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Postal voting packs are being sent out for the General Election
The General Election is now less than two weeks away and the opening of the first returned postal votes has started at the Town Hall. These will be securely stored and counted alongside votes cast at polling stations on Thursday 4 July.
Check out the confirmed candidates for the Windsor constituency and Maidenhead constituency on this webpage.
Voting by post? Haven’t received yours yet?
If you had a postal vote in place by Monday 3 June, your pack should have been sent in the first main batch of postal ballots posted out earlier this week. Please return this via Royal Mail in good time.
If you applied to vote by post after Monday 3 June or your application was not approved by this date, your postal ballot will be sent out between tomorrow, Saturday 22 June, and Thursday 27 June.
Earlier this week, the deadline passed to apply for a new postal vote or postal proxy vote, or amend existing applications, along with the deadline to register to vote.
Voting by proxy?
The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (someone you trust voting on your behalf) remains open until 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.
You also now have the option to apply online to vote by proxy at the UK Government - How to Vote webpage.
Voting in person?
Remember, by law, you will need to bring along and show accepted photo ID in order to vote at a polling station. If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, you can still apply by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
Visit the Electoral Commission voter ID webpage or call 0800 328 0280 to apply and check the full list of accepted forms of ID.
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Changing Places facility opens at Windsor Leisure Centre
Toilet and changing room facilities designed specifically for people with disabilities, and their carers, have officially opened at Windsor Leisure Centre.
Called Changing Places, they are larger than standard accessible toilet facilities with additional space to manoeuvre a wheelchair. They feature a toilet, a height-adjustable changing bench and wash basin, a ceiling track with hoist, as well as a privacy screen and shower.
The new facilities, at the Stovell Road leisure centre, have been installed thanks to a partnership between ourselves and the Leisure Focus Trust.
Its official opening this week also coincided with the annual Learning Disability Week, which this year has the theme of being seen, heard, and valued.
The Changing Places facility is open for use the general public, as well as leisure centre users. See more details about it, and its opening hours, on the Changing Places website along with other similar facilities across the Royal Borough.
Read our press release
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Celebrating Armed Forces Week in the Royal Borough
Next week is Armed Forces Week, during which events will taking place across the country to celebrate and thank the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to forces families, veterans and cadets.
The Royal Borough has a large forces population, with Windsor being the home of the Coldstream Guards and Welsh Guards, and we will be marking our appreciation for the commitment and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community on Monday 24 June, by raising the Armed Forces flag at a special ceremony at Maidenhead Town Hall, St Ives Road.
The Mayor, Councillor Simon Bond, will make a short speech and the flag will be raised at 10am. Residents are welcome to attend the ceremony and the flag will fly proudly all week until after Armed Forced Day itself, on Saturday 29 June.
Other activities for Armed Forces Week
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The Royal After Party, Monday 24 June: The Royal After Party will be an exciting evening of flat racing, at Royal Windsor Racecourse. There’s a 50% discount for members of the Armed forces community, serving, Reserve and cadet forces members. Book online for 50% discount with the code FORCES24 or arrive on the day for the same discount. Proof of ID required. The Welsh Guards will be supporting this event and the Royal British Legion collecting on the evening. You can book here.
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Reserves Day, Wednesday 26 June: Members of the reserve forces are encouraged to wear their uniform to work on Reserves Day to highlight the important contribution reservists make to the defence of our country.
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Rotary summer Fayre and Armed Forces Day, Saturday 29 June: Join the fun by the Thames in Alexander Gardens in Windsor for a summer party including the Armed Forces Day event. Open from 10am with a Duck race at 4pm. The main Armed Forces Day focus will be a drum head service at 1pm at the Bandstand to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
For more information about events being held across the UK for Armed Forces Day and Reserves Day please visit the Armed Forces Day website.
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Could solar panels be an option for your home?
A green energy scheme to help you and local businesses generate renewable energy through solar panels, cutting energy costs and carbon footprint, has again reopened in the Royal Borough.
We have joined forces with neighbouring councils to group bid for cheaper installation of solar panels through Solar Together.
Residents and businesses, with permission from the property owner to install the panels, can register now until 9 August.
The scheme offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate.
The applications are grouped together, and reputable installation companies then bid to carry out the work through a reverse auction overseen by a company called iChoosr.
The four simple steps to join the scheme are:
1. Householders and businesses register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation. The more registrations, the better the deal should be.
