Hello Everyone – Finding Celebration, Faith and Breathing Space in a Busy Caring World
February 13th, 2026
Finding Celebration, Faith and Breathing Space in a Busy Caring World
Celebration isn’t just noise – it’s meaning
- Where have I come from?
- Who do I belong to?
- What am I grateful for?
- What do I need to let go of?
Ramadan and Lent – the celebrations that look like stillness
What does all this mean for carers?
- Taking five quiet minutes for prayer, reflection or meditation
- Lighting a candle, or sitting with a cup of tea, marking the start of Lent or Ramadan in your own way
- Cooking one dish that connects you to Chinese New Year or to home, even if you can’t join a big family gathering
- Listening to music from Trinidad’s Carnival or Mardi Gras and allowing yourself to feel joy and movement, even if you’re dancing in the kitchen between tasks
- Reaching out to a faith leader, community group or carer support service who understands your situation
Mindful celebration for those of all faiths – and none
- A reminder to pause
- A chance to reconnect with what matters
- An invitation to be kind to ourselves and others
- A prompt to notice joy where we can find it
“This is an important time of year for many people. I’m allowed to set aside even a few minutes for myself, to rest my mind and heart.”
A wish for this week
- A moment of joy that belongs just to you
- A quiet pause where you can breathe and simply be
- A sense of being seen, valued and not alone
Carers Forum – 18th February – 11am to 1pm
Every month at the Carers Forum we have presentations or consultations from partners. Carers get to have their say on services. We listen to requests from carers and where possible, include them in upcoming activities. This month we have Lucy coming from Adult Social Care
email wellbeing@ccth.org.uk if you want a place
Next Week’s Activities – check out https://ccth.org.uk/health-wellbeing/events-activities/
Reminder – I would love to hear from Carers with their stories, thoughts, ideas, recipes and reviews of places to go. Really want to hear stories about the activities you attend to help us attract new carers to attend.
So, if you are interested in writing a short story then email with them tony@ccth.org.uk
Be Well New Year’s offers extended and Ramadan extended hours
January may be over but Be Well’s New Years offers aren’t!
Join by 28 February 2026 to access these incredible offers:
- 4 months’ membership for the price of 3
- 25% off junior memberships (suitable for ages 11-16 years)
- A complimentary spa treatment* with any Be Well Anytime plus Spa membership
- The chance to win big prizes in the Big Be Well prize draw.
Whether you’re embarking on a new wellness journey, restarting your fitness routine, or just looking to try something new, Be Well is here to support you. Join now. *Ts&Cs apply.
From 17 February to 19 March, Whitechapel Sports Centre and Mile End Park Leisure Centre will stay open until 12am (midnight), Monday to Thursday, giving you extra time to move, restore and prioritise your wellbeing. Late-night access includes gym and sports hall activities.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful late-night workout, mindful movement after iftar, or time to unwind in our sports spaces, Be Well extended hours are here to help you stay well during the month.
This event is being organised jointly by the palliative and end-of-life care team at the Royal London Hospital, part of Barts Health NHS Trust; and the Tower Hamlets Unplanned Care team, which is part of NHS North East London Integrated Commissioning Board.
We are hoping to reflect at the event a wide range of community voices, experiences and perspectives, and we hope that patients and their relatives/carers, and members of local community/faith groups with experience of these areas will be able to join us. Please feel free to share the invitation below with anyone who you think might be interested in attending, and ask them to RSVP to t.burdsey@nhs.net. We will then share further details in due course.
Take part in research
I’m Lucy (she/her), a queer trainee clinical psychologist at King’s College London. As part of my doctoral thesis, I’m exploring the experiences of queer carers who support others with severe mental health conditions; a significantly underserved and under-researched community. As someone with experience caring for a loved one, it is a topic that is dear to my heart, and I hope that this research has a meaningful impact on how our systems and services support queer carers.
I am hoping to speak to LGBTQ+ carers (aged 18+ and living in the UK) who are caring, or have cared, for a person with a severe mental health condition. This includes experiences of psychosis, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. You might be a partner, relative or chosen family member of a person with a severe mental health condition, or live with them, or have weekly contact with them, and provide care and support for them as part of your relationship. I hope that this research will further our understanding of the support needs of LGBTQ+ people who are caring for others, and offer guidance for systems and organisations working alongside LGBTQ+ people who care.
