GCSE and A Level results - p10 Moving to a digital council - London Borough of Hounslow
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Hounslow
Autumn 2018
Community news from around the borough
All you need to know about the services that matter to you MATTERS
GCSE and
A Level
results
p10
Housing News
p15-18
Moving to a
digital council
p9
New Homes for
Reduce your food waste Disabled and Older
Residents
p20-21
Bedfont | Hanworth | Feltham | Cranford | Hounslow | Heston | Osterley | Isleworth | Brentford | Chiswick
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xxx
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2
Welcome to the autumn edition of
Hounslow Matters – September 2018
What’s inside
News 4-7
Moving to a more digital council 9
A Level and GCSE success 10
I am delighted we have Free early education 11
appointed Niall Bolger Living with dementia 13
as our new Chief
Executive Stoptober; Get active 14
Dear residents, Housing News 15-18
The record-breaking weather of this Cabinet and Borough Council: Hounslow’s Mayor
summer seems to be continuing into makes her mark 19
the autumn! It’s a great time of year 1. Create 4,000 new apprenticeships
to enjoy our parks and open spaces and training opportunities to help Reduce your food waste;
even as the evenings close in, so have young people into work and take Recycling 20-21
a look at what we’ve got going on action to ensure employers pay at
around Hounslow and make the most least the London Living Wage. Community in Action –
of the Indian summer!
Festival of Waste 22
2. Secure 5,000 affordable homes,
But it wasn’t just the weather of which 3,000 should be new
that was great this summer, as yet council and housing association Hounslow’s Green Flag parks 23
again our young people achieved homes for social rent and 2,000
wonderful success in their GCSEs for shared ownership and Hounslow’s Heritage
and A Levels, with 97.2% achieving other affordable products that buildings 24-25
the overall pass rate for A Levels. contribute to local needs. Crack
We wish our young people all down on rogue landlords and Schools’ RE:FIT programme;
the best in whatever they decide help local residents buy their first Household Enquiry Form 26
to do, whether it’s to continue home.
their education, take up an Around Hounslow 28-29
apprenticeship or start employment. 3. Invest £2 million to fix potholes in
local roads - and invite residents to Quiz the Cabinet;
I am delighted to confirm that we nominate the roads that need it.
have appointed Niall Bolger as Introducing Cllr Lily Bath 30
our new Chief Executive. It was 4. Overhaul doorstep collections to
a unanimous decision from our make recycling easier and collect
interview panel to recommend the fridges, mattresses and other
appointment, and this was ratified at bulky items to reduce fly tipping. To view Hounslow Matters online visit:
Borough Council on 18 September. www.hounslow.gov.uk/hounslowmatters
Niall will be joining us from Sutton 5. Ensure sound financial For translations or accessible formats email:
Council, and brings with him a wealth management to maximise communications@hounslow.gov.uk
of experience which will be helpful available funding to priority For advertising email:
here in Hounslow. services. advertising@hounslow.gov.uk
I’m sure you will all join me in We have also added, as an area Follow us on Twitter
@LBofHounslow
welcoming Niall to our borough, of particular focus, our Air quality
which we anticipate will be by action plan – a rolling programme of Find us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/hounslowcouncil
December. In the meantime, we are schemes and initiatives to improve air
very pleased that Alan Adams has quality in the borough. To find out
stepped into the role on an interim more about one of these initiatives
basis as Mary Harpley has now moved visit page 5. Send us your news
on to her new role as the Chief If you have a local story and pictures
Officer for the Mayor of London. you’d like to see in Hounslow
Matters send it, with your name
The five pledges in our manifesto, and daytime contact details, to
voted in by residents in the 2018 Councillor Steve Curran hm@hounslow.gov.uk and maybe
election, have been approved by Leader of Hounslow Council it’ll get into the next issue!
3
New online Your views matter
community Would you like to shape how we deliver services? If so we invite you
News
guide for to join our successful Customer Service Focus Group. The group will
meet up to four times a year, both during office hours and in the
residents evening, at our main Civic Office (currently at Lampton Road, moving
An exciting new online directory has
to Bath Road in 2019).
been launched detailing voluntary,
We meet to discuss customer service Your opinion counts - you don’t need to
community groups and organisations
across all service areas within the council have ICT skills or to be aware of the full
across the borough that provide
and to look at proposals for new ways of council service delivery. All we ask is that
support, advice and important services
working, to suit your needs. you are a resident, use our services and
for our residents.
have the motivation to want to challenge
It also includes information about The group has previously helped us to and make a change.
community buildings that are available build a new telephone menu system
to hire. The site has been designed reducing the number of options you Interested in joining? Simply email the
to be as accessible as possible whilst hear and making it easier to route Head of Customer Experience, susan.
remaining visually interesting and easy quickly to the right service team. austin@hounslow.gov.uk with your
to use. You can visit it here: The group also tested new forms to contact details. Our next meeting, to
cig.hounslow.gov.uk apply for services prior to going live be determined, will be looking at our
on our website, and tested the website plans for customer service and delivering
menu system to determine how easy it services in our new building – due for
is to use. completion early 2019.
What
does good
customer
service mean
to you? New Parking Permit
We would like to hear your views on
what good customer service means
to you. Do you appreciate a friendly
online system
person to talk to, someone who is On 4 September the borough changed an individual email address and create
polite and listens? Do you like to have to a new parking ICT provider – Taranto a password. A PIN will no longer be
all your questions answered through – because we believe the new service required. Once you have set up your
online instant chat? Let us know your will better meet your needs and give you account you will have easy access to your
views by emailing more control over the way you manage information including permit processing
susan.austin@hounslow.gov.uk your parking permit account. updates and expiry dates. Payments
will be processed in real time which will
We are creating a new customer You will need to register online for either allow for faster and easier transactions.
service strategy and your comments a new permit or to renew an existing
will provide us with food for thought permit and provide all documentation The pricing for new permits is on a tiered
for this strategy. There will be a requested. system, with the first permit purchased
consultation on the draft strategy being the cheapest. Up to five permits can
so look out for this from the end of To create an account visit www. be issued per address on a first come first
November on our consultation hub: hounslow.gov.uk and go to the ‘apply served basis. Please visit www.hounslow.
www.hounslow.gov.uk/ for a new permit’ or ‘renew a resident gov.uk and click on ‘apply’ to find more
consultations parking permit’ pages. Please provide information on parking permits.
