News centre

New app launched promoting safer schools

A new app has been launched by Achieving for Children to offer vital safeguarding information and advice for Richmond schools and families.

Since lockdown, there have been numerous warnings from the Government, police and leading charities about the online risks that children can face. 

Find out more

George’s Marvellous Rainbow Rock Garden

Young resident George Summers has created a stunning rock garden he hopes will inspire others. George said he “started the rock garden in Vine Road Park at the start of lockdown for the whole community to get together."

George thought it would be nice for everyone to paint a rock and place them at the bottom of the tree to show that we are all together even as we were apart during lockdown.

Find out more

Survey launched to assess health and wellbeing of young people during lockdown

A new youth survey has been launched looking at the health and wellbeing of children and young people during the pandemic.

The survey has been designed by the borough’s Youth Council in partnership with Achieving for Children and the Council’s Public Health Team.

Find out more

TAG Youth Club deliver huge service to local community in June

TAG Youth Centre in Ham have produced a mammoth effort to ensure stability in young people’s lives throughout the month of June and the lockdown period. They provided 30 online Activity Hour sessions, engaging with 25 young people resulting in 340 visits. 

They also provided 83 one-to-one live chat sessions to 21 individuals and made 454 calls to families. TAG Youth Club are a youth club for disabled young people operating out of the Ham Youth Centre.

Find out more

The National Archives to host ‘Dunkirk: From the archive to Hollywood’ webinar

While the National Archives remain closed for now, they’re continuing their series of online webinars. On 17 July, there is a fascinating session entitled ‘Dunkirk: From the archives to Hollywood’. Joshua Levine, the historical adviser on 2017 film Dunkirk, will guide attendees through research on the evacuation 80 years ago, followed by a Q&A session.

Find out more

Lighting up for the NHS and in Remembrance

York House will join national landmarks in lighting up blue for the 72^nd anniversary of the NHS and to remember those who have died during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The gesture will take place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday when the building will be lit up blue, the colour of the NHS.

Find out more

Don’t lose your chance to vote next year

Don’t lose your voice - residents in Richmond upon Thames are urged to look out for their voter registration details from the Council.

With elections taking place in the Borough in May 2021, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

Find out more

Could you be a Census Engagement Manager?

The census is a once-a-decade compulsory survey of the entire population of England and Wales. It provides detailed information and statistics that drive future decisions and the direction of the country. As an engagement manager, you will work with councils and diverse communities to help make Census 2021 a success in your area. Applications for the role open on 6 July.

Find out more

Richmond Rugby to supply local children with summer meals

Richmond Rugby have announced that they have been awarded a grant, via the London Community Response Fund (LCRF), to supply local school children in need with a daily nutritional meal over the summer school holidays.

The funding was applied for following club members speaking with club partner schools and recognising the need for vulnerable children to continue to receive a nutritional cooked meal throughout the summer months to ensure positive physical and mental wellbeing.

Find out more

Calling all businesses: complete the COVID-19 impact survey

Businesses across Richmond upon Thames are being urged to take part in a Council survey on the coronavirus pandemic.

Find out more

Free online psychological first aid training

Public Health England has launched an updated digital training module for psychological first aid aimed at all frontline and essential workers and volunteers.

It aims to increase awareness and confidence to provide psychosocial support to people affected by COVID-19.

Find out more

Families - don’t miss out on free summer meals

Families in Richmond upon Thames are being urged to check if they qualify for free school meals, after a Government u-turn means that the scheme will now be funded over the summer holidays.

Last month, the Government announced that they would be funding the scheme that provides vulnerable and low-income families with vital vouchers for food over the traditional six-week summer break. 

Find out more

Six playgrounds have been upgraded ready for the summer holidays!

Summer holidays are looking up as six of the borough’s playgrounds have recently been upgraded in time for the Government’s decision to reopen playgrounds on 4 July, following their closure due to COVID-19. All the borough’s playgrounds are now open.

Tangier Green (North Sheen), Raleigh Road Recreation Ground (North Sheen) and Heathfield Recreation Ground (Twickenham) have all had new trim trails installed, which encourage fun and active play.

Find out more

Outdoor Learning at Vine Road Park

Since re-opening after lockdown on 3 June, children at Montessori Pavilion nursery have been spending even more of their time learning and exploring outdoors. The children have been busy planting flowers, watering carrot and lettuce seedlings, and helping our community by watering  thirsty young apple trees suffering from the heat. The children have been thrilled by the insects we have seen, particularly a huge stag beetle.

Find out more

St Mary's University to host webinar and Q&A with Sir Clive Woodward OBE

England's Rugby World Cup 2003 winning Head Coach, Sir Clive Woodward OBE, will be taking questions during a Q&A webinar hosted by St Mary's University on the challenges Rugby Union is facing on and off the pitch, and on his playing and coaching career.

The webinar will take place on Thursday, 16 July at 11am. Registration is essential for this event.

Find out more

Local outbreak plan launched to help control Coronavirus

A plan to supress future COVID-19 outbreaks in Richmond upon Thames has been published this week.

Richmond Council, which has a statutory role to protect health, will lead the response to local COVID-19 outbreaks through its Director of Public Health, working with the regional Public Health England health protection team and local partners.

Find out more

Have your say on traffic reduction measures on Burtons Road in Hampton Hill

Local residents will soon receive a letter inviting them to share their views on proposals to reduce traffic in and around Burtons Road, Hampton Hill.

An initial consultation took place in June 2019 following a residents’ petition about the high number of vehicles using the area, particularly during peak times.

Find out more

Kew Gardens to re-open glasshouses this weekend

This weekend will see Kew Gardens re-open its glasshouse for the first time since the lockdown. For safety, all glasshouses will have a one-way system in place with the possibility of queues before entering. The glasshouses will re-open from this Saturday (July 4) with visitors required to pre-book tickets prior to their visit.

Find out more

Get active and play outdoors

Playgrounds and outdoor gyms are set to reopen next week, following their closure due to COVID-19.

Find out more

St Mary's amongst top universities nationally for graduate employability

New data published by the Higher Education Statistic Agency (HESA) has found that St Mary's University, Twickenham has one of the top graduate employability rates in the country.

The HESA data rates St Mary's as one of the top universities in the country for employability, finding that 98% of St Mary's graduates are in employment, vocation or further study within 15 months of graduation.

Find out more