How to manage rising household costs?

Don’t miss our new Cost of Living podcast episode

Are you struggling with your finances amid the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis? If so, why not listen to our 4-part Cost of Living podcast series which outlines the assistance and support available to you at this increasingly difficult time?

In this latest, second episode, our Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services, Cllr Seema Chandwani, and local experts discuss rising household costs and how you can access food and energy grants, as well as get help with rent arrears and water costs.

The Leader, Cllr Peray Ahmet, and Stewart Faulkner from the council’s Financial Support team were among the panel who explored how you can improve/maximise your income and manage your debt in the very first episode – listen on Spotify.

Schools Cabinet in the Community explores Cost of Living Crisis

The Leader, Cllr Peray Ahmet, and her fellow Cabinet Members were joined by heads, governors, teachers and pupils at the latest ‘Cabinet in the Community’ meeting at Gladesmore Community School in Tottenham on Tuesday (10 January 2023).

The gathering in the school’s Success Lounge began with presentations from Gladesmore headteacher Goldwater Okojor and our Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, Cllr Zena Brabazon.

A Q&A session and contributions from the floor was followed by breakout groups discussing the help and support available to the Haringey school community amid the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis, as well as prospective ways to improve it still further.

Full fibre broadband for thousands across the borough

Residents and businesses in Haringey are set to benefit from full fibre broadband as work begins on the council’s multimillion-pound investment to boost digital infrastructure in the borough.

4Fibre, 1 of the 3 internet providers who have teamed up with Haringey Council, have begun installing the main cables and equipment in communal areas of Twyford and Oatfield House in Seven Sisters.

Following the installation, which is expected to be completed next month, families within these blocks will have access to 1gigabit broadband connection at a reduced cost. The use of fibre-optic cables rather than telephone cables will provide residents with ultrafast and ultra-reliable internet speeds.

The initiative which is part of a wider programme will be rolled out and completed within 3 years. Once complete, residents across the borough – including 21,000 social housing properties – will be offered various packages.

Various digital inclusion training scheme opportunities will also arise for local residents – this includes, jobs, apprentices, work experience as well as training.

New Director for Environment and Resident Experience

Barry Francis is the new Director for Environment and Resident Experience, taking over from Eubert Malcolm, who stepped up temporarily to cover the role.

He joins Haringey from the London Borough of Havering where he had been working as Director of Neighbourhoods since 2019.

Barry has a background in transport and parking, but has worked across the broader environment and neighbourhood areas for several years both in the private sector and other London Boroughs including Redbridge and Ealing and brings a wealth of experience into the role.

Barry’s directorate has been renamed Environment and Resident Experience – with the current Customer Services changing its name to Resident Experience and being integrated into the directorate later this year.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say on our 2023/24 budget plans

There’s still time for residents and business owners to have their say on our budget plans for 2023/24. The budget consultation document (PDF, 3MB) outlines how we aim to utilise our financial resources to:

• Ensure we can continue to meet the significant needs of our most vulnerable residents
• Continue to improve services by getting the basics right
• Provide financial advice and support to residents who need it
• Maintain critical support for our children and young people
• Invest for the long term in:
  • tackling the climate emergency
  • public realm including roads, pavements and streetlights
  • parks and green spaces
  • school buildings

Are we prioritising the right areas? Do you have any other ideas? Have your say by reading the budget consultation document and taking our quick survey now.

Complete our budget consultation survey:

The Brook hold first Eco-Council meeting of 2023

The Brook Special School on Broadwater Farm held their first Eco-Council meeting of the year on Wednesday (11 January 2023), when the pupils adopted the Eco-Code.

Being part of the Eco-Council gives the children a greater sense of belonging and responsibility, while learning about recycling, sustainability and upcycling.

As part of the Eco-Schools initiative, both The Brook and the adjoining Willow Primary School were awarded a Green Flag late last year for their inclusive and joint work on such environmental issues on-site.

Many congratulations to all pupils, carers/parents and staff at The Brook and The Willow and we look forward to following what more you can all achieve in the next 12 months and beyond!

Buzz along to Biblio-Buzz launch at Wood Green Library

Biblio-Buzz is an annual project in partnership with Alexandra Palace that aims to get more young people in Haringey to enjoy reading books. We’ll be launching Biblio-Buzz 2023 this Saturday at Wood Green Library.

Come along to join the vibrant and interactive fun, where audiences and performers share the space to create a unique story inspired by the children’s imagination.

There will be a performance from theatre company Chickenshed (1pm to 2pm) and an opportunity for young readers to meet author, scriptwriter, playwright and winner of Biblio-Buzz 2022 Jack Meggitt-Phillips (11.30am to 12.30pm).

And don't forget, if you're aged 8-12 and an avid reader – come and speak to your friendly librarian and sign up to the Biblio-buzz!

Book your free ticket via Eventbrite:

Free winter workout 

Looking for a fun and social way to improve your fitness this January?

Shake off those winter blues and step into a gentle workout session to help make a good start to the new year.

We have free sessions unclosing martial arts, dance, chair exercise, and more.

Find out more about what's available and join the winter workout!

SEND Newsletter

Welcome to our first Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Newsletter of 2023!

• See January’s SEND Newsletter

If you haven’t done so already, sign up to receive the newsletter now.

There are many events and activities taking place in Haringey:

• Warm Welcome Days 
• Weekly gardening group
• #ActuallyHaringey - The Autism Hub: activities and events

Help and support for residents

As the Cost of Living continues rising, we want to make sure all Haringey residents get the help and support available to them.

From help with energy bills and other household costs, through to support with debt, finding work, and mental health, we are here to help.

Visit our Haringey, Here to Help webpages via the button below to find out what’s available, discover our online benefits calculator, and access our Financial Support Helpline.

We'd like to know what you think of Haringey People Extra.

So if you want to tell us what you like, don't like, and what you would like to see in future newsletters email us at: pressdesk@haringey.gov.uk

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• Get council news, alerts and updates on things happening in your area
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• Build new local connections, discuss community topics and much more...

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