4
New Chief Executive Have your
Niall Bolger, Chief Executive of Sutton Council, will be joining us as say!
News
our new Chief Executive later this year. Do you want to get involved
Cllr Steve services in Sutton achieve a ‘Good’
in making sure our decisions
Curran, Ofsted rating, managed over £90 are fair and in the best
Leader of million of council budget savings interests of the community?
Hounslow whilst maintaining and improving
Council services, and secured commitment The council makes decisions about how
said “I am from the Greater London Authority to provide public services and spend
delighted and Transport for London towards public money.
we have making the proposed London Cancer
appointed Hub a reality. To make sure these decisions are fair,
Niall to local residents are involved and services
be our new Chief Executive, the On his appointment, Niall said: “I are provided in the best way, councillors
decision to offer Niall the role was a am really looking forward to helping sit on scrutiny committees. In Hounslow,
unanimous decision by the interview councillors and residents in Hounslow we have one overarching scrutiny
panel. I look forward to welcoming realise their ambitions, and I am committee and three panels as well as
Niall to Hounslow, I’m sure he will delighted and humbled to have been a special panel of housing tenants and
do a fantastic job for the residents selected for this incredibly important leaseholders.
of the borough, as he has done so in job. I’m really impressed by the
Sutton.” ambition of Hounslow Council and its Here are some ways you can get
partners and it will be a privilege to involved:
Niall joined Sutton in March 2011 provide officer leadership to colleagues
and since then has overseen children’s in the borough.” 1. Become a co-optee: We have
vacancies on the Children and
Young Peoples' Scrutiny Panel and
Mayor makes a splash at
need representatives from faith
communities and school governors.
If you are a tenant or leaseholder,
New Chiswick Pool
you can also join the Housing
Tenant and Leaseholder Scrutiny
Panel.
2. Suggest a topic for the scrutiny
work programme: If you are
concerned that an issue is not being
properly addressed, or a significant
number of people are being unfairly
affected by a service and the way it
is delivered, then email us about it
or complete a scrutiny referral form
on our website as this will be taken
to the Chair.
3. Come to a meeting: Scrutiny
meetings are held in public,
you’ll find the agendas on our
website. Have a look at each Panel/
Committees' page to see what they
The Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Samia Chaudhary joined residents to are working on.
celebrate the re-opening of the recently refurbished New Chiswick
Pool, and the wait seems to have been worth it! 4. Submit feedback on a review:
Scrutiny panels may call for
Residents of all ages got stuck into Leisure Services who also attended. feedback or evidence on a
a day of outdoor games, health particular issue under review, keep
assessments, colouring competitions, Works to the pool included re-tiling to an eye on our webpages and
a spin challenge, studio taster the walls of the pool and surrounding communication channels.
sessions and a float frenzy session area, redecoration of the changing
in the pool, complete with a disco! rooms and improved lighting. For more information on Scrutiny
It’s safe to say the fun-filled day was and how to get involved visit our
enjoyed by all, including the Leader To find out more visit: webpage www.hounslow.gov.uk/
of the Council, Cllr Curran and Cllr www.fusion-lifestyle.com scrutinypanel or contact: scrutiny@
Sue Sampson, Cabinet Member for hounslow.gov.uk
5
New PEACE Project
to support vulnerable
News
Have you heard about our
‘Talking Pants’ campaign?
Hounslow Safeguarding Children’s
children
Board has been working with the The council has secured funding of £1.2m that will finance an
NSPCC to keep children safe from innovative project to support vulnerable young people affected by
sexual abuse. We encourage parents
and carers to talk to their children sexual exploitation, gangs, child criminal exploitation and trafficking.
using very child friendly materials,
games, songs and colouring-pages. The PEACE Project aims to address responsibility. Any child can be a victim
The materials aim to keep children issues of both Child Sexual Exploitation of sexual exploitation and criminal
safe and are suitable for early years and Child Criminal Exploitation across exploitation no matter what age,
to primary and they are fun! the borough by utilising a mixture gender, culture, ethnicity, religion or
of assertive outreach work, systemic family circumstance.
There’s lots of advice from other family therapeutic intervention and a
parents, so if you are not sure you Contextual Safeguarding approach to If you have a concern about a child,
can see what others have said. They minimise risk to children vulnerable you should call the police on 999 if it is
are available in various languages to exploitation outside of the family an emergency or 101 if an immediate
and in easy-read. To access the home. response is not needed. You can also
materials, visit call children’s services on 020 8583
www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing- Safeguarding children from 6600. Or visit: www.hounslow.gov.
abuse/keeping-children-safe/ exploitation is everybody’s uk/childprotection
underwear-rule
The running club on a mission to do
good - one plastic bottle at a time
UK-wide charity, GoodGym, combines doing good and getting fit by forming groups of runners that
combine regular exercise with helping local communities.
This summer, GoodGym Hounslow GoodGym Hounslow ran to meet
was spotted doing shoreline clean-up them along the shore and got to
from Kew Bridge to Hammersmith work picking up litter and sorting out
Bridge. The Whale Company intact bottles for The Whale company
and Active 360 asked GoodGym to fashion into paddleboards while
Hounslow for help on several binning the rest.
occasions to fish plastic bottles out
of the Thames as part of their plastic As the days grow shorter, it will
pollution awareness campaign. no doubt become even more
challenging to get motivated to
exercise after work – but GoodGym
Hounslow runners have a reason to
run. Whether it’s shoreline cleanup,
assisting at local homeless shelters,
or doing gardening work, GoodGym
runners feel they’re more likely to
continue to get out there and do
good whilst getting fit.
Do you want to do good and get fit?
GoodGym Hounslow meets every
Wednesday at 6.45pm at the
Chiswick Town Hall. For more
information, visit
goodgym.org/areas/Hounslow
6
Joint Services Open Day Adult learning
can give you the
a success! chance to make a
News
change
We offer an extensive range of courses
for you to choose from, whether you
are looking to improve your English,
Maths or computer skills, seeking to
build or change your career, or for
personal enjoyment to develop practical
and social skills and build confidence.
