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Hello, and welcome to the first Your News of 2022, this week watch the Leader's New Year message to the community, access financial support workshops, find out how to buy additional annual leave for 2022/23, plus much more!
 The Leader of the Council, Councillor Grace Williams has recorded a video message for the Waltham Forest community as we enter into the New Year.
Cllr Williams said: "In a challenging year of lockdowns, travel restrictions, and covid safety measures, Waltham Forest residents have pulled together time and time again, despite the best efforts of the virus to keep us apart.[...] I am proud of Waltham Forest and our community and I know when we work together there's nothing we can't achieve."
Watch the full video at the link below.
Current Covid-19 guidance remains that everyone who can work from home should be doing so. For those who can't work from home, extra support has been put in place.
The Council is making rapid or lateral flow test kits available to staff and critical partners as a priority, available at four test centres in the borough. The assisted tests will be carried out and processed on site. The test will take 15 minutes to complete, and results will be texted to you within half an hour. The test centres are open from 8am:
Managers should report staff sickness due to Covid-19 through both SAP and GovService. If staff are just self-isolating but still fit for work, this must be reported only through GovService.
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From Monday 10 January until Friday 11 March 2022 the Council will be offering eligible employees the opportunity to purchase up to five days additional annual leave, pro rata for part time employees, to be used in the 2022/2023 leave year.
The value of holidays bought will be deducted from the employee’s salary in 12 equal instalments throughout the year under a salary sacrifice scheme.
To be eligible for the scheme you must:
- have passed your probationary period
- be in a permanent role or have a contract that ends after March 2023
- have a salary that will not fall below the national minimum wage requirements by taking part
- have your manager's approval
To apply for the scheme, please visit our staff benefits portal and click holiday plus.
Please note that, for cyber security reasons, Sodexo deactivate accounts that are not used for 6 months. If you cannot access your account after a long period of inactivity, please contact Sodexo directly on 01908 303 531 or email HR.
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Once the festive season is over it is often a good time to check in on our financial wellbeing and how we manage our money. With this in mind the Council has arranged three workshops on Financial Wellbeing provided by The Money Charity. The sessions are limited to 20 participants on each session, so you can gain the most out of attendance. Email health and safety to book a one hour session, running on:
- Thursday 20 January, 11am
- Wednesday 2 February, 3pm
- Tuesday 8 February, 12pm
Spaces are limited so please book your slot early to avoid disappointment.
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This January the Young Poland exhibition at William Morris Gallery is in full swing until Sunday 30 January 2022 - make sure you pop in while you still can!
The main exhibition is on from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm. Free admission (suggested donation £5). Please book in advance to guarantee entry and to save time.
Remember it is now mandatory to wear a face covering in the Gallery, unless you are exempt.
Young Poland Family Day: Wood block printing
Saturday 22 January, 1pm-4pm
Join artist Karolina Jonc Buczek and learn how to make your own wood block stamps, inspired by patterns in our Young Poland exhibition. Use your stamp to make a patterned print and take your stamp away with you to make more patterns at home!
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No matter how complex a person’s needs are, we are required to help people express their wishes and feelings, support them in weighing up their options, and assist them in making their own decisions. Our new All-Age Advocacy and Children and Young People Independent Visitor Service is designed to support people of all ages to be heard in decisions that affect their health, care and wellbeing.
The new All-Age Advocacy and Children and Young People Independent Visitor Services will be delivered by VoiceAbility and includes:
- Independent Care Act Advocacy
- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy and Paid Relevant Person representative
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy
- Independent Health Complaints Advocacy
- Children and Young People Independent Advocacy
If you know or work with a resident who could benefit from this service, contact VoiceAbility to make an enquiry or referral, by either emailing, calling them on 0300 303 1660 (calls are charged at local rate), or via their website.
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The following health and safety policies have been updated:
- Animals at Work
- Drugs, Alcohol and Substance Misuse
- Occupational Road Risks
- Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
To read these and our other health and safety policies, please visit the page linked below.
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The Council's busy finance team is looking for two Accounts Assistant Apprentices to provide support to the team, working on budget preparation and monitoring, financial analysis and reconciliations, and supporting the final accounts closure process.
The position is initially for a 21-month fixed term contract, working towards the AAT Accounting qualification, and would be a great starting point for those seeking a career in local authority finance.
Apply at the link below.
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A reminder to all colleagues and visitors that vehicular access to Fellowship Square has now changed as of Tuesday 4 January 2022. All vehicle traffic must now enter the site from the Farnan Avenue/Magistrates entrance where the new dedicated Council parking is situated. Parking on the east side of the campus (Sycamore House) will be closed permanently due to the commencement of the Phase 2 construction works, delivered by the Council’s development partner Countryside. Access to the Town Hall cycle store and pedestrian access to the Assembly Hall will remain unchanged.
If you have a parking permit, you now need to book parking spaces ahead of time using the RingGo app - you will have received an email with further details. If you have any questions, please contact wfpshop@nsl.co.uk
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During the winter we need to take some additional precautions to keep safe in the colder, wetter weather and darker days, which can pose health risks when working in the open for even short periods of time. Low temperatures, frosty conditions, and winds can all place the body under stress due to loss of heat. Check out our winter wellness guidance to help keep you safe as the temperature drops.
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Learning, development and your wellbeing
Find out about upcoming wellbeing events at the link below.
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Wellbeing at Work
Wednesday 12 January at 9.30-12.30pm
DSE Assessment & Homeworking
Tuesday 18 January at 9.30 -12.30pm
Working at Height (including ladder use)
Wednesday 19 January at 9.30-12.30pm
Fire Safety
Wednesday 26 January at 11-12.30pm
Manual Handling
Thursday 27 January at 9.30-12.30pm
IOSH Managing Safely (4 Day course)
1, 8, 22, 23 February at 9.30-4.30pm
To book and for more information please email Health and Safety
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Events
Jobs
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