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.
Christchurch Green, Wanstead. ©Geoff WilkinsonTemporary fencing has been assembled around play areas in Wanstead and South Woodford’s parks.
“This measure has been taken to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, as it survives on plastic for 36 hours and on metal for 12 hours. This means children can contract COVID-19 by touching infected play equipment,” explained a Redbridge Council spokesperson.
“If our parks are not used responsibly, the government may be forced to close them. Help us to keep our parks open by adhering to the guidelines.”
I volunteer at Redbridge Foodbank, one of the 1,200 Trussell Trust foodbanks in UK. We provide a food and hygiene parcel for clients, designed to last around three days. The intention is to tide them over until their situation has improved. Most of the people who come to the foodbank are in financial difficulties due to low income or benefit changes or delays. However, we also have people who are sleeping rough on the streets, or who are having difficulties due to bereavement, health issues, redundancy, or who are asylum seekers.
Last year Redbridge Foodbank gave out over 6,000 food and hygiene parcels, an increase of almost 2000 on the previous year.
The role I play at the foodbank is to meet and greet the clients, welcoming them in a warm and friendly manner. They arrive with a referral voucher and I go through our “shopping list” with them while they tell me what things they needs. They are then able to have a hot drink and biscuits while their parcel is prepared. While they wait, I also chat with them and find out if there is any other help they need. I can then signpost them to the relevant organisations to support them. I also offer a friendly ear for a chat. Many of them are lonely and are glad of someone to talk to. The parcels given out contain, not only food supplies but also household essentials, such as washing powder and washing up liquid, and personal hygiene items such as shampoo, shower gel, tooth brushes and paste, sanitary protection, as well as nappies and baby food. The foodbank cannot, however, give out baby milk due to a United Nations ruling. We do not forget pets, as we also have dog and cat food available if required.
I am a member of East London Soroptimists and in my capacity as a foodbank volunteer I am giving a talk on the work of the foodbank on Tuesday 19 November. The talk will be taking place a Woodford Memorial Hall at 7:30pm. When I volunteer I do so as an independent person, not in my capacity as a Soroptimist.