The LGBTQ+ community is diverse and our experiences are not the same. Because of this, the intersectional experiences of people who care in the LGBTQ+ community are welcome, encouraged and vital to this research.
Participation would involve taking part in a 1-hour interview, held online and recorded via Microsoft Teams, accessible only to the research team and stored in accordance with UK GDPR guidelines. All personally identifiable information will be anonymised and you will not be identifiable in the final project. You will be reimbursed for your time. This project has received ethics approval from the University of Kings College London.
LGBTQ+ Informal Caregivers: Interest form
We work with two leading city law firms to deliver pro-bono legal clinics that run on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Our Wednesday clinic in Shadwell is currently open to residents of all boroughs:
- Our Wednesday clinic takes place at Sonali Gardens, 79 Tarling Street, Shadwell, E1 0AT. This drop in has the capacity to see up to 8-12 clients per night, which means clients are more likely to be seen, and focuses on housing, welfare benefits, consumer and contract issues and employment. Sonali Gardens legal clinic also offers follow up meetings with clients and a little more casework.
- Our Thursday clinic takes place at 18 Club Row, E2 7EY and has a lot smaller capacity of up to 4 clients per night. This clinic focuses on employment, consumer and housing law advice. Our Club Row clinic offers legal advice on the night and then a follow up letter outlining the advice they gave, which can take up to three weeks to process. Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham residents only.
Our clinics are a quieter evening service, so if your clinic has visitors who do not fit your criteria or if the caseload of your clinic is ever oversubscribed you are welcome to signpost/refer any relevant cases to either of our clinics.
Both clinics take place at 6-8pm and operate on a first come, first served basis so it is best if clients arrive early if they really need to be seen. I have attached posters with information on both clinics to this email.
If a client’s first language is Bengali we also run a daytime advice clinic (appointment only) and the advisor is a Bengali speaker who supports with PIP applications. If you call us on 0207 739 8066 we can arrange an appointment with the Daytime Advisor.
East London’s Friendly Disability Gym
Ability Bow is a charity providing specialist exercise support for people living with disabilities or complex health conditions. Why not click the link below and check them out as we know we all need support to keep fit and healthy.
Joint Pain Programme
Join our Nuffield Health free programme to relieve joint pain and lead a more independent life.
What is a hate crime?
Hate crime is any criminal offence where anyone believes the victim has been targeted because of their:
- disability
- race or ethnic identity
- religion/belief
- gender or gender identity
- sexual orientation
- age
- immigration status or nationality
- or any other actual or perceived difference.
Hate crime behaviours can include
- physical attacks – pushing and shoving to serious assaults
- verbal abuse – using derogatory or insulting words
- threatening behaviour, bullying and intimidation
- damage to property – including offensive graffiti
- harassment
- malicious communications – threatening or offensive mail, texts or emails
- damage to property and violence
- hate can also be directed at whole communities – for example, vandalism of places of worship, or offensive graffiti in public places.
Hate incidents
Are incidents that do not constitute a criminal offence but cause alarm, distress or harassment where anyone believes the victim has been targeted because of their race/ethnicity, religion/belief, gender/gender identity, disability, age, sexual orientation or any other actual or perceived difference.
For more information and how to report hate crimes visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/hatecrime
Our Hate Crime Manual with a Directory of support services is available via this link Tower Hamlets Hate Crime Manual.
Remember an attack on one section of our community is an attack on us all.
Domestic Abuse Number
Refuge: 24 hours, 7 days a week – Tel: 0808 2000 247
Food Banks Information
What you need to know
With the cost of living crisis affecting communities nationwide, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets have shared information on accessing your local FOOD Stores and tips on managing your food bills.
Tower Hamlets FOOD Stores
A number of FOOD stores have been set up across the borough, supporting those who are finding it difficult to afford enough food for themselves or their families.
At these FOOD stores, you are able to pick up food valued at £25-£35 in exchange for a £3.50 membership fee. At the same time, support is provided in other areas that you might need help with. This includes help with issues around
- housing
- benefits access
- employment and more.
