April 2020

Mental health support during the lockdown 

A range of support services are available for people struggling with their mental health during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.  

Published: 30 Apr 20

Green light for Covid-19 Respond Fund grants  

On online meeting of Wandsworth Council’s Executive has given final approval to the grants allocated to community projects tackling the local impact of the Corona crisis.  

Published: 30 Apr 20

Council asks Chancellor to expand business support to speed economic recovery

Wandsworth Council is lobbying the government for greater financial support for small businesses and self-employed people on behalf of local businesses facing difficulties during the Coronavirus crisis.

Published: 30 Apr 20

Update from Professor Rusi Jaspal

Professor Rusi Jaspal is Wandsworth Council’s advisor on social isolation. In his latest blog he outlines what fears lie behind panic buying and how to resist the temptation to buy more than you need. 

Published: 30 Apr 20

Call for medical workers and carers to fill new frontline hospital jobs

Wandsworth Council’s Work Match service is working closely with St George’s NHS Hospital in Tooting to fill vacancies in vital frontline care teams.

Published: 30 Apr 20

Pop-up Coronavirus test centre at Wandsworth town hall on Friday and Saturday

People who think they may have contracted Coronavirus can get tested at a special temporary testing centre run by the army at Wandsworth Town Hall on Friday and Saturday.

Published: 29 Apr 20

Support still available for Wandsworth army of unpaid carers

Wandsworth’s army of unpaid carers are being reassured that support is still available during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published: 28 Apr 20

WAF In Your Living Room: Make your place the main stage this May

WAF In Your Living Room
8 – 24 May 2020

Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF) will host its annual festival of cutting-edge arts and culture in your living room this May via a new online platform.

Published: 27 Apr 20

A message from Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar

The South West Borough Commander for the Metropolitan Police has written the following message to the public. 

Published: 27 Apr 20

Virtual planning committee approves new homes and business space

Councillors who took part in last night’s virtual planning committee were able to approve dozens of new homes and employment space with residents able to view their discussions and debates over a live stream.

Published: 24 Apr 20

A day in the life of a refuse collector during Covid-19

Scott Forrester drives a Serco bin lorry for Wandsworth Council. Heading out to collect our rubbish most mornings he is one of the unsung heroes who has kept the country running at this challenging time. We chatted with Scott to find out what life as a refuse collector is like during the current crisis.

Published: 24 Apr 20

Headteacher’s donation of face masks helping to protect frontline care workers

The council’s cabinet member health and adult social care has offered her thanks and gratitude to a local headteacher who’s donated more than 3,800 face masks to frontline care staff in the borough.

Published: 24 Apr 20

Self-employed residents benefit from council scheme to unlock grants

Thanks to a scheme by Wandsworth Council to provide free accountancy advice for self-employed people who needed to submit tax returns, 30 more local residents are now in a position to claim central government grants when they become available.

Published: 23 Apr 20

Covid-19 Response Fund grants announced

The council has announced the projects recommended to receive funding through its Covid-19 Response Fund.

Published: 23 Apr 20

Support for the arts during the Corona crisis

The council is working with local arts organisations and cultural groups to help them survive through the pandemic.

Published: 23 Apr 20

Businesses urged to claim grants as council payments pass £40m

Wandsworth Council has now distributed £42m in grants to local businesses as claims continue to arrive from companies dealing with the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Published: 23 Apr 20

Wandsworth Town Hall lights up blue for the NHS and key workers

Wandsworth Town Hall was lit up in blue tonight to show support for all key workers and solidarity with the NHS. 

Published: 23 Apr 20

Recycling sacks are on their way

With more household waste being produced during the Coronavirus lockdown, the council is taking steps to ensure that people can recycle as much as possible by launching a borough-wide distribution of recycling sacks to all eligible properties.