Family Learning is available for parents
and children to learn new skills
together.
We offer flexible learning, providing
day and evening lessons across
the borough and in some cases
online. Many are free or offered at
It was a great turnout at the Joint sessions, face painting, a food hall, concessionary rates depending on
Services Open Day which took place fun fair and to top it all off, enjoyed your personal circumstances. For more
earlier this month at Thornbury live entertainment led by street dance info visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/
Park. Families enjoyed a day of group Alumnae. Educational displays adulteducation
fun and activities whilst having the were also present, giving a first-hand
opportunity to find out more about look at some of the great work of the
how emergency services and partners emergency services, which included Are you looking
across the borough work together to the Hounslow Police and volunteer
keep our communities safe. cadets, the London Fire Brigade and for a job and
Residents got stuck into sport taster
London Ambulance Service as well as
the Army and the Irish Guards.
need support?
We have a mobile job support centre
that you can visit. You can get one-to-
one support with employment skills
and training, job applications, jobs,
advice on CVs, apprenticeships and
if you’re looking to start your own
business. Find us in Bell Square, every
Monday from 12noon to 4.30pm
To find out more, contact us by email:
work@hounslow.gov.uk or call
020 8583 6174
How clean is the air Information
you’re breathing? and advice
for families in
Exposure to high levels of air pollution
can lead to a range of short and
The AirTEXT service is operated by
Cambridge Environmental Research
Hounslow
long-term health impacts. That’s why Consultants Ltd (CERC) in partnership The Hounslow Family Services
we’re offering a free AirTEXT service with a Consortium made up of Directory is an online directory
to alert you, via SMS or email, when representatives from all the member for parents, carers, young people
high levels of pollution are forecasted local authorities, the GLA, Public Health and professionals. Information on
and to offer simple advice to reduce England and the Environment Agency. childcare, children’s centres, schools,
the impact. The service also provides forecasts for activities and family support services
UV, pollen and temperature. for your bump, baby, toddler, young
We recommend that everyone signs up child or teenager can be found on
for the service, particularly people with To sign up, simply text ‘Airtext our online Family Services Directory.
lung or heart problems who are more Hounslow’ to 78070 or visit Visit fsd.hounslow.gov.uk to find
prone to the impacts of air pollution. www.airtext.info/signup out more.
7
Save time
GO
ONLINE
FIND WHAT YOU
NEED WITH OUR
NEW IMPROVED
SEARCH
www.hounslow.gov.uk
Moving to a
more digital
council
Visitors to the Civic Centre can’t have missed the new housing that
is now fronting Lampton Road, Hounslow, which will shortly see What are the top ten
new residents moving in. As the council has released the current things that people
site for housing, it will be moving to new, smaller offices on the currently do at www.
corner of Bath Road, from spring 2019. hounslow.gov.uk?
Hounslow House will be a more an issue or request an appointment or 1. Pay Council Tax
modern building with a greater information. 2. Apply and claim housing
community focus, not to mention benefit
better green credentials – improved The digitisation of council services,
energy rating, solar panels, and travel making it easier to do business with 3. Recycling and waste collection
planning to encourage less car use for the council online, whether from a finder
staff and visitors – as well as reduced computer, tablet or mobile phone,
running costs compared to the current allows residents to choose when and 4. Apply for planning permission
Civic Centre. how they contact us, 24/7, and more 5. Pay online
services are being added all the time.
New technology means that staff Make sure to visit the website and see 6. Apply for a resident parking
can work more efficiently, going out if you can do what you need without a permit
to meet clients instead of needing trip to the Civic Centre! 7. Apply for a Garden Waste
residents to come to the council for collection
appointments, or to drop off forms
or ask for information. There is also 8. Apply for jobs
much more that is available to do
online at www.hounslow.gov.uk 9. Check My Account
allowing you to self-serve on a number 10. Pay PCNs
of issues, whether you want to apply
for something, pay for a service, report 11. Register births, deaths and
marriages
9
Hounslow pupils celebrate
A level and
GCSE success
Schools across the borough have had an excellent 4 in both subjects, four per cent better
summer after hundreds of pupils celebrated some of the than the national average last summer.
best ever GCSE results and another strong year at
Almost half achieved the more
A level. challenging grade 5 in both English and
Maths, two per cent above last year and
This year’s provisional A-level results For the first time the majority of GCSE six per cent above last year’s national
show an overall pass rate at 97.2 per subjects taken were more challenging average.
cent, with 21.2 per cent of grades being for pupils and were assessed using the
at A*-A, giving students the passport to new grading system from 9 (higher Pupils across the borough also
take up their chosen university courses, than the previous A*) to 1, with a performed well in other GCSEs, with
apprenticeships or career openings. grade 4 seen as a ‘standard pass’ provisional information indicating
(broadly equivalent to the previous Hounslow pupils have outperformed
grade C). their peers nationally across their best
eight GCSEs.
These exam reforms were introduced by
the Government to ensure that young Hounslow students also maintained
people leave school better prepared a very strong position in the English
for work or further study. GCSEs are Baccalaureate (EBacc) (comprising
now more challenging and designed five subjects including English, Maths,
to match the standards of other high Science, a language and a humanities
performing education systems elsewhere subject) with 39 per cent of pupils
in the world. achieving this with grade 4s or better
(15 per cent above national performance
Pupils have achieved huge improvement last year) and 27 per cent with grade
in Maths and English GCSE results this 5s (five per cent above 2017 national
year with 68 per cent achieving grade performance).
10Councillor Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member
Can you find the childcare
for Education and Children’s Services,
Hounslow Council, said: “As a council we you need? Have your say…
are proud of the continuing high-quality
education that is available in our schools If you have a child aged from newborn improve childcare choices.
and we want to ensure that our children to 14-years-old (or up to 18-years for
and young people are given every children with a disability), we are keen An online childcare demand survey
opportunity to succeed and progress into to know if your childcare needs are will run until Friday 2 November
sixth form, college or apprenticeships.” being met. Knowing what is going 2018. People can submit their
well and what could be improved is views at www.haveyoursay.
