Knife Amnesty Bins installed to make Newham safer

We have installed three new Knife Amnesty Bins, in partnership with a number of voluntary organisations. They join the existing knife bin at The Salvation Army in Stratford. The bins offer a legal way to dispose of knives and bladed items, including kitchen knives. The action is ultimately aimed at reducing knife crime and promoting safety. Simply wrap the blade securely and travel to your nearest knife bin; drop the wrapped knife into the bin and shut the lid. You can read more about our approach here.

For details of where you can find the knife bins, visit the Well Newham website >

Blackwall Tunnel closures

The Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic from Saturday 20 July to Monday 22 July. This is for work on a new road layout on the A102, as part of the Silvertown Tunnel Project. All weekend closures will run from 00:01 Saturday morning (Friday midnight) until 05:00 Monday morning. The tunnel will remain open to northbound traffic. 

If you need to drive during these closures, plan ahead, check before you travel and allow more time for your journey. If you need to cross the river, consider using crossings away from central London.

More information here >

Newham By-elections: Don't forget your ID

By-elections will be taking place for the Beckton ward and Little Ilford ward on Thursday 18 July. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm. To cast your vote at a polling station, valid photo identification is essential. Accepted IDs range from passports and driving licenses, to blue badges and certain travel cards. Presented ID must be the original, not a photocopy, with a name matching your voter registration. For a comprehensive list, check the Electoral Commission website. 

For further information, visit the Newham Council Website >

Join us at our next Repair Café and take part in a sustainability extravaganza!

Attend our upcoming Repair Cafe to repair your broken items, swap clothes you no longer wear and browse our donation rails. Gain top tips on managing your food waste + teach your children new skills in gadget repair. 

Date: Saturday 27 July 

Time: 11am – 2pm 

Location: Cundy Community Centre, 42 Hartington Road, E16 3NP 

No booking required (except for the Team Repair Gadget Repair Workshop, suitable for ages 10+).

Find out more >

Have you heard about our new health and wellbeing offer?

Our Public Health team would love to get your thoughts on our new Well Newham health and wellbeing offer. This will help us understand if we need to do more to spread the word. 

As someone who lives in Newham, we are encouraging you to please spare five minutes to fill out this quick survey. 

Your response will be completely anonymous and we aren’t asking for your name or any information that can be traced back to you.

If you would like health and wellbeing information and support, please visit the Well Newham website. 

You can also visit our Well Newham Hubs >

Forest Gayte Pride 2024 is here!

We are proud sponsors of this exciting programme which starts on Friday 12 July to Sunday 14 July. 

The fun-packed event includes the opening gala event at The Gate Library with talks from Dr Thibaut Raboin, Queer Storyteller Amelia Ace Armande, and singer Didactic MK. The exciting Woodgrange Market celebration kicks off a packed Saturday with stalls, talks and live music throughout the day. Continue the evening at the beloved Forest Tavern with music, cabaret and Drag performances from Astro Axoloti, Laz Lightning, King Frankie Sinatra & Al Dente. On Sunday join us at The Up Garden with activities hosted by the Queer Youth Art Collective and Queer Newham.

Find out more >

Interested in fostering?Find out more online and in-person

Information sessions have been set up for those interested in fostering for Newham.

We are currently recruiting foster carers for all age groups. The benefits of fostering for Newham include 24 hour support, a setting up grant of £750, a weekly allowance and exemption from paying council tax. 

The next online meeting will be Thursday 8 August between 11am-12noon. Here you will be able to meet one of our foster carers, hear about their fostering journey and have a chat about fostering for Newham. To register, please email: fosteringrecruitment@newham.gov.uk 

We are also hosting monthly drop-in sessions at Forest Gate Library, 6-8 Woodgrange Road, in Room 2 between 3pm-5pm. 

 These will take place on: 

•  17 July 
•  21 August 
•  16 September

To find out more visit the website >

New entrance opened at Stratford Station

Transport for London has this week opened a new entrance at Stratford Tube station from Gibbins Road. 

Funded by the London Borough of Newham and the London Legacy Development Corporation, this entrance provides direct access to Gibbins Road in Carpenter's Estate. It will reduce walking time by up to twenty minutes for residents and improve safety and security across Stratford. 

The entrance is key to our Stratford Vision to enhance public spaces and accessibility, and supports the Council's Carpenter's Estate regeneration plans. New seating and bicycle racks outside the entrance promote active travel supporting our Just Transition Climate Action plans for Stratford to become London's first Green Zone.

For further updates on the Carpenters Estate regeneration visit the website >

Adorned Narratives: Wearing our stories with pride – South Asian Heritage Month 

Get ready for a unique experience at the Adorned Narratives: Wearing our stories with pride, Pop Up event! Anisha & Neelam, the creative minds behind Adorned Narratives, are all set to take you on an unforgettable journey celebrating South Asian heritage. This extraordinary cultural experience will take place from Friday 19 - Sunday 21 July at The Lab E20. Join us for a weekend of yoga, colour workshops, jewellery making, and a showcase of community talent. 

Day one: Journey into the past

Day two: Get Creative in the present

Day three: Celebrate the future Newham residents can claim their tickets for FREE!

Fill in the form here > 

Find out more about this event >

Community arts grants applications extended to 22 July 

The deadline for community arts grants applications has been extended to 22 July. We are offering funds of up to £2,000 for the autumn programme of events for Black History Month in October and Islamophobia Awareness Month in November. 

We are seeking projects that reflect the themes of Reclaiming Narratives for Black History Month and Seeds of Change for Islamophobia Awareness Month. 

To apply, carefully review the application guidance and complete the Newham autumn 2024 Community Arts Grants Application Form. The submission deadline is 10am on Monday 22 July 2024.

For questions, contact events@newham.gov.uk 

For application guidance, visit www.newhamblackhistory.org and www.newhamiam.org