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A yellow graphic which says 'Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives'

3 February 2021

Kingston Council publishes its proposed budget for recovery

The proposed budget sets out how Kingston Council will continue to support residents through COVID-19 and invest in the future of the borough.

The budget sets out an ambitious plan to transform and reshape services to support those who need it most. By working closely with residents and businesses we will connect communities and create new partnerships, building a strong future for Kingston together. Find out more on our website.

COVID-19 Vaccination Scams - please watch out

Some COVID-19 vaccination scams are currently in circulation. This video from NHS Surrey Heartlands Clinical Commissioning Group highlights what residents should expect from a genuine COVID-19 vaccine invitation.

The COVID-19 vaccine will always be free of charge. When arranging a vaccine, the NHS will NOT ask for:
  • your bank account or card details
  • your pin or banking password
  • copies of personal documents to prove your identity
Get more details on how the NHS will contact you when arranging a vaccine.

Support local businesses with ShopAppy

Kingston Council is teaming up with ShopAppy.com - the ‘One Stop Online Local shop’ - to provide borough shops and other businesses with an online profile and an easy-to-use e-commerce platform. This will enable customers to browse products and services, purchase them from multiple businesses, and arrange click and collect, all with one transaction.

Read more on our website.

In the latest edition of Street Talk we are exploring the significant shift in travel habits driven by the pandemic. We are also revisiting our Low Traffic Neighbourhood and School Street trials and taking a closer look at one of Kingston Council’s top priorities: creating a cleaner, greener borough, in which our streets play a vital role.

Read Street Talk 3.

LGBT+ History Month

This month is LGBT+ History Month, this year focusing on 'Body, Mind, Spirit'.

Take a look at Kingston's LGBT Forum for local events and support, and find details of lots of great events celebrating LGBT+ History Month at lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk.

Would you like to help 'adopt' Surbiton Station?

South Western Railway operates a ‘station adoption’ programme that gives communities an opportunity to get involved with their local stations and work together to improve them.

Groups can help to: add planters and art displays, start book swap schemes, help keep stations litter free, create community space and much more.

When local people are involved with their station it creates shared pride in the building, reduces anti-social behaviour and helps improve the travel experience for everyone.

If you are interested in getting more involved and being part of a brand new 'Friends of Surbiton Station' group register your interest today.

Everyone is welcome - whether you are a local resident, a regular commuter, or have an interest in the history or the architecture of the station, we want to hear from you!

Home Learning

We know how challenging home learning can be right now, and we want to help. Kingston Council’s Cultural Services have created a Home Learning Guide to support parents who are teaching their children during lockdown. This programme of virtual events, workshops, and activities for children, young people and families can is available throughout February. 

Health Visiting service is here to help

If at any time during your child's first five years you have concerns around behaviour, development, feeding or anything that is causing you anxiety, our Health Visiting service is here to help. The service continues to support families both online and face-to-face across the borough. To get in contact with the service call 020 8339 8000 or email swlccg.hvadminhub@nhs.net 

Sexual Violence and Sexual Abuse Awareness Week

This week marks Sexual Violence and Sexual Abuse awareness week. Throughout the week, the Council is raising awareness around sexual violence to make sure everyone knows #ItsNotOk.  

Support services for victims and survivors of sexual violence can be found on the DV hub webpage, or you can call 020 8547 6046.

Other services include Survivors UK (support for male rape and abuse victims), NSPCC, Rape Crisis South London, Galop UK (support for LGBT+ survivors) and the police.

Councils announce new transport tech partnership 

Sutton and Kingston Councils will be working with transport AI company Vivacity Labs to understanding how people move around the borough and improve safety in busy areas.

The councils, as part of the InnOvaTe project, will use Vivacity’s technology to provide data on different types of transport and movement patterns.

The project follows initiatives such as the trial Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and School Streets schemes, with both councils committed to addressing issues that affect the environment and health of their communities.

Full story.

Children's Mental Health Week and Time to Talk Day

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown periods have put extra pressure on our mental health and it’s vital we continue to look after our wellbeing.

This week marks Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. You can find lots of information, resources and videos dedicated to helping youngsters’ mental wellbeing at www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/

Time to Change Kingston also have a series of great events to support Time to Talk Day tomorrow (4 February). You can find details at www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/TTCkingston or by following them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Holocaust Memorial Day - watch full Kingston service

On Sunday 31 January, Kingston joined with others around the nation in honouring the victims and survivors of genocide, as embraced by the spirit of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Kingston Mayor, Councillor Margaret Thompson, was among those who lit a candle in memory of the victims.

This year's theme: Be the light in the darkness. 

Watch the service in full.

Learn something new – online classes available

You can boost your mental health and wellbeing in lots of different ways.

For some it might be learning a new skill or doing something different. If you feel like trying something new, a range of 5-week online introductory courses are available from 22 February 2021.

Courses include: Botanical Art; Drawing and Painting; Introductory courses in Oil Painting, Watercolour or Portraiture; Beginners French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish; Nutrition for Mental Health and Wellbeing.


Enrol on one of the courses with a friend and both of you get 10% off the fees. Offer ends Monday 15 February. Enrol here: https://bit.ly/KAE-SSL and for more information, email soraya.leipnitz@kingston.gov.uk

Ask a Librarian!

Fancy talking to one of the amazing librarians who help inspire, recommend and encourage others to read? Call 020 8547 5006 and book a phone call with one of our librarians!

During you call you can:

  • have a chat about books

  • get answers to your questions

  • find out more about local support available to you

Please share the word with any vulnerable friends or relatives who may be unable to access help online and who would benefit from this support.

Learn new digital skills

Continuing the spotlight on online learning available from Microsoft's 'Digital Skills Initiative', this week we are focusing on the IT Administrator learning path.

Available free of charge until 31 March 2021 this learning path is taught by industry experts will help you learn the skills needed to become an IT Administrator. leading to a Microsoft Certification to recognise your skills.

Give HIV the finger

National HIV Testing Week (1-7 February) is a campaign to promote regular testing among the most affected population groups in England. This helps to reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV and those diagnosed late.

Testing for HIV is free, quick and easy. Mark this year’s National HIV Testing Week by ordering a free kit, which will be delivered in plain packaging directly to you: https://www.startswithme.org.uk/

What should happen with space for jobs and services? Tell us what you think

We are at the early stages of developing new policies that will influence how land and business space is used across the borough over the next 22 years. It will impact on the type and quality of space available for businesses to use so it is important for us to hear from you and understand your needs now and in the future.   

Whether you own or use business premises, or operate your business from home, we invite you to contribute your views and experiences through this short survey and help shape how our borough supports business and its communities in the future.
A gentle frost captured in Surbiton.

A big thank you to Quirky Junket Photographer for sharing this picture with us.

How do you connect with nature on your daily walk?

Tag us on Twitter or Instagram and include #KingstonNature.
An HM Government picture showing a sick man in a hospital bed, wearing a face covering, being cared for by a nurse also in a face covering. Above the image it says: 'Coronavirus, don't accidentally spread it. Around 1 in 3 people with covid-19 don't have any symptoms, but can still pass it on,'
With so many cases of people across our borough having the virus without any symptoms we are urging all residents to act as if YOU have COVID-19.

Where to find the latest information and guidance

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