[IN CASE YOU MISSED IT] Info you need during the holiday season

Mon Dec 23 16:01:10 GMT 2024

Plus, staying safe during the holidays ❄️

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Monday 23 December 2024
Welcome to MyWestminster, your weekly update on everything happening in your city. This week:
* Happy Christmas (#main)
* More from the City (#city)
* What’s on in Westminster (#whatson)
* Have Your Say (#say)
* Public Health Updates (#health)

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MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM US ALL AT WESTMINSTER: As the festive season brings joy and unity, we extend warm wishes to everyone celebrating at Christmas. May your holidays be filled with love, peace and cherished moments with loved ones. Thank you for being part of our vibrant and diverse community. Stay safe, enjoy the festivities, and let’s look forward to a bright and successful year ahead.
Find out about our service changes over the festive period (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=28406bea42&e=7e37558eca)
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CELEBRATE HANUKKAH IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE: Join in the spirit of Hanukkah at Trafalgar Square from 25 December 2024 to 2 January 2025. The grand Menorah lighting will take centre stage, bringing the community together to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Don’t miss out on this wonderful celebration of joy and unity in the heart of London.
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STAY SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS: Enjoy the festive magic of Westminster while staying safe this holiday season. Visit our website for tips on personal safety for women and girls, crime prevention, protecting your belongings, and ensuring food and product safety – our resources help you celebrate with confidence. Share these tips with loved ones to make your Christmas in Westminster safe and joyful.

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SERVICE CHANGES: If you drop your recycling and rubbish on the street and your collection day is a Wednesday, our crews will collect your food waste, mixed recycling and rubbish as part of a special catch-up collection on Saturday 28 December. There will be no collections on Wednesday 25 December. Please note if your property normally receives two or more rubbish collections a week, you will not receive a special Saturday collection.
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A collection of green Lime rental e-bikes blocking a street in Soho
DECLUTTERING OUR PAVEMENTS: A new Government White Paper on devolution proposes giving local transport authorities the power to regulate e-bikes and e-scooters. This move, one that Westminster has been leading the charge on, aims to address the issue of abandoned bikes cluttering pavements, a significant problem in Westminster, where up to 2,800 e-bikes are in use at peak times. Leader of the Council, Cllr Adam Hug, praised the plan, saying: “While we support active travel, abandoned bikes can create serious challenges for people with disabilities.” With 630,000 e-bike trips monthly, Westminster has added 360 parking bays, showing the need for sensible regulation to manage their growing popularity.
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SWEET LIKE CHOCOLATE: A huge welcome goes to Love Cocoa who recently opened the doors to its shop on South Molton Street as part of our Meanwhile On Programme. The sustainable chocolate brand was founded by James Cadbury, the great-great-great grandson of John Cadbury. Love Cocoa is one of eight independent businesses to benefit from our programme that provides premium locations either free or with significantly reduced initial rents, 70% business rate relief, store design and fit-out support. Brands like Love Cocoa are helping us to build a more resilient high street and offering residents and visitors more bespoke and diverse quality shopping experiences. In the above video (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=9e17af3926&e=7e37558eca) , James talks about the support his business has received from ourselves and partners as he opens his first shop.
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WINTER IS HERE: This winter we are continuing to support residents with food, energy and advice services, as well as a variety of free community and cultural activities for everyone to enjoy. All will take place in warm and safe locations around the city.
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SUPPORT FOR ROUGH SLEEPERS: Freezing temperatures pose an extra risk to those sleeping rough. To support people during the winter we are increasing our rough sleeping and homelessness provision, this includes:
* 158 additional beds
* Expansion of our “No Night Out” prevention programme to break the cycle of homelessness
* Supporting Crisis at Christmas to offer a day centre over the holiday period
* Partnerships with local faith and voluntary organisations to offer accommodation and other support

