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Infant feeding support across the borough

NCT Twickenham, Hounslow and District is continuing to offer dedicated infant feeding support for new parents. Their friendly Breastfeeding Counsellors, Liz and Geraldine, are offering 1:1 telephone consultations to discuss any feeding, breastfeeding or bottle feeding questions or concerns parents may have.

Sessions are free and open to all local families. Richmond residents are asked to email the NCT Branch at twickenham@nct.org.uk to request a call.

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Richmond’s youth offending service, receives boost from national inspectors

The borough’s youth offending service has been rated as ‘good overall’ by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) inspectors. 

The rigorous inspection, which took place during September, looked at three areas within the service, which is provided by Achieving for Children (AfC). Specifically, inspectors looked at the organisational delivery of the service, the quality of work undertaken with children sentenced by the courts and the quality of out of court disposals.

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Council urge royal parks to extend movement trial

The Royal Parks Movement Strategy trial in Richmond and Bushy parks should be extended, says Richmond Council. In August 2020, Royal Parks launched a trial to create new car-free spaces in Richmond and Bushy parks and reduce the volume of through-traffic.

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Stay connected with friends and loved ones over a virtual cuppa this winter

The Samaritans are encouraging people to 'stay connected with a virtual cuppa'. To ensure no one is lonely over the long winter months as restrictions continue, please reach out to someone you care about for a warming virtual cuppa and chat. 

Sharing a cuppa is more than a drink – it’s about reaching out, checking in and staying connected. The Samaritans free help line is available, day and night, on 116 123.  

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Council expresses disappointment as Secretary of State clears the way for Homebase redevelopment

Richmond Council has expressed extreme disappointment that the Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP, has decided not to 'call in' the Planning Application for the redevelopment of the Homebase site on Manor Road, Richmond.

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Behave responsibly in playgrounds or we will be forced to stop play

Under the national lockdown, playgrounds can stay open, so that children can use them during their daily exercise. However, over the past few weeks there have been many reports of large groups of adults congregating at the playgrounds whilst supervising their children – meeting with other families, not social distancing or being considerate of any COVID safety measures.

If people continue to gather in playgrounds, we may be forced to close them temporarily.

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Join our housing tenants and leaseholders' Community Conversation

Join us as we work together to create Richmond Borough's first 'Community Ambassadors'. This is a new scheme to give social housing residents more of a voice.

Get involved now to let us know what this role should look like. Let us know how we can help support housing association residents to have a say in things that affect them, get things their communities need and make a difference.

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Letters of love, loss and longing

In the National Archive's latest exhibition, love letters offer glimpses into private worlds – from a queen’s treasonous love letter, to the generous wish of a naval hero and the forlorn poetry of a prime minister. Expect secret stories of heartbreak, passion and disappointment as you explore 500 years of letters in this intimate exhibition.

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Register your place for the Safeguarding Children Partnership Conference

Volunteers and professionals working with children, young people and their families are invited to attend the Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership online half day conference entitled ‘The Journey to School Exclusion’ on 26 January 2021.

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Enjoying art and cultural events

Are you missing learning about other cultures, traveling, and visiting museums? Art Historical London have put together a varied calendar of online events to cover all of the above!

Join them for a Virtual Museum Tour in Abu Dhabi or The Hague, Holland. Learn how to use oil paint and appreciate the old masters just that bit more. Join a lecture on Mexican art, or the Bacon exhibition which has now been postponed. Art Historical London look forward to 'seeing' you.

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Commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day

Residents are invited to join the Richmond Synagogue in commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day with their online event this Sunday.

The programme will include Professor Philip Spencer, Emeritus Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Kingston University, an interview with a Holocaust survivor and Rahima Mahmut, UK Project Director of the World Uyghur International Congress, speaking about her own experiences as her people face genocide in China.

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Have your say on a new vision for arts, parks, sports and libraries in Richmond upon Thames

Help us develop a 10-year vision and set of priorities for cultural services, including arts, parks, sports and libraries.  

The value of arts, parks, sports and libraries in improving the lives of residents has never been so recognised as during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new 10-year vision for culture will help the borough come back stronger with an innovative and diverse cultural offering to empower and inspire all residents.

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Two weeks left to have your say on Twickenham Riverside

The deadline is looming for residents to have their say on the latest proposals for the redevelopment of Twickenham Riverside, with the final virtual presentation this Saturday.

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Fun activities for the kids to do when they've finished their home-schooling

Interupt the Routine Richmond are running fun-filled weekday quizzes all through the lockdown period for kids. If you're looking for a fun way to keep your 4 to 14 year old kids occupied, this could be the perfect activity.

The team run family and kids quizzes at 11am and 4pm, with themed quizzes in the evening. There is a wide range of topics to suit kids of all interests.

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White House future secured for local community

The future of the White House in Hampton is secured, now that a potential new partner has been identified to operate the community centre, members of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee heard last night (18 January 2021).

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Off The Record Twickenham is hiring

Off The Record Twickenham have an exciting opportunity for a skilled and experienced Administrator to join their small, office-based team in Twickenham, to help their work supporting young people's emotional health and wellbeing in the borough.

This is a part-time post of 30 hours per week and will be based in Church Street, Twickenham. Closing date for Applications is 8 February 2021.

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Explore Kew Gardens from home

As many of us are unable to visit Kew Gardens during the lockdown, you can still experience the wonders of Kew Gardens from the comfort of your own home with the virtual Kew experience.

Travel to the tropics, the desert and the mountains without leaving the house with their seasonal footage and a sneak peek at the glasshouses across Kew and Wakehurst.

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Save Our Stables! Help keep Park Lane Stables in Teddington

Park Lane Stables RDA (Riding for the Disabled) has been a key part of the Teddington community for many years, providing much-needed therapy and happiness to hundreds of local children and adults with (and without) disabilities and mental health challenges.

The lease at Park Lane Stables lease will be ending on 31 May 2021 and the property owner of their premises wishes to sell. The site has been approved as an Asset of Community Value, giving the community group time to develop a proposal and raise the required capital in order to bid for the land once it comes onto the open market. 

The team are urgently looking to raise £1 million through crowdfunding so they can buy Park Lane Stables on behalf of the community to continue their amazing work. If you would like to support this effort, you can make a donation through their Crowdfunding page. 

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Angel and Crown Pub in Richmond continues amazing community support

Having prevously been recognised in 2020 for their amazing community support which they have provided since the pandemic began last March, the Angel and Crown Pub in Richmond have started 2021 with same amazing community spirit. Their hard working team are offering hot bacon rolls and hot drinks for those most in need during this lockdown period. Thank you to all involved for your continued amazing work. 

Are you looking for comprehensive support and don't know where to start?

We are all spending a lot of time at home now, some issues or concerns may have been highlighted and you might not know where to start. Age UK Richmond's Advice Extra team may be able to support you with free and confidential advice. The team supports older people that are facing significant social or practical issues or who are simply in need of more comprehensive and extensive support.

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