2. Pre-vetted solar installers bid for the work in a reverse ‘auction’. With many potential sellers, the most competitive offers win the auction.
3. After the auction, registered households and businesses are emailed a personal recommendation, including costs and specifications for their property for a complete solar panel installation.
4. If the recommendation is accepted, the installation details are confirmed with a technical survey, after which a date can be set for the installation.
The partnership is cost-neutral for the Royal Borough and has been adopted as part of sustainability commitments to give residents and businesses the opportunity to create greener energy.
Read more
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Foster with us and be that difference
Thank you to all our foster carers across the Royal Borough, who every day make a difference for local children and young people in our communities.
We need more people from all walks of life to become foster carers with us and provide a secure, stable and supportive home for children in care. It’s a valuable and rewarding paid role.
In return, we offer our foster carers excellent support, training and benefits via our in-house independent fostering agency, Achieving for Children Fostering.
Our website has lots of information about the process and opportunities, we are also available via phone and email, make contact with us for an informal chat. Email us at fosteringenquiries@achievingforchildren.org.uk or call 020 8547 5355.
Why we became foster carers
“My wife and I have been foster carers for the Royal Borough for 20 years and over that time we have fostered about 20 children. We chose to foster because my wife felt called to it. She worked with troubled youngsters when she was a teenager herself and even then she wanted to bring them home to care for them. I love living a more communal life and so we make a great partnership.
“The most rewarding times of caring come for me when I see troubled teenagers breathe. Sometimes it can be difficult to know you are making a difference in their lives, but we do get to see evidence they have been helped.
"Once a young lady visited us for afternoon tea, many years after she had left our care. She had two children of her own and was building a stable family with her partner, that was wonderful to see, but our hearts were especially warmed when we heard her address her children using the same terms of endearment she'd heard us use with our own kids.
“Fostering with the Royal Borough has been good. We chose to work with a local authority as we didn't want to work for an agency that was making profit out of caring for the vulnerable. We are glad that this ethos has been continued with Achieving for Children. We have particularly enjoyed positive working relationships with our social workers, most of whom have been outstanding.”
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Civic manager recognised in King's Birthday Honours list
Congratulations to Andrew Scott, our Civic and Facilities Team Manager, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King's Birthday Honours List.
Andrew Scott has served 37 years in local government, 33 of those with the Royal Borough, during which he’s undertaken a number of roles, principally supporting the democratic and civic function as a Democratic Services Officer, Scrutiny Manager, Elections Manager and Civic and Facilities Team Manager.
For the last 20 years Andrew has played a critical co-ordination role for Royal events in Windsor, most recently the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III. He works closely with teams across the council and multi-agency partners, both locally and nationally, to ensure Royal events run safely, smoothly and with utmost dignity.
In January 2024, he was separately appointed as a Member of the Royal Victorian Order by His Majesty the King in the New Year's Honours List. This is awarded in recognition of distinguished service to the Monarch and members of the Royal Family.
Andrew said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive the award. I have been very fortunate to work with some very experienced and talented people, particularly here at the Royal Borough and I would like to acknowledge the support and guidance I have received from them over the years.”
Congratulations Andrew, from all your colleagues. Well done and well deserved!
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Supporting young carers in the borough
Last week was Carers Week, but we are continuing to highlight support services available to carers in the Royal Borough.
Useful links for carers
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Supporting young carers
The charity Family Action offers support for young carers in the Royal Borough on behalf of the council.
A young carer is a child aged between five and 18 years old who completes caring tasks for a loved one, most often a family member. This video summarises what it means to be a young carer.
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We spoke to Sarah Collin, Service Manager at Family Action, about the support they offer to young carers.
What support services does Family Action offer for young carers in the Royal Borough?
We have a graduated response to supporting young carers. The first stage is identifying young carers, which sectors such as education, healthcare, community and statutory services help with.
Next is providing young carer assessments. We meet with the family to gain an understanding of who’s being cared for and what their health needs are. We talk with the child about what caring tasks are being completed (this can involve practical support, personal care, emotional support, or supporting siblings) and how it’s impacting them and their personal development. We’ll also do a parents’ session on how to support your child at home.
For example, we had a referral come in through the Early Help Hub when an ambulance service were dealing with a mental health crisis and identified a young carer who was avoiding school to keep an eye on their parent. We worked with them to understand why their absence rate was high and to think through “How is supporting my parent impacting my life? What are my hopes for the future?”
