Tower Hamlets is full of life, culture and diversity. Summer is here and there are a lot of events and activities to keep everyone including kids and teens busy throughout! Better yet most of the events are absolutely FREE giving us the chance for our communities to come together; to share, improve and enjoy.

Each week, Director of Public Health, Dr Somen Banerjee, publishes a Covid-19 update to keep residents and partners informed about Covid-19 in Tower Hamlets. Read this week’s to find out about Covid-19 rates and how Tower Hamlets are making it easier than ever for everyone eligible to get their jabs.

Everyone aged 18 and over is now eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine and should book an appointment to get their jab.

Local clinics offering vaccinations include the Arts Pavilion, Cable Street Surgery and Lincoln and Lansbury pharmacies. Appointments are also available at mass vaccination sites such as Westfield.

Anyone aged 40 and under will be offered Pfizer. Two doses, eight weeks apart, are needed. Vaccines are highly effective against the Delta variant, which is now making up the vast majority of cases in the UK.

Protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community by taking up the offer of free Covid-19 vaccination.

You can find guidance on COVID-19 in your chosen language from the tiles below and share them within your community. This also includes support services available in community languages:

• Translated COVID-19 guidance
• Health and Wellbeing
• Employment and Welfare
• Help for Parents
• Domestic Violence and Abuse
• Housing and Homelessness
• Visas and Immigration
• Learn English
• Additional Resources

Tower Hamlets Island Community Network (THICN), is a new grassroots consortium supporting young people facing multiple/complex disadvantages in the borough.

Funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), THICN is one of a number of grass-roots neighbourhood partnerships funded as part of the MyEnds programme.

THICN is lead by Osmani Trust, in partnership with Spotlight and Streets of Growth,   who are all specialists in transforming the life trajectories of young people who have become marginalised by severe local poverty, unemployment and crime – particularly those from BAME communities who are disproportionately affected by these issues.

THICN is currently recruiting a Programme Manager to take forward activity – apply by 7th July 2021 More info about the post here

The Woman's Trust offer support groups for women who have or are experiencing domestic abuse in East London. Support groups are facilitated by a group worker and are a safe space for women can explore their experiences and realise they are not alone. The groups run for 8 weeks and are free.

Women can self refer to the groups or be referred by organisations with their consent, simply by calling 020 7034 0303.

All support groups currently take place over Zoom so you would need to confirm you have a safe, confidential space to attend. 

London's NHS Violence Reduction Programme is looking to build a network that will empower communities across London to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that result in violence, identifying the root causes and delivering early interventions to help prevent its spread.

It is an exciting time for the programme, and with our combined efforts we can make a real difference and create positive futures for our next generation.

To keep up to date with our mission, you can sign up to their new NHS Violence Reduction bulletin.

5, 6, 12, 19, 20, 26 July / 6.00 to 7.30pm 

One Housing in partnership with Tower Hamlets Homes, Swan Housing and East End Homes are delivering 6 workshops on Knife crime prevention & awareness for parents.

The workshops are targeted at parents of young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in knife crime. The sessions will help to increase your awareness and understanding of knife crime, as well as helping you to support your child to make the right choices.

All of the sessions will be taking place on Zoom, so you can join from the comfort of your own home.

'How To Be Safe When Going Out' was produced by CORE Projects trainees.

This is part of a health messaging project where the ICM Foundation are working to
develop accessible health messages for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities in Tower Hamlets. The video content was produced after the feedback obtained from workshops about what people wanted to know about being safe and how they wanted the information to be shared with them.

The ICM Foundation are asking for feedback on the video. Please contact Dawud.marsh@icmfoundation.org.uk to request a copy of the questionnaire.

Thursday 8 July / 14:00 to 16:00pm

Join THCVS for a workshop on the things to consider when starting (and completing) a new project. This session will help you place good project delivery within the work you do as an organisation, and share a range tips and templates to help you get to grips with delivering your project.

The session will make use of Miro, with handouts and templates as a follow up.

Thursday 15 July / 10.00am to 12.00pm 

Join THCVS for a workshop on how to add value to your work through good evaluation and impact reporting. This workshop will help you consider how best to show the value your work achieves, by making use of evaluation and impact tools.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding of how to use your monitoring and evaluation to successfully report on your project
• Understanding the value of disseminating your impact

At Tower Hamlets CVS we want your organisation to thrive and Digital has become an important part of your organisation capabilities.

