News for the community, by the community.
A new nutrition club will open in Hornchurch on June 23 to help residents change their diet for a better way of life. Run by Caroline and her team, the aim is to provide healthy tips on how to make better choices nutritionally that improve your over all health.
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Disused buildings at St George’s Hospital in Suttons Lane, in Hornchurch, will be torn down under a new scheme proposed by developer Purewal Equity.
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Looking for a night of pure laughter? This farcical favourite delivers non-stop hilarity at the Queen’s Theatre.
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A Local Councillor and a Party Activist have written to Havering Council to ask as a matter of importance if some rubbish enforcement can be carried out as soon as possible in Clifton Road and Malvern Road in Hornchurch.
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Students and staff from New City College took to the streets around their local neighbourhoods and organised litter picks as part of the Where We Live – Keeping Havering Tidy initiative.
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“Left to Suffer: The Hidden Mental Health Crisis Exploding Across London and Havering”
Are our mental health services on the verge of collapse?
Across Havering and the capital, thousands of adults and children are in desperate need of mental health support—but help is heartbreakingly far from reach. In fact, the waiting list to access any form of psychological care is now so long, it can take months—sometimes even years—before someone receives help.
In Havering alone, recent figures show over 4,300 people are currently waiting for mental health support via NHS Talking Therapies. Across London, the number is far worse—with more than 125,000 people on waiting lists, many of whom are in crisis and deteriorating fast.
As our mental health services buckle under overwhelming demand, frontline police are being forced to step in. Officers are now dealing with record-high levels of mental health-related incidents, including welfare checks, suicide risks, and violent episodes involving individuals in acute distress.
Emergency crisis lines exist. But what about prevention?
“What is that old saying? Prevention is better than cure.”
For years, our mental health system has been underfunded, under-resourced, and dangerously overlooked. Today, it’s at breaking point. It simply cannot cope with the sheer volume of people needing support.
People are often left feeling alone, stranded, and with no one to turn to—except a mind in conflict with itself.
Mental health is a buzzword now, printed across campaigns, shouted on social media, and hung on posters. But the truth behind the slogan is dark: like the NHS, the mental health care system is quietly crumbling.
And when someone finally reaches breaking point, finger-pointing politics mean nothing.
“People don’t care about whose political party is at fault. What matters is that this is a system that is broken and needs help—right now.”
Urgent funding. Immediate reform. True support. These are not wants—they are necessities.
If the government fails to act, the cost won’t just be seen in statistics. It’ll be felt in lost lives.
I appealed each ticket – a process which takes the best part of half-an-hour – enclosing a link to my MiPermit account which showed I did, indeed, have a valid permit. Despite this, two of my appeals were refused – even though another in the same parking bay had been allowed!”
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Residents voiced their objections to the possible development of a Hornchurch car park into a series of houses. However, the development was approved at a council Strategic Committee on Thursday 8 May.
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Hylands Park hosted over 1,500 attendees for a Community Fun Day celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, featuring entertainment, food, and activities, emphasizing community spirit and remembrance of sacrifices made.
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The council intends to convert Dorrington Gardens pay-and-display, which it has deemed surplus to the motorists’ needs, into 34 new homes.
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Tickets have gone on sale for this year’s Langtons Summer Concert.
Set in the grounds of Langtons Gardens, the concert will take place on Sunday 8 June.
Havering Labour Councillors Jane Keane and Matt Stanton, as trustees of the LUCAS play site charity, are pleased to see the start of improvement works to Hylands Park, in the form of a brand new swing set.
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New City College has been officially graded as Outstanding by Ofsted – the highest possible accolade that can be achieved following an inspection.
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Local MP Julia Lopez highlighted the struggles of Havering’s hair and beauty industry in Parliament, urging governmental support against rising costs and business rates, as salons face potential closures and loss of apprenticeships without urgent action.
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The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Gerry O’Sullivan, organized a charity fun run to support Havering Mind and the Havering Association for People with Disabilities, uniting the community for a vital fundraising effort.
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Carol Baker thoroughly enjoyed ABBA: Thank You for the Music at Queen’s Theatre, praising its vibrant energy, talented performers, and overall audience enjoyment, creating a memorable night.
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Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez is urging local hair and beauty business owners to share their experiences ahead of a parliamentary debate she has secured on the growing pressures facing the industry.
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New City College’s Havering Sixth Form campus was buzzing with positivity when an inspiring charity day was held in partnership with Parkinson’s UK, bringing together members of the Havering and District branch for a fun-filled and heart-warming event.
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Labour Councillor for St Alban’s Ward, Jane Keane gave evidence at a licensing hearing in respect of the Royal Lounge, 14 Victoria Road, Romford on 21 March.
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Mohamed Awaleh, of Mayesbrook Road, Dagenham has been handed a six month prison sentence for theft and breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
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