The site, which hopes to help with unemployment in the area by offering courses and advice on interviews and CVs, is the first of its kind, which the union hopes to introduce across the country. The centre was opened on Monday (May 13th) and mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman was present at the proceedings. Mr Rahman celebrated the centre and also praised the trade unions for their recent work in discussing safe working environments.

UNITE general secretary Len McCluskey said: “The dockers have been replaced by finance workers in Canary Wharf. But alongside the wealth of this global finance centre is poverty. This centre will be a vital resource to the local community.”

The centre is located at St George's Town Hall on Cable Street in Shadwell.

Posted by Sally Raphael

The council is hoping to find 25 new carers in the borough, and it will be part of Foster Care Fortnight, that aims to raise public awareness about fostering. One such individual in the borough who is already a fosterer is Judith Phillips, who has taken three children into her home. Ms Phillips said: "I always say that even though those children are not biologically my children, the moment you come into our house we treat them as our children."

Tower Hamlets’ cabinet member for children Oliur Rahman added: “Fostering a child is one of the most rewarding things a person can do.”

For more information on the scheme, be sure to call 0800 279 9850 or visit here.

Posted by Natasha Cox

The machines are set to demolish a disused office block from the 1960s, in order to make way for a £1.4 million redevelopment project. Having arrived over the weekend (May 11th), the machines will work on the site, in the hope that the scheme brings affordable housing to Usher Road.

The project is being led by Old Ford Housing Association, whose staff actually used to work in the block, before they moved into the new offices on Polydamas Close. According to the East London Advertiser, managing director June Ford said: “We look forward to seeing this site transformed into a smart new neighbourhood for local people.”

Chiefs from the Old Ford Housing Association hope that families will be able to move into the new homes by next year.

Posted by Falon Paris

The scheme, which hopes to promote and raise awareness of how easy it is to get advice and support on mental health issues, will be in conjunction with Tower Hamlets Council's initiative 'Time to Change'.

As part of the programme, getting physical will be promoted, as recent research suggests that it reduces the risk of developing a mental health condition such as dementia, depression or Alzheimer's. Furthermore, getting active has also proven to get rid of stress, boost energy and improve one's mood.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “We have been working closely with charities Mind and Rethink to address mental health issues since signing the pledge last year. Mental Health Awareness Week is an excellent opportunity to further promote the services and support available to help the local community make positive steps towards improving their physical and mental health.”

As part of the special week, charity Mind in Tower Hamlets will be running a Health and Wellbeing Day on May 15th. There will be sessions, talks and workshops on health, whilst visitors will also be able to enjoy massages, dental checks and lunch. The event will take place at 13 Whitethorn Street from 11.00 to 15.00 BST.  

Other ways to get active include joining a healthy walking group, getting information from Tower Hamlets Cycling Club, or receiving support from the Local Health Trainer Service. The latter in particular specialises in healthy diets, smoking and alcohol.

Abdul Asad, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, added: “The evidence is clear that physical activity is crucial for our mental health and wellbeing. The most important thing is to find something that you enjoy, and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.”

Be sure to check the official Tower Hamlets Council website for more information.

Posted by Natasha Cox

The micro surgery, which uses surgical instruments, which are up to 70 per cent smaller than the ones normally adopted, has proved a success in the Royal London Hospital. It is hoped that this new form of keyhole surgery will benefit future sufferers.

The trial was a success for 27-year-old patient Graham Edgley from Stratford. Mr Edgley said: “I was keen to have this new procedure as it is a lot cleaner and more hygienic than the older operation, where stones are broken up and instead of being suctioned out, which is how this new method works, are scooped up with the risk of bits being left behind. The scar is very, very small. You have to look really closely to see it.”

This will be the first time a medical team has adopted the new instruments in the UK.

Posted by Falon Paris

The scheme is part of Love Your Local Market fortnight, running from May 15th to the 29th. Organisers hope that entrepreneurs will be attracted to run a low-cost business, as 300 markets all across the UK get involved in the project. Beyond getting residents interested in markets, it is hoped that it will bring a boost to the local economy.

The Street Markets Team at Tower Hamlets Council will offer stalls at just £10 a day, which is perfect for those who want to trial test a product or service to the public. To help people along the way, there will also be market officers that have full experience in the sector and can offer information and support to novices.

Markets that will be involved in Tower Hamlets are Bethnal Green Road, Chrisp Street, Roman Road Square and Watney Street on Monday to Saturday, Roman Road on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Petticoat Lane on Monday to Friday and Sunday, and finally Brick Lane, Cheshire Street and Sclater Street on Sunday only.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: "Love Your Local Market fortnight is a really exciting opportunity for the borough. For any local resident whose dreamt of starting a business, now is the time to try it and take advantage of the special £10 trader rate on offer."

It was recently announced that £355,000 will be allocated from the council's budget in order to boost both the markets in Roman Road and Bethnal Green.

For more information, or if you would like to get involved, contact Market Services on 020 7364 1717 or here.

As the St Katherine Docks and the central London termini were built in 1827 and 1875 respectively, more and more people came to the area, especially foreign immigrants who were looking for jobs. This started with the Huguenots coming into Spitalfields in the 17th century and then they were soon followed by Ashkenazi Jews, Irish weavers and finally by the 20th century, the Bangladeshis.

These communities contributed to the development of the clothing sector in the area, further leading to the formation of various unions in order to protect workers' rights. Furthermore, formal docks meant that ships bought goods and with them rural people looking for employment.

Walking around Tower Hamlets today, you can feel the subcurrent of this region's great Victorian legacy. Take a walk today: you simply will not regret it.

Posted by Natasha Cox

Councillors and organisers are trying to encourage any local resident who is an expert in Bengali culture, history and heritage to add their expertise to the proceedings.

The fourth annual history week is being run by the Brick Lane Circle, and they are inviting scholars and students alike to think of ways in which this year's festivities can be the best yet.

The week aims to both promote and celebrate the cultures and sights of Bengal, which is made up of areas in both Bangladesh and India. This is a combination of famous famous, politics, economics and traditions that come from the region.

If you would like to get involved, or for more information on Bengal History Week, email here.

Posted by Sally Raphael

In Mary Portas' new show, 'Mary, Queen of the High Street’, the market and its traders was celebrated, whilst new plans to put hot food stalls in the area were introduced.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “The Mary Portas programme has shed a welcome national spotlight on the Roman Road and its market; a much loved part of the borough that has been the focus of rejuvenation plans for some time."

The scheme is being paid by a government-funded grant called Portas Pilots, which aims to bring a new lease of life to local areas, the high street and to markets.

Mr Rahman further revealed that £355,000 has been allocated from this year's budget in order to improve high street markets in the borough.

Posted by Falon Paris

Designed by architects Stock Woolstencroft, the Turnberry Quay project will create new flats, 32 per cent of which will be 'affordable', whilst the 13-storey block will feature 89 new homes and 320 sq m of office space on the ground floor. The flats will have riverside terraces and the front of the building will be home to a children's play area.

It is expected that the scheme will create 26 permanent jobs and 60 construction jobs for the local area, according to the contractors Bellway Homes.

After being given the green light by Tower Hamlets Council, the redevelopment was funded by £19 million from private investment and £800,000 from the Greater London Assembly’s Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy.

Work on the site is scheduled to begin later this year.

Posted by Natasha Cox