PSBL January 2021 Newsletter

Plaistow South Big Local Community E–News

It’s a new year with new challenges as we start 2021 in lockdown. At PSBL we plan to bring you different resources, news and updates on our events and initiatives that we are developing to help make Plaistow South a better place for residents, businesses and organisations to live, be and work. Our weekly online networking session is building momentum and we will be reaching out to groups to see how we can build our working relationship on things that matter to our community.

Stay in touch with us via our social media for news on events and developments and all things new for 2021.

Networking for community projects – Mondays 2-3pm – a cuppa to keep connected!

For anyone that is involved in a community group, why not join our community networking cuppas on Mondays at 2-3pm to share your work and find out what others are doing. They are proving popular. Guest speakers coming up Mala of Skills Enterprise (18^TH) and Jean & Aidan from Newham Voices community newspaper (25^TH) . The direct Zoom link is here or the passwords are on the flyer.

Do share the flyer. Will be lovely to see you!

Join the first meeting of the new Plaistow residents’ group

A Plaistow resident’s group has been set up by Newham Muslim Forum to create a place for local residents to discuss issues faced such as parking, fly tipping, crime etc. With funding from Plaistow South Big Local (PSBL) and Near Neighbourhoods they are hoping to bring together a forum of people to enable something that will have a lasting impact in our community.
Their first meeting is on zoom this Friday at 6-7.15 pm (dial in available) Register to attend by emailing plaistowresidents@gmail.com.

You can be a Voice for Change and help Newham recover from the Pandemic

Everyone has their own story of how the pandemic has affected their life. Voices for Change is a project run by Bonny Downs (in East Ham) , they’d love to hear your stories and your hopes for the future! Whatever your background or experience it is your chance to talk and share your input. This will help Bonny Downs and other community groups to shape future services and help support Newham’s recovery. There are questionnaires, focus groups and one-to-one interviews. Click here for more information.

Covid Winter grant scheme – giving struggling Newham families peace of mind

If you are struggling due to the pandemic or are vulnerable and experiencing severe hardship the Newham MoneyWorks Winter grant can help you to put food on the table and ensure the household is warm and well-fed this winter. To apply you need to be a Newham resident and in need of support to relieve exceptional pressure on your household. More information here.

Making Plaistow South a place where everyone has digital access

We are working alongside others in practical ways to make sure that people, families, community groups are not being excluded from access to the internet. Our focus will be on devices, data and WIFI. We are hoping to make a difference in 2021 by exploring setting up WIFI spots, creating digital champions and more. We are looking forward to hearing from Mala Muthu of Skills Enterprise at our community networking cuppa event on Monday as the project is doing wonderful things to fight digital exclusion.
If you would like to help us with this work in Plaistow South, do get in touch with Ros @PSBL.

Opportunities for young people at NEW VIC and REIN

For young people in years 10 and 11 and their parents, New Vic is holding a live open day Saturday 23^rd January from 11am-3.15pm. There will be Information about all the courses on offer. Info here

REIN’s Everyone’s Business Project is currently running online sessions and workshops for young people in Newham aged 16-25 who are struggling with education, employment and training. We offer drop-in sessions, mentoring opportunities, work and training opportunities, and job support. If you’re struggling through lockdown, feel free to get in contact! Email sean@rein.uk.com or tosin@rein.uk.com for more details! REIN website is here

The Big Garden Birdwatch – a perfect Lockdown nature treat! 29-31 January

We might not be able to get together with loved ones at the moment, but you can make plans with friends and family to take part in the world’s largest wildlife survey, all from the comfort of your own homes. Spend an hour counting the birds you see in your garden or from your balcony, then tell RSPB what you saw. It really is that simple! You can sign up here.

Lockdown learning while schools are closed – the BBC can help!

Lockdown learning while schools are closed – the BBC can help!
As a third national lockdown is under way, the BBC is bringing hundreds of educational resources together to help with home-schooling. Whether on TV, online or on social media, BBC Bitesize has lots of brilliant content to help you learn at home. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Looking after young children’s wellbeing – the All About Me Journal

We love this booklet from Newham Council and Headstart. 37 pages of wonderful winter activities for Primary-aged children to celebrate and develop themselves during the Winter Lockdown . It will need to be printed which we know not everyone will be able to afford. We are looking into this. In the mean time here is the link.

After school club – run by Grace, one of our regular PYM market traders

We are pleased to promote this new initiative of local Mum and business Kakes by Grace. She is running an after-school club with her 3 children on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3pm. It started this week. Just go to YouTube and search for Kakes By Grace. It is fun!

Online Pottery Classes for children by a local Potter

Local pottery artist Suzan Ipeklioglu has created a series of fun and engaging online pottery classes for children, starting from Monday 18^th January at 4pm. More info and how to book here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/145124893937805/?sfns=scwspwa