For free impartial advice and guidance important to inform future planning of hounslow.gov.uk
on the range of post 16 options childcare places.
available, visit hounslow.gov.uk/ The information provided in the
connexions or call 020 8583 5151 to If your child attends a pre-school, survey will help to ensure that there
make an appointment. day nursery, before or after school is sufficient high quality childcare
care, a holiday playscheme or is available in the places and at the times
with a registered childminder, please that parents and carers need it.
Adults succeed complete the online survey to help
at gaining GCSE
English and Maths
For
info more
rma
ti
visit on,
The Adult Education Service has been
working hard over the last year to expand ww
w
their community learning offer across the gov .houns
.uk/ l
free ow.
borough to continue supporting residents.
We are pleased to share that 94 per
cent achieved GCSE Maths (grades 9-4) 020 or call 15
and 62 per cent achieved GCSE English 858
3 34
Language (grades 9-4). This is a great 70
achievement for the commitment and
hard work of the adult learners who often
juggle studies with the demands of family
life and work. Most employers see GCSE
IS YOUR CHILD
Maths and English as essentials and they
want employees with a good command
MISSING OUT ON FREE
of the English language. These skills are
vital too if you want to go on to higher
level courses at a university, or to do an
EARLY EDUCATION?
apprenticeship. All three- and four-year-olds, regardless of whether they have British citizenship,
can get up to 15 hours of free early education each week for 38 weeks. If your
Hounslow continues to offer an three- or four-year-old child is not in school they can get their free 15 hours at an
extensive range of courses for you to Ofsted registered pre-school, day nursery or childminder.
choose from, whether you are looking
to improve your English, maths or The date your child can start their free place will depend on when your child’s
computer skills, seeking to change birthday is.
your career or looking to return to
work, or simply looking for something Child’s birthday Free place starts in
for your personal enjoyment or self- 1 September - 31 December Spring term (January - March)
development. To find out more contact
HACE on 020 8583 6000 or email 1 January - 31 March Summer term (April - August)
courses@hounslow.gov.uk 1 April - 31 August Autumn term (September - December)
11“I feel so privileged that someone trusts Adult learning can give
me in their home to care for them.”
you the chance to make
Agnes – care worker
a change
We offer an extensive range of courses for
you to choose from, whether you are looking
to improve your English, Maths or computer
skills, seeking to build or change your career,
or for personal fulfilment to develop practical
and social skills and build confidence. Family
Learning is available for parents and children
to learn new skills together.
We offer flexible learning, providing day
and evening lessons across the borough,
and in some cases online. Many are free
or offer concessionary rates depending
on your personal circumstances. For
more info visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/
adulteducation
A career in care Are you looking for a
job and need support?
We are pleased to announce our recently a career in care, begin your journey
appointed new homecare providers: and come along to our drop-in We have a mobile job support centre that
Nation Care, Quality Caring Ltd, TC recruitment event on Thursday 4 you can visit. You can get one-to-one
Care Ltd, Westminster Homecare Ltd, October, 10am-2pm at the Civic support with employment skills and training,
Care Outlook Ltd, Eleanor Nursing and Centre, Lampton Road. job applications, jobs, advice on CVs,
Healthvision UK. All are now recruiting apprenticeships and if you’re looking to start
for staff to deliver home care services to All new contracts start on 1 your own business. Find us in Bell Square,
residents in their own homes. November 2018 and all seven every Monday from 12noon to 4.30pm
providers will be paying the London
If you want to make a real difference Living Wage which is currently To find out more, email work@hounslow.
to people’s lives and are interested in £10.20 per hour. gov.uk or call 020 8583 6174
Do you have The Gazebo – pop up for
care and support
needs? information and advice
If, because of illness, disability or getting The Gazebo is the council’s new community events and venues such
older, you are finding it difficult to adult social care information and as supermarkets and garden centres.
manage tasks like cooking, washing, advice pop-up shop. It will be out Council staff will be on hand to
using your home safely or getting out and about across the borough at answer questions on a wide range
and about, you are entitled to a Needs of subjects and the
Assessment. The assessment is the services that may be
essential first step to finding out if you are available to you. The
eligible for funding from the council to Gazebo also gives you
pay for care and support. the opportunity to
talk to a social worker
If you look after someone as their carer, informally if there is a
you are entitled to a Carer’s Needs specific issue you want
Assessment which may help you to access to discuss.
services to help you take a break.
If you would like The
Both assessments Gazebo to attend your
can now be community event or
completed venue, please email
confidentially online careplace@hounslow.
www.hounslow. gov.uk
careplace.org.uk
12Living with Sylvia’s story
My life has been similar to that of
Dennis. I nursed my father for eight
years who had Alzheimer’s, so I
have first-hand experience of what
DEMENTIA
it's like to care for someone with
dementia and how to handle them.
"Like Dennis, I was also diagnosed at
79 with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease
is the most common cause of dementia.
Dennis and Sylvia have a story that is unique The word dementia describes a set of
symptoms that can include memory loss
and difficulties with thinking, problem-
There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with a new solving or language. These symptoms
case being diagnosed every three minutes. Yet too many people occur when the brain is damaged by
living with dementia face the condition alone and are excluded from certain diseases.
society. It is estimated that there are approximately 2,038 people living "I'm not sure how to feel about it, but
with dementia in Hounslow. I know what’s happening and what’s
coming and I'm ready to
face it.
Dennis and Sylvia
"I struggle with going out and travelling
long distances – I get tired all the time.
I know I’m still the same strong woman
inside – but I’m not capable like I
used to be. We do however go out to
Sunbury Gardens with a picnic, we find
a nice shaded spot and sit under the
tree, this has been our regular routine
every Sunday afternoon. It’s always
good to get out.
"We recently got blessed at our local
Salvation Army and raised £250 in
collections from our day, which we are
donating to the Alzheimer’s Society. It’s
not much but we don’t need anything
as we have each other to support, we
just want to help someone else with
Alzheimer’s."
Dennis’s story
Adjusting to life after a
After Dennis’s mum was taken ill, son. Of course I had to ask her to dinner,
diagnosis is challenging for
Dennis quit his job to care for her full and she kindly accepted. We’ve never
time. This is Dennis's story: been apart since. Dennis and Sylvia, but they
want everyone to talk about it.