To find out more or to become a member email thefoodstore@towerhamlets.gov.uk with your name, address, postcode, date of birth and contact number.
Foodbanks
There are a number of food aid organisations available to help you in Tower Hamlets if you are struggling to get food for yourself or your family. Scroll down to see where your closest branch is located. Different food aid services will offer different support.
Types
- Open Access – A food bank that anyone can go to for food.
- Limited Access/referral only – A Food bank that needs someone to refer you into the service. Please contact the organisation for more details.
- School food provision – A food bank or food aid service that specifically works with students and parents who attend the school.
- Hot meals service/Hostel – Provides hot meals or pre-made goods to residents.
Underwood Road Foodbank – (Open Access)
Opening times: Thursday and Friday, 9am – 3pm
St Anne’s Catholic Church, E1 5AW
Contact: 020 7247 7833 or email underwoodroad@rcdow.org.uk from Tuesday to Friday (9am – 3pm)
Ensign Youth Club – (Open Access)
Opening times: Friday 10am – 1pm
Wellclose Sq, E1 8HY
Contact: info@ensign.org.uk
Hague Primary School
Opening times: Monday – Friday 8.40am – 3.40pm
Hague primary school, E2 0BP and E1 5RE
For more information please ask at the school office.
Stewart Headlam Primary School
Opening times: Monday – Friday 8.40am – 3.40pm
Tapp St, London, E1 5RE
For more information please ask at the school office.
Wellington Primary School – Food bank (limited access/by referral only)
School food provision (Pupils and families only)
Opening times: Tuesday 2 – 3pm
Wellington Way, Bow, E3 4NE
Contact: admin@wellington.towerhamlets.sch.uk
St Elizabeth Pop Up Kitchen – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: 3.40 – 5pm
St Elizabeth Primary School, entrance on Waterloo Gardens, E2 9JY
For more information please visit St Elizabeth School website / Caritas Twitter page.
Bygrove School – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: Monday – Friday (Term Time Only)
Bygrove street, E14 6DN
For more information please visit the Bygrove School website.
Langdon Park School – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm
Bright Street, London, E14 0RZ
For more information please ask at the school office.
Dorset Community Food Hub – (Open Access – Hot meals service)
Opening times: Thursday
Ground floor, former Dorset library, E2 8QX
For more information please visit the Dorset Community website.
Olga Primary School Foodbank – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: Friday 3.20 – 3.45pm
Olga Primary School, E3 5DN
Contact: 020 8981 7127
Edward Gibbons House – (Hostel)
Opening times: 24 hours
1 Parmiter St, E2 9NG
For more information please visit Providence Row website.
Globe Primary School – (Open Access)
Opening times: Friday 12 – 3.15pm
Globe Primary School, E2 0JH
For more information please visit Globe Primary School website.
Food for Aldgate – (Limited access/by referral only)
Opening times: Friday 1 – 3pm
Tonybee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London, E1 6AB
Contact: Paul.wilson@eastendhomes.net or Twitter @FoodForAldgate.
Womens Inclusive Team – (Limited access/by referral only)
Opening times: Appointment provided after referral
Mayfield House 202 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9LJ
Contact: 07415 372 664 or email shakilaa@wit.org.uk.
William Davis Food Bank – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: Friday 2 – 3pm
William Davis School, E2 6ET
Contact: 020 7739 1511
Bow Food Bank – (Open Access)
Opening times: Monday 8am – 12.30pm
Bromley by Bow Centre, St Leonard’s Street, E3 3BT
For more information please visit the Bow Food Bank website.
Bethnal Green Foodbank – (Open Access)
Opening times: Wednesday 2 – 7pm
Raines Foundations School, Approach road, E2 9LY
For more information please visit Bow Food Bank website.
Bow Muslim Cultural Centre – (Open Access)
Opening times: Friday 11am – 3pm
246 Bow Road London, E3 3AP
Contact: info@bowcentralmosque.co.uk
SACC Food Bank – (Limited access/by referral only)
Opening times: Thursday and Friday 10am – 3pm
St Anne’s Catholic Church, E1 5AW
Contact: braziliancp@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7247 7833.
