Conservatives making real change to help tackle rough sleeping
Conservative-run Westminster Council has launched a 'diverted-giving' campaign to help rough sleepers off the streets and turn their lives around. The campaign’s aims are to highlight the substantial outreach-services available to support people off the streets, and encourage those who wish to give to beggars and rough sleepers to donate to these excellent charities.
Cabinet Member for Public Protection Councillor Nickie Aiken said: "To those generous people who give to those on the street, it can unfortunately be the case that those direct donations are actually supporting their drug or drink habit, and not helping them off the streets. By encouraging people to give to the supporting charities rather than directly to those who are homeless, better support can be directed to help them stay off the street and rebuild their lives.”
If you see someone sleeping rough, contact StreetLink via streetlink.org.uk or 0300 500 0914. They’ll make sure the person is connected to local outreach-teams, and you’ll get an update on what happened to the person.
To make a donation text REALCHANGE plus the amount you wish to give (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70500. 100% of the donations will be split between the three charities. For more information visit westminster.gov.uk/real-change
Youth Offending in Westminster falls to record low
The numbers of young people offending and re-offending in Westminster are at their lowest-ever levels, thanks to an effective joint-working strategy implemented by Conservative-run Westminster Council.
Spearheaded by the Youth Offending Team, the strategy better-integrates the work of various units including the Integrated Gangs Unit, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), which co-ordinates work with schools, the police and participation in projects like the Custody Pilot with Ealing Council, which is designed to keep young people out of cells.
Westminster Council works hard to keep your streets safe for residents, including to prevent youth offending. Our Youth Offending Team works with young people who have broken the law, to prevent them from reoffending, encouraging them to choose a different path in life and to stay out of prison.
The team also work with those at risk of committing crime, to prevent first-time entrants to the youth-justice system.
Due to the excellent work of the Youth Offending Team in recent years, the numbers of young people offending and re-offending in Westminster are at their lowest-ever levels. Young offenders are offered mentors, and supported into employment, education and training.
Commenting on the success, Westminster’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Danny Chalkley said “It’s tragic when our youngest residents find themselves on the wrong side of the law. We actively seek to lay out a better future, rather than leaving young people with problems to a life of crime, deprivation and underachievement. I’m delighted that due to the hard work of the Youth Offending Team, far fewer young people are committing crime.
Annual Tea Dance returns
Westminster Council’s annual Tea Dance hosted by Older People’s Champion, Cllr Christabel Flight, takes place on Sunday 6th November at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, for residents aged 65 or over. Last year actress Joanna Lumley joined guests dancing, jiving, eating and talking.
Cllr Christabel Flight said: "The Tea Dance is a chance for older people to get out of the house and enjoy a glamorous afternoon of dancing and companionship. It’s a great way for people to get together with friends, make new ones and have a fun afternoon. Loneliness can have a devastating effect on people’s lives as well as their physical and mental wellbeing, and we hope that the Tea Dance goes a little way in helping to alleviate it, even if just for an afternoon.”
Applications are now open, so please apply for tickets or if you have an older relative who might be interested let them know about it.
Residents can apply online, or write to Tea Dance, 18th floor, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QP, or call the Council’s general enquiries number on 020 7641 6000 and ask the switchboard to enter you into the Tea Dance ticket prize draw.
If you would like more information please email [email protected]