We are introducing monthly surgeries where you can speak with a member of staff about your digital needs.

Among the topics are:

• Equipment
• CRM (Client Relationship Manager)
• Training programmes
• Digital and tech solutions for your operations
• Publicity: Website and social media
• Other topics (please let us know what your query is about)
  

Thursday 13 July / 11.00am - Session includes British Sign Language interpretation

Bereavement is one of the hardest things any of us will ever face and Covid restrictions have made it even harder.

As we recover from the pandemic, some people may feel they are coping and then be hit by unmanageable waves of grief some considerable time after their loss. If you or colleagues are supporting those who are bereaved, you may find it hard to find the right words or know what to say.

To support those in frontline or community roles, Thrive LDN is working in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Care UK to deliver free, one-hour Bereavement and Loss Awareness webinars during July 2021.

In London, there are a range of free resources, online tools, and helplines available to help you cope and stay mentally healthy. These sit alongside non-urgent NHS psychological treatments, such as talking therapies, if you need further professional support to help you cope with mental and emotional problems.

Helplines
Many of us might be feeling unsafe, vulnerable, alone or unable to cope with grief or loss. The following helplines are free and confidential:

Samaritans: 116 123
Whatever problems you are facing Samaritans are there to listen.

SHOUT: Text Shout to 85258
Text service for support with any mental health concern (it will not show up on your bill).

CRUSE: 0808 808 1677
Support and advice if you are grieving or dealing with bereavement and loss of a loved one.

Switchboard helpline: 0300 330 0630
The LGBT+ helpline is open daily from 10am-10pm.

Looking out for friends and colleagues
It might feel more difficult to mention to someone that you’re worried about them, but now more than ever we need to keep our connections strong.

If you're worried about someone, The Samaritans has a range of resources to help get the conversation started.

Good Thinking has been working in partnership with Muslim communities to create the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Islam. Endorsed by the Muslim Council for Britain, British Islamic Medical Association and The British Board of Scholars and Imams, the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Islam is available on Good Thinking in seven languages English, Bengali, Gujarati, Urdu, Somali, Hindi and Arabic as part of the wider toolkit.

This is the first in a series of resources that have been produced to support Londoners more widely to improve their mental health. In the coming months content will be available for other faith and belief communities.

Thrive LDN and Toynbee Hall are running a series of workshops to work alongside young people in producing solutions and initiatives to support wellbeing & mental health in London.

This is a chance for young Londoners to share their ideas around wellbeing and mental health support in small groups. The age range for the workshops is 16-26, and if you attend a workshop, you will be paid a thank you incentive at London Living Wage rate for your time.

The KeepingWellNEL hub can help support your wellbeing, resilience, and mental health. The hub has a confidential listening service and is delivered conveniently via live chat (call or video) and text feature via +447723484839.

This can be accessed through any digital device to provide support on the go for staff across north east London. It also provides signposting and fast-tracked referral where requested, to other support services. The service is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, including Bank Holidays.

The Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board is a partnership that enables leaders, health and social care professionals and other partners across the NHS, the council and the voluntary sector to work together, solve problems and lead change to improve the health of residents.

The board has developed a draft joint strategy for the next five years for Tower Hamlets and we would like you to hear your views on it. 

Thursday 1 July / 1.00 to 2.00pm / Via Zoom / Thursday Wellbeing Sessions: A conversation themed event.

Thursday 8, 15, 22 July / 10.00 to 10.45am / Workout with Chi Ngo Fitness at Mile End Park: This is a face-to-face session at Mile End Park, which we all attend when the weather is dry. If the weather is wet, we will use Zoom instead. Please note that there are three more sessions to go after this one.

Every Wednesday / 11.00am to 12.30pm / Tiffanwali / Healthy Cooking Course: This course is run in partnership with Tiffanwali, cooking healthy dishes. There are 5 more sessions to go. Due to the government’s recent extension to the restrictions this session will be through Zoom. This course is 6-weeks ending on 28th July.

For more information or to sign up, please email sumita.baines@deafplus.org

ELFT want to refresh their strategy and they need your help to do this. A strategy is a plan that sets out what your long-term aim is, what it is that you want to achieve and the ways that you will make this a reality. A lot has happened since the last ‘Big Conversation’ four years ago so it is time to review and refresh it.

You are invited to attend an online engagement of events to hear what has changed and share your ideas and views. 