Referrals can be discussed by email or contact number.
A carers guide to home fire safety
A new video resource has been launched on the London Fire Brigade website to help carers learn how to keep people that receive care safe from fire.
Sadly, around one third of those here who die or are severely injured by fire are in receipt of some form of care or support. If you are a formal (domiciliary care worker, support worker or clinician) or informal carer (family member, friend or neighbour) and are caring for someone in their own home, this new resource will help you identify fire risks and show you what you can do to reduce them. There is also more information available on the website around fire safety and prevention.
Watch the video >
WALKING ALONE? REMEMBER THESE 10 TIPS
1) Plan Your Route
Make sure you plan your route ahead of time. If you are walking in an area you are not familiar with, this can help keep you from getting lost. You will be able to walk with confidence. If you do get lost, don’t wander aimlessly, find a gas station, supermarket, or fast-food restaurant where you can ask for directions.
2) Make Sure Someone Else Knows Your Plans
Don’t go out when it is dark without telling someone, even if you are just taking the dogs out for a walk around your neighbourhood or walking home from a friend’s house nearby. It may seem paranoid, but in fact, knowing someone knows where you are can be reassuring and help you feel safe. If you fall and hurt yourself or run into trouble, and someone knows where you are, they can send help if you don’t arrive at your destination on time.
3) Always Carry Your Phone with You
Always carry your phone, but not for music or to make social calls as your walk. Your phone can be a lifeline if you see something suspicious or worse if something happens to you. Download a safety app on your phone, so you’ll be able to discreetly alert the authorities if you feel threatened or see something suspicious.
4) Avoid Suspicious People and Areas
Areas that are dark, deserted, or out-of-the-way, such as an alley or a parking lot, can be riskier than a well-lit area full of people. Stick to busy, lighted paths, to minimize the risks. Also, walk mainly in familiar places where you are known. That way, if you feel like a suspicious person is following you, you can always duck into a store you know or knock on a neighbour’s door. Avoid empty streets and pathways with thick shrubbery.
5) Keep Your Hands Free
Except for a flashlight and one of the items discussed below, keep your hands free. If you are carrying anything, put it all in one bag or backpack. This will make it easier for you to react if you notice someone following you. In a dangerous situation, carrying too many bags can keep you from moving as quickly as you can if your hands are free or if you only have one bag.
6) Carry a Non-Violent Deterrent
In addition to a flashlight, A whistle will help you alert others and call them to aid you if something is wrong. The loud noise may put off attackers, and they’ll move on to find someone else. Mace or pepper spray can give you enough time to evade a potential attacker, and in a pinch, a flashlight can be used as a weapon. Make sure you know how to use the mace or pepper spray to get its full effect.
7) Wear Reflective Clothing to Prevent Accidents
When it comes to personal safety, it’s not just about suspicious people. Areas with low visibility can be prone to accidents. Reflective clothing allows bikers and cars to see you as you walk along. A flashlight or headlight can also help drivers see you if there are dark stretches of road on your route.
8) Take a Self-Defence Class
When fighting off something as an assault, the element of surprise can work in your favour. If you regularly walk alone, take a self-defence class. You don’t have to become a black belt. In fact, it’s probably better to learn something like Krav Maga, which has been popular for self-defence. The idea is to disable your attacker enough for you to get to safety, and a class focused on self-defence will help give you those survival skills.
9) Remove Any Distractions
Keep your phone in your hand in case you need to hit the panic button on your safety app, but don’t let it distract you. When walking alone at night for exercise, music can be motivating and energizing but also distracting. You may not hear someone driving or walking up behind you. Avoid wearing headphones or talking on your phone as you walk.
10) Trust Your Gut
When walking alone at night, trust your gut. If you feel like an area or situation may be dangerous, don’t wait around to find out. Stop and scan your surroundings if you think someone is following you. If you are being followed, walk as quickly as you can to a well-lit public place. You can wait until you feel safe, or call a friend, a taxi, or an Uber to help you get safely get home at night.
Following these personal safety tips will help keep you stay safe when walking alone. Always be aware of where you are and alert to suspicious activity.