The third stage is direct support. We put in a support plan for them, that can include anything from referring to other services, one-to-one or family sessions or meeting other young carers and doing group activities for wellbeing.
What advice would you give to a young carer, or a parent of a young carer?
Firstly, know that you’re not on your own. It’s more common than you think. Research has shown that one in five children at school have got someone at home with an additional need. That’s about six children per classroom.
There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Young carers often don’t want to talk about their own needs because they don’t want to add to everything going on at home, but your needs matter and it’s okay to talk about them.
For parents, it’s important to firstly accept that care is happening. It’s a part of everyday life. There’s no need to feel guilty asking your child to help. There are lots of positives to caring, such as the skills being learnt.
We’re really passionate about making sure that young carers are seen and understood, and families are given the opportunity to look at the positives of caring.
If your child or someone you know may be a young carer, get in touch.
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Be water aware this Drowning Prevention Week
This week is Drowning Prevention Week (15-22 June), one of the largest summer water safety campaigns across the UK and Ireland. The week sees us launch our annual water safety campaign, Be Water Aware this summer, which will run until the end of the summer holidays.
Sadly, each year several young people die in water incidents across the UK, in the sea, rivers, quarries, and lakes. Almost 250 people accidentally drown in the UK every year.
If you have any young people in your family, please speak with them to highlight the risks of open water, which include cold water shock (see below), submerged objects, hidden depths and expected currents.
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But I’m a good swimmer…
Whether you’re a good swimmer or not, it’s often the low temperature of open water which leads to tragedy.
Even on days when the air temperature rises above 30 degrees Celsius, or there is a heatwave, the water remains cold enough to kill.
Open bodies of water are around 15 degrees Celsius or lower in the summer. Those temperatures are significantly lower than public swimming pools where the average temperature is around 25-28 degrees Celsius. This is around 10 degrees cooler than the average body temperature. And for context, the average bath is around 32 to 40 degrees Celsius.
This is why your body instinctively reacts if you jump into such cold water. This is called cold water shock.
Cold water shock is lethal
The cold literally takes your breath away and makes you gasp within seconds of getting in. This involuntary action quickens breaths and can allow water to get into the mouth and lungs. It can take as little as half a pint of water to lead to drowning.
Cold water shock also causes the heart rate and blood pressure to quickly increase and can lead to cardiac arrest.
Alternatively, the body tries to protect internal organs like the heart and brain by moving body heat to them from the arms and legs. As a result, it becomes difficult to move limbs which are needed to keep afloat.
In the summer, it is advisable to go to Leisure Focus pools for a swim where lifeguards are supervising. More information on our leisure centres is available on our website.
Leisure Focus, in collaboration with Baylis Media, have produced the following video detailing tips for staying safe and understanding the risks associated with open water. You can watch the video here.
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Be aware of early bin collections on Monday and Tuesday
Due to the higher temperatures forecast next week, our bin crews will be starting their collections at 6am on Monday and Tuesday. Please ensure your bin is out ready for the earlier collections. Starting and finishing earlier means they can avoid the worst of the heat.
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Yellow heat alert issued for the South East
The Met Office says this yellow alert is due to run from 9am on Monday 24 June, to 6pm on Thursday 27 June. Although it does warn that this could be upgraded to an amber alert.
If you can, check in on vulnerable/elderly family, friends, and neighbours as they will be affected more by the temperatures.
At home, closing your curtains and blinds during the day is a simple tip to help keep out the worst of the heat. For more advice on how to keep cool and how it affects your wellbeing, visit the UK Government’s Beat the Heat website.
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Enjoy our wonderful parks and opens spaces this summer
With sunny weather on the horizon (fingers crossed) many residents will be heading to our parks and open spaces over the next few months, to enjoy the summer months.
We’re all of us rightly proud of our parks and green spaces in the Royal Borough, they are great places to relax and enjoy nature, have a picnic, and walk our beloved four-legged friends. And to make sure we can all enjoy them we’re asking everyone to remember:
- Please dispose of your waste responsibly and take litter home if the bin is full
- Always bag and bin your dog’s mess to keep parks clean, safe, and attractive for everyone
- Barbeques and other open fires are not allowed in any of our parks or open spaces
Cooking on a barbecue in parks and green spaces can pose both a fire risk and cause damage to grass and wildlife, and often leads to littering of food packaging, spent charcoal and disposable barbecues.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) order has been in place since last November, giving our Community Wardens the option to issue a £100 fixed penalty notice, to enforce the ban on barbeques and other open fires in our parks and green spaces. So please, leave the barbecue at home this summer, and help protect our much loved green spaces.
