and creative way to spend time with your teen? Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service is offering two free, hands-on workshops designed for parents and young people to enjoy together at Queens Road Learning Centre, Walthamstow.
On Wednesday 18 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm you can learn sugar craft techniques to decorate birthday themed biscuits.
On Wednesday 2 July from 6.30tp to 8.30pm, you can learn how to deisng and sew a personalised felt pennant to hand up at home.
Places are free but limited so book now to secure your spot.
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 Windrush 2025 celebrations in Waltham Forest will once again showcase the very best in Afro-Caribbean music, food art and history in celebration of the Windrush Generation and their legacy.
Throughout June our programme includes Windrush Day performances, a Refugee Week lunch, craft workshops in libraries across the borough and a Freedom Walk with local historian Peter Ashan.
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Have your on Drapers Field play area |
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 The play area in Drapers Field, Leyton is set for an ambitious refurbishment project thanks to £250,000 of funding secured by Waltham Forest Council from local housing growth. We want the families who use the current facilities to be at the forefront of shaping the future of the play area. Please email the council with your thoughts on the project.
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You voice matters on housing! |
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 We'd like to hear from all Waltham Forest council tenants, leaseholders or shared owners living in a council-managed property. Please share your views and feedback to help shape the draft housing policies we're developing, specifically the Asbestos Policy and Fire Safety Policy.
Be quick, as resident consultation closes next week on Thursday 19 June, we’re looking forward to hearing from you.
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A whole lotta Shakespeare going on |
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 The East London Shakespeare Festival are playing a number of venues across Waltham Forest this summer, including their first-ever BSL interpreted performance in Walthamstow's Lloyd Park on Saturday 21 June.
Expect music, cabaret, slapstick, and joyful chaos in our Forest of Arden. Bring a picnic, join pre-show craft workshops, and enjoy a magical event for all ages.
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Yellow Heat Health Alert issued
Warm weather, thunderstorms, and a very high pollen count are forecast in London from today until Sunday. This can affect everyone – get advice on staying well in the heat from Waltham Forest Council.
For people with asthma or lung conditions, this weather may trigger breathing issues. Always carry your inhaler or medication. Visit Asthma + Lung UK for tips on staying safe. For urgent medical advice, call NHS 111.
If you are concerned that somebody sleeping rough might be struggling with the hot weather, visit thestreetlink.org.uk/ or call 0300 500 0914.
Resident News
Resident News is a newsletter that goes out to all council tenants and leaseholders across the borough, its currently out for delivery and will land on your doormat shortly. But if you'd like a sneak peek, and to keep up to date with all things housing, you can access a digital version via the link below.
Nurturing emotional resilience for youth and families
Mile Rainbow CIC (MR.CIC) invites you to a free five-week programme starting Thursday 19 June at the Seddon Centre (Small Hall), 33 Clyde Place, London E10 5AS.
Through a unique blend of Eastern and Western creative, physical, and reflective activities, we support young people and families in building emotional resilience—helping them thrive before stress takes hold.
Town hall tour, that's the cure
Join Joanna Moncrieff for a tour of Waltham Forest Town Hall on Saturday 21 June, spend the day discovering the architectural and social history of our borough's iconic Art Deco Town Hall building. You'll see behind-the-scenes areas such as the Council Chamber and basement bunkers and enjoy exploring the exterior of the building, discovering the various sculptures you may not have noticed before.
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Opportunities for residents |
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Energy Upgrade Loan offer extended
Our pioneering Energy Upgrade Loan offer to residents has now been extended to Friday 27 June. The loan supports residents to improve their home’s energy efficiency and save serious cash on their bills in the long-term without up-front costs. It is 0 percent interest, and you can borrow between £2,000 and £20,000 for a wide range of home improvements including solar panels, heat pumps, glazing and insulation.
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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