The Near Neighbours programme is run by the Church of England with the aim of bringing people together who are near neighbours in communities that are religiously and ethnically diverse, so that they can get to know each other better, build relationships of trust, and collaborate together on initiatives that improve the local community in which they live.
The programme has two core objectives:
social interaction – to develop positive relationships in multi-faith areas i.e. to help people from different faiths get to know and understand each other better; and
social action – to encourage people of different faiths and of no faith to come together for initiatives that improve their local neighbourhood.
Near Neighbours is supported by a small grants fund, which has recently reopened, providing seed funding of up to £5,000 for local groups and organisations who are working to bring together neighbours; to develop relationships of diverse faiths and ethnicities and also to improve their communities.
To apply visit: https://www.cuf.org.uk/near-neighbours-small-grants. Alternatively, to discuss your grant proposal further, contact philip.doyle@hounslow.gov.uk
Come and Celebrate Carers Week on the 15th June 11:00 13:30
Come and Celebrate Carers Week on the 15th June 11:00 13:30 at:
Sainsburys Chiswick, 31 Essex Place, London W4 5UT
This is an event for all carers in the borough of Hounslow to celebrate the work they do in supporting relatives and friends who are often under acknowledged.
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution they make.
Come and listen to a presentation from carers and the organisations supporting them in Hounslow.
Parking is free on site at Sainsburys and there will be a free buffet lunch.
If you would like to attend this event please email robert.flann@nhs.net or call 07825 195 502 to confirm your attendance.
Queen's Award for Voluntary Service winners 2017
On June 2 2017 Buckingham Palace announced the winners of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service for 2017*. This is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. It is the MBE for voluntary groups. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June the anniversary of the Queens Coronation.
There were three Hounslow groups among the 20 Greater London winners:
- Bridgelink Centre (the Ivybridge Estate) supporting and empowering a multi-cultural community in an area of economic deprivation
- Metropolitan Water Board Railway Society restoring and operating an industrial steam railway to provide a community attraction and preserve local heritage
- The Shelter Project Hounslow providing accommodation and meals for homeless men during the winter and helping them find employment and permanent homes
Maria Pedro, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hounslow, would like to thank Chief Superintendent Raj Kohli Borough Commander Police, Rev. Richard Frank Hounslow Area Dean, Councillor Linda Green and the councils Community Partnership Unit for their invaluable help and support with the nominations.
*The full list of QAVS winners https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/61945/supplement/J1
Hounslow Friends of Faith Interfaith Walk of Peace and Friendship
Hounslow Friends of Faith invite you to join them on their annual Interfaith Walk of Peace and Friendship on Saturday 1st July, in the Chiswick area.
You will get to visit 4 places of worship:
- Hanuman Hindu Temple, Brentford,
- Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Gunnersbury
- Christchurch, Turnham Green
- Buddhist Vihara, Chiswick
You will have the opportunity to meet, learn and discuss with local people interested in Interfaith issues.
For more details click here
Hounslow CCG AGM
Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be holding their AGM on Wednesday 21 June 2017 12.30pm 2.30pm at the Debenture Lounge, (Harlequins), Twickenham Stoop Stadium, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, TW2 7SX.
If you have a question which you would like raised at the meeting, these must be received in writing no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting, please email: HOUCCG.communications@nhs.net
The 24th Annual 50+ Festival 2017
Hounslow Older Peoples Festival celebrates its twenty-fourth year. They launch the Festival 2017 with an outdoor event in the beautiful surroundings of Boston Manor Park walled garden. This will be a great start to a fun-packed July for older people in Hounslow. Following the success of last years activities for grandparents and grandchildren, they will again welcome grandchildren to some of the events during the last week of their Festival.
As always the Festival is an opportunity for older people to get together, enjoy
a range of activities and events taking place across Hounslow, learn new
things and make new friends. The workshops this year include learning how
to use your digital gadgets, Bollywood Dance, Asian Singing and Arts and
Crafts. There are coach trips to Ramsgate, a heritage railway, a National Trust
property and the opportunity to enjoy lovely gardens as part of the National
Gardens Scheme. Use your Freedom Pass to join them on visits to fascinating
buildings and gardens in London.
For more information about events on during the festival click here
Dementia Awareness Week (14 20 May)
We are in the middle of Dementia Awareness Week (14 20 May) and across Hounslow there is a large programme of events and activities taking place.
A highlight of the week is a one-week exhibition at the Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford entitled: Whats good for your heart is good for your head.
This event is aimed at raising awareness of dementia and promoting the support that is available for local residents living with the symptoms of dementia.
Funded by Hounslow CCG, visitors can learn about the experiences of people living with dementia and their carers through a visual and interactive display.
They can also discover how Hounslow CCG and Council staff are supporting residents living with dementia.
To find out more visit www.watermans.org.uk/dementia
Reshaping the Councils Grants Process
Hounslow Councils Community Partnership Unit (CPU) is seeking your support in shaping the priorities and criteria for our Hounslow Community Grant.
As with many service areas within Hounslow Council, the CPU has been required to make savings to our budget over recent years, resulting in reductions to the VCSE Grants Budget. It is important that we now determine how we can best use our funding to support the valuable work of the Voluntary and Community Sector and offer the best possible outcomes for Hounslow residents.
We have made a number of proposals under four areas on which we would welcome your views;
- Maximising the benefit of Council funding
- Eligibility for funding
- Proposed priority areas for 2017/18 and 2018/19
- Applications and reporting processes
We are keen to get the views of a range of stakeholders including current and previous applicants and grantees, the wider Voluntary and Community Sector and other Council departments working with VCSE sector organisations.
Please complete the survey via the following link – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3CNZHMY
It should take no longer than 15 minutes.
If you cannot access or complete the survey online and would like a paper copy please contact Sara Lindsay sara.lindsay@hounslow.gov.uk
The deadline for responses is 12 noon on Monday 25 June 2017.