Hello Everyone – Support After Bereavement …

June 27th, 2025

• We will support you for one year which includes benefit support, advice and information and referrals to partner organisations that are appropriate to your situation.
• We can offer you one Carers Retreat to aid your bereavement journey.
• We can offer you counselling if you need it.
• We have a monthly bereavement group which many carers really benefit from.
• We also encourage attending Peer Support groups where being in the company of your peers can really help develop friendships  and help you move forward.

Don’t be shy and come and drop in to one of our activities – check out the calendar to see what is on    https://ccth.org.uk/health-wellbeing/events-activities/

Also …..

Next Friday 4th July we have the following 

Reiki Appointments – Please email Wellbeing@ccth.org.uk to get a place or be put on the waiting list

Restorative Yoga – also email Wellbeing@ccth.org.uk to reserve a place as they are limited

Stay Safe in the Sun – We have another heatwave this weekend 

There is a hot weather alert in place over the weekend and early next week.

While many of us enjoy the warmer weather, it can cause health issues for people more vulnerable, including the elderly, those with long-term health conditions, babies and people who can’t look after themselves.

In the hot weather, make sure you stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, and please check in on friends, family, and neighbours who may be finding it more challenging to stay cool and hydrated.

Additionally, long periods of hot and dry weather can increase the risk of grass fires, and BBQs can be a cause of them. If you’re visiting an open park or space, please don’t take a disposable barbecue with you.

Disposable BBQs should also not be used indoors, on a balcony, or in close proximity to flammable items like sheds and fences. Disposable BBQs can pose a significant fire risk if they aren’t put out properly because the heat can be retained for many hours even after a barbecue has been put out.

For more essential fire safety tips, especially during hot weather, visit the London Fire Brigade website.

Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather – NHS

The East London Parkinson’s Disease Project – Control Group Invitation

We’re conducting a research study at Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust to explore early diagnostic tools and genetic links in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). To ensure our findings are robust and inclusive, we are recruiting individuals without Parkinson’s Disease to take part as healthy controls.

Participation may involve simple, non-invasive tests such as smell assessments, movement tracking using wearable devices, saliva or blood samples, and optional procedures like skin or nasal swabs. All assessments are quick, low-risk, and can be carried out at home or in a clinic. Your involvement will contribute to improving early detection and understanding of PD, especially in underrepresented communities.

Eligibility: You must not have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease or a related neurological condition.

If you’re interested in taking part, please contact ha24131@qmul.ac.uk. Testing will conclude on 4th July, so we encourage you to reach out soon.

Feedback on the draft Local Plan 

If you’re a resident, business owner or community group in Tower Hamlets, you can feedback on the final draft of the new Local Plan.

The Local Plan is our most important planning document, used to guide and assess all development in the borough. Your feedback will help make sure the Plan is fair, sound, and community led. Open until 1 August 2025.

New Local Plan | Let’s Talk Tower Hamlets

Exploring the experiences of people who have been through Social Care Needs Assessments

Little is known about the experiences of people who have been through Social Care Needs Assessments. As defined by the NHS, this assessment is carried out by someone from the local council, such as an occupational therapist or social worker, to assess how well someone is coping with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, and cooking. They may recommend practical help from a paid carer, or changes to the home. A Carer’s Needs Assessment, as defined by the NHS, looks at things which could make a carer’s life easier, including someone to take over caring so they can have a break, help with gardening and housework, and advice about benefits for carers.

There are several barriers to accessing a Social Care Needs Assessment or Carer’s Needs Assessment. This includes geographic location, age, gender, ethnicity and education. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of people living with a neurodegenerative condition* and their unpaid carers around getting a Social Needs Care Assessment/Carer’s Needs Assessment and subsequent support and care services provided. The researchers would like to find out how easy or difficult the process was, whether people received all the support they required, and what type of support people living with a neurodegenerative condition and their unpaid carers may be lacking.

*this includes Parkinson’s disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis (MS), Huntington’s disease and motor neurone disease (MND).

What does taking part involve?

The researchers would like to conduct interviews with people living with neurodegenerative diseases and their unpaid carers. This will involve a telephone or online (via Microsoft Teams) interview with one of the researchers, at a suitable date and time. The interview will focus on experiences of going through a Social Care Needs Assessment. The interview will last around 45 minutes and will be audio recorded.

The researchers would also like unpaid carers to complete a survey (either online or by telephone) about their experiences of Carer’s Needs Assessments and accessing care and support after an assessment. The survey will take around 15 minutes.

Who can take part?

