Hello Everyone

How are you doing today, bit of a surprise this cold spell after the couple of weeks of lovely warmer weather.

I just wanted to send mine and the team’s condolences to our carers who have lost someone recently.  It has been a hard year for many of the carers in Tower Hamlets as well as nationwide.

If you are a carer who has lost a loved one and needs support from the team, then just call, you can now make an appointment at the centre.  You might need signposting to reasonably priced funerals, you might need benefit or housing advice.  We are here to help and make a painful issue less cumbersome, just reach out to us.


Stay local as lockdown rules ease!

On Monday 29 March, rules in England around Covid-19 were eased slightly as part of the roadmap announced by the Prime Minister on 22 February.

The stay at home message has now been lifted and people can:

  • Meet outdoors, including in gardens, either in a group of 6 (from any number of households), or in a group of any size from up to 2 households (each household can include existing support bubbles, if eligible).
  • Take part in formally organised outdoor sports with any number of people (outdoor sports venues and facilities will be reopening).
  • Childcare and supervised activities, and organised parent and child groups (up to 15 attendees), will be allowed outdoors.

Supporting residents to get tested

There is plenty of testing capacity in the borough for residents. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can call 119 or book a test online at one of our symptomatic sites.

We also have four rapid testing sites, where anyone can take up the offer of free and regular tests. These are particularly important for key workers and anyone who cannot work from home. Appointments can be booked online and all sites also offer a walk-in service.

Our community collect testing offer is also now in place, where rapid Covid-19 test kits can be picked up and taken home. This option is available to families with children who have returned to school and families/households of staff who work in schools. The tests can be performed completely at home and provide a result within 30 minutes. Tests are available for collection in Tower Hamlets from most test sites.


Virtual Covid-19 vaccination Q&A for our Bengali community

Join us on Thursday 8 April for a live virtual discussion and Q&A session on Covid-19 vaccination. A panel of health experts, including Director of Public Health Dr Somen Banerjee and community leaders will answer your questions on the vaccine.

Bengali/English translations will be available during the webinar, to ensure our Bengali residents can receive information in their community language. While this event is tailored for Bengali residents, anyone can join the discussion.


Plan your park visit and keep our open spaces tidy!

Spring has arrived and rules for meeting people from outside your household are relaxing. From 29 March you can meet up to a maximum of six people or two households outdoors. We want all residents to be able to enjoy our parks safely so remember:

  • Please take your rubbish home with you and leave the park as you would like to find it.
  • Please bring your picnic and remember that BBQ’s, gazebos, marquees, and tents are not allowed in our parks.
  • If you are cycling in our parks, please slow down and give way to pedestrians and other park users.

Can you help choose a name for a new information service for the borough?

The council and its partners have commissioned a new information, advice and advocacy service for the residents of Tower Hamlets. The new service will provide help and support to all residents living in the borough. It will be free, independent, and provide information, advice and advocacy on health, social welfare, and social care matters.

We are holding two workshops on Monday 12 and Friday 16 April from 10am-12noon to choose a name, a logo and the branding of the service. If you’re interested and would like to take part, please contact Akbal Ahmed on 07305 847 337 or akbal.ahmed@towerhalets.gov.uk with your name and contact details.

The workshops will be through Zoom/Microsoft Teams. Participants of both workshops will receive a £30 gift voucher as a thank you gesture.


Stories Of 1971 – a story and memory competition

To honour the strong cultural links between the local Bengali communities in Tower Hamlets and the 1971 Bangladeshi war for Independence, community organisation Toynbee Hall is running a story competition to capture memories and imagination of what life may have been like during these turbulent times.

They welcome stories in multiple languages that explore the themes of life in 1971, resistance, liberation, and home. You can use local and family history to inspire your work or submit a completely fictional piece. The deadline is Thursday 8 April 2021. Submitted stories will be judged on how original, interesting, and engaging they are.


Check this out!

Want to be in our films?

We are commissioning some films to be shown on our website and we are looking for carers and the people you care for to take part.

The films will be made by trainees on The Zoom Film School training scheme at Four Corners Film Workshop on Roman Road. They have explained their film ideas and they all sound great!

They will tell the stories of a wide range of carers and the people you care for – and how you have benefitted from what we offer at the Carers Centre. They will be a great way to reach new carers, particularly carers who don’t know they are carers or what support is available to them.

Could you be available for a couple of hours to be filmed for a part of your day?
Could you also be available to give a short interview? That would take about an hour and be here at the Carers Centre. The filming will take place on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th April

Please contact Tony tony@ccth.org.uk  and he will put you in touch with the staff at Four Corners who will give you more information about the filming and how you can be involved.

We would like a range of carers, including:

  • A young carer aged 16-25
  • A young, female carer who also goes to college
  • A carer who helps their neighbours
  • An older carer who cares for an elderly parent or similar
  • If you are a carer not on this list please do also get in touch because we want to show a wide range of experiences!

The filming will adhere to strict Covid- 19 guidelines with social distancing.


Important Numbers:

Unpaid carers can still access FREE PPE supplies. If you would like to receive PPE, Please contact the Carers Centre on 0207 790 1765 or Ayeda directly.

Domestic Violence Duty Line:  020 7364 4986 between 9am – 5pm.Victim Support:  020 7364 2448/7957


Just wishing everyone a peaceful, safe and week and remember if you need information and advice from the Carers Centre just email enquiries@ccth.org.uk

Tony Collins-Moore
Carers Academy Manager

Get in touch

The Carers Centre
21 Brayford Square
London, E1 0SG

020 7790 1765

enquiries@ccth.org.uk

Opening hours

Monday - Friday – 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday – Closed

Follow us

advice quality standard logo