Plans to improve health and wellbeing

Newham’s Health and Wellbeing Board is days away from launching the 50 Steps to a Healthier Newham (2024-2027) strategy, which aims to improve your health and wellbeing. It builds on the successes of the award-winning approach that was first introduced in 2020.

The new strategy will see the Changemakers programme being relaunched, to celebrate those of you who are going above and beyond to improve health and wellbeing in our borough. We are keen to bring more Changemakers on board so if you or anyone you know is working hard to make a difference, please email 50steps@newham.gov.uk.

You can read the strategy here  >

Newham programme awarded £32,000 

We are delighted to announce that our Rites of Passage programme has been awarded £32,000 by the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). 

The programme is designed to honour and celebrate the enduring legacy of the Windrush pioneers. It will focus on bridging the gap between older and younger residents through fashion, poetry, food, film, music and art. 

Participants will engage in various activities that explore the stories, traditions and experiences that have shaped the vibrant Caribbean influence in Newham and beyond. 

You can read the full story here >

Covid-19 spring vaccinations

If you are at risk of severe illness from Covid-19, you can top up your protection by getting vaccinated this spring. The NHS is providing free seasonal Covid-19 vaccines to those aged 75 or over (by 30 June 2024), people with a weakened immune system or who live in an older adult care home. 

The NHS is visiting care homes and housebound people to offer the vaccine. People in the above groups can book or attend a walk in clinic – they don’t need to wait for an invitation. Find a walk-in location near you here and attend without an appointment. You can find further information and support to help improve your health and wellbeing here.

To book your vaccine, please visit the NHS app, the NHS website or call 119 for free >

Don't get spiked!

The spiking of drinks – adding extra alcohol or even drugs – to a person’s drink without their knowledge or consent is a criminal offence. But it is woefully under-reported. So, our licensing team and the Metropolitan Police are offering training to license holders on how to spot and prevent spiking in our bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs. 

Last month, the police licensing team organised a training session for staff in Newham. Attendees voiced their desire to safeguard both residents and visitors. If you think you have been the victim of spiking, you can report it directly to venue staff and to the police, safe in the knowledge that it is a recognised crime, and will be taken seriously.

You can read more about spiking here >

New council homes for over 55s

Do you know a Newham Council tenant aged over 55 who is looking for a new home and has an existing housing application? Why not register their interest to move to Noele Gordon House, our first independent living development for over 55s in the heart of East Ham. Applications from current council tenants looking to downsize will be prioritised.  

There are 75 one and two-bedroom energy-efficient council homes with a modern look and feel, that are designed to provide the very best of independent living with additional staff assistance, a telecare system and a communal space for residents to socialise.      

Call us on 020 3373 7403/07977 580 469 or email elizabeth.day@newham.gov.uk for more information. 

You can view the Noele Gordon House brochure here >

Parking vandalism increase

We have recently seen an increase in vandalism of parking signs in our Residential Parking Zones (RPZs). They are often defaced by those who falsely believe this makes the residents' spaces 'fair game' for them to park illegally. 

To date, we have had to repair 2,100 signs across the borough, and have issued over 4,000 warning notices to drivers parked in bays with defaced signage, to make clear that if they continue to do so, penalty fines will be issued. Drivers who don’t heed those warnings are receiving PCNs. We are also issuing warnings to drivers not registered for a particular RPZ that if the abuse continues, parking fines will also issued. 

If you are facing this issue in your neighbourhood, you can report it via the Love Newham app or website here >

Win a cash prize by taking part in Litter Lotto!

Mohammd from Stratford recently bagged himself a cash prize by taking part in Litter Lotto! After reading about Litter Lotto in the Newham Mag, Mohammd downloaded the app and uploaded photos of his family’s community litter picking efforts. Dedicated to looking after the environment, Mohammd said: "It’s our social responsibility not to litter. By way of Litter Lotto, collecting litter is rewarding as well."

To take part in Litter Lotto, search and download ‘Litter Lotto’ in the App Store or Google Play Store. Upload a photo of litter as you bin it in a Newham Council public litter bin and you can win prizes between £50 - £1,000! 

Download the app here to win cash prizes >

British Science Festival Community Grants now available 

The British Science Festival Community Grants Programme 2024 is now open for applications. The British Science Association (BSA) is offering grants of up to £1,000 to Newham-based community groups and organisations that work directly with audiences who are traditionally underrepresented and not engaged in science activity. 

It’s hoped the grants will empower and support them to run their own science activities and events, as part of the British Science Festival. The overall aim is to enable new local audiences to engage with science.  

Applications close on Wednesday 8 May at 5pm.

For further information, click here >