MyWestminster - 5 May 2021

Wed May 5 19:01:10 BST 2021

The latest news for Westminster residents

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/westminster/mywestminster-coronavirus-update-145870?e=7e37558eca)
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/

** Wednesday 5 May 2021
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** Polling Day
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https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information
MAKE SURE TO GET OUT AND VOTE TOMORROW: The Mayor of London and London Assembly elections are taking place tomorrow as London heads into the voting booths (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/about-council/democracy/mayor-london-and-london-assembly-elections) . There are three separate elections taking place, and whether you are voting by post, in person or by proxy, you will have three ballot papers to complete:
* A pink paper for choosing who you want to represent you as the Mayor of London.
* A yellow ballot paper for choosing who you want to represent Westminster on the London Assembly.
* An orange ballot paper for choosing who you want to represent the whole of London on the London Assembly.
* There is also a Westminster City Council by-election in Churchill ward (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/about-council/democracy/churchill-ward-election-6-may-2021) .

Polling stations will all adhere to strict COVID-safe guidelines and please remember to wear a face covering, use the hand sanitisers provided, keep a safe distance from others and, if possible, bring your own pen or pencil with which to vote (regularly sanitised pencils will be available if you don’t have your own).

You can find your local polling station by clicking here and entering your postcode (https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information) .

** Public Health Update
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https://www.westminster.gov.uk/covid-19-vaccine-centres
WALK-IN VACCINATION CENTRES IN WESTMINSTER: On Saturday 8 May, from 10am to 2pm, walk-in COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available at:

Churchill Hall, Churchill Gardens, SW1V 3AL (nearest tube station is Pimlico) (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Churchill+Hall,+Churchill+Gardens,+London+SW1V+3AL/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4876051da36afc69:0xbf433675c2602c5f?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiy4sTZ_LLwAhWVQEEAHexkCxkQ8gEwAHoECAUQAQ)
There are also vaccine appointments available at our large vaccination centre from Monday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm:

etc. venues Marble Arch, 86 Edgware Road, W2 2EA (https://www.google.com/maps/place/etc.venues+Marble+Arch/@51.5147066,-0.1667712,15.87z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x23f0c6bb528aea95!8m2!3d51.5154801!4d-0.1632366)
Please take along proof of your age, name and address and NHS number if you have it. You can receive a vaccination if you are in any of the following categories:
* If you are aged 40 or over or anyone who turns 40 before 1 July 2021.
* If you are at high risk from coronavirus (i.e. are ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’).
* If you are at moderate risk from coronavirus (i.e. are ‘clinically vulnerable’).
* If you live or work in a care home.
* If you are a health and social care worker.
* If you have a learning disability.
* If you are the main carer for someone who is at high risk from coronavirus.

The walk-in service will operate on a first come, first served basis for residents eligible to be vaccinated. You can secure an appointment by booking via the NHS website or by calling NHS 119 free of charge.

For more information, visit the vaccinations pages on our website (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/vaccinations) .

https://youtu.be/Xd-Xi-MJOJY
#ASKWESTMINSTER: Chad from the Westminster City Council COVID Testing team answers this week’s #askwestminster question (https://youtu.be/Xd-Xi-MJOJY) on whether you still need to carry out COVID testing even after getting your vaccination.

You can watch all our #AskWestminster videos to date by clicking here (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AskWestminster?src=hashtag_click&f=live) .

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/covid-19-testing
MAKE SURE TO KEEP COVID TESTING: Testing is a vital tool for protecting people and our communities and is the most effective way to control the spread of coronavirus. Westminster is now offering two types of coronavirus testing:
* for people who are not showing any symptoms (known as symptom-free testing or rapid lateral flow tests)
* for people who have symptoms of the virus (a new persistent cough, high temperature or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste)

The map above shows the locations of testing sites across Westminster and you can visit the testing pages on our website (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/covid-19-testing) for all the latest information and FAQs.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-fertility-and-breastfeeding-webinar-tickets-152500263393
JOIN A VACCINE WEBINAR: Do you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy, fertility and breastfeeding? If so, join the NHS North West London webinar tomorrow (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-fertility-and-breastfeeding-webinar-tickets-152500263393) (Thursday 6 May) from 6pm to 7pm. You’ll have an opportunity to have your questions answered by NHS specialists. The event is open to all residents in North West London, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have concerns about fertility. Make sure to register and pre-submit questions prior to the event (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-fertility-and-breastfeeding-webinar-tickets-152500263393) .

