Overview and scrutiny is an essential function that examines LBTH's decision-making. It plays an important check and balance role to ensure that the decisions of the Executive Mayor, Cabinet and its partners are in the best interests of the residents and that the Council continues to a provide a high-quality service. The scrutiny process provides opportunity to examine the services provided by the Council and partner agencies; to ask questions on how decisions are made; and to consider whether service improvements can be put in place.

The Council is looking to appoint one resident representative to the Health and Adults Scrutiny Sub Committee. The Council is keen to hear from Tower Hamlets residents who wish to be involved in this critically important Council function. Co-opted members will need to attend evening meetings of the sub committee in the Town Hall. The sub committee meets around 5 times per year. 

Deadline for applications: 5pm on Friday 24 February 2023. Interviews are planned to be held on week commencing 13 March 2023.

East London Cares is a community organisation, working across Hackney and Tower Hamlets to tackle loneliness by bringing older (65+) and younger people (18+) together to share time, laughter, friendship and new experiences. They do this through their Social Clubs Programme (group get togethers) and Love your Neighbour Programme (1-2-1 Friendship matching). Check out their video here to see their work in action!

East London Cares are always on the lookout for; New neighbours, Community partners and Referrals partners. If any of the above sounds interesting to you or your community please email them at hello@eastlondoncares.org.uk or use their referral link here.

As you get older it’s not unusual to spend more time on your own, particularly if you’ve lost loved ones or your health isn’t what it used to be. Reengage's have launched rainbow call companions: a free telephone befriending service for LGBT+ people who are lonely, isolated or in need of companionship and feel they would benefit from a friendly phone call every week or two. This is a service specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender plus (LGBT+) people aged 75+ who would like to speak to someone who’s also LGBT+. 

Safe Connections Community Hub aims to support people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts to access the right service at the right time. They offer a safe space for people to talk about their feelings and concerns. The Connectors provide a mixture of emotional and practical support and tailored signposting to help meet the individual’s needs. Anyone wanting support can call the free helpline number: 0300 561 0115 and speak to a Connector. Alternatively, people can email: safeconnections@mithn.org.uk to request a call at a convenient time for them.

For more information, contact suicidepreventiontraining@mindchwf.org.uk

Wednesday 22 February / 7.00 to 9.00pm / St Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Road, E2 9PL

Come together to mark LGBT History Month’s 2023 theme ‘Behind the Lens’ in Tower Hamlets with the Women Over 50 Film Festival (WOFFF), who will be presenting a range of short films celebrating LBTQ+ older women in front of and behind the camera, plus Q&A with the director of WOFFF!

Tuesdays 4.00 to 5.45pm - LGBT+ Over 50 Social Group

Tuesdays 6.00 - 8.00pm - LGBT+ Social Support Group

elop's groups have returned to *face-to-face* meetings in the borough! Join their fun, friendly and non-judgemental safe space to meet new people and discuss LGBT+ topics! Email events@elop.org to register in order to attend the groups.

Sundays / 1.30 to 5.30pm / CRC Upper Floor, Devon's Hall, Powis Road, E3 3NL

Join the Faith Action Partnership every Sunday after worship service for a variety of activities that will tackle some of your concerns in a friendly environment: Befriending, hot food, exercise, cancer awareness, crime prevention tips and more.

For more information, email info@cavocela.com / 07939 025 832 / 07741 548 950

Thursday 2 March / 12.00 to 2:00pm / Christ Apostolic Church Top Floor, Devons Hall Powis Street, E3 3HJ

This event will highlight the impact of the projects across the borough of Tower Hamlets, share best practice, inspire other faith settings, highlight partnership working between faith groups and LBTH and celebrate the role of faith in public health. Speakers to include members of Tower Hamlets Public Health department and local faith leaders. Free refreshments, networking slots and a chance to speak to the Action Plan Project Leaders.