"Caring has always been a big part of "In 2016 at the age of 74, I was diagnosed
my life. Mum had health issues, and with Vascular Dementia. Vascular Dementia If you know somebody with
suffered multiple strokes, which made her is the second most common type of dementia, take them out for
physically very dependent. At that time, dementia. In Vascular Dementia, symptoms a stroll or go for a coffee. It's
I was working for Barnet Council. I loved such as memory loss and problem solving
important people become
my job, but I was getting constant calls occur when the brain is damaged because
at work about her medical appointments. of problems with the supply to the brain. more aware of dementia.
That’s when I decided to give up work to I’ve lost a kidney to cancer, had a pace
Remember - advice and
care for her as she needed me. It wasn’t maker fitted and suffered three heart
the easiest change. It was a big decision, attacks, yet I’m still going strong. support is available
but for me was the right one, that lasted www.hounslow.gov.uk/
twelve years until mum died. "Since being diagnosed with dementia, dementia
at first I was in shock and I thought "Oh
"Eight years ago, I met the love of my life that’s it then". But now I think I’m just Help us spread the word.
Sylvia, here at Owen House. She caught going to do as much as I can to live as #itcouldbeyou
my eye the day she walked in with her best I can and help others."
13Stoptober
Exercise daily
through
In order to get the
most benefit from
physical activity it’s
important to make it manageable
get the support you need to
and easy to maintain. Brisk
walking increases your heart
rate and you will not be able to
kick the habit
maintain a conversation if you are Stoptober returns for its seventh year in help make their quit successful, including
walking briskly. Walking briskly is September 2018. Stoptober is a mass free on demand tools like the Smokefree
also considered to be a speed of participation event where smokers are app, Facebook messenger and email.
3mph or more. encouraged to attempt to stop smoking in
October. The campaign is based on research One You Hounslow is encouraging
If you feel that you are too busy or showing that if you can stop smoking for Hounslow residents to get free stop
not sure what kind of activity you 28 days, you are five times as likely to stay smoking support to help them quit for
would like to do to be more active, smokefree for good. Stoptober encourages Stoptober 2018.
then brisk walking can be a great smokers to access a range of support to
way of getting daily exercise.
‘Active 10’ is 10 minutes of brisk
walking and the idea is to try and
The following clinics run every week across Hounslow:
do as many ‘Active 10s’ as you can
HESTON HEALTH CENTRE
every day. Set yourself a goal to do
between one and three 10 minute 25 Cranford Lane, Heston TW5 9ER FELTHAM CENTRE FOR HEALTH
sessions of brisk walking every day Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm Third Floor, The Centre,
and the Active 10 app will track Feltham TW13 4GU
your progress for you. Start today by By appointment only:
BRENTFORD HEALTH CENTRE
downloading the app www.nhs. Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm
uk/oneyou/active10/home Room 70 , Boston Manor Road
Brentford TW8 8DS call 020 8973 3530 to book
Wednesdays 3pm to 5pm Drop-in clinic:
If you would like support to be
Mondays 4pm to 6pm
more active or to find a particular
activity in Hounslow, call us on WEST MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY
020 8973 3530 or email us at HOSPITAL
oneyou.hounslow@nhs.net
Room 1, Outpatients 4, Twickenham Road,
Isleworth TW7 6AF
Wednesdays 10am to 12noon
HEART OF HOUNSLOW, CENTRE FOR
HEALTH
92 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EL
Tuesdays 10am to 11.30am
Thursdays 4.15pm to 6.15pm
Substance misuse Thinking about
service opens its being active?
doors in Hounslow There are a whole range of activities that
Do you know someone who needs you can take part in across Hounslow to
support for drug or alcohol misuse? help you get active. There are free park runs
The new substance misuse services every week, parks sessions, maintaining
‘Addiction Recovery Community’ (ARC) green spaces with Hounslow Green Gym as
and ‘Hounslow Young People Engaged well as lots of sports sessions provided by
(HYPE)’ offer free and confidential Fusion and other local providers. One You
support into recovery for Hounslow Hounslow also provides free health walks,
residents of all ages, or those who are which run at the same time and location
registered with a GP in the borough. every week and you can just come along on
the day to join any of our walks. To find out
For information or to make a more visit www.oneyouhounslow.org/
referral please call 020 8538 1150. move-more
14Housing News
Latest housing news for London Borough
of Hounslow residents
New Homes for
Disabled and Older
Residents
Cllr Lily Bath
Cabinet
Member for
Housing
Welcome to our latest
edition of Housing News
You’ll have noticed we’ve shaken
things up this time round as we’ve
now moved to the centre of the
magazine!
Improving residents' satisfaction is a
key priority for us. You can read about
the new housing management service
we’ve set up, along with monthly
drop-in sessions to give you a chance
Topping out ceremony at Blenheim Park to meet your new area housing team.
See page 16 for more information.
Council staff joined our contractor Willmott Dixon for the What’s your view worth? The
topping out ceremony at the Blenheim Park Extra Care Scheme Hounslow Housing Photography
development in July. Competition was launched earlier this
year calling on council tenants to dust
‘Topping out’ celebrates the first doing so, we aim to avoid the need off their lenses (or smartphones!) and
watertight roof on a development. for residents to move into care homes send us snaps of the view from where
Roger Forsdyke, Managing Director of or become frequent users of acute they live. Turn to page 17 to see the
Willmott Dixon, presented the Leader services. winning photos and find out how you
of the Council and Cabinet Member can get involved in the next round
for Corporate Strategy, Planning The close proximity of the sheltered focusing on ‘Summer Time’.
and Regeneration, Cllr Steve Curran scheme at Owen House and its large
and Cllr Candice Atterton, Cabinet size has made the redevelopment of On another note, if you need help
Member for Adults, Social Care and the former Feltham Ex-serviceman’s managing your finances, turn to page
Health, with an engraved trowel to Club ideal for an extra care facility, 16 to find out more about the support
mark the occasion. providing for the needs of people that’s available to you.
with learning disabilities, physical
This scheme is part of the council's disabilities and dementia. The range And finally, don’t forget to read the
new pledge to develop additional of communal facilities provided by latest news and events from our
extra care provision for those in need the new development, will include a Leaseholder Forum on page 18.
of social care. Blenheim Park, which restaurant, laundry and communal
will provide 94 self-contained flats, is gardens which have been created Please do continue to send us your
designed to improve the independence for each of the user groups. The housing news and stories - they could
and quality of life of our older and scheme has been designed to create a feature in our upcoming editions.
disabled residents by enabling them balanced community for older people Send your suggestions to
to live in their own home with varying and is due for completion at the end hm@hounslow.gov.uk
levels of care and support on site. In of July 2019.
