Section one : Accessing sport and Leisure Facilities

Using WalthamForest Swimming pools and Gym facilities in leisure centres:

WalthamForest leisure centres provide free swimming to disabled residents in the borough’s as well as to those over 60 residents or are under 18 years of age

Free swimming for borough residents - under18s and over 60s and People with Disabilities

Borough residents who are disabled are entitled to free swimming at any time . To take advantage of this residents must apply for a pay and play card which costs £6.90 per annum . You will need to bring proof of your disability ( for eg Freedom pass /Disability Allowance or Personal independence award letter ) as well as letters showing your proof of residence

Borough residents over 60 are entitled to free swimming at anytime. To take advantage of this, residents must apply for a pay and play card, whichcosts £6.90 per annum.You will need to bring alongproofof age and address.

Borough residents under 18 can swim for free at anytime at all WalthamForest leisure centres (see contact information above). To take advantage of this offer simply visit yourlocal leisure centre and register for just £1.

All the leisure centres offer a range of activities across various sites and there has never been a better time to try out the many sports and facilities on offer close to where you live.

Cathall Leisure Centre

Cathall Road, LeytonstoneE11 4LA
Tel: 020 8539 8343

Cathall Leisure Centreis now closed forrefurbishmentandwill reopenSummer 2014.

During the refurbishment the gym has been temporarily relocatedto the first floor of Harrow Green Library E11 4LF.

View all activities at this leisure centre :

Larkswood Leisure Centre

LarkswoodLeisurePark, New Road, Chingford E4 9EY
Tel: 020 8523 8215

View all activities at this leisure centre. -leisure-centre

Leyton Leisure Centre (previously know as Leyton Leisure Lagoon)

Leyton Leisure Centre re-opened on Monday 28October 2013followingits fanstastic transformation that includes: new 25m pool, teaching pool, water flume and play features, new, reception, changing rooms and two studios.

763 High Road, LeytonE10 5AB
Tel: 020 8558 8858

View all activities at this leisure centre. leisure-lagoon

Leyton Gym (formerly know as Plumtree Studios)

This new facility boasts a 70-station gym, cardio and resistance equipment and a spacious free weights area.

787 High Road, LeytonE10 7AA
Tel: 020 8558 6084

View all activities at this leisure centre leisure-lagoon

Walthamstow Leisure Centre (formerly known as Kelmscott Leisure Centre)

Markhouse Road, WalthamstowE17 8RN
Tel: 020 8520 7464

The centre has undergone a major redevelopment and now boasts a new reception area, new gym equipment, refurbished changing rooms and toilets.

View all activities at this leisure centre. -leisure-centre

WalthamForest Pool and Track

Chingford Road, WalthamstowE17 5AA
Tel: 020 8527 5431

Acomplete rebuild of Waltham Forest Pool and Track will commence in the Summer 2014. More information to follow.

View all activities at this leisure centre

2) How to access the “coping through football services”

Coping Through Football is a project that seeks engage with and improve the wellbeing of young to mid life adults who have enduring mental illness by assisting in the recovery of those with mental illness

The aim is to use the football experience to get fitter, increase levels of self-esteem and confidence, make new friends and ultimately to help people get their lives back on track. It is not so much a football project but a social inclusion project that uses football as a tool to engage people who have experienced mental health problems. Most of the projects players have experienced social exclusion, unemployment, poor physical and mental health and lack a social network or support and Coping Through Football sets out to address these issues.

The project has been extremely successful in helping players to turn around their lives around and to live more independently. It has been recognised by the Department of Health as a model of best practice in the recovery of people with long term mental health problems and the goal is to increase the number of people who benefit.

There are many success stories, players attend the project for a variety of reasons and want to achieve a variety of goals depending on the individual. Most want to improve their fitness and health, make more friends, improve their football skills or achieve a vocational goal.

What we do - Football Sessions:

We provide two football sessions per week, one in the centre and one in the south of the borough of WalthamForest:

Tuesday 2 – 4pm

Douglas Eyre Sports Centre

Coppermill Lane

Walthamstow

Bing Map Link

Thursday 2 – 4pm

The Score Centre

100 Oliver Road

Leyton

Bing Map Link

How do I get involved?

There is a short referral form to complete which can bedownloadedfrom http: , this can be completed by a health care worker involved in your care, if you do not have one you can contact Sonia Smith for further information on 0300 555 1266. There is no waiting list or cost involved so providing that you have no current health risks you can start attending as soon as you have been assessed.

We accept referrals from within WalthamForest primary and secondary mental health and drug and alcohol services.

If you do not want to start playing in the session straight away you can come and watch, socialise or attend our social activities such as going to watch Leyton Orient FC play for free.

Social Inclusion

Whilst the main activity is football, the real goal is about social inclusion as many of our players have experienced discrimination, unemployment, poor physical and mental health and a lack of social networks and support. Participants attending the sessions feel a real sense of belonging and self worth and this helps in their road to recovery.

