Editor

Pamela Odukoya of the Woodford Green Speakers Club introduces an event in connection with Black History Month

COVID -19 has led to further unemployment and massive changes in the world of work. This is a time of great uncertainty for the Black and Minority Ethnic community (BAME) and as professionals from this community,  we are keen to support our community to make changes in different areas of their lives, as an example, career planning and financial management. We believe that with access to sound careers guidance they will be able to access a  range of other professions and achieve their potential.

As a result, this will contribute to a change of narrative that currently hinders their progression and financial security.  If we are to continue celebrating Black History Month, we believe now is the time to start developing our future heroes.

Purpose: To empower people from BAME communities to reflect, work together and change their current narrative about careers, their voice and money management.

When:  29 October at 6.30pm -9pm via zoom.

Topics: Career Management,  Your Voice and  Financial Management

Cost: Free

Link to register: rb.gy/56ei3d

Nat Cato from Healthwatch Redbridge encourages service users to make their voices count

In September 2019, Whipps Cross was given the go-ahead to build a brand-new state-of-the art hospital. A strategic case was developed with local health and social care partners talking to service users and hospital staff.

The initial plans for the new building involved increasing the proportion of clinical space from 50% to around 70% and maximising the use of its departments. It would make more efficient use of services which are currently spread out across the site. The proportion of critical care and maternity beds would also be increased and modern wards would have the proportion of single rooms significantly expanded, improving patient experience and infection control.

Meetings and surveys showed seven out of ten respondents agreed that the hospital couldn’t be done without developing the site for new homes as well as core health and care services.

The Challenges of COVID-19
When COVID-19 arrived Barts Health adapted to minimise its spread by restricting hospital visits and using technology for virtual consultations to ensure services were delivered where possible. Most elective surgeries were suspended (apart from cancer treatment and life-saving operations).

Seeing Covid-19 as one of the biggest challenges faced by the NHS, the Trust’s clinicians came to the realisation that the overall vision for the new hospital remained valid but would need to adapt some of the detail in implementing it.

“We are increasing the proportion of outpatient consultations done remotely by telephone or video. These are positive changes we wanted to make, that are taking place sooner than we hoped… 

We now anticipate making further changes to the “front door” model of the new hospital to account for the expectation that more people will access services by being referred from GPs or NHS 111, rather than walking in as at present.” Barts Health NHS Trust 

Join the virtual meeting
As a service user, your views are needed. Join the virtual public meeting for an update on the new hospital, present your views and have your questions answered.

The panel for these meetings will include representatives from Barts Health as well as partners from the local health system in East London and from local government.

A summary of the emerging plans – ‘Building a Brighter Future for Whipps Cross – Moving to the next stage’ – can be found here.

The meeting for Redbridge residents is on 29 October 2020, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Register for meeting

Healthwatch Redbridge is an independent champion for health and social care is keen that services hear directly from members of the public.

The third permanent coronavirus testing centre in Redbridge opened in Woodford Green this week.

Located in Charteris Road car park (IG8 0AL), the site is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. “Redbridge has the highest COVID-19 infection rates in London and we need to ensure our residents can get tested to help stop the spread. We want every resident in the borough to be able to access a testing centre nearby,” said the Leader of Redbridge Council, Councillor Jas Athwal.

Visit swvg.co.uk/test

The Rotary Club of Leytonstone and Woodford is inviting residents to join an online bingo night on 30 October to raise money for charity.

“Our club is part of Rotary International and supports the global challenges facing us all. However, we are particularly focused on the local community and other deserving causes closer to home,” said club member John Bracken. The event, which starts at 7.15pm (£10 per person), will include four games, with prizes for one line, two lines and a full house.

Email peter.blake97@outlook.com

The temporary mortuary erected on Wanstead Flats at the height of the coronavirus pandemic has been removed and will become a new wild flower habitat.

“While coronavirus is likely to be with us for a long time and we mustn’t be complacent, the removal of the mortuary is a welcome sign of normal life beginning to return to our open spaces… The site will be sown in autumn and again next spring with a wild flower seed mix, including seeds collected from nearby areas of the forest,” said a City of London spokesperson.

Healthwatch Redbridge is seeking feedback from local residents about their experiences of NHS health and social care services during the pandemic.

“We are in regular contact with hospitals and adult social care services across Redbridge, receiving updates on how they are working during this time and what systems and changes they are making to services. We will use the responses to ensure local concerns are identified early and passed on to the appropriate services. Let your voice be heard,” said a spokesperson.

Visit wnstd.com/hr

South Woodford is set to receive the borough’s first mobility hub as part of Redbridge Council’s efforts to reduce emissions from vehicles.

“Mobility hubs are small-scale transport hubs that make it easy to change from one mode of transport to another. The aim is to support the transition to cleaner cars, and provide access to electric car club vehicles for those who do not want to own a car but want to use a zero-emission vehicle when they choose to drive,” said a spokesperson.

The hub – which will be installed outside Tipi Coffee Co, 117 George Lane, South Woodford – will include a bay for an electric car club vehicle, an electric vehicle charging point and a parklet containing a water fountain, seating facilities, cycle parking and planters.

Installation of the hub is scheduled for this autumn.

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Councillor Jas Athwal, added: “As a council, we are continually looking at ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint and create a better, healthier environment for future generations. This is yet another excellent example of how we are embracing new and exciting green initiatives, paving the way for the era of electric vehicles that we will all soon experience. This is a great project for South Woodford and one that I’m sure residents will warmly welcome. I look forward to seeing it once it is up and running later this year.”

The vicar of Holy Trinity church in South Woodford has quelled rumours that the church is somehow benefitting from the proposed 5G phone mast outside the building.

“The proposed 5G mast on Southview Drive is outside the church site. The church has not been consulted directly about the mast, and we are certainly not in line to benefit financially from its installation. I have contacted the council to note that we, as a near neighbour of the proposed site, were not consulted, and also to remind the council that a preschool meets in our church hall five days a week, and that the scout hut on site provides sessions for children and young people several times a week too. This is in addition to children’s work provided directly by the church,” Rev Abi Todd.

As the father of two young children, I know only too well the value of having two of everything. One red ball and one blue ball? Arguments will follow. One teddy and one doll? A recipe for chaos. One bag of sweets to share? You get the picture. Sharing may be caring, but kids simply don’t care about that! Sharing is a vital life skill and, like most skills, takes time to master, so continue we must with duplicate toys and treats.

Last month, I asked Wanstead and South Woodford to share this magazine, and I do so again this month. Our way of overcoming the commercial and logistical obstacles imposed by the current crisis. Our way of maintaining our contribution to a united community. Our way of caring.

Of course, I can’t pursue this analogy without juxtaposing my squabbling offspring with the mental image of crowds of Wanstead and Woodford residents tearing this publication in two as they each claim it belongs to them. And I certainly wouldn’t attempt such a crass comparison, not least because there’s only room on the naughty step for two.

But on a (slightly) more serious note, as much as I enjoy the somewhat poetic nature of combining two community publications during these difficult times, I enjoy more the unique identity of our postcode divides. The need for some deadheading of marigolds in E18 and the establishing of a wild flower meadow in E11 are very similar stories, but of very different interest levels depending on where you live. So, as we all continue to adapt to a new normal, please continue to share your sweets for now.