Keeping the faith Inter Faith Week highlights the work done by faith, inter-faith and faith-based groups and organisations, and enables greater interaction between people of different backgrounds. www.interfaithweek.org Towering achievement The Tower Project provides a range of services to children, young people and adults with disabilities. News News in brief Family fun day FAMILIES are invited to a fun day to celebrate the diversity and unity of faith groups in the borough as part of Inter Faith Week, from November 16-22. Churches Together In Poplar has organised the event, which is taking place at St Matthias community centre, 113 Poplar High Street, on Saturday, November 22 from 3-5pm. There will be entertainment and a bouncy castle. There will be a small charge for refreshments, which will be donated to medical charity Medecins Sans Frontiers (doctors without borders), to support their work i n Syr i a , S i e r ra L e o n e , Afghanistan and Congo. Call 7987 0257 or visit www. neighboursinpoplar.org.uk Crafty Christmas CRAFT your own Christmas at Stepney City Farm on Saturday, December 6. The event, which runs from 11am-3pm, will include workshops on making your own cards, wrapping paper and Christmas decorations. There will be craft stalls joining the weekly farmers’ market, a nativity scene and carols with the Salvation Army band at 2.30pm. Mince pies and Christmas fruit punch will be available. Entrry is free to the farm in Stepney Way, E1. Visit www. stepneycityfarm.org Older people’s day WANT to start a hobby, learn a new skill or just make new friends? Visit the Full of Life open day on Monday, November 24 at Idea Store Whitechapel. The free open day for older people will feature activities including dance, family tree, craft and drawing workshops, a book talk with Gary Powell and the chance to find out about volunteering opportunities. There will also be stalls from organisations including Age UK East London, LinkAge Plus, University of the Third Age and Whitechapel Sports Centre. The open day runs from 10am-3.45pm. Call 7364 1738. A COMMUNITY organisation which provides services for people with disabilities in Tower Hamlets received one of the biggest cheers of the day when it starred in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show. Proudly representing Tower Hamlets, more than 30 staff and service users from the Tower Project enjoyed a great day out at the show and parade on Saturday, November 8. The Tower Project helps people living with a disability or autism into sustainable paid employment. Companies or organisations with a vacancy suitable for project users should call 8980 3500. Lord Mayor Alan Yarrow is keen to tackle the stigmas around people with disabilities and the way they are integrated into society. Vivian, who found a job through the Tower Project, waves to the crowds at the Lord Mayor’s Show Commons launch for FGM report BY JESSICA ODUBAYO A COMMUNITY health charity in Whitechapel has launched a report exploring ways to tackle the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM). Women’s Health and Family Services (WHFS) launched Hear Our Voices at a seminar at the House of Commons attended by health professionals, as well as 80 women from the borough. Guests heard personal accounts of women in Tower Hamlets affected by FGM. Sharon Hanooman, chief executive of WHFS, said the organisation’s community work highlights a need for change in attitude among men and women of all ages. Specialist midwives Juliet Albert, Joy Clarke and Fahima Yusuf spoke about prevention work being carried out across London and what midwives can do in Tower Hamlets. Janet Barter, a consultant in reproductive and sexual health at Barts NHS Health Trust, said she was looking forward to working with the community to deliver services for Tower Hamlets. During the event many women who had experienced FGM thanked Dr Geetha Subramanian MBE, who has worked as a consultant for 27 years at Barts, for her commitment to supporting women to access a ‘reversal’ medical procedure. Karen Wint, WHFS co chair, emphasized the need to work collaboratively to make change happen. She read a message of support from Mayor Lutfur Rahman, who congratulated WHFS for their work. Helping autistic adults into employment A SERVICE which offers assessment, diagnosis and support to adults with communication and social interaction difficulties has been launched in the borough. Tower Hamlets Autism Service has been commissioned by the council and is provided jointly by East London NHS Foundation Trust and the Job Enterprise and Training service (JET) based in Mile End. The launch on October 30 was an opportunity to hear about the benefits of the service, which has been running since the summer, and hear from people with autism who are now in employment. Jason Paul, who is employed by the council, spoke about what it means to him to be able to work. In a film shown at the launch, he talked about the purpose and value that work brings to him. Jenny Dutton, Jason’s manager, urged other employers to follow the council’s lead. Brian Toye, who manages the autism service, said: “Receiving a formal diagnosis can give individuals, their friends and families a better understanding Jason Paul with manager Jenny Dutton of their needs and abilities. It could also prevent misdiagnosis of other disorders and help individuals to access support to help them cope better.” Graham Smithers, head of services at JET, said: “Just 15 per cent of people with autism are in paid employment. Jason Paul is one of these successes –with the right training, support and job coaching he has been enabled to have a successful career working for the council’s management systems directorate. “Outcomes like Jason’s need to be the norm rather than the exception.” The autism service can provide up to 12 sessions including post-diagnostic support, social skills and communication programmes. Employment support is provided through the Tower Project – visit www. towerproject.org.uk 17 – 23 NOVEMBER 2014 N E W S F R O M T O WER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 11
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