Issue #94, Wednesday 6 March 2024
In this week's Your News, we launched Mission Waltham Forest our plan and ambitious vision for a more equal borough, we have guidance on pre election rules, pre retirement seminars, TFL trialling 'off peak Fridays' and events to sign up for.
 On Monday (4 March) we launched Mission Waltham Forest. It sets out the Council’s plan for more equal borough by 2030. It is our commitment to all our residents to tackle the fundamental challenges facing them and drive the change within the Council that is needed to achieve this.
Our six Borough Missions and four Council Missions are designed as challenges for ourselves as an organisation and serve as our commitments to our residents.
The role our staff will play in both shaping and driving Mission Waltham Forest is paramount. We can only achieve our goals if we amplify the voice of every staff member – we all have a role to play.
Running in locations across the borough (March to May), Mission Workshops will open a space for staff to explore how a missions-based approach will differ to what we are used to and invite colleagues from across the organisation to have their say on how staff voices can be strengthened, whether that be in changes to our culture, leadership and recognition, or ways of working.
As part of Mission Waltham Forest, please make sure you're using our new email signatures and PowerPoint documents to help us reinforce our corporate messaging.
Also, make sure you're using your correct directorate following recent Cabinet approval.
- Chief Executive
- Stronger Communities
- Place
- Adult Services
- Children's Services
- Resources
- Neighbourhoods and Environment
The next Mayoral and London Assembly elections will take place on Thursday 2 May 2024.
In the period immediately before any election there are additional restrictions placed on the Council’s publicity and events. These restrictions are linked to the publicity of candidates, issues of significance or directly related to a political party and those involved in the elections.
Generally, this means that during the restricted period leading up to the elections the Council will:
- exclude all quotes from, and photographs of, anyone directly involved in the elections in press releases, publications and other published material.
- refrain from organising photo opportunities or events which could be seen as giving candidates, Members or other political office holders directly involved in the elections a platform for political comment.
- postpone publications, events or promotions until after the elections if proceeding could give the appearance of seeking to affect support for a political party or candidate directly involved in the elections.
- not comment on matters of political controversy unless to refrain from comment would be harmful to the Council’s best interests.
- avoid references in publications to the period the Administration has been in office or to the Council’s future commitments if to do so could be seen to affect support for a political party or candidate directly involved in the elections.
- not undertake any other activity which could be seen as designed to benefit a particular political party directly involved in the elections.
- Remove links to members’ personal blogs/webpages if those maybe used for political purposes linked to the elections.
Council staff must ensure compliance with this guidance. Staff should exercise extreme caution if invited to any event in which candidates in the election participate. Managers of all council-owned buildings should also seek similar advice before allowing the Council's resources to be used for any “official or unofficial” visit by a candidate or political party directly involved in the elections.
If you have any queries, contact Mark Hynes.
Keeping your retirement plans on track can be a challenging task. The Pre-retirement course encourages a positive and realistic approach to help you make informed choices about your retirement plans.
We have a number of sessions taking place online throughout the year:
- Wednesday 24 April, 9.30am to midday
- Friday 17 May, 1pm to 3.30pm
To sign up for training or access e-learning, please go to ‘Oracle> Me>Learn’ and find the “Pre-Retirement” Seminar. Alternatively, use this link to navigate directly to the course page. You need to enrol to both the Course and the Offering that suits you best.
If you have any additional needs or queries surrounding this, please contact the Organisational Development team.
Our Training Calendar has other instructor led training offers.
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We are proud to be hosting a Supported Internship Programme for our young residents aged 16-24, who have special educational needs and an Education, Health, and Care Plan.
The programme is designed to provide these young people with a fantastic opportunity to voluntarily work in three different placements within our council that will support developing their employability skills and enable them to make better employment choices
We are reaching out for our interns third work placement opportunity from Monday 15 April to Friday 5 July.
This is a amazing opportunity and will show your service that young people with additional needs have the potential and ability to contribute in the workplace. The interns have mixed abilities and can work in a varied type of work settings. Practical tasks, basic administration, directing people, research, and shadowing are areas that the interns can thrive in.
If you are interested in hosting an intern, contact Richard Davenport.
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The Women of Waltham Forest Network are hosting an in-person event to mark International Women's Day.
We're inviting our female colleagues across the Council to reflect on themselves, their current achievements, hopes and ambitions they hold for themselves, and to share this by reading a letter to their future self during a very special event.
Letter writers can also submit anonymously - your letter can be read and shared on the day, even if you prefer not to be identified or to do so yourself.
We hope that by capturing and articulating our hopes and dreams for the future, we can understand just how far we have come, and provide inspiration to each one of us striving towards our best selves.
The in-person event takes place tomorrow Thursday 7 March, 1pm - 3.30pm, at the Town Hall Chamber.
Please submit your letter to Catherine Marcus or Womens Network if would like to read or mark as anonymous if you would like someone else to read it for you.
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Out in the Forest staff network, with support from the Race Equality Network, held a panel discussion last Tuesday 27 February featuring Ted Brown and Deborah Henry-Adolph. Ted was an instrumental activist in the early Gay Liberation Front and getting the first recognised UK Gay Pride organised in London in the 1970s. Deborah has created a local club for residents over 60 which creates friendships and combats loneliness, and they both shared their candid experiences of identity, community and care.
To hear the latest updates from Out in the Forest network (the Council’s staff LGBTQIA+ network), sign up to the newsletter.