The Tower Hamlets Women's Network would like to invite you to become a member. They aim to create a programme to raise the profile of women in the borough, share ideas and explore current issues impacting women in the borough. Membership of the Network is open to women who are local residents and who are members or staff of local women’s groups and VCS organisation.

Wednesday 29 March / 5.30pm / Positive East, 159 Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, E1 4AQ

New to Tower Hamlets? Looking for more LGBT+ groups and events? Come and find out about the Tower Hamlets LGBT+ Forum! They would like to welcome anyone who is interested in getting involved to come along from 5.30pm to find out more over a cup of tea, possibly a game or a short quiz. You are also welcome to stay for the forum meeting which starts at 6pm. 

For more information or further questions please email lgbtforum@elop.org

elop and the Tower Hamlets LGBT+ Forum are keen to engage with LGBT+ Parents & Carers and Parents/Carers of LGBT+ Young People who live, work or study in Tower Hamlets! They want to run an event in 2023 aimed at this group to improve LGBT+ inclusion in Tower Hamlets schools. If you are a LGBT+ Parent/Carer or Parent/Carer of an LGBT+ young person please contact Lauren Steele on lgbtforum@elop.org

The Equalities Hub is key to the new direction for the Council’s equalities provision, providing a central strategic focus, responding to the community’s needs and issues. The Hub will be vital to bringing about a more coordinated approach to equalities in the borough. If you want to find out more on how to get involved or if you have information you would like to share with the networks please get in touch.

Tuesday 21 February / 11.00am to 12.00pm 

Compass Wellbeing are hosting HR bitesize training. This session is called ‘Having Difficult Conversations’. Learn different approaches to resolve problematic work-place conversations. The training will cover the following topics: 

• What is conflict?
• What does a “bad” workplace culture look like?
• What’s your strategy for a difficult conversation?
• What to consider when preparing for difficult conversations
• Managing emotions
• Role of mediation 

Please RSVP and submit any questions beforehand, to training@compasswellbeing.co.uk so that they can be answered within the session by the HR professional. 

Thursday 23 February, 2.00 to 4.30pm / FREE session on Zoom

Many organisations are finding that there is a reduced supply of volunteers due to the cost of living crisis and the ongoing fallout from the pandemic. In this practical and interactive online training, you will consider how your organisation can adapt to the changing context and recruit the right volunteers to continue delivering vital services.

You will look at what might currently motivate people to volunteer, adapting or framing roles to be more attractive to potential volunteers, reducing barriers, offering more development opportunities and exploring different recruitment methods/channels for advertising your volunteer opportunities.

This session is suitable for experienced Volunteer Managers, as well as those who are new to managing volunteers. Priority will be given to voluntary sector organisations with a base/office in Tower Hamlets, or that have services aimed at Tower Hamlets residents. Please email evelyn@vcth.org.uk if you have any questions.

Starting Friday 24 February

Are you energetic and want to work with children in a nursery or school? Or perhaps you are already doing that and want to progress up the career ladder? Account3 is offering a 12 week, NAFC Cache accredited course / Level 1 award for caring for children. If this sounds like you, Account3 may be able to help. Please email training@account3.org.uk to make an appointment to discuss your options.

This training programme is for programme managers, fundraisers, and directors responsible for service improvement. Through a series of three case study based training modules, we look at how a fictional CEO, Mary, approaches impact measurement; identifies the type of evaluation best for her services; and how she addresses challenges she encounters along the way.

Wednesday 1 March, 11am-2.30pm / Module 1 / Doing evaluation in the real world: The basics - Click here to register

Wednesday 15 March, 11am-2.30pm / Module 2 / Evaluating Programmes: A case study - Click here to register

Wednesday 29 March, 11am-2.30pm / Module 3 / Using Impact and Evaluation Data in Practice - Click here to register

21 February / 7, 21 March / 4, 18 April / 2, 16, 30 May / 13, 27 June / 11, 25 July / 1 August

You are invited to take part in an art project about mental health. In fortnightly sessions at Chisenhale Gallery in Bow, starting on the 21st of February, you will work with artist ‘the vacuum cleaner’, Cecilia Wee and an inspiring group of activists. Together, you will begin to imagine what a London-wide programme of art for mental health could be.You need zero experience in making art. 

