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Return of the Full of Life Fair - bigger and better, fuller and fitter?

If anything demonstrates a return to more normal times after the ravages of the pandemic over the last couple of years, it is the return of the in-person Full of Life Fair at Twickenham Stadium on Friday 23 September 2022.

Council blog | 20 Sep 22

Back to School – time for a reframe?

In my calendar, ‘Back to School’ happens in January and April, not September. September is the start of the new school year, the college year, the point in the year when all young people move on and take an exciting new step in their lives.

Council blog | 30 Aug 22

Meet the new Mayor of Richmond upon Thames

There is one question that I can guarantee will be asked when I am out doing an engagement as Mayor of Richmond. Can you guess what it might be?

Council blog | 02 Aug 22

A year as Tenants' Champion

On Tuesday 19 July 2022, I was able to present my report to the Council reviewing my year as Tenants’ Champion. The Tenants' Champion service has operated for 11 years now and is a well-established method of support for tenants and leaseholders of housing associations in the borough.

Council blog | 26 Jul 22

Play Streets are back!

In Richmond, we held more than 330 street parties to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. We closed our streets, put out bunting, had fun and remembered how great it was to actually get together with our friends and neighbours. It was also wonderful to see children playing together outside their houses with new friends from down the street. Safe in the knowledge that the street was free of cars, they could explore, kick a ball, laugh and run round.

Council blog | 19 Jul 22

Clean Air Day 2022

This week across the UK a spotlight is being shone on 'Clean Air'. Causing 36,000 deaths each year and impacting every organ in our body, the argument for acting on air pollution is compelling and it is working - 82% of people now think that air pollution should be a priority in the UK.

Council blog | 15 Jun 22

Visual sense and sensitivity

As someone with high myopia who started wearing spectacles for short-sightedness from the age of 5 (prescribed by an army ophthalmologist from a Nissen hut in Aldershot, as I remember), I have always been conscious that good vision is not something to be taken for granted and impairments of vision can be part of the ageing process (as my current optometrist pessimistically reminds me on my yearly visits).

Council blog | 24 May 22

Work Match Employment Brokerage Services

With so much growth and positive change occurring in the Borough of Richmond, the Work Match team are reflecting on a successful year but, critically, seeking to highlight our offering to employers and residents looking for their next opportunity.

Council blog | 17 May 22

Lead Member for Housing, Cllr Jim Millard, gives an update on recent Housing initiatives

This borough is a great place to live and its popularity is reflected in the high cost of renting or buying a home here. That comes with challenges for us as a society and it’s in everyone’s interests for us to do what we can to make sure local people on lower incomes - including many key workers and younger and older residents - are able to stay living here as circumstances change throughout their lives, as part of a thriving and diverse community.

Council blog | 17 Mar 22

Leader of the Council - Thank you for making Richmond upon Thames the best place to live!

At this time of year, we set the Council's new budget and it’s a time when we can reflect on all the incredible things we have been able to achieve with support from you, the people who live and work in Richmond upon Thames, to make this borough fairer, safer and greener for everyone.

Council blog | 17 Mar 22

International Women's Day

8 March signals International Women’s Day – a global celebration of female success and achievements, and a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by women across the world in the march towards gender parity.

Council blog | 07 Mar 22

Fairtrade Fortnight is upon us again!

Fairtrade Fortnight takes place from 21 February to 6 March. There have been Fairtrade motions put at Council Meetings since 2005, the latest being in 2019. These have received cross-party support. As an important consumer and opinion leader we are pleased that the Council actively supports the concept of Fairtrade in the Borough through its partnerships and purchasing power. Although the Fairtrade steering group is always urging it to do more.

Council blog | 22 Feb 22

LGBT+ History Month

This month (February) sees a month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history including our history of the gay right movements in the UK. Each year has a different theme this year being Politics in Art, looking at how art has helped members of the LGBTQ+ community represent their struggles and work towards a better world.

Council blog | 15 Feb 22

Wellbeing of children and young people

This week is children’s mental health week and we are asking the people of Richmond to stop and think about the health and wellbeing of children and young people in our borough.

Council blog | 08 Feb 22

Get involved and show your support for #itsnotok

Add your voice to thousands of people across the UK saying #itsnotok this Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week.

Council blog | 01 Feb 22

Holocaust Memorial Day 2022

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), which takes place every year on 27 January, is a day of remembrance for the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Council blog | 25 Jan 22

Listening well - a skill for life

The Council's Public Health team have recently published their latest version of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), an evidence-informed assessment of the health, care and wellbeing needs of the community.

Council blog | 18 Jan 22

Leader of the Council’s end of year message

As we face another festive period where uncertainty as to what the coming weeks will bring casts a shadow over proceedings, it is only natural that our thoughts should turn to those closest to us; those still with us, and perhaps more poignantly, those we have lost.

Council blog | 21 Dec 21

Shop local this festive period

The Small Business Saturday Tour (promoting local businesses) recently visited the borough. The tour came to Twickenham on Wednesday 1 December 2021. This was the first time that the Small Business Saturday Tour ever visited the borough of Richmond upon Thames and the visit was extremely timely.

Council blog | 14 Dec 21