This term 90% of courses will be delivered face-to-face and 10% will be delivered via Zoom. To enrol onto courses, click onto the link below. If you want to book via phone, please call on 0207 426 2332 between 9.30am - 5.00pm or text us on 07796 262982 / Email: elft.thrc@nhs.net.

Every Friday / 5.00 to 6.00pm / 117 Vallance Road, London, E1 5BW

Trapped in Zone One is partnership with Vallance Community Sports Association is hosting the Good for Girls programme in Tower Hamlets with London Youth, supporting young women to access relevant, holistic early intervention of mental health support. 

The Good for Girls programme will help to create a mental health hub and extend the support for young women outside of school, with trained youth professionals who are able to create safe spaces where young women feel able to talk about their mental health and learn tools to manage their wellbeing.

Deadline: 30 July

What is Freedom of the Borough?
It’s the highest honour our borough can give. It’s awarded to people and organisations for their exceptional service to Tower Hamlets. It's rarely given out, the last award was presented in 2018. 

Who is eligible for the award?
Individuals or organisations who have made outstanding efforts over several years. They must have a strong, continuing connection with Tower Hamlets. TH wants to hear from all diverse communities.

All of the displays are FREE, in place and available to visit.

Highlights of the exhibition are many and varied: There are photos of communities in action, which showcase many of the things which kept people going over the past year; large-scale and impressive lanterns made by schools and community groups; a creative sound piece, produced by Soundcastle via online musical workshops; a community-made film about the lantern parade; fantastically creative installations from London Metropolitan University, as well as individual artworks which explore the area from residents and members of the wider community. And much much more…

Deadline: Sunday 4 July 

The launch of the the ‘Mind the Fulness’ project will take place on Monday 6th September 2021 and activities will be running from this date onwards (Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th) from 9am to 6pm.

If you would like to take opportunity to promote one or a couple of activities that your organisation/community/charity organise and which relates to the themes of the project (i.e. Nature and Mindfulness), please contact Paula Akpofure - paula.akpofure@keolisameydlr.co.uk to request a copy of the questionnaire. The questionnaire will help to arrange and schedule the project activities.

Sunday 4 July / 2.30 to 5.30pm

Community organisation Toynbee Hall is hosting two public events on Sunday 4 July, celebrating the history of Bangladesh and the liberation struggle in 1971.

Storytelling and music are powerful and important aspects of Bengali culture. Toynbee Hall has been working with Swadhinata Trust, Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives, and Shamim Azad to capture some of this heritage in an exciting and interactive story and walking tour around the East End, followed by a community celebration.

Tuesday 6 July / 10.00am to 4.00pm

This course would be useful for those who might not be in the same jobs as they were in before the pandemic, those who might feel uncertain about job security and for those who may be looking for work after a long period of unemployment.
To enquire or are interested in enrolling please call 0207 426 2332 or email elft.thrc@nhs.net

Sunday 11 July / 2.00 to 5.00pm

Victoria Park Friends Group in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council are delighted to welcome back the Bandstand Season for summer 2021. Fantastic free concerts to liven up your summer Sundays. Come and enjoy a great, free family afternoon at Vicky Park's famous bandstand.

The concerts will be socially distanced events in line with current government guidance.

Hosts: The Bleeding Obvious, Rich Watkins, Juha, Barberfellas

Monday 12 July / 1.00 to 3.00pm

This session is aimed at supporting local partners to gain an understanding of what safeguarding is and how important this is in support substance misuse specific services to help keep people as safe as possible.

The session is designed to be accessed by all staff from various community agencies and groups including: Mental Health, Adult and Child Social Care, Housing, Probation/DIP/Community Safety, Hostels, Primary Care, Employment and Education Services, Local Community Groups 

Places are limited and colleagues are requested to register early by contacting: alan.briggs@cgl.org.uk or stephanie.banjac@cgl.org.uk  

An 8 week online Zoom Course

Mondays / 12, 19, 26 July / 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 August  / 11.00am to 12.15pm

This program is open to any Tower Hamlets adult resident with intermediate level English and not in a current mental health episode.

For more information, please call 07570802591 for email Takebackyourlife19@gmail.com

28 June to 23 July 2021

It’s time we create a better London, one that’s more equal, more connected and where everyone can take part. The London Festival of Ideas will explore our individual and collective visions and plans for strong communities in London. If you have events planned within the period of the Festival which link to the Festival themes you can submit an 'event proposal'.

