Election protocol established A Local Protocol to ensure free and fair elections and help establish trust in the electoral system was launched in January by the council and other agencies involved in running the elections. www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/vote What’s on outdoors To find out more about free events in the borough’s parks and open spaces during the summer visit... www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/parks News YOUNGSTERS were spoilt for choice, with two free Easter events hosted by the council. More than 200 children tucked into chocolate eggs and made bonnets at at the V&A Building, Victoria Park on April 19. Highlights included a scavenger hunt and a surprise visit from the Easter bunny. Mum-of-two Lauren Powel said: “We loved the bunny costumes! We are great fans of Victoria Park, best park in London.” Over at the Children’s Play Park in Mile End Park on April 20, youngsters hunted for special tokens in the sand pit which were exchanged for chocolate eggs. Families also had the chance to take part in arts and crafts, and Easter games. News in brief Real nappy day PARENTS can find out about real nappies this Thursday, May 1. Go along to Idea Store Whitechapel from 10.30am to 12.30pm to meet parents who use them and hear about the benefits of going green. You can apply for a voucher worth £40 to try real nappies and nappies will also be available to buy at the event. For more information or to register call Louise Houston on 7364 7103 or email louise.hous ton@towerhamlets.gov.uk Lock clean-up STAFF from M&S will join forces with the Canal & River Trust for a clean-up at Old Ford Lock in Bethnal Green. They will be there on Monday and Wednesday, April 28 & 30. PUDDING MILL LANE New station now open • The largest of the DLR stations • Improved comfort, with better weather protection and more seating • Extended platforms for better access • A gateway station to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Volunteer health peers required PEOPLE with direct experience of mental illness and personal recovery are being asked to help give emotional and practical support to mental health service users. East London NHS Foundation Trust hosts a peer support service for mental health wards and in the community. The trust is looking to recruit peer support workers who can help mental health service users explore what is going on in their area or give them a boost of confidence by accompanying them to appointments or supporting them as they try new activities. The role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a willingness to share experiences and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Successful recruits will undertake a City & Guilds accredited course in peer support training, which will give them the skills to effectively carry out the role. Peer support workers are trained with the emphasis on talking through problems and encouraging service users to explore their options for change. For details, call Susan Henry on 8510 8630 or email susan. henry@eastlondon.nhs.uk Don’t miss these polling deadlines Register in time – or you’ll lose the right to vote BY SUSAN MULLIGAN AS the May 22 elections draw near, make sure you don’t lose your right to vote. There are deadlines in place for applying to vote by post or appointing a proxy for the Tower Hamlets’ mayoral, local government and European Parliamentary polls. Anyone aged 18 or over who is on the electoral register can apply for a postal or proxy vote. Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting if you are unable to get to the polling station on election day. Voting by proxy means that you appoint someone else to vote on your behalf. You need to complete an application form to vote by post or proxy. All applications require a signature and date of birth; this helps to ensure the security of your vote and includes measures to tackle electoral fraud. Postal votes are sent out about two weeks before election day. Once you have received your postal vote pack, mark your vote(s) on the ballot papers as indicated on the information sheet, then make sure you send it back as soon as possible. All postal votes must be received by the returning officer by 10pm on Thursday, May 22, or they will not be counted. Once a postal vote has been issued, you cannot vote in person at the polling station. When you apply to vote by proxy, you must provide a reason to vote in this way. The application form will list all the qualifications. If you have a medical emergency six days before election day, you can apply to vote by emergency proxy if the emergency means that you cannot go to the polling station in person. You will need to contact the council’s electoral services team for an application form. For more information, call 7364 0872, email vote@tower hamlets.gov.uk or go to www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ vote Key dates to remember: ■ Tuesday, May 6 – last date to register to vote at the elections on Thursday, May 22 ■ Wednesday, May 7 – postal vote application forms or changes to existing postal vote details must reach the electoral registration officer by 5pm ■ Wednesday, May 14 – proxy vote application forms or changes to existing proxy vote details must reach the electoral registration officer by 5pm. 28 APRIL – 4 MAY 2014 N E W S F R O M T OWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 9
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