You can find out more about our parks and open spaces on our website, and we’re wishing all our residents a happy, safe, sunny summer!
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Visiting London over the weekend? Why not park in Vicus Way?
If you’re planning a city break to London, did you know our Vicus Way car park in Maidenhead has a super-affordable parking offer for weekend leisure trips?
If you arrive after 4pm on Friday, you can park until 11am on Monday for just £10 - the smart choice whether you're heading to the capital or spending the weekend in our Royal Borough.
Catch the train at Maidenhead station (a convenient five-minute walk away), with regular services to Paddington and Windsor (via Slough).
Vicus Way is a spacious, modern parking base – vehicle entry 5am to 8pm, exit 24/7.
Read more
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Royal Borough Community Spotlight
Here are just some of the upcoming community events and volunteering opportunities in the Royal Borough.
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Garden Safari in the Cookhams with WildCookham (Saturday 22 June and Sunday 23 June). With the wider countryside struggling to host the diversity of wildlife it used to, gardens are becoming the most important home for more and more creatures and insects. But which ones? So, the 'Big' weekend will encourage families to hunt high and low for as many different types of animals, insects and mini-beasts as possible, photographing what isn't recognised for subsequent identification and providing great fun for the children. To enhance habitat diversity, packets of wildflower seeds are available from Daisies Cafe in Cookham Parade, suitable for a square metre of mini meadow. For more information email.
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Gather and Grow Launch (Saturday 22 June, 11am) - Maidenhead Library. All welcome for an introduction to Gather and Grow, a talk on biodiversity and wellbeing. Come and visit the community garden and plant some seeds. For more information visit or email.
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Open Gardens Event (Sunday 23 June, 11am to 4pm) - Oakley Green, SL4 4PZ. In support of OGAFCA and the Braywood Memorial Hall. To book and for more information visit.
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Pinkneys Green Scouts Summer Fair (Sunday 23 June, 12pm) - Pinkneys Road, SL6 5DN (on the green opposite the cricket club). Side shows, tombola, plant stall and a fun dog show at 3pm. For more information visit.
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Celebrate Summer (Sunday 23 June, 3pm) - St. Michael's Church, Bray. A service for children of all ages! Songs and stories (about 30 mins). For more information visit.
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Coffee Morning (24 June, 10.30am to 12pm) - Parkside Christian Fellowship, 16 St Lukes Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7AN. Join us on the second and fourth Mondays each month for free refreshments and a chance to chat and make new friends. For more information visit.
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Monday Friends (Monday 24 June, 10.30am to 12pm) - St Marks Crescent Methodist Church, Allenby Road, SL6 5BQ. Join us for a lovely friendly morning, which is proving to be quite popular. Each month we have a different theme. The meeting will include refreshments and is very informal with a short time for a prayer. This is a morning for all in the community, especially those who are alone and would like to make friends and get to know others. All welcome - Free entry. For more information email or telephone 07714 892599.
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Walk along the Butterfly Trail (Tuesday 25 June, 10am) – Meet in National Trust Car Park, Maidenhead Thicket, SL6 6QE. Parking is free! Join Maidenhead United's Wellbeing Support Service for a lovely wellbeing walk. We will flutter along the Butterfly Trail and enjoy some mindful time in nature. There will be a coffee break at Stubbings Nursery halfway through the 45-minute walk where drinks will be available to purchase. For more information email.
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‘The Age of Jazz’ lecture (Wednesday 26 June, 1.30pm) - Old Windsor Memorial Hall, SL4 2RN. Presented by Sandy Burnett. New members welcome. For more information visit.
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Rock the Rec is a local music festival run by not-for-profit community organisation Clewer & Dedworth Together. We have a fabulous line-up with headliners the Rolling Stoned (Rolling Stones tribute band) and we have local celebrity Kevin Cruise. All profits are put back into community projects such as digital inclusion café, home security projects for isolated and vulnerable people and other great causes. For more information, and to hear about the acts as we announce them check out our website.