• The programme is open to young people (15-25) who have experienced struggles with their mental health who live in Tower Hamlets and surrounding areas.
• Young people will be paid the London Living Wage (£12p/h) + travel expenses will be covered.
• You do not need to have any experience with art, and the project are especially interested in young people who may not usually get involved in projects like this one.

If you’d like to take part, to hear more, or know someone who might be interested, contact Seth at: seth.pimlott@chisenhale.org.uk or on 07557384717

Tuesday February 21 / 6:00 to 9:00 pm 

Screening of the short film, “The Ward – Revisited”.  In 1993 Gideon spent a number of weeks photographing the Broderip and Charles Bell wards at the Middlesex Hospital. The Broderip was the first dedicated AIDS ward in London.

After the film, there will be a chance to share our own experience of living with HIV. There will be a tasty hot meal served between 6.30 and 7pm, with vegan and gluten free choices, plus soft drinks and juice. Email nick.maxwell@positiveeast.org.uk for more information.

Positive East's monthly group for gay and bisexual men, and men who have sex with men (open to cis and trans men) living with HIV. They meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month – social meetings, films, speakers, discussions or just getting together with other people living with HIV.

Tuesday 21 February / 2:30 to 4:00pm / Bow Brew Cafe 83 Saint Paul's Way, E3 4YH

Lucy Alexander from Creative Minds will be delivering an accessible and empowering art session. Sessions allow people to express themselves through the creative process, explore various art mediums and art forms and experiment with a huge variety of techniques and processes. This session, which will run as part of the coffee and connect will be inspired by the Turner Prize winning artist, Veronica Ryan.

Veronica made a large sculpture of a custard apple, breadfruit, and soursop in Hackney to commemorate the Windrush. You will make your own fruit sculptures using modelling materials, tissue paper and watercolours.

Every Wednesday until 15 March / 1.30 to 2.30pm / St Hilda’s LinkAge Plus, Sonali Gardens

Join English National Ballet and take part in creative and enjoyable dance movement
workshops and improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Each class is accompanied by a musician playing live. The Spring term is inspired by a new work in English National Ballet’s repertoire: The Rite of Spring by Mats Ek. No previous dance experience necessary! For more information and to join, please contact the team on 020 7265 9292.

Thursday 23 February / 11.30am to 3:30pm / ELM (East London Mosque), Ground Hall, 82-92 Whitechapel Rd, E1 1JX / FREE entry

Get the best advice from experts from a variety of industries/sectors. Newark Youth London have various providers from a range of industries coming along to advice, provide guidance to youths wanting to apply for job roles in: Dentistry, Opticians, Railway work, Civil Service, NHS trust, IT sector representatives, UCAS Guidance, Mock Interview for medicine, Oxbridge advice, Local JCP, Princes-Trust and apprenticeship help and support. This event is aimed for 16 to 25 year olds. For more information, email: mubeen.rajabali@newark.org.uk.

Friday 24 February & Friday 3 March / 5.00 to 7.00pm / Spotlight, 30 Hay Currie St, E14 6GN

Spotlight are launching their young refuge programme this month with some information and consultation sessions. These sessions are creative and participatory  where Spotlight are going to share with the young people what they can offer. Spotlight are also keen to find out what the needs of the young people are and how they can use Spotlight's resources to meet these needs. To find out more, contact: carlos@wearespotlight.com or at 07837301521.

Saturday 25 February / 4.00 to 5.00pm / Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA

Graeae Young Company presents The Festival of Rights. This show is made my Graeae’s young company and is all about Human rights. There are themes of injustice, unfairness, ableism, love, community and empowerment.
The performance will be BSL interpreted, with creative use of audio description in the script. There are wheelchair spaces and step-free seating. 