As ever, council outreach teams will be out around the clock ready to help.
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APPLY BEFORE 21 DECEMBER: Are you 66 or over? Pension Credit could give you extra financial support such as the Winter Fuel Payment and access to other benefits. You only have until 21 December to apply. Apply online using the link below or call 0800 99 1234 for more information.
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NEW HOUSING ALLOCATION SCHEME: We are introducing a new Housing Allocation Scheme that will prioritise households facing multiple challenges, making the system more transparent and easier to understand for residents. Every council has an allocations scheme that sets out how they prioritise people’s needs to allocate social housing. We have reviewed our previous scheme with tenants and people on the housing register to inform how it identifies those with the greatest need. We then worked with a wide range of groups including residents, people waiting for social housing, professionals, charities and community groups, as well as conducting a statutory consultation. Find out more here (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=b2c9741074&e=7e37558eca) .
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LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: The latest YourWestminster is here, featuring exciting stories and helpful tips, from celebrating 100 years of weddings to discovering sustainable living ideas. We want to hear from you! Your input helps shape future issues to better reflect your interests. Let us know your thoughts by emailing us (mailto:yourwestminster at westminster.gov.uk) .

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SUPPORTING FAMILIES: Following the success of more than 3,300 children attending activities during the summer, the healthy schools holiday programme is back this winter. Across the city, there are lots of free and low-cost activities taking place for children and young people from 23 December until 3 January 2025.

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TRY BEFORE YOU BIKE: Try out cycling before you buy a bike with our new monthly subscriptions, starting from just £30. From kids’ bikes to hybrids, there’s a fit for everyone. Every subscription comes with one-to-one cycle training to improve your confidence and skills. We’re also giving away 250 free three-month subscriptions for residents in Queen’s Park, Westbourne, Harrow Road, Church Street, and St James’s.
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ENJOY WESTMINSTER WITH CITY SAVE: Our residents’ membership scheme is free to join and offers amazing discounts and savings including:
* Up to 25% off La Clique in Leicester Square (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=c11efb879d&e=7e37558eca)  - Christmas in Leicester Square returns with multi award-winning cabaret show.
* Get 10% off tickets (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=ef5aa201a6&e=7e37558eca)  - Batman Unmasked in London, offer ends 30 December.

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DO YOU PRIVATELY RENT IN WESTMINSTER: We want to hear your views on our proposals that will help to improve the standards of private rented properties in the borough. Our proposals to introduce a new property licensing scheme in parts of Westminster will help to ensure better managed private rental homes. To share your views, visit our website or stop by one of our libraries to have your say and you can be in with a chance to win a £50 Love2Shop voucher.
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TOGETHER FOR CLEAN AIR: We need your ideas to help us tackle air quality and improve the air around us to create a safer and healthier, fairer environment in Westminster for residents, workers and visitors. Watch our video (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=091931af4f&e=7e37558eca) as Cllr Dimoldenberg explains some of the measures we have put in place. Take part in this survey for your chance to WIN a £100 Love2Shop voucher. Ts & Cs apply.

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KEEP YOURSELF WELL: It is not too late to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations this winter. If you are over 65, pregnant, a carer or have a health condition make sure you get your vaccinations. More details about centres in North West London can be found below. People over 75 and those who are pregnant (over 28 weeks) should also have the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.
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WAY TO WELLBEING HUB: The festive season isn’t always joyful for everyone. If you’re dealing with grief, financial stress, loneliness, or just not feeling festive, our Wellbeing Hub is here to help. Urgent Mental health Support over the festive period, call the 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line at 0800 0234 650. Samaritans offer 24-hour support by phone 116 123. Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential, anonymous, 24-hour support.

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YOUR FESTIVE CHECKLIST: With the festive period upon us, bear in mind that some pharmacies will close over the break. Make sure you’re prepared for Christmas and New Year.
* Pick up your medication in advance.
* Check pharmacy opening hours (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=bdf5f03922&e=7e37558eca) before you go. Some pharmacies will be open, others may be closing early.
* For urgent help that’s not life threatening, call NHS 111 or use its online service (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=71bc35d252&e=7e37558eca) – open 24/7.

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