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Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor (Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 June & Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 July, show starts at 7.30pm) - outdoors in Stag Meadow by Windsor Theatre Guild. It’s an uproarious tale of mischief and double-dealing where the women get the last laugh. Join us for a magical evening in a beautiful location: bring chairs or blankets to sit on, and wine, food, family and friends. For more information visit or call 0333 666 3366.
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CAP Money Workshop (Saturday 29 June, 10am to 3pm) - Kerith Hub, Windsor (corner of Ruddlesway and Dedworth Road). A practical and interactive guide to making the most of your finances - with expert advice on budgeting, managing costs and much more. All are welcome to attend this free event. Register here. For more information call Ken Evans 07932 697425 or email.
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Windsor and Eton Bowling Club Open Day (Saturday 29 June, 10am to 4pm) - Goswell Meadow, Barry Avenue. This is an opportunity for all ages, abilities and backgrounds to come and try bowls at our beautiful club that nestles in the shadow of Windsor Castle. You will be made very welcome and will be provided with all you need to have a go. Just wear flat shoes! Refreshments and free parking is available on site.
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Compete in the Maidenhead Festival of music and dance (Closing entry dates for: dance Monday 8 July and all music sections Sunday 20 October). Performance dates - dance Monday 28 October to Saturday 2 November. All music Saturday 16 to Saturday 23 November. Open to children (and adults) of all abilities. For syllabuses and further information visit.
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Thames Hospice annual concert (Saturday 13 July, 2.30pm) will be held in the grounds of the Hospice on Windsor Road, Maidenhead. Attendance is free and the renowned Hospice Café will be open for refreshments. Some of the concert will be of a singalong nature so why not come along and enjoy an afternoon by the lake listening and singing with the choir. For more information visit.
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Charity Cheese & Wine Quiz (Saturday 13 July, doors open at 7.15pm) – Holyport Memorial Hall, Moneyrow Green, Holyport, Maidenhead SL6 2NA. Join Maidenhead Rotaract for a fun quiz night raising money for MIND, the mental health charity. With several fun rounds including the ever popular film and theatre, sports, and food & drink rounds, it’s going to be a great night. But don't worry it’s not Mastermind, we promise they'll be questions everyone can answer! But will your team be crowned champions? For more information visit, email or call Lisa 07876 341334.
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Maidenhead Festival (Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 July) - Kidwells Park. Get ready for the summer event of 2024! Join us for two unforgettable days of fun. Dance to live music, relax on our sandy beach oasis, and explore bustling stalls filled with unique crafts and delicious street food. Thrill-seekers will love our exciting rides and games, and the night sky will dazzle with a spectacular fireworks display. Best of all, it’s entirely free! Bring your family and friends to experience the ultimate summer celebration at the Maidenhead Festival. For more information visit.
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Volunteer for Braywick Sports Association (Saturday 29 June, 2pm to 4pm) - Braywick Sports Field. We are looking for volunteers to join us at our clean up event. We will be doing a rubbish pick up and trimming of hedges. For more information visit.
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Volunteers required – Make a Real Difference! Maidenhead Community Watch Association (MCWA) - was formed with the primary focus of helping to make Maidenhead a safer and more pleasant place in which to live and is aimed in particular at our elderly and vulnerable residents. We assess the security of the property and make recommendations on safety and security improvement. We can provide free security items such as exterior motion sensor lights, dummy CCTV cameras, fake TVS, timer switches, window shock alarms, personal alarms, door chains, door spy holes etc. If you’d like to help with this project by becoming one of our Assessors we’d be delighted to hear from you and training is provided. To find out more please contact our Chairman, John Diack, on 01628 622876 or email.
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If you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or appeal for volunteers you’d like to promote in this newsletter, simply send basic information about your event to communications@rbwm.gov.uk and it could be shared with more than 21,000 local residents.
You just need to include a brief description, when and where it takes place, and a link to a website/social media page/contact where people can find out more.
To see further volunteering opportunities in the borough, or for another way for community organisations to promote volunteering opportunities, please visit RBWM Together.
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Our consultations - have your say
We regularly hold consultations and surveys to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.
Participating, sharing ideas, and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.
Our current consultations are:
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Local Travel Updates
For details of further council works on highways, visit our website. For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website.
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Keep in touch
Keep up to date with news and information from the council by signing up to Nextdoor and following us on X and Facebook.
Other accounts you may be interested in:
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