Published: 22 Apr 20

Wandsworth Council leader answers your questions

The Leader of Wandsworth Council, Cllr Ravi Govindia, has taken part in a Q&A session with residents, answering questions that they have over the Coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 21 Apr 20

Brighter Living Fair postponed

This year’s Brighter Living Fair has been postponed, Wandsworth Council has announced.

Published: 21 Apr 20

Update from Professor Rusi Jaspal

Professor Rusi Jaspal is Wandsworth Council’s advisor on social isolation. In his latest blog he shares his thoughts on overcoming fear during COVID-19.

Published: 20 Apr 20

Online help to get ready for work

Wandsworth people looking for work can sign up for online training from Wandsworth Work Match, the council’s job brokerage service.

Published: 20 Apr 20

Young people continue to learn through the lockdown

Wandsworth’s schools and social workers have been pulling out all the stops to make sure young people stay safe and continue to learn during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

Published: 20 Apr 20

Wandsworth Council and Battersea Power Station tackle digital poverty for families during COVID-19

Wandsworth Council has joined forces with Battersea Power Station (BPS) to support local families who are struggling to stay digitally connected during the COVID-19 crisis.

Published: 17 Apr 20

Planning Committee meeting to be held online and live streamed to the public

Next week’s planning committee will be held remotely and streamed online so that members of the public can see how important neighbourhood building decisions are reached.

Published: 17 Apr 20

Keep the thank you messages coming

Thank you to everyone who has sent in messages of support to our waste crews – all the refuse collectors, street cleaners, fly-tip removal crews and parks police, to name just a few of the men and women, who play such an important part in keeping our borough clean and safe during the coronavirus crisis.

Published: 17 Apr 20

Self-employed support: Don't miss council deadline for tax return help

Self-employed people in Wandsworth have just a few days left to take advantage of an emergency scheme which helps them submit tax returns for last year if they missed the earlier deadline.

Published: 17 Apr 20

New Foundation runs online health and wellbeing classes

Fitness and wellbeing groups are working with the council to provide free online exercise classes and healthy living advice to residents of the Doddington and Rollo Estates in Battersea.

Published: 16 Apr 20

Update from Professor Rusi Jaspal

Professor Rusi Jaspal is Wandsworth Council’s advisor on social isolation. Over the coming weeks he will share with us his thoughts on how to remain socially connected during the coronavirus crisis.

Published: 15 Apr 20

A message from Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar

The South West Borough Commander for the Metropolitan Police has written the following message to the public. 

Published: 15 Apr 20

Council steps in to supply care homes with protective equipment

Care home staff in Wandsworth are getting the protection they need from Coronavirus with the council stepping in to make sure they receive adequate stocks of protective equipment (PPE).

Published: 15 Apr 20

Online Easter activities continue

Wandsworth Council’s children’s services department has released its programme of online activities for the second week of the Easter holidays. 

Published: 14 Apr 20

3D printing company creates protective masks for social care workers

A south west London based graphics and 3D printing company which has created 9,000 full face visors and donated them to frontline NHS staff is now offering them to social care workers in Richmond and Wandsworth – helping them avoid contracting the Coronavirus.

Published: 14 Apr 20

Primary school offers unveiled this week

Parents whose children will be starting at primary school in September will find out this week which school place they have been offered.

Published: 14 Apr 20

Your questions answered

If you have a question on how Wandsworth Council is providing services during the coronavirus pandemic get in touch by sending a short video.

Published: 14 Apr 20

Easter egg cheer for Wandsworth residents

A delivery of Easter eggs, courtesy of Waitrose, will add some seasonal cheer to Wandsworth residents over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Published: 10 Apr 20

A message from Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar

The South West Borough Commander for the Metropolitan Police has written the following message to the public. 

Published: 09 Apr 20

Thank you for all that you do

In these difficult times we are asking the community to come together and thank the unsung heroes of Wandsworth.

Published: 09 Apr 20

Cemeteries with crematoria ordered to be closed to visitors

As part of the national response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Government has issued an instruction that all cemeteries with crematoriums attached should now be closed to visitors.

