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Hello All,

We are heading into February soon – doesn’t time fly!

As a reminder, we have the Council’s Well Newham 2024 Kickstart programme that can provide you with health and wellbeing check-ups, winter vaccines and more to see you through a healthier and better 2024.

This week, I have met with the traders affected by the Market Village closures yet again as we continue to try to find a solution to enable them to regain their livelihoods as soon as possible. Despite some unhelpful setbacks with the other parties involved, I will continue to explore all the available options so we can support righting this serious wrong inflicted on our honest small local businesses and I hope to share some positive updates soon.

If you are affected by what is happening at the Market Village in Stratford, or need advice about any business or financial support, please get in touch with Our Newham services at 0203 373 7373; or you can email ournewhambande@newham.gov.uk.

Unfortunately, I was also made aware of two serious and violent incidents that happened on Monday which is unacceptable for our Newham residents. Violence and harm will not be tolerated in Newham so I would urge anyone with any information on either crime to contact the Police or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

On the issue of safety, I was very inspired when I joined the students at Sarah Bonnell School who presented a very inspiring campaign to TfL on the very real challenges that young people face attempting to board buses without their Zip cards. Our young people and their talent never cease to amaze me, and I look forward to seeing how TfL take these learnings on board to support this youth safety concern.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to discuss our longstanding housing crisis on a panel at the Space UK conference. Despite our ambitions and efforts to acquire and build more genuinely affordable new homes for our residents, Newham has the highest rate of homelessness nationally. I have repeatedly and will continue to urge the Government to provide boroughs like Newham with more funding so we can provide more decent, warm and future-proof homes for our residents.

Finally, we also held our annual Holocaust Memorial Day which served as a stark reminder of the plights of the millions of people who lost their lives due to unfair war and discrimination which we are still facing in 2024.

Next week, I’ll be discussing our Draft Budget 2024-2025 proposals at Cabinet amongst other key issues, against the backdrop of growing financial pressures facing councils up and down the country on how we will continue to provide excellent services for our residents, while also optimising costs where we can. We will be announcing how we will be engaging with you to make sure the plans reflect the best options for a secure Newham in a time of severe budget restrictions for local authorities.

So till next week, stay well and have a restful weekend!

Best wishes,

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE

Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz

Newham Apprenticeship Fair

Do you know someone over 16 years’ old who could benefit from starting a rewarding career through an apprenticeship? 

Our Apprenticeship Fair on Thursday 8 February, 10 am- 4.30 pm at Stratford Town Hall will bring together many big employers like TfL, NHS, IBM and more to share current opportunities available across Newham. 

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week is “Skills for Life”. We encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for an rewarding career, and employers to develop a workforce with future-ready skills. 

Register for free tickets to the Apprenticeship Fair >

Join the Cycle Sisters ‘Smiles and Miles Challenge’

Cycle Sisters, an award-winning charity, is holding their annual winter cycling challenge for women from

1-29 February.

The Smiles and Miles Challenge aims to support and inspire cycling.

Find more information on Smiles and Miles 2024 >

Support with drug and alcohol use

If you or someone you know is

struggling with drug and alcohol use, we want to help. Our dedicated service, run by Change, Grow, Live (CGL), offers free, confidential and non-judgmental treatment and recovery support services for anyone aged 13 and over. We can help you understand and take control of your drug or alcohol use, and support you in improving your life. Our services are available to those directly affected by substance use as well as those impacted by someone else’s substance use.

If you’d like to speak to someone, you can self-refer by calling 0800 652 3879 or email newham.referrals@cgl.org.uk

Find more support and information on Drug and Alcohol use >

Winter Reading Challenge - Ready, Set, Read!

The Winter Mini Challenge taking place across Newham libraries, invites children of all ages to read three books or more between 1 December and 19 February.

To take part in the challenge - call into any Newham library, and ask to join. One of the library team will give your child a Winter Reading Challenge booklet in which they can rate and review their chosen books.

Children will receive rewards for their reading and a certificate when they have read three books or more. 

Alongside the reading challenge we are also running a writing competition for children aged 7-11, call into any Newham library and ask for details. 

Find information on the Winter Reading Challenge >

Measles cases are rising. Get vaccinated

Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools. It can be a very unpleasant illness and, in some children, can be very serious. Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles and can help stop outbreaks within our community.

If you’re a parent or carer, please ensure your children are up to date with their two free MMR doses. You can do this by checking their red book or contacting your GP practice. If you’re an adult who missed out on the jabs as a child, you can catch up for free at any time by simply contacting your GP.  

Find more information on Measles >

Find details of upcoming catch-up clinics for school-aged children >

PlayZone Programme

Help ensure multi-use PlayZones are accessible and welcoming to all.

We’ve been accepted into the Football Foundation’s PlayZone programme and now stand to receive funding for new or refurbished multi-use pitches in 6 locations across the borough.  

By Wednesday 31 January, we need you to: 

Tell us what sports activities you would like to see in your area 
Tell us about your experiences of current sports facilities in the borough 
Highlight any barriers you feel stop local residents from engaging with physical activity.
Tell us how we can make sure that a PlayZone feels welcoming and accessible to everyone in the community

Take the 5 minute multi-use PlayZones survey >

Free Cyber Security courses

In partnership with

Newham Learning & Skills are offering you the chance to upskill your cyber security knowledge and develop additional valuable digital skills.

You will have the chance to take part in three engaging online short courses to enhance your expertise in cyber security, coding, data protection, or data security whenever it suits you. 

Sign up to a free cyber security course >

LGBT+ History Month

We are launching our borough wide LGBT+ History Month programme from the 1 February. Highlights include an inclusive swimming session at the London Aquatics Centre, a talk with world-renowned artist Sunil Gupta, a queer heritage workshop with Dan Glass, and celebratory party produced by Social Convention, plus much more talks, film screenings and workshops. 

This years’ theme explores medicine and health in the LGBT+ community, will offer insights and education, as well as holistic workshops for connection and empowerment.

Find more on LGBT+ History Month events >

Our Newham Support

We are working hard to support those most in need. Our Newham services have seen significant increases in requests for help, particularly from families requesting help with energy bills and basic

food.

The rising cost of living is affecting us all, whatever your circumstances, Our Newham Money is here to help and support with your financial wellbeing.

If you need help or advice, it’s available from Our Newham Money (financial wellbeing support and advice), Our Newham Work (finding work, apprenticeships and training) or Employment Rights Hub. You can also find out more about food support from the Newham Food Alliance, including how to refer yourself or someone in need.

Our mailing address is: London Borough of Newham, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QU.

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