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Let’s get physical
With the wet and cold of winter tempting us to stay in and curl up at home, it can be challenging to stay active and healthy at this time of year.
Fortunately, our new campaign, Never in a Million Years, is all about overcoming the barriers to physical activity – especially if you think you can’t.
There are many reasons why an active lifestyle might seem off-limits to some people – whether you are living with an injury or a disability, concerned about investing the time and expense, or simply that you’re not the ‘type’ of person who exercises.
Speaking from experience, I recently took to indoor swimming following an injury to my foot - despite never considering myself much of an indoor swimmer. Having overcome my own nervousness after the first few sessions, I now look forward to visiting the leisure centre and the boost in mood that regular swimming provides – not to mention my local pool is within walking distance!
Our programme offers a low-cost or no-cost starting point for everyone at every ability level, as well as group sessions – including those for children and families – designed to build collective momentum and encourage each other. There are disability-specific sessions available, and outdoor activities for those interested in getting moving outside of sport alone.
However you prefer to be active, there’s something for everyone, and you can find it all on our website, whether it’s walking and jogging, swimming, cycling, dance and cultural activity, gardening and nature, team sports and group activity classes. There are also dedicated activity streams for chair-based workouts, people with disabilities, women-only classes, sessions for young people and an everyday activity guide to help you incorporate movement into every aspect of your life.
Waltham Forest is a borough where anyone can be active. Get involved!
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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Inclusive growth in Waltham Forest |
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 We’re starting off strong in 2026, creating more opportunities for residents and businesses to help our local economy thrive. This week, Cabinet approved an emerging Nighttime and Evening Economy Framework, designed to improve community safety, and support a vibrant nighttime offer across the borough. On Thursday, the Blackhorse Lane Creative Enterprise Zone was given reaccreditation by the Mayor of London ensuring continued support, training, employment opportunities and affordably priced spaces for artists and creative businesses. We’ll have more to share on all this soon - watch this space!
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 This February the 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 Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February. The programme provides children and young people free fun range of enrichment and sporting activities and enjoy a daily meal.
Bookings open on 19 January 2026 and is essential for all eligible children on all activities.
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 Did you know that recording the birds and wildlife you encounter on your doorstep can be vital for their conservation? That’s why the council is backing the Royal Society for the Protection of Bird’s (RSPB) annual Big Garden Birdwatch, which takes place between Friday 23 and Sunday 25 January 2026. All you need to do is spend one hour watching the birds in your garden, local patch, or park, between 23 and 25 January, recording the birds that land there. You should then tell the RSPB what you saw, even if that’s nothing at all, by submitting your results online or post.
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NWLA Community Fund webinar |
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 The NWLA North London Community Fund supports community based (not-for-profit making) organisations by providing them with access to funding and guidance to develop new approaches to tackle waste prevention, and to extend the reach and impact of existing waste prevention activities. Applications are now open for projects in 2026-27 and will close on the 16 February 2026. Community groups can apply for up to £20k, but small and micro grants are also available.
Join a Meet the Funder webinar on Thursday 22 January, from 5pm to 6pm, to learn more about the fund and strengthen your applications. The application form and full guidance documentation are available here.
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 Two new spring shows have just gone on sale at Soho Theatre Walthamstow, with priority booking and £15 tickets for residents available on both shows, first come first served.
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Neon Nights with Jamali Maddix: Headliner Jamali Maddix is joined by Andrew Mensah, Micky Overman, Krystal Evans, Eric Rushton and host, Sarah Keyworth on Friday 27 March 2026.
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Jack Skipper - Skint (Special Recording): Carpet-fitter turned comedian Jack Skipper delivers his debut, Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated stand-up show on Friday 1 May 2026.
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 You can make serious savings on the cost of fixing household electrical items thanks to our repair voucher initiative, which has now been extended to Tuesday 31 March. Participating high street businesses around the borough are accepting 50 per cent off the cost of repairs (up to a maximum of £50 saved per repair), on a huge range of everyday electrical items.
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Train for a career in live events |
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 The Future Technicians Programme offers an exciting pathway for Waltham Forest residents aged 18 to 30 to break into the world of backstage and live events production. Participants gain hands-on training in lighting, sound and stage management, learning how professional venues operate behind the scenes.
The programme includes a week of immersive training followed by a paid placements at one of London’s leading venues such as Soho Theatre and the Barbican. It’s a rare chance to build real industry experience, boost confidence and explore a creative, technical career with genuine progression opportunities. A new round of applications is now open.
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Wood you care for some clean air? |
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 We’re supporting Clean Air Night 2026, to share the facts about wood burning and ensure that everyone can make informed decisions about how to heat their homes. It’s all about encouraging people to cut out wood burning, which is a major pollutant and affects air quality. 92 per cent of people burning wood in the UK already have another way to heat their home, and unfortunately many are not aware they are inadvertently causing pollution.
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Get movin'
Mile Rainbow warmly invites you to their free East Asian Rhythms and Movement sessions, running at two location each Saturdays from 10.30am at Walthamstow Library and from 1.30pm at Leyton Sports Ground.
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Opportunities for residents |
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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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