Saturdays until April / 1.00 to 3.00pm / The London Congolese Chaplaincy, Roman Catholic Church of St Mary & St Michael, 2 Lukin Street, El OAA

Do you fancy socializing and participating in community health awareness
and well being activities? Come along and enjoy coffee, refreshments, African and Congolese cuisine and music, health information, community conversations about mental health education, support on cost of living and debt management and support during the winter crisis connecting the community to universal services. For more information, please call us on :07529732377 or email thefamiliessgroup@gmail.com

Thursday 2 March / 1.00 to 3.00pm / Harford Street Community Centre, 115 Harford Street, E1 4FG
The Bangladeshi Mental Health Forum and the Tower Hamlets Community Psychology Team invite you to join them for a celebration of the mother tongue of
Bangladesh. Music, singing, poetry, food and more. This event is for Women and children only. For more information, contact Shamima on 07871 927324.

Saturday 4 March / 1.30 to 4.30pm / The Octagon At Queen Mary University Of London 327 Mile End Road, E1 4NS

You are invited to come and join a diverse group of women from different paths of life and of all ages, for an inspiring afternoon to celebrate International Women's Day. The afternoon will be packed with fun & entertainment. You will also get to hear from some of the most prominent and inspiring female speakers including politicians and other special guests. There will be opportunities to discuss about issues that directly affect us, and what we can do collectively to achieve positive change.

There will be hot/cold drinks, halal and vegetarian refreshments available. Feel free to bring along your children under 10. We encourage you to wear cultural attire if you'd like to. The event is co-organised by Women 100, Citizens UK, Queen Mary University, East London Mosque, Near Neighbours and Account 3.

Tuesday 7 March / 9.30am to 1.00pm / Southern Grove Community Centre, E3 4FX

This event will bring together organisations in the borough working to reduce loneliness and organisations working to support mental health. Loneliness can negatively impact our mental health and having poor mental health can increase loneliness. This event aims to bring together organisations in the borough working to reduce loneliness and organisations working to support mental health. Come along to explore what support is available and how we can work better together.

Hosted by Tower Hamlets Public health in collaboration with Tower Hamlets Community Voluntary Sector and MIND. Teas, coffees and refreshments from 9.30am with speakers and interactive sessions from 10 am – 1pm.

Friday 31 March / Big Advice Day: The FSI’s quarterly Big Advice Day is a chance for you to speak to an advisor about pretty much anything charity-related - and it's free! You'll be able to arrange a time with your advisor for your session (to be held either online or over the phone). The only criteria to access free one-to-one advice is that you need to be a member of the FSI with an income of under £1 million. Register your interest here.

Tower Hamlets Council with partners is proud to host a weeklong programme of community sports and physical activities sessions for females aged 11 to 50+ in celebration of International Women’s Week 2023.

Activities include tournaments for football, walking netball, mini tennis, badminton, and basketball, and activities such as aerobics, body conditioning, cycling, swimming, circuits, pilates, self-defence and more. For more information and bookings please contact Pauline.Stewart@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Did you know that over 40% of all properties in TowerHamlets are privately rented? That is about 53K households! Take part in LBTH'S survey on proposals for all privately rented properties with multiple occupiers to be licensed. 

Tower Hamlets Council wishes to consult and seek the views of tenants, landlords, residents, and all other stakeholders in relation to a proposed a new five-year borough-wide additional licensing scheme. The proposed scheme would commence at the end of the current scheme (April 2024). This proposal includes the areas of Weavers, Whitechapel, Spitalfields and Banglatown, which were excluded from the current scheme.

Congratulations to Tower Hamlets foster carer Afia Choudhury who went to Windsor Castle on Tues to collect her OBE from King Charles, after being recognised for services to children, in the year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022.