Published: 09 Apr 20

Sorry but Tooting Bec Lido remains closed

People are being reminded that even though the weather is forecast to be warm and sunny this weekend, they will not be able to cool off at the Tooting Bec Lido which remains closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 09 Apr 20

New Wandsworth Council scheme boosts support for self-employed

Wandsworth Council has joined forces with three local accountancy firms to launch an emergency scheme which helps self-employed residents access much-needed government funds as they deal with the economic consequences of COVID-19.

Published: 09 Apr 20

Financial support for charities and voluntary groups

Wandsworth Council has welcomed last night’s announcement by the Chancellor of a £750m package of funding for charities in the front line of the fight against coronavirus.  

Published: 09 Apr 20

Help us get rough sleepers off the streets 

Wandsworth Council is committed to finding somewhere to live for all the borough’s rough sleepers and is asking residents for their help.  

Published: 08 Apr 20

Donated tablets provide Coronavirus patients time with family

Coronavirus hospital patients are using donated tablets, such as iPads, to send messages to loved ones.

Published: 07 Apr 20

Appointment of two key senior staff members will help borough overcome Coronavirus

The council is today announcing the permanent appointments of two key senior members of staff who will both play a crucial role in the borough’s efforts to tackle and then recover from the current Coronavirus health crisis.

Published: 07 Apr 20

Work Match urges 'caring people' to apply for hospital assistant jobs

Wandsworth Council's jobs team are urgently recruiting temporary staff to work at St George's Hospital in Tooting.

Published: 07 Apr 20

How to apply for financial help

There are a range of council schemes to help businesses and community groups make ends meet during the current crisis.

Published: 07 Apr 20

Libraries are an online success during lockdown

With lockdown restrictions firmly in place, Wandsworth Libraries have successfully elevated the online platform and have proven to be a digital hit with users enjoying eBooks, eAudio and other resources from the comfort of their homes.

Published: 07 Apr 20

Hardest pressed families to receive council tax cash boost

The council has agreed a financial package that will help more than 3,500 of the borough’s poorest households with their council tax bills, it has been announced.

Published: 06 Apr 20

New Covid response fund for community and voluntary groups

Changes are being made to the Wandsworth Grant Fund (WGF) to ensure the community and voluntary sector gets support and financial help from the council during the Coronavirus crisis. 

Published: 03 Apr 20

Schools chief thanks teaching staff for their dedication and devotion to duty

Wandsworth’s cabinet member for education has written to every school in the borough to thank teaching staff and their back-office colleagues for keeping schools open and continuing to run classes for the children of key workers and other vulnerable pupils.

Published: 03 Apr 20

Residents reminded to stay at home to save lives this weekend - no matter the weather

With the weekend set to be warm and sunny residents are being reminded by the police and council to stay at home and save lives.

Published: 03 Apr 20

Easter moves online

Wandsworth Council’s children’s services department has put together a programme of online activities to keep children busy over the Easter holidays.

Published: 03 Apr 20

New mental health emergency service in Tooting

A new Mental Health Emergency Service has opened in Tooting.  

Published: 02 Apr 20

Wandsworth Council delivers cash grants to Covid-hit businesses

Grants have already started arriving in the bank accounts of the first businesses to apply for assistance from Wandsworth Council during the coronavirus crisis, ahead of government distribution targets.

Published: 02 Apr 20

Conmen using Covid to scam OAPs

Older people are being urgently warned to beware of doorstep scammers taking advantage of the Coronavirus crisis.  

Published: 02 Apr 20

Wandsworth Council unveils £10.8m response to coronavirus

Wandsworth Council has announced a series of emergency measures designed to safeguard its residents and support the local community during the coronavirus outbreak.

Published: 02 Apr 20

Joggers please give people space

We want people to exercise in our parks and green spaces and remain healthy and safe, however, those taking exercise, especially joggers and runners, need to act responsibly and make sure they observe the two metre rule and protect other park users.

Published: 01 Apr 20