The Hopper

The Hopper arrives on buses

A second bus or tram journey made within one hour of the start of your first journey will be free, if you’re using contactless or Oyster pay-as-you-go.

From 2018, passengers will also be able to make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour – once TfL has upgraded its ticketing technology.

The Hopper in 2016:

The Hopper fare applies automatically to passengers who are using contactless or Oyster pay-as-you-go

Passengers can switch between buses and trams in any combination, within an hour

New Leisure centre

Leisure Centre shapes up

The Council’s multi-million poundRomford Leisure Centre is taking shape. The frame of the three storey building is now in place at the Western Road site. The new centre will include two pools, a 25m eight-lane lane main pool, and a 15 x 8m leaner pool, a fitness area with two studios, sauna and steam rooms; along with the boroughs only ice rink. It is due to open in April 2018. You can see the building work happen live using this time lapse camera link www.romford.photosentinel.com.au.

Shared Lives Carers

​The Council is appealing for residents to become Shared Lives Carers. The Shared Lives Service offers adults with social care support needs the chance to receive that care in a family home with a Shared Lives Carer in the local community.

Councillor Wendy Brice-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Health, said:

“The Shared Lives Service means that people live in the homes of carers who have been recruited, trained and approved for this purpose. Arrangements can be short term, lasting anything from one night to several weeks, enabling both the person and their carers to have a break. Or, they can be more long term, providing the opportunity for the person receiving support to live as part of the family.

“It is meant for people over the age of 16 who live in the borough and need some extra support to live independently, for example, adults with physical, sensory and or learning disabilities, mental health support needs or people finding it more difficult to manage as they get older.

“To access this service, residents need to have been assessed and be eligible for social care services.”

A young man who has lived with his Shared Lives Carer for three years says:

“I have not regretted a second. She is the most fantastic, the most extraordinary and most amazing carer I have ever known.”

Residents who are interested in using the Shared Lives Scheme are matched with a carer with similar interests and lifestyle. Those people applying will be able to go and visit the carer several times before deciding if they want to live with them.

Anyone who has a spare room, and wants to share their lives with someone who needs some extra support, can apply to become a Shared Lives Carer. Our team will fully support you through the application process, and offer on-going training and support to make sure the experience is a really positive one. Shared Lives Carers are paid for the support they provide individuals. Shared Lives Carers do not need to have lots of experience or qualifications, it is more important that they respect and value people as individuals and are willing to learn and attend training as necessary.

Residents who would like to know more about becoming a shared lives carer or want to find out how the scheme could support them are invited to a coffee morning and chat on Tuesday 27 September 10.00-12.00pm at Havering Volunteer Centre.

New trials for A&E

Queen's promotes alternative to A&E in new trial

A new approach is being trialled at Queen’s Hospital to redirect people who go the Emergency Department (ED) but could be treated elsewhere. Anyone who does not need emergency care will be redirected to the most appropriate care in the community, such as their GP or local pharmacist, during the two-week trial, which runs from 8am to 8pm. There are plenty of other places to go in the borough if someone needs medical attention including walk-in centres at Harold Wood Polyclinic, RM3 0AR, and at South End Road, Rainham RM13 7XJ, where you can get advice for any health problem. You can also book urgent on-the-day GP appointments at our GP hubs – call 020 3770 1888 to book or find out more online.

Somme remembrance

The Council is holding a two-minute silence at 11am today (Friday 1 July) in tribute to those who lost their lives and loved ones on the French battlefields. Britain observed a two-minute silence at 7.28am to mark 100 years since the start of the Battle of the Somme, at the moment when the first wave of soldiers went ‘over the top’ for the Allied offensive in Picardy in 1916. However, as most staff would have been travelling to work at that time, we will pay our respects at 11am. The ‘alarm’ bell will sound at the start and at the end of the silence at 11am and then at 11.02am at the Town Hall, Mercury House, and Romford Library. The service to the public will continue and visitors will also be able to join in the silence if they wish.

Launch of advice stand in the Market

Information where you need it. Council launches advice stand in Romford Market

Carepoint stand in Romford Market

​From last Friday (3 June) information and advice on subjects ranging from looking after yourself and getting out and about right through to your rights as a carer were available in a stand at Romford Market Place.

​The staff on hand at the stall can help with questions you may have on:

• Your health and wellbeing 
• Getting support to live in your home 
• Your housing options 
• Paying for care 
• Being a carer 
• Getting out and about 
• Being safe 
• Your benefits 
• The support services available in your area

 

As well as any other care and support enquiries you may have.

 

Barbara Nicholls, acting director of adult services, said: “This is just one of the ways the Council is adapting to ensure it reaches the residents who need its help.

 

“Our service provides free, confidential information to anyone over the age of 18 on your social care circumstances, wellbeing, getting out and about, housing and your rights as a carer. The service will also help you to find the services available in your area that may be able to support you or someone you know.

 

“We’re working hard with Family Mosaic who provide the Care Point service so residents can drop in and have a chat with one of the advisors at any one of the locations. You can find Care Point in Romford Market every Friday, at myplace Youth Centre on certain days or at Holgate House, Romford. Or you can visit Care Point at one of the drop-in’s across the borough.

 

“So, if you have a question, why not pop along and have a chat with one of the expert advisors on hand? They’re there to help.”

 

The service is based in myplace, 343 Dagnam Park Drive, Romford RM3 9EN

Monday 9.00am to 2.00pm 
Tuesday 12.00pm to 5.00pm 
Wednesday 9.00am to 2.00pm 
Thursday 12.00pm to 5.00pm

 

or can be found in Romford Market every Friday 10.00am to 3.00pm until the end of August.

 

For more information and a list of drop in sessions, visitwww.haveringcarepoint.org.

Compost Awareness Week

Havering Council gets kids composting for Compost Awareness Week

​International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW, May 1 - 7) is the world’s largest education initiative to promote composting.

​During this week Havering Council ran Compost in a Bottle workshops at three different primary schools within the borough – St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Clockhouse Primary School, both in Collier Row and Elm Park Primary School in Elm Park.

 

The workshops informed parents/ carers and their children of the benefits of composting. Children, parents and carers built a mini composter in a bottle by layering waste such as fruit/vegetable peelings, shredded paper, used teabags, egg shells and more.

 

The finished bottle will be observed over the coming weeks to see the production of compost which will be used in their home gardens and at school.

 

Steve Moore, Head of Streetcare at Havering Council said:  “We encourage residents to recycle their organic waste to create compost which can be used in their gardens. It’s great that young children are getting involved with composting. It’s important that we get everyone in the borough involved - schools, businesses and residents.

 

“Nearly half of the waste from an average household bin can be composted in some way. It currently costs the Council £6m a year to treat waste that could be composted, a considerable sum in these austere times. It could also save residents money when gardening and would benefit the air quality in our borough.”

 

Havering Council runs free compost workshops for residents as well as offering subsidised bins. New workshop dates and locations are to be added soon.

 

Visit www.havering.gov.uk/compostdoctor to register interest and to order a free compost guide.

 

To make sure Havering residents have the right equipment to allow them to compost their waste, Havering Council has teamed up withwww.getcomposting.com to provide reduced priced environmental products such as home compost bins, water butts and more for residents in the borough.

 

Residents can also find exclusive offers on caddy liners and other products atwww.caddyliners.com.