| | | | Hello Everyone,
I hope you are well, and looking forward to the weekend ahead. It’s been another busy one for me as I progress, for our people and communities, the building of a fairer Newham.
I began the week in a solemn and reflective mood, joining civic and faith leaders and residents across the borough to honour and remember all those - from Newham and around the world - who have fallen in major conflicts, both past and present. It was an honour to take part in the parade and ceremony at East Ham Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. I also marked Armistice Day with young people from schools in the borough on Monday, remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Never again is our commitment and that requires courage for peace.
As part of Interfaith Week this week, we launched our first Open Door event, where many different places of worship across the borough will welcome visitors from Friday through Sunday. This allows you to visit various faith communities in their own spaces, connect with them, and experience how much more unites us than divides us; a true testament of Newham’s diverse and welcoming community.
One way a community strengthens its bonds is through storytelling. Passed down through generations, storytelling helps us share who we are and what we want others to know about us. The inaugural Newham Festival of Storytelling began on Monday and runs through to 22 November. Thanks to an Arts Council grant, there will be 50 free events across our libraries, featuring speakers like Dame Zandra Rhodes and notable local authors such as Vaseem Khan, who will discuss their books. I hope you find time to go along!
Our final budget engagement session took place online this Wednesday. Since early October, when we published proposals to balance next year’s budget, we’ve been discussing the difficult choices we must make, both in-person and online. This discussion isn’t over; our survey is open until early January, and your feedback, along with input from engagement events, will help guide the Cabinet’s decisions. Our budget engagement theme, Newham, We’ve Got This, is visible on our website and across the borough, sharing inspiring stories from staff, partners, and residents who are meeting challenges in innovative ways.
This week, I’ve spent a lot of time across Newham, speaking with residents to learn how the Council’s actions and decisions are impacting their lives. Earlier in the week I attended the second Local Area Forum, discussing the Social Housing Regulator’s C4 judgement on our Housing Services with our tenants and leaseholders, and hearing directly from them about their own experiences.
Today, I attended the opening of our newly refurbished Cundy Community Centre in Custom House, where we’ve invested to improve this space for local activities and events. After the ribbon-cutting, I had the opportunity to meet local groups, including a storyteller for children, line dancers, and artists displaying crafts. Beyond showcasing the activities that can be hosted in the great space, we can also use private hire income to support local services.
I’ll be finishing the week at the Carpenters Estate Street Art Community Day tomorrow with a series of fun activities, marking a major milestone in the estate’s regeneration, led by Populo Living, the Council’s housing company. The day is dedicated to fostering community spirit, creativity and active lifestyles. In partnership with Steel Warriors and the London Mural Festival, the event showcases the transformative power of regeneration. I’m looking forward to seeing the Steel Warriors outdoor callisthenics gym and a sustainable playground made of 90% recycled materials.
Also, look out for a series of free events taking place from 27 November to mark Newham’s Climate Action Week; helping you to save money by living more sustainably while helping to fight climate change! The week also marks one year on from the launch of our Just Transition Plan, setting out how we’ll create a fairer, lower-emission and future-ready borough with climate change already impacting many aspects of our society.
And a reminder that you’ve got until Monday 18 November to nominate unsung heroes in the community for the Newham Civic Awards. Please take a look and don’t miss the chance to recognise those in the borough who make a difference.
Finally, Happy Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gupurab to everyone who celebrates. Best wishes,
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz |
| | Visit our #BYOC pop-up at Stratford Station for a free coffee during 18-21 November
We’re excited to support Hubbub’s Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC) campaign, encouraging everyone to do exactly what it says on the tin when grabbing a takeaway drink.
How to get involved:
From 8.30am-3.30pm during 18-21 November, Bring Your Own Cup and pop down to Meridian Square, Stratford Station to grab your free coffee.
Choose your perfect brew: Enjoy a free flat white, latte, or cappuccino—also available in decaf, either black or made with a choice of plant-based milk (soy or oat).
Customise with a variety of syrups and sugar to make it just the way you like!
Can’t make it to the pop-up? No worries: - Got 30 seconds? Like or comment on this social post to spread the word.
- Want to go above and beyond? Set up a reusable cup station in your workplace so everyone can borrow a cup when needed.
This one small swap means you can save waste, get free coffee at this pop up and make your drink truly yours. Cheers to a greener Newham! |
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| Join us for our free Community Connect & Repair Café – 27 November In partnership with University of East London, East London Waste Authority and People Powered Places, this event is your opportunity to repair, recycle and refresh!
The event includes: - Electrical repairs from The Restart Project
- Textile Repairs from JoyZ & Sew London CIC
- Bicycle repairs from Cycle Confident
- Community stalls
- Free refreshments
- Small electrical recycling point:
Please bring along any unwanted small electrical item that you would like to be recycled:
✓ Any electrical item with a plug or battery powered that is smaller than a microwave
✖ Not including: batteries, vapes or light bulbs
Date: Wednesday 27 November Time: 4pm - 7pm Location: University of East London, Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, University Way E16 2RD Nearest station: Cyprus DLR Nearest bus stop: UEL Docklands Campus (Stop I), bus routes: 474 and SL2
Find out more > |
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| | | Newham Festival of Stories - a vibrant celebration of storytelling taking place across the borough this November
Enjoy amazing free events for families, young people and adults with Newham Festival of Stories, running until Friday 22 November.
You will be able to take part in an exciting range of creative workshops, performances and activities, including cooking, sewing and reading. With inspiring talks from speakers, storytellers and authors, the festival highlights the rich diversity of experiences within Newham’s communities.
Events will be hosted in libraries, community centres, cafes, schools and venues near you.