The Young Cares Programme is recognising Young Carers Action Day, which this year is focusing on “Fair Futures for Young Carers”.
We have a virtual workshop on Wednesday 13 March, 10am to midday, for professionals to help better understand the needs, support and services available for young carers and families in Waltham Forest.
The national awareness day is organised and led by Carers Trust, who encourage as many organisations, communities and individuals as possible to take part in the day by taking action, supporting and raising awareness of young carers. More information on what you can do in your service can be found at Young Carers Action Day 2024
If you or your colleagues would like to register to attend the workshop, email Young Carers.
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Join us on Wednesday 13 March between 10am to 3pm in the Town Hall foyer for our Staff Climate Network Repair Event!
Leather Specialists: Eco Forest Repairs from Walthamstow will be here to revive your handbags and shoes. Saj offers professional advice and can repair on the spot or take items to his Walthamstow shop for pickup next week.
Clothing Mending Services: Rusty Bec from Queercrafters will mend torn jeans, knits, and woven pieces using her needle and thread. Plus, try the Japanese sashiko technique with her templates!
- We'll be promoting the Staff Climate Network
- Trialing out a new Sustainable Events Guide
- Promoting Repair Week
Let’s promote reuse, repair, and sustainability together!
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The Hive is taking over Fellowship Square on Wednesday 3 April for a day of fun and education about all things nature and sustainability.
There’ll be animal handling, bushcraft, DIY bug hotels and nature-based wellbeing activities. Plus orienteering and other interactive practical outdoor skills and crafts promoting oneness with nature and climate change awareness.
Entry is free, with some activities ticketed with a small fee.
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This Easter Waltham Forest will be running a range of free family activities across the borough between 10am-12.30pm daily between Tuesday 2 April to Friday 12 April 2024
Children and their families can access a wide range of free sessions which will provide you opportunities to try new activities, learn new skills, have fun, make friends.
Family sessions are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis. No booking is required.
If you would like more information on the programme or any printed copies of marketing material to share with families please contact WF Holiday Activity Programme.
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On Saturday 4 May (midday till 2am), Leytonstone’s independent music festival returns across five venues in E11 for a full day of music on every corner.
Early bird tickets are now on sale, plus a first look at the line-up - with more to come. Artists include: Nathan Fake (Live), Deptford Northern Soul Club Daudi Matsuki, Donna Thompson Wrongtom meets The Ragga Twins, Vanity Fairy Alena Arpels, Minor Conflict, Walthamstow Rock 'n' Roll Book Club with special guest!
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We want to hear from anyone who lives and works in Waltham Forest about how they feel about pharmacies in the borough. As part of a regular check-up on pharmacy provision in Waltham Forest, a partner organisation called Healthy Dialogues is running a 10-minute survey.
Transport for London will trial lower off-peak fares on Fridays on the tube and rail services in the capital.
Pay as you go single fares are now off-peak all day every Friday on Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and some National Rail services across London and the southeast.
The trial will run every Friday, from 8 March until 31 May 2024 inclusive.
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Afternoon team with a Wellbeing Buddy
Wednesday 13 March 2pm to 4pm
Wellbeing Buddies Afternoon Tea – come for a tea, stay for a chat! Modern life can sometimes be isolating. You are invited to join us for tea and spend some time with your colleagues.
- Time: Second Wednesday of every month, 2pm to 4pm.
- Location: Jane, William & May room, Town Hall Basement
No need to book, simply drop in and say hello! We look forward to seeing you there.
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Mental Health in Focus Webinar for Waltham Forrest Council
Wednesday 20 March 11am to 11:30am
Join Beth Kimberley to hear about the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service. The session will include:
- Overview of the service and customer journey
- Eligibility and referral process
- Support interventions offered
This session will also include a live Q&A. Please note this session will be recorded to be used for future reference.
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March Health & Wellbeing Webinars:
Friday 8 March, midday to 12.30pm International Woman’s Day
Monday 11 March, midday to 12.30pm What to expect when you call Care First
Wednesday 13 March, midday to 12.30pm Sleep and Anxiety, in line with World Sleep Day
Wednesday 13 March, 2pm to 4pm Wellbeing Buddy Afternoon Tea
Friday 15 March, midday to 12.30pm How Care First Can Support You
Every Monday throughout March, 12.30 to 1.30pm Coping with the Cost of Living (60 mins)
Every Tuesday throughout March, 3.30pm to 4.30pm Making the most of your money (60 mins)
Every Wednesday throughout March, 1230pm to 1.30pm First Time Buyer (60 mins)
Every Friday throughout March, 9.30am to 10.30am Retirement – Planning Ahead (60 mins)
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Jobs
To access internal roles, log into Oracle Cloud click on the ‘me’ tab and then click on ‘current jobs’.
Current opportunities include:
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Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Salary: P012 £74,793 - £80,994
Deadline: Tuesday 12 March
Fostering Learning Development Advisor
Salary: PO4 £46,041 - £49,083
Deadline: Tuesday 12 March
Campaigns Officer
Salary: S01 £35,577 - £36,567
Deadline: Friday 15 March
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Got an item for staff news?
The next issue of Your News will be on Tuesday 12 March 2024.
If you would like to share news in the next edition, please send no more than 100 words (and an image) to yournews@walthamforest.gov.uk by 12noon on Monday 11 March 2024.
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