Groups who face barriers to participation in hosting an activity as part of the festival (with an annual income of less than £75,000) can apply for grants of up to £500 to deliver an event.

The National Lottery Community Fund and The Ubele Initiative, on behalf of The Phoenix Way Partners, have today jointly announced a new £50 million partnership aimed to boost funding and support to Black and Minoritised Community charities and grassroots groups over the next five years.

‘The Phoenix Way’ will create a series of national and regional panels, made of leaders and decision-makers from Black and Minoritised Community-led charities and grassroots groups from across England.

The new initiative will help to facilitate engagement with Black and Minoritised community-led charities and grassroots groups to enable them to access funding and support that have previously failed to reach them and have been difficult for them to access.

Deadline: Friday, July 2 / 5pm

The Christmas Challenge is the UK's biggest online match funding campaign. It launches on #GivingTuesday (this year that's 30th November) and brings together hundreds of charities in one high profile campaign to raise millions of pounds for amazing causes.

Up to £25,000 of match funding is available per charity. There are millions of pounds of match funding available for a wide range of charities and causes.

As well as accessing Champion funds, evidence shows that donors are more likely to give and to give more in match funding campaigns. The Big Give also offers a free suite of resources, training and guidance for all participating charities. 

Deadline: Friday 9 July 

Compass Wellbeing CIC are seeking applications for up to two Community Connector roles to run until March 2022. Funding of up to £66k per annum (pro rata) is to be confirmed.

On behalf of East London Foundation Trust, Compass Wellbeing CIC is inviting local voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations to come forward to express an interest in providing new ‘community connector’ roles. The funding will be going towards assisting the delivery of the new Community Mental Health Framework and to offer support to people with serious mental illness (SMI), not just for them to get back on track in their lives but to create a more fulfilled and happier lifestyle entirely. Successful applicants will be invited to work with both East London Foundation NHS Trust and Compass Wellbeing CIC to contribute to the design of the new model of care and ensuring the final model is based on the feedback of service users, citizens, professionals and partner organisations.

Project name: Community Connectors in Stepney & Wapping
(Primary Care Network 9 – Tower Network)
Project reference no: CWBJN001

Thursday 15 July / 2.30pm

Join council officers and our colleagues at Spacehive for an information session about the Tower Hamlets Innovation Fund.

This workshop will introduce you to the Tower Hamlets Innovation Fund - a £120,000 fund to top up your crowdfunding project by up to £10,000.

Learn about how to go about setting up a crowdfunding project, the top-up funding available through this fund, and how crowdfunding can be used to promote your organisation's work.

Deadline: Thursday 15 July

Charity Fundraising are considering letting out some of their excess space in their headquarters in Club Row, E2 7EY and are researching the need for voluntary sector facilities in Tower Hamlets. It would be really helpful if you could answer the short survey below so that they can understand more about the needs of our fellow local voluntary sector organisations!

Deadline: Monday 26 July / 12 noon

The BME Health Forum has opened a first funding round for organisations wishing to help communities in London experiencing racial inequality meet their immediate needs related to Covid-19. Grants of up to £20,000 are available.

This funding round is for charities and social enterprises with an average annual income of at least £100,000 but less than £600,000.

Deadline: 30 July 2021

Are you starting a new education or training course in September, but worried about finding the money to pay for it? The Further Education Trust might be able to help. Applications for the Tower Hamlets and Canary Wharf Trust Fund are open until 30 July 2021.

The fund provides financial grants of up to £6,600, depending on your course and personal financial situation, to help with the cost of further and higher education courses. 

Deadline: Tuesday 3 August / 9am

Groundwork are working with the Mayor of London to offer grants of up to £45,000 for projects which identify opportunities to counter violent extremism in London.

In June 2019, the Mayor of London published the final report from his Countering Violent Extremism Programme. The report includes 70 recommendations for initiatives that could help counter extremism in London across the key areas of:

• Strengthening communities against extremism
• Encouraging Londoners to stand up to hate and intolerance
• Safeguarding vulnerable Londoners from radicalisation
  
• Stopping the spread of extremist ideologies

'We Fund' funds small and local charities, investing in their work helping people overcome complex social issues across England and Wales. They support charities with an annual income of £25,000 to £1 million with a proven track record of helping people on a journey of positive change through in-depth, holistic and person-centred support. 'We Fund' offers unrestricted funding, including around core costs, and tailored development support to help your charity be more effective.