15New Housing
Housing News
Council tenants will continue to
have a dedicated Housing Officer.
You can look up your Housing
Management Service Officer contact details on the council
website:
www.hounslow.gov.uk/
Better organised to deliver your services info/20086/about_your_tenancy
Improving resident satisfaction is a live in. We are also setting up a new We have written to all tenants
key priority for us. To help towards specialist Anti-Social Behaviour team providing you with the contact
achieving this, we have set up a new which will support Housing Officers details of your Housing Officer.
Housing Management service. The with complex cases. We have also established a range
service includes Housing Management, of flexible estate based locations
Caretaking and the Concierge service, The new service is made up of four across the borough, where you can
joining up how we look after tenants Housing Management teams covering arrange to meet with your Housing
and the quality of the places you the following wards: Officer by calling or emailing them,
or by calling the Customer Services
Centre on
020 8583 2000.
Meet your Housing
team
A series of monthly drop-in events
will be taking place to give you
To f
ind the opportunity to meet your new
m o
ww ore vi ut area housing team. The West Team
w.h sit ran the first successful event in
ou
info gov.u nslow. early September in the Southville
/20 k/
you 086/a Community Centre. Further events
r_te b will take place in each of the other
nan out_
cy new housing areas in October.
Let’s talk money
Helping you to manage your finances
The team will be offering help to
tenants and leaseholders with:
• income maximisation
• assistance with debt
• money and benefit advice
• digital support for online claims
The team also offers budgeting
assistance to any Hounslow resident
referred by the Department for Work
Pension (DWP). We will give further
information on all these services once
the team is fully recruited, including
budgeting workshops to be held in
Financial inclusion aims to ensure that to manage the impact of reforms upon community centres.
all households, regardless of income our residents.
level, have access to, and can use, In the meantime, you can access the
the right financial services they need We have appointed a new Financial assistance of Welfare Benefit Money
to improve their lives. We do this by Inclusion Manager to lead a team Advisers by getting in touch with
implementing the council’s response to improve the financial literacy of your Housing Officer or calling the
to welfare benefit reforms, working residents, and promote financial Customer Services Centre on
collaboratively with partner agencies inclusion within the wider community. 020 8583 2000.
16Breaking down What’s my
Housing News
employment barriers view worth?
Photography
Future Path can help you into work competition winners
Staff are trained to understand mental What comes to mind when you think of
health worries, with a focus on anxiety a council estate? The Hounslow Housing
and depression. The staff also look at the Photography Competition launched in May
employment choices of the individual to 2018, with the aim of challenging negative
help improve their lives through positive perceptions of life as a council tenant. The
change. theme for the first round was My View
and we had a fantastic response, with 47
Located in the Civic Centre, Future Path entries from our residents of the views from
have access to Job Centre Plus and Housing where they live.
Support Teams, acting as the glue to bring
everything together through one point of It was wonderful to see the passion,
contact. The aim being simply to remove enthusiasm and talent from Hounslow
the obstacles that prevent people wanting Housing tenants and leaseholders across
Do you or a member of your family need to work, and to continue to support them the borough. The range of photos was
help getting into work? Future Path while they start and remain in work. amazing and showed a true reflection of
are experienced wellbeing employment what living on an estate is like.
specialists working with local families to At Hounslow, Future Path have supported
help encourage happier and healthier over 58 per cent of clients into work, The photos were judged by a panel made
living through employment. The team including the long term unemployed up of Housing Officers, officers from
focus on the individual, looking at the and those experiencing multiple barriers the community Partnerships Unit and
barriers that may prevent them from preventing them from securing work. community organisations. The panel were
taking on and sustaining employment, very impressed with the high standard of
which could include physical or mental If you are interested in hearing more entries.
health issues, childcare, financial about the team, please call the Team
concerns and more. Lead, Tajinder on 07387 105 573. The Judging Panel said: “There is so much
talent in Hounslow” and “It’s amazing
these views are from our estates.”
Help shape and For the first My View round, there
were four winners:
improve your estates 1st prize -
Reflection
2nd prize -
Sunrise
Join the team and make a difference
Would you like to be a Resident "There is more to an
Estate Inspector? estate than you think.
This autumn Hounslow Housing will Join the Inspection team
be looking for enthusiastic tenants and and make a difference."
leaseholders who are interested in being Peter Harmes,
trained up as Resident Estate Inspectors. Resident Estate Inspector
4th prize -
What is a Resident Estate Inspector? 3rd prize - Red Roofs Rainbow Bridge
Resident Estate Inspectors are volunteers
who live in council properties and are The next round, Summer Time, is
trained to inspect and monitor the now open and will close Friday 28
communal areas on our estates. If you September 2018 at 12noon. There will
become an inspector, we will train you be two more rounds on the themes of
on what to look for when on estates and Nightfall and Happiness. We will hold
whether the cleaning and gardening is of an open exhibition in April 2019 where
an acceptable standard. the community will be invited along to
view all the entries.
What’s in it for you?
You will gain a greater understanding of For more information and to
our service standards, while helping us get involved, please contact the
to shape and improve services. We also For more information email Liz Gers Community Partnership Team 020
offer a small token of our appreciation to Community Engagement Officer 8583 2454 or email community.
say thank you for your hard work. liz.gers@hounslow.gov.uk development@hounslow.gov.uk
17SARA Annual Leaseholder forum
Housing News
General News and recent events from the Leaseholder Forum
Meeting At the Leaseholder Forum, we work
hard on behalf of all Hounslow Housing
service charges and leaseholder
services
The Sheltered Accommodation Residents leaseholders to make their life easier and • Improving customer services and the
Association (SARA) will be holding its to help resolve the key issues they face delivery of responsive repairs.