For interviews:

• People living with a neurodegenerative condition who have received a Social Care Needs Assessment in the last two years
• Unpaid carers of people living with a neurodegenerative condition who have received a Social Care Needs Assessment/Carer’s Needs Assessment in the last two years

For the survey:

• Unpaid carers of people living with a neurodegenerative condition who have received a Social Care Needs Assessment/Carer’s Needs Assessment in the last two years

How can I take part?

To take part in the study or for more information, please contact Clarissa Giebel, Clarissa.giebel@liverpool.ac.uk, or Emma Williams, emma.williams2@liverpool.ac.uk.

To take part in the survey for carers, visit the Social Care Needs Assessments Survey

Digital Inclusion Survey – Community Engagement 

Barts health are constantly trying to improves services and make them more accessible for all – why not take this survey and help them achieve this

the survey link is here: https://forms.office.com/e/UpPaWP4Czd

Did you know you can learn online?

The Wellbeing Team are here to help you with your learning needs and we have partnerships with The Open University, WEA (employment skills), IDEA Stores, we have in person ESOL classes as well as hybrid training sessions on condition specific issues.

New Young Adult Carers Learning Group starting in July

If you want to know more email wellbeing@ccth.org.uk 

You will have the opportunity to discuss with Tony what your learning needs are in a sensitive and confidential way and he will help develop a personal learning plan.

Women’s Commission Survey

As a council, tackling inequalities and supporting and empowering women is high on our list of priorities. The Council has set up a Women’s Commission, which aims to tackle inequalities women face at work, in public life, social settings and within their families.

The Commission has now launched a survey, through which it is looking to gather the views and lived experiences of women across Tower Hamlets when it comes to issues including health, safety, employment, and community leadership.

Please help us by sharing the survey with your contacts. If you are woman, you are also invited to fill in the survey yourself. The deadline is Monday 30 June 2025.

All responses will remain anonymous and will play a vital role in shaping the Commission’s recommendations and future actions. Everyone who takes part in the survey will be entered into a draw to win one of five £20 vouchers.

Any questions or queries, please make direct contact with: Muslima.Miah@towerhamlets.gov,uk. Muslima is leading on this work.

London Million Hearts and Minds Campaign:

Are you supporting loved ones to improve their health and wellbeing?

The London Million Hearts and Minds programme being developed by a group of public health professionals led by Prof Kevin Fenton, who are wanting to better understand what interventions are happening across London to improve outcomes in Heart disease.

The programme is collecting case studies and examples of best practices in community-based heart health activities across London. This short survey will help them to prepare for the in person workshop in London and feed into the development of the approach of the programme.

Click here for a link to the survey.

Next Week’s Activities – check out https://ccth.org.uk/health-wellbeing/events-activities/

Next Shared Reading  – Monday’s from 11.15am to 12.15pm 

Shared reading is a popular group where carers are read a story and they then have the chance to debate the characters, storylines and how the story makes them feel.  So, come along and have a little mental respite.

Don’t for get Sharron is rambling for better mental health as mentioned last week this years Mental Health Awareness is movement as it has been proven that exercise, walking and as we know being with others improves wellbeing so, either come for the shared reading and carry on afterwards and ramble or just join the ramble at 12.30pm and this all takes place at the Carers Centre and off you go.

Walking & Talking Group – Monday’s 12.30pm to 2pm

Why not come and have a walk in Tower Hamlets with other carers and exercise, lower your blood pressure, connect with people, have fun, and have some mental respite from your caring role. We Meet outside the centre, and we go off in a different direction each session.

Arts, Crafts & Conversation – every Thursday from 11am to 1pm

Come and learn a new craft like sewing, knitting and much much more but a great part of the experience is meeting other carers where you can have a good long natter.

Are you a Carer who finds it difficult to exercise?

Your help is needed with a research project on your relationship with exercise

Researchers at The Open University are interested in exploring the relationship that you have with leisure-time physical activity and exercise. If you are aged 18 years or over, we would like to know more about how you identify with exercise as part of your life.

The study will use an online survey to understand your demographic information (such as age and caring status) and to rate statements that relate to exercise. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes.

This survey, and full details of the study (OU Research Ethic Committee ref: 2025-0616-2) can be found online by clicking the link below:

https://forms.office.com/e/EJdPr4pPMM or via the QR code:

Swim well with Be Well

Be Well, the council’s leisure service, provides free swimming for women and girls aged over 16, and for all residents over 55.  However, we recognise that not everyone is confident in the water, especially women.

That’s why we’re offering free swim clinics for women during female-only swim sessions. These are not structured swimming lessons.

See more >

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.