Find out more about Newham Festival of Stories and how to book > |
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| | Seeds of Change: Celebrating Islam installation
As part of Islamophobia Awareness Month, you can join us at the opening event of the Seeds of Change: Celebrating Islam installation on Monday 25 November, from 6pm-8p at Applecart Arts in East Ham.
Artist and spatial designer Sahra Hersi has designed an installation reflecting on themes of faith, connection to Allah (God), community and safety. The installation invites participants into the space for a moment of respite, calm, joy and beauty.
The opening event will feature music by Kadialy Kouyate, who has been enriching the London musical scene with his griot legacy. The installation will be up from Monday 25 November – Saturday 30 November.
Find out more and book the celebrating Islam installation > |
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| Islamophobia Awareness Month FINALE: SHAAM Nasheed Concert To close Islamophobia Awareness Month, we will be joined by the SHAAM Nasheed group on Saturday 30 November at Old Town Hall Stratford.
The group came together in 1997, seeking to present and re-interpret traditional Islamic songs known as nasheeds – a genre that originates from the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Doors will open at 7pm, with the programme starting at 7.30pm, and running until 9pm.
Oitij-jo Kitchen, a women-led project of the OITIJ-JO Collective, an arts and training charity dedicated to promoting awareness of Bengali culture, will be selling food. They aim to bring traditional, handmade Bangladeshi cuisine to the public and disrupt the gender norms of the hospitality and catering sector.
You can find out more and book the SHAAM Nasheed concert > |
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| | Nicole from East Ham is BetterPoints’ latest Move More Motivator
You can become a Move More Motivator, thanks to the BetterPoints app.
Congratulations to Nicole from East Ham who is the latest Newham resident to have secured the title. She is now benefiting physically, mentally and financially. Nicole said: "Before joining BetterPoints, I wasn’t walking enough, but since joining, I walk a lot more now. It’s inspired me to get out to the local park and use the outdoor gym too.” She added: The benefits I get from using this app are that it’s pure meditation for my mental health, and I'm feeling fitter in myself. It also helps financially because as I get more active I gain vouchers that I can use as part of payment for things."
You too can be awarded the Move More Motivator title and win 25,000 BetterPoints.
Download the app > |
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| Caring for our carers
A carer is anyone who provides care and support to a friend or family member who could not manage without the help. If you are a carer, we want you to know there is support available to you too.
We are supporting two events which will take place on Carers Rights Day on Thursday 21 November. They will be led by our commissioned service provider, Newham Carers Community. The events, available both online and in person, are aimed at supporting and empowering carers in our community, while also providing them with valuable information, resources and connections, to help them thrive in their roles. NCC provides free and confidential advice, information and activities.
For support, information and to register for the events, email or call today.
For further guidance and details of our Carers Resident Advisory Group, visit Newham Carers > |
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| | Do something for yourself, for Self-Care Week
Self-Care Week is an annual national awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities, families and generations.
On the Well Newham website, you can find lots of support, advice and information about local services and events, aimed at improving your health and wellbeing. There are plenty of self-care tools and suggestions, from exercising in your local green space with Our Parks, using the Good Thinking platform to ease stress or joining a wellbeing walk via the Active Communities programme, as part of our partnership with GLL.
We would like to know what self-care means to you, how you practice self-care and things that prevent you from practising self-care.
Please have your say via this form >
Find further support here > |
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| Newham celebrates National School Meals Week
As part of National Schools Meal Week, schools across Newham are highlighting the importance of a healthy meal and how it can help with mental as well as physical wellbeing.
The week, organised by LACA, the school caterers association, runs between 11 and 15 November and aims to raise awareness of good school food served daily by professional caterers in schools across England and Wales. This year, LACA wants to highlight how school meals play an important role in children’s mental wellbeing as well as physically and academically.
Newham Council was one of the first local authorities to offer free school meals to all primary school pupils. Through the Mayor of London’s Eat for Free scheme, all primary school pupils in the capital. Universal free school meals ensure every child has at least one balanced and nutritious meal a day. The local authority has seen improvements to pupils’ health, performance and attainment since its Eat for Free programme was introduced in 2009. Juniper Ventures Limited are responsible for delivering the free school meals scheme, delivering more than 22,000 meals a day.
Find out more > |
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| | 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.
We are hosting:
1) Monthly online meetings. 2) Monthly drop-in sessions at Forest Gate Library, 6-8 Woodgrange Road, in Room 2 between 3pm-5pm
These will take place on:
Find more information about fostering in Newham >
To register, email us > |
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| Don't forget to nominate your local hero for a 2024 Newham Civic Award
The 2024 Newham Civic Awards nomination deadline has been extended to Monday 18 November at 23:59pm, giving you more time to recognise your local hero!
Newham is full of inspiring stories just waiting to be told. You can help share the story of an exceptional individual, group or organisation who is doing something special, valued and amazing in Newham by nominating them today.
This year, we’re proud to present 10 award categories across creativity, wellness, volunteering, community wealth and more.
To make your nomination, simply visit www.newham.gov.uk/civicawards, browse the awards available and give thanks to those who you feel have had a profound impact on our community. |
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| | Our Newham: Empowering residents and businesses with confidential advice and support
Our Newham is the council’s service exclusively for Newham residents supporting you across five programmes: Money, Work, Business & Enterprise, Learning & Skills and Youth.
From helping residents maximise their income and kickstarting career journeys to supporting local businesses and start-ups, find out how Our Newham can help give you the boost you need at: www.newham.gov.uk/ournewham or come and visit us at 112-118 The Grove, E15 1NS
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| | | Copyright © 2024 London Borough of Newham, All rights reserved. |
| | Our mailing address is: London Borough of Newham, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QU. |
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