Annual General Meeting where all on a daily and long-term basis. We meet
• Improving how we manage your
members will meet to elect their new once a quarter to discuss these issues
estate and neighbourhood
officers and discuss aims and objectives alongside council officers, making sure
for the coming year. that, where possible, appropriate action • Improving communications including
is taken. the Housing website
When: Wednesday 26 September 2018
Members of the Leaseholder Forum
Time: Meeting 12noon-1.30pm followed In July we had a very productive meeting attended a number of these meetings.
by lunch and chat with residents and with Elliott Brooks, the new Director of Attendance could have been higher,
council staff 1.30-2.30pm Resident Service. We are really impressed and we will be encouraging Hounslow
with his vision for the recently restructured Housing to find better ways to increase
Where: Danehurst, Brent Lea, Brentford
Resident Services, and we have high hopes participation.
TW8 8HX
of successful outcomes on the issues we
Guests and residents of sheltered are currently working on. We were asked for opinions on what
schemes welcomed as observers. does and doesn’t work, suggestions
Hounslow Housing invited residents to on how things could be improved and
Can’t make this meeting? You can
join us for the next SARA meeting on attend five focus groups, most of which for feedback on things that Hounslow
Thursday 22 November 2018 at Hyde were held at the Civic Centre. They gave Housing does well. Notes were taken
House, Pears Road Hounslow, TW3 1RZ residents an opportunity to have their to be passed on for discussion and
say on how services are delivered. hopefully action… watch this space!
If you have a mobility issue please call
020 8583 3899 to arrange a taxi. Focus groups were conducted on the If you want to know more, are interested
For more details please contact: following topics: in getting involved or have issues related
David Penman at • Safety across your estates and the to your home and/or estate, please
davidpenman@outlook.in or Estate Police Officers contact us at hibo.warsama@hounslow.
Hibo Warsama on 020 8583 4364 or gov.uk or jennysamuel297@gmail.com
• How we deliver and communicate
hibo.warsama@hounslow.gov.uk
Hounslow Housing do a repair in your home, or works in your
Improving Disability Group
building, please do let your housing officer
know so they can put an ‘alert’ code on the
services for our Did you know there is a Hounslow Housing
Disability Group for residents that meets
system that the Call Centre can then pick up
and try to help you with.
residents every three months to discuss a variety of
housing and health related subjects? The Password protection
meetings also include guest speakers. Any
The Hounslow Tenant and Leaseholder for home visits
disabled or elderly tenants can attend. We
Scrutiny Board (HTLSB) is the borough-
meet at Danehurst Sheltered Housing scheme For tenants and residents that feel vulnerable
wide body that holds Hounslow Housing
in Brentford TW8 8HX. The next meeting is when someone from Housing comes to your
to account, on behalf of tenants and
Thursday 18 October from 2pm - 4pm. For door, you can set up a password which will
leaseholders. more information email Sarfraz.kherdin@ be used by whoever attends and is personal
hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 2567. to you. Please call your housing officer or the
In July this year, the HTLSB reviewed
call centre to arrange this.
tenants’ experience of responsive repairs Alert codes
and put forward recommendations for
If you are a tenant whose age or health To find out who your housing officer is, please
11 improvements, all of which were
presents difficulties when someone comes to visit Hounslow.gov.uk/myhousingofficer
accepted. These include requests for
more information about the service on
the council’s website and asking the LET YOUR PROPERTY THROUGH THE COUNCIL
service to explore ways to offer limited
evening and weekend slots for repairs to DIRECT WE CAN OFFER:
be carried out.
LET No fees
Dedicated team to provide
advice to landlords
eriodic property inspection
P
Quick and easy lets to suit
landlords’ timeframes
For a copy of the full report, or if you’re
Tenancy Sustainment Service
interested in becoming a scrutiny board RENTING
member, contact chairhtsb@hounslow. YOUR
gov.uk or telephone 020 8583 2365 HOME
SAFE&SIMPLE
18Mayor of Hounslow Mind Ealing and Hounslow, which
Cllr Samia Chaudhary
promotes mental wellbeing in the
community through empowering people
to lead positive and independent lives,
raising awareness about mental health and
advocating for change locally.
Several cake sales, raffles, auctions and
a charity cricket match have already
contributed to the fundraising effort. Cllr
Ron Mushiso (Turnham Green) took part in
the London to Brighton Bike Ride, raising
money for CW+ earlier this month, and
the Mayor will be taking part in a charity
skydive later in the year!
Cllr Chaudhary said: “It sounded exciting,
so I thought I’d give it a go! It’s to raise
money for causes that are close to my
Hounslow's new Mayor heart, and I’m really looking forward to it!
“It’s been a hectic few months, but I’ve
MAKES
had the support of family and friends,
which I’m sure will continue throughout
my Mayoral year.”
HER MARK!
To support the Mayor’s charities
through donations or sponsoring her
events, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/
mayorscharities
Since her election in May,
Hounslow’s Mayor, Cllr Samia
Chaudhary, has barely had a moment
to herself!
“It’s been a real rollercoaster, and that’s
just the last three months!
“Since May, I’ve attended over 60
events, meeting lots of people across the Doing a reading at the Armed Meeting the Nepalese
borough at everything from street parties Forces Day event outside Holy community with the Deputy
to religious festivals. Trinity Church, Hounslow Mayor at the Gurkha VC Cup
“It’s been a real eye-opener, seeing
what a diverse community we have,
and finding out for myself just how
amazing, dedicated and committed –
not to mention talented! – the borough’s
residents are.”
The Mayor has also been working hard
to raise money for her chosen charities.
CW+, Sun and Stars Appeal, the
charity for West Middlesex University
Hospital, improving the care and
experience for patients and their families.
At the World War I
commemoration to remember
the sacrifice made by local men
from Heston in the Great War
19Reduce your
FOOD WASTE
MANAGING YOUR FOOD CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO
YOUR POCKET AND OURS!
