Residents in streets across Redbridge have set up WhatsApp groups to help neighbours support each other during the current crisis.
Primrose Road and Violet Road in South Woodford are two such streets where new connections have been made to ensure the vulnerable can get supplies and vital medication.
“We are lucky to have doctors living on our street who have been able to help with information, and we even have a baker who can deliver delicious pastries!” said a resident.
Visit swvg.co.uk/help
©Stefan RousseauPress photographer Stefan Rousseau replaced Boris Johnson with the bluebells of Wanstead Park last month.
“My speciality is politics, but with the Prime Minister recovering from Covid-19 and the government largely operating from home, my working week has become a daily challenge to come up with picture ideas… I usually run in Wanstead Park, but this time I took my cameras. I spent an hour photographing walkers, runners and cyclists, all stopping to view the blue carpet of spring flowers,” said Stefan.
Redbridge Council is seeking the views of residents to help it become more environmentally friendly.
“We are responding to the climate crisis by developing a plan to make our operations net-zero by 2030… We know communities across Redbridge are taking action to reduce their emissions. That’s why we want to hear your ideas for how we can change,” said a spokesperson.
The consultation is open until 31 May.
Wanstead resident Frank Charles is seeking donations for his Give A Gift Appeal.
“It’s a small charity which relies on public donations to grant wishes to children and adults with life-threatening illnesses, feed the homeless, feed families in need and, more recently, to bring food and supplies to Whipps Cross Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Frank, who has set a fundraising target of £3,000.
Last month, Frank bought and delivered 300 Easter eggs to staff at Whipps Cross Hospital.
Visit wnstd.com/frank
Domestic and Family Violence. Little Girl in Fear of Domestic Abuse.Redbridge Council has launched Reach Out, a support service for any adult who is being abused, or is fearful of being abused.
“We know the last place a victim of domestic abuse wants to be is trapped at home with their abuser. So, we want all residents to know that Reach Out is there to provide support throughout this difficult time,” said Councillor Jas Athwal.
The service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Call 0800 145 6410
Redbridge Council has so far paid out £16.3m of government business grants to small businesses in the borough in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s important our local business community know that there is support available to them at this difficult time through the government grant scheme,” said the Leader of Redbridge Council, Councillor Jas Athwal. Businesses can check their eligibility against the criteria for grants of up to £25,000 and make an application online.
To claim for a business grant, click here.
A council-led initiative to help protect those most vulnerable to coronavirus has provided aid or advice to hundreds of callers requesting help and support.
As well as responding to calls, the Wellbeing Service has also arranged for deliveries of food parcels and other essential items to a number of Redbridge residents.
“To help us to support those who most need it, before using the service, please ask family, friends and neighbours to support you… If you still need help, then please call,” said a spokesperson.
Call 020 8708 5555
A temporary mortuary has been erected on Wanstead Flats in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The London Resilience Forum, which manages emergency preparedness for London, was responsible for its design and construction.
The Coronavirus Act 2020 gave the government the power to demand the City of London Corporation – which owns the land – provide the site for this purpose.
The land will be reinstated once the crisis ends. The facility will act as a holding point for bodies until cremation or burial takes place.
Club members at Wanstead Golf Club, their usual meeting venueA club which helps people improve their public speaking skills is inviting new members to join them in their online sessions during lockdown.
“We currently meet via Zoom on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 7.15pm to 8.45pm during this lockdown period. Prepared speeches and table topics are the main focus, and members are given feedback, which helps them improve their confidence and speaking skills,” said Pamela Odukoya from the Woodford Green Speakers.
A number of homes across Aldersbrook, Wanstead and South Woodford have become collection points for foodbank donations to fill the gap left by the closure of regular collection locations, such as churches and some shops.
“Over the Easter weekend, our network received items exceeding £800 in value, which we delivered to Redbridge Foodbank,” said James Paterson, organiser of the Tin in the Bin Network, which has also received over £3,000 in cash donations.
Addresses taking part include:
To donate cash, click here.
Computer programmer Tom McGuinness has launched a website to help people check how busy their local supermarkets are.
“When COVID-19 hit the UK, I tried to think of ways I could help others. With help from my wife and an Italian friend, I created QCheck. It shows a map of your area with colour-coded markers for each supermarket. While people are queueing, they report how long the wait is. This appears on the map, helping others to avoid busy stores,” said Tom, who has lived in South Woodford since 2013.
Visit qcheck.uk
Schools in Wanstead and South Woodford have joined a number of others across the borough in donating personal protective equipment to healthcare staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
Staff from 20 school communities in Redbridge collected over 3,000 goggles and other equipment their pupils would normally use in science lessons, with the supplies sent to Queen’s Hospital in Romford.
Aldersbrook Primary School, Wanstead High School and Woodbridge High School were among those who contributed.
“We are really happy to be able to make this small gesture to help out our colleagues in the NHS at this difficult time. It is a privilege to do what we can. I am very grateful to our Science and Design Technology departments for their quick action in getting these things together in recent days. We wish all colleagues in the NHS and in the wider care sector the very best, and thank them from the bottom of our hearts for what they are doing for our country and society,” said Steven Hogan, Headteacher at Woodbridge High School.