** Council Updates
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https://youtu.be/qelsLwGtfLY
REOPENING OUR MARKETS SAFELY: In the above video (https://youtu.be/qelsLwGtfLY) , Church Street Market trader, Peter from Second Chance Coffee, tells us how Westminster’s markets have been impacted through lockdown and the extra safety measures that have been put in place in order for them to start trading again. “Everything is handled with gloves, and we’ve got sanitiser out on all the counters for the customers to use,” he explains.

https://active.westminster.gov.uk/dance-westminster/
GET YOUR DANCING SHOES BACK ON: Dance Westminster is Westminster’s annual dance competition, designed to encourage disabled people to be more active through dance. Led by Step Change Studios, an award-winning dance company making dance accessible for all, this year’s event will be held virtually, starting with two 45-minute live workshops in which to learn a routine. Find out all details about getting involved in the Zoom-hosted workshops and the competition itself (https://active.westminster.gov.uk/dance-westminster/) .
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/kb5/rbkc/fis/advice.page?id=rY8DxXEAUII&localofferchannel=0

TAKE PART IN OUR HOUSING SERVICES CONSULTATION: Acting on the feedback of our tenants and leaseholders is key for us to be able to improve and tailor our services to meet your needs. We’re proposing a more flexible, inclusive and targeted approach to engaging our residents.

If you are a housing services resident, have your say before Friday 21 May (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/news/housing-residents-help-reshape-westminster-engagement) .

https://healthwatchcwl.co.uk/get-involved/voice-exchange/
HELP US SHAPE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: Next week (10-16 May) is Mental Health Awareness Week. Healthwatch Central West London will be hosting a virtual drop-in session as part of the Voice Exchange project (https://healthwatchcwl.co.uk/get-involved/voice-exchange/) . The Voice Exchange brings together local people to consider the future of mental health services in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea and is run on behalf of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.

If you would like to share your thoughts about local mental health services, join us on Thursday 13 May, from 5pm to 6pm for a Zoom-hosted virtual drop-in session (https://healthwatchcwl.co.uk/get-involved/voice-exchange/) .
https://libbyapp.com/welcome

NEW LIFE FOR BOOKS AND MAGAZINES: Did you know you can borrow digital audiobooks and magazines (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-community/libraries-0/ebooks-emagazines-enewspapers-and-eaudiobooks/eaudiobooks-and-emagazines) from our libraries by using the Libby app (https://libbyapp.com/welcome) ? In just a few taps, you can start reading or listening instantly on your phone or tablet. This digital library is available 24/7, is free of charge, and just requires your library card. Download the Libby app from the Apple App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/libby-by-overdrive/id1076402606) or Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overdrive.mobile.android.libby&hl=en_GB≷=US) , or even use it straight in your web browser (https://libbyapp.com/welcome) .

http://rbkc.gov.uk/fostering/events
BECOME A FOSTER CARER: Thousands of new foster carers are needed every year and you could be one of them! Mary and her son Kofi have been fostering for 13 years. She says: “As foster carers, we are able to make a valuable contribution in a young person’s life, give something back to the community and make a difference in society as a whole.”

Foster carers come from all walks of life. We run regular information sessions online for anyone thinking of fostering. May’s sessions will take place on:
* Wednesday 12 May at 10.30am and 5.30pm
* Wednesday 19 May at 10.30am

Join us and find out about the journey to becoming a foster carer (http://rbkc.gov.uk/fostering/events) .

** #YourWestminster
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https://www.instagram.com/citywestminster/
BELGRAVIA IN BLOOM: Thanks to Tom Pepper for this shot of flowering cherry blossom in Belgrave Place. We want to see more of your Westminster! Upload your photos to Instagram and tag us with either @citywestminster (https://www.instagram.com/citywestminster/) or #mywestminster (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mywestminster/) .

** What’s on in Westminster
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These are just some of the events taking place in Westminster during the next couple of weeks. For a full list of things to do, check out the Events pages on our website (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/events) .
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-west-end-to-waterstones-davina-elliott-tickets-142543885599?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

FROM WEST END TO WATERSTONES WITH DAVINA ELLIOTT: Join Davina Elliott online as she talks about her life in the theatre, her Judith Gold trilogy of novels and other writing work.
* Starts: Monday 10 May at 7pm
* How to join: Book your place here (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-west-end-to-waterstones-davina-elliott-tickets-142543885599?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
* Cost: Free

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/searching-for-londons-lost-rivers-with-dr-tom-bolton-tickets-147250306631

SEARCHING FOR LONDON’S LOST RIVERS WITH DR TOM BOLTON: Join us to for a journey down through the layers of London to rediscover the lost rivers of her past.
* Starts: Tuesday 11 May at 6.30pm
* How to join: Book your place here (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/searching-for-londons-lost-rivers-with-dr-tom-bolton-tickets-147250306631)
* Cost: Free

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/james-mason-the-man-that-got-away-tickets-137407203645?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

JAMES MASON, THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY: Join us for this online talk celebrates the work of one of Britain’s greatest film actors, indisputably the biggest British film star of the 1940s.
* Starts: Wednesday 19 May at 6.30pm
* How to join: Book your place here (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/james-mason-the-man-that-got-away-tickets-137407203645?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
* Cost: Free

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