The new proposed Mayor's Community Grant Programme funding aims deliver services between October 2023 to March 2027 and will include the following five themes: 

• Tackle the Cost-of Living crisis- Focusing on improving financial and economic wellbeing of residents
• Accelerate Education- Focusing on improving educational attainment and development of children and young people
• Culture, business, jobs and skills- Focusing on increasing employment and skills opportunities for socially excluded residents
• Invest in public services- Focusing on improving wellbeing of residents and reduce isolation and inactivity amongst older people
• Empower Communities and fight crime- Focusing on addressing inequalities experienced by people reflecting different equality groups and address community safety issues impacting residents

Deadline Sunday 26 February

The Inspiring Communities Fund will offer grants of up to £750 to hold an event that brings the community together to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty the King, which will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023.

Migrant Advice and Support Fund 

Deadline for applications is 9.00 am on Monday 27 February
The Mayor has launched new grants programme for organisations providing specialist advice and/or holistic support to migrant Londoners. Grants will be available between £10,000 to £30,000 for single organisations and up to £70,000 for partnerships. Funding is for an initial 6 months of activity, with the possibility of extension. Find out more and apply.

Building Strong Communities Fund - Round 3 

Deadline: 1.00pm on Monday 13 March 2023
Round 3 of the Building Strong Communities fund is now open to receive applications. The total funding pot is £200,000 and will be made up of small grants of between £1,000 to £6,000. Grants are available for equity-led groups with an annual turnover of £0 to £50,000. Apply now!

Deadline: Friday 3 March @5pm

Lloyds Bank Foundation's focus is to support small, local, specialist charities with an income of £25,000–£500,000 with their three-year unrestricted £75,000 grant and support to develop. Lloyds will support charities that understand the complexity of the issues people face and are best placed to make a genuine difference to people’s lives. 

Lloyds will be holding a Funding webinar & Q&A on 12 January 2023 from 2-4pm to go through the eligibility criteria and answer any questions that you might have. You can register for the webinar here.

Do you run a community group or any small organisation that supports One Housing or Riverside residents? One Housing have made £250,000 available in 2022/23 through their new Community Fund to help fund projects that promote opportunities and wellbeing and tackle poverty in our communities. If you’ve got an idea that could make a difference, they want to hear from you.

The 30th year of the Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs (DBACE) gets under way with applications open from Tuesday 31 January. This could be your chance to secure: Up to £20,000 investment to start or grow your enterprise;
Membership to MeWe360's Incubator programme, including 12-months of business support with MeWe360 and Deutsche Bank's high calibre industry & business mentors. DBACE offers a range of fantastic resources to support you with your application.

The National Databank provides free mobile data, texts and calls to people in need via Good Things Foundation’s network of local community partners. Think of it like a ‘food bank’ but for internet connectivity data. Community organisations can apply to access the databank, enabling them to provide data to people in their communities who need it.

This funding aims to help communities across the UK to address climate change.

National Lottery Community Fund are looking for projects that focus on the link between nature and climate. They want to fund projects that use nature to encourage more community-led climate action. The NLCF expect these projects to bring other important social and economic benefits. Like the creation of strong, resilient and healthy communities or the development of ‘green’ skills and jobs.

Grants of between £300,000 and £500,000 are available, with grants of £50,000 to £150,000 over 12 to 18 months also available to constituted groups or clubs, voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, CIOs, SCIOs, CICs and more. The deadline for applications is ongoing.

Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available for charities, voluntary groups, schools, and local authorities in England to carry out projects that will improve their local community. The aim of the grants programme is to support communities to thrive by funding projects that build strong relationships in and across communities. The deadline for applications is ongoing.

Do you require support with putting together or reviewing funding applications? The East London Business Alliance (ELBA) is a charity brokering opportunities to connect the corporate and community sectors. They are currently offering volunteer support to organisations who need help with writing and reviewing grant funding applications.

Employee volunteers from across ELBA's member companies have offered their time to assist charities to complete applications to the many funds that have emerged as a response to the current crisis. They are able to assist you with writing the application and/or reviewing a completed application. In some cases, they may be able to write a grant funding application on your behalf.

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions, please contact Orlaith: orlaith.mcguinness@elba-1.org.uk