Did you know that an average family can save up to £70 a
month by wasting less food. Love Food Hate Waste has lots of DID YOU KNOW?
tips on their website
When recycled, your
www.lovefoodhatewaste.com on how to plan your
food waste can be
shopping, portion sizes, and great recipes for using up leftovers
which can help save you money and cut down on waste. turned into something
useful. We take
Don’t forget you can also compost veg and fruit peelings, ours to an anaerobic
egg shells, tea bags, coffee grounds, newspaper and garden digester where it
waste in your own garden compost – so you won’t need to buy is used to generate
compost from the garden centre. Visit electricity to power
www.recyclenow.com for tips on setting up your compost homes and produce
bin and creating great compost. fertiliser.
Any left-over food you haven’t managed to use can be
recycled through our food waste collection scheme.
Food waste that is not recycled has waste you can reduce the amount and a 23-litre food waste bin to
a big impact on the environment of rubbish in your wheelie bins, decant your kitchen waste into,
as it rots and releases methane and help us save money which we which we will collect from you on
which is a dangerous greenhouse can put towards better services. a weekly basis with your normal
gas around 30 times more potent Every tonne of food waste recycled collection. Visit our website to find
than CO2. By recycling your food through the caddy scheme will save out how to order:
£85 on disposal costs. www.hounslow.gov.uk/
If you don’t have them already, recycling
we can provide residents on the
kerbside collection scheme with a You can put any food in your
5-litre food caddy for your kitchen, caddy – raw or cooked including
meat, fish and bones, and it doesn’t
20Stick me on your fridge
THANK YOU
matter if it’s gone past its use by
date!
If you add food that has
been packaged, e.g. ready By June 2018 Hounslow residents recycled 31% of their household waste.
meals, please remove the
plastic packaging, wash Help us achieve 50% by 2020
anything recyclable and The better quality our recycling, in terms of more of the right things, means we
add it to your red recycling can protect the environment and raise more money to help pay for valuable
box. Paper or cardboard services our residents need.
packaging should go in your We don’t want your recycling efforts to go to waste, so if in
blue box. doubt leave it out!
The only non-food items that Please wash and squash your plastics and cans. This helps us fit more into our
can go in your caddy are recycling trucks and means we are transporting a greater tonnage of recycling
compostable caddy liners, very per truck, not paying to carry air!
small amounts of shredded
paper, newspaper and kitchen
towels to wrap food and absorb
Thank you for increasing your
excess moisture.
recycling efforts, and recycling more.
Please don’t include any food
packaging, plastic bags, liquids
and oils.
Red Blue Green
box box box
HOW TO USE
PLASTIC & CANS CARD & PAPER GLASS BOTTLES
YOUR CADDIES: & JARS
Line the kitchen caddy with a
compostable food caddy liner,
YES PLEASE YES PLEASE
ideally ones which display the ‘leaf’ Clean, empty Clean, dry PAPER, YES PLEASE
logo, kitchen towels or newspaper. PLASTIC BOTTLES, MAGAZINES,
Then add any leftover food. Wrap Clean, empty
food in additional newspaper
POTS, TUBS and CATALOGUES, CARD, BOTTLES and JARS
and kitchen towels to absorb any TRAYS (lids off). CARDBOARD and (lids off)
additional liquid. Clean empty food FLATTENED BOXES
TINS, drinks CANS, (please separate
AEROSOLS and paper and card) NO THANKS
ALUMINIUM FOIL
Window glass,
NO THANKS mirrors, glass
NO THANKS Shredded paper,
tumblers etc.,
perfume bottles,
Polystyrene, ‘hard’ plastic sleeves, Pyrex or similar
plastics e.g., toys, window envelopes
flower pots, ‘soft’
plastics e.g., carrier
When the kitchen caddy is full,
bags, food wrap,
crisps and tea packets,
IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE
please empty into the larger food
waste bin. You may want to line
pet food pouches
IT OUT!
the bin with newspaper. Do not
use any plastic bags other than
compostable food caddy liners. HANDY TIP Aerosols can be recycled but
you must make sure they're
Please do not put
any batteries in
For more tips and advice visit Know what to do empty first - an aerosol will your recycling
stop hissing when it's empty! boxes.
www.hounslow.gov.uk/ with aerosols?
recycling
Visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/recycling to find out how to
recycle right 21Community In Action
I’ve had brilliant support and interest
in my community initiatives from
council officers and members,
including last year’s Mayor Cllr Sue
Sampson, this year’s Mayor Cllr Samia
Chaudhary, Cllr Guy Lambert Cabinet
Member for Highways, Recycling
and Trading Companies, and Cllr
Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member
for Communities and Workforce.
You can apply to the council
for funds for community
events and groups through
area committee grants, as
well as the Crowdfunding
platform ‘Spacehive’
www.hounslow.gov.uk/
ourhounslowfund
Cllr Guy Lambet (right) with a recycling crew
The Festival
of Waste -
changing our
perception of waste I also want to thank the many stall
holders that attended the Festival of
Waste, and all the people that made it
Local resident, Rin Roche, tells us about her experience in setting happen.
up the Festival of Waste in Brentford, which took place in July. Rin
made the event happen with the help of the local community. Her We might be individual residents but
when we come together that’s when
aim was to help change our perspective on creating less waste we can see our community in action
through a mix of fun, informative and creative stalls and activities. and it’s great to be part of that.”
Rin explained: “Organising the Festival buy less, reuse things more and think
of Waste was really affirming for me sustainably e.g. walk or cycle more.
as so many people were enthusiastic And like my mum used to say: “Close
about promoting our understanding the door to keep the heat in and turn
of how we can all buy less, use less that light off, don’t waste money!”
and make less waste. It was amazing Good old common sense!
to feel I wasn’t “the only one” - that’s
what community gives me, the feeling Being active in the community is great
that “I’m not alone!” - you get to meet lots of great people
who are doing things locally, helping
It can be hard to change our habits, Hounslow be the fantastic borough it is.
but if we all did a little bit more Sometimes I think we forget to celebrate
it would make a huge difference. the good stuff, but Hounslow Matters
Recycling is easy, it just requires a little will be showcasing our Community in
bit of extra input, and we can all try to Action in every issue, so read this space!
22You can also read
