Welcome to your local newsletter
Your local team
Douglas Muhammad, Youth and Community Coordinator
As the Youth and Community Development Coordinator for Waltham Forest, I work with a local team of volunteers and receive support from the Community Investment Lead, Elaine Daley My job is to help deliver local plans, manage youth and community programmes, and encourage people to get involved.
I am passionate about making sure local people have a say in the services we provide by working with community groups I work with community groups, supporting them to grow and make a difference in their area I also work with colleagues to create programmes where residents can help and support each other
I speak to people of all ages to hear about their needs and make sure their voices are reflected in our plans I organise local events to bring people together and keep in touch with residents through door knocking, newsletters, and social media
I identify areas where services can be improved and help set up new projects to meet those needs I also work with other organisations to make sure services are connected and regularly check the effectiveness of our programmes, ensuring all projects are in line with our strategy
Our latest youth project saw 15 young people aged 8-12 years old from the Chingford Hall Estate take part in a pilot scheme with Project Zero The young people were picked up from the estate by Project Zero and transported by minibus to their Outset Centre in Walthamstow to take part in activities that included, digital art, boxing, console gaming, group games and snacks.
On their final day they were taken to Lee Valley Ice Skating to enjoy skating with their friends. Each evening they were brought back to the estate to be collected by an adult Watch this space! We plan to continue delivering this service during half-terms in 2025.
Resident Drop Ins
Every Thursday, 10am to 2pm Ching Way Office 7 Ching Way, Chingford, E4 8YD.
Drop in to discuss any issues, concerns or support you are looking for with your local team. PGM Contractors will also be available to speak with every fortnight during these drop in times.
Just a quick reminder that Thursdays are the best day to drop by the office without an appointment to speak with our team. For visits on any other day of the week, you can get in touch using the contact details at the end of this newsletter – we’ll be happy to assist.
This helps us make sure we can give you the time and full attention you deserve, as well as prepare any information and resources that you may find helpful.
Supporting Young People
As part of his role as Youth and Community Coordinator, Doug supports programmes across Waltham Forest, including at The Paradox Centre in Ching Way These sessions are free to attend, and drinks and snacks are provided at every session.
Supported by Peabody and Waltham Forest Council, Break Tha Cycle offers youth clubs where young people can engage in group mentoring, take part in a variety of activities, and explore personal development opportunities. The programme is designed to be flexible, based on the interests of the participants Activities include interactive talks with guest speakers, film screenings, sports sessions, strategy games and workshops on self-care, hygiene and arts & crafts. Sessions run on Mondays and Thursdays, 4 30pm to 6 30pm
Leaders Academy, part of Waltham Forest Council’s Space4All initiative, provides performing arts and leadership Programmes for young people. Activities include accredited programmes for developing leadership skills, practical lessons in cooking, drama and public performances Sessions take place on Mondays (ages 9 - 15) 4.30pm to 6.30pm and Fridays (ages 5 - 16) 4pm to 7pm.
What’s on in Ching Way
The Paradox Community Centre is a vibrant space offering a wide range of activities for residents and the local community. Please drop by the Paradox Centre for a full timetable.
Yoga, Salsa and Dao Lu Tai Chi, Mondays 11.00 to 11.45am
Exercise classes for 50’s and above.
Your Food Pantry, Tuesdays 8.30am to 2.00pm.
For £4.50 a week members can come down to the Your Food Pantry and pick up essentials for your weekly shop
ELATT ESOL Classes and Creche, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 3 30pm
Enhance your English and Maths with a creche available
Tutors Unite - Spaces Available
Tutors United has partnered with Peabody to provide free English and Maths tuition for Peabody residents at the Paradox Community Centre.
Lessons run on a Wednesday, 4pm to 5pm for pupils in Years 4 and 5, and 5pm to 6pm for pupils in Year 6. Lessons run in termtime until July 2025 To learn more and register your interest visit: tutorsunited.org/parents-families/register-your-child/
Christmas Cheer
The holiday period may feel like a distant memory now, but we wanted to take a moment to look back at two of the wonderful events and achievements that took place towards the end of last year.
On 7 December our very own Paradox Community Centre received a very special visitor. Santa, who looked very much liked our beloved local surveyor Gary Holdsworth under the beard and hat, stopped by to meet some of our younger residents
Residents were also able to shop at the table top sale offering cakes, scented oils and second hand goods Money was also raised for the NSPCC during the day through a raffle and popular tombola
The Callaloo Club members also kicked off the festive season in style on 12 December with a Christmas Meal Event at the Callaloo Club, held at the lively Paradox Centre. Around 20 members gathered for a three-course meal, followed by an evening of live music
Employment Support
Are you looking to:
Produce a professional up-to-date CV and cover letter? Become more confident in your interview skills? Take part in work experience?
Peabody has employment support available for residents in Ching Way to help with this and more. To register your interest, get in touch at employment training@peabody org uk
Fly-tipping and removal of rubbish
As we reach the end of January many of us have taken the new year as an opportunity to have a good clear out We understand the satisfying feeling of taking stock of unwanted items and getting them out of sight and out of mind However, we’d like to remind residents to be mindful to follow local polices on waste removal and not to contribute to fly-tipping in your area.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and is defined as the illegal dumping of waste. Fly-tipping is often thought of as large items such as mattresses, tyres, fridges and furniture However, dumping a single black bin bag in a place where it shouldn’t be can be classed as fly-tipping The responsibility for removing fly-tipped waste is held by Waltham Forest Council, meaning every incident costs money and resources that could be used elsewhere in the community
If you have noticed fly-tipping in your area, or see someone dumping rubbish, we ask that you please report this to the council online at Report fly-tipping | London Borough of Waltham Forest. The council will aim to clear the rubbish within 24 hours of the report, although hazardous waste may take longer, and investigate who left it which could result in a fine of £750
The Waltham Forest Rubbish and Recycling Team can help you if you have large or bulky items, electrical goods or garden waste to dispose of You can book a collection online at on the council website, the team will remove five large items for free per collection booking.
Communal areas and bins
Peabody is responsible for the onsite communal bin areas in Ching Way and we work with the council to make sure that these are fit for purpose and contain the right waste in the right bins.
We also check all communal areas inside our buildings regularly, but if you see any items left lying around, please contact us to let us know
Leaving unwanted items and personal belongings in communal areas can block emergency exit routes, create a fire risk and cause a slipping or tripping hazard Help keep you and your neighbours safe by keeping these areas clear
Get in touch
Neighbourhood Manager Peabody Website Phone
Ching Way Office vicky carey-duff@peabody org uk peabody org uk/contact-us 0300 123 3456
7 Ching Way, Chingford, E4 8YD