Case Studies

We have had many success stories, our players attend the project for a variety of reasons and want to achieve a variety of goals depending on the individual. Most want to improve their fitness and health, make more friends, improve their football skills or achieve a vocational goal.

3) Join a walking group : “WalthamForest: Walk Yourself Fit”

About us

Our health walks are to encourage people to take part in exercise on a regular basis. We are in the process of adding more walks on different days across the borough, eventually giving people the opportunity to walk on any day of the week and as regularly as they wish to.

Our walks

LangthgornePark walk, every Wednesday 11.00am, meet at the park pavilion, Birch Grove, Leytonstone, London E114YG.

Larkswood walk, every Monday 11.00 am. Meet in reception area at Larkswood Leisure centre, New Rd, Chingford E49EY

Cathall Leisure Centre, every Thursday 2.00 pm, meet in reception area. Cathall Rd E114LA

Leyton Leisure Lagoon, every Wednesday 11.00 am, meet in reception area, High Rd E105AB

Kelmscott Leisure Centre, every Thursday 11.00 am, meet in reception area, Markhouse Rd E178RN

WF Pool and Track, every Tuesday 2.00 pm, meet in reception area, Chingford Rd E175AA

Contact us

Steve Embleton
Sports Development Officer
0208 496 3693

4) Accessing Table Tennis clubs in WalthamForest

1) The Heathcote Table Tennis Club,

is an Equal Opportunities club which welcomes everyone, regardless of gender, colour, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability.A friendly club open all year round looking to invite along anyone interested in playing table tennis from beginner to league players. Bats and balls can be provided along with some informal coaching. We are based at

St Edmund's Church Hall,

216 Chingford Mount Rd,

Chingford Mount,

London, E4 8JL

To get in touch, contact Fred Alldrittas follows:

Email:

Phone: 020 8524 3718 or 077198 75880

Or just turn up at the club in person duringopening hours

  • Sunday 17:00 - 21:00
  • Monday 19.45- 23:00
  • Tuesday19.45 - 23:00
  • Closed Bank Holiday Mondays.

2) YMCA Table Tennis
642 Forest Road
WalthamstowE17 3EF
Saturday
10.00am – 1.30pm
Contact 020 8509 4600
Email
Website forestymca.org.uk
3) LeytonCollege Table Tennis Club
LeytonSixthFormCollege
100 Essex Road
Leyton
E10 6EG
Wednesday
8.00pm-10.00pm
Contact 020 8555 6357
Email

4)Table Tennis club :

Forest Community Centre

Guildford road

Walthamstow

London E17

Meets every Wednesday 8-10 pm –

New members welcome details : Ray Massey – 0208 524 4289

5) Accessing Pool Halls in WalthamForest

Embassy Snooker & Social Club

2-4 High Street, Walthamstow, WalthamForest, London E17 7LD

Category:Snooker, Billiards & Pool Halls

Contact details0208 5202414

Rileys Snooker Club

Hoe Street, Walthamstow, WalthamForest, London E17 4SD

Category:Snooker, Billiards & Pool Halls

Contact details0208 5208601

Wanstead Snooker Centre

157 High Street, Wanstead, Leytonstone, WalthamForest, London E11 2RL

Category:Snooker, Billiards & Pool Halls

Contact details: 0208 9894384

Pockets

619 High Road, Leytonstone, WalthamForest, London E11 4PA

Category:Snooker, Billiards & Pool Halls

Contact details0208 5393437

Frames Pool Club

74 St James's Street, Walthamstow, WalthamForest, London E17 7PE

Category:Snooker, Billiards & Pool Halls

Contact details0208 5213565

K J

74 St. James's Street, Walthamstow, WalthamForest, London E17 7PE

Category:Snooker, Billiards & Pool Halls

Contact details0208 5215554

Yates's Snooker Club

164 Railway Arches, Midland Road, Leyton, WalthamForest, London E10 6JT

Category:Snooker, Billiards & Pool Halls

Contact details0208 5566455

7) Accessing Outdoor Bowling clubs in WalthamForest

Silverthorne Bowls Club
Contact 020 8531 6619
Email
/ Inks Green
Ropers Avenue
Essex
E4 9EJ / Outdoor Bowling
(April to September)
Indoor Bowling (October to March)
Wadham Bowling Club
Contact 020 8527 9611
Email / Wadham Lodge
Kitchener Road
E17 4JP / Outdoor Bowling
(April to September)
Indoor Bowling (October to March)
Walthamstow Borough Bowls Club
Contact 020 8531 2200 / Lloyd Park
Forest Road
Walthamstow
E17 / Outdoor Bowling
(April to September)
Indoor Bowling (October to March)

Section two: Cinemas and Theatres near WalthamForest

Concessionary Cinema tickets if you are on DLA /Cinemas near WalthamForest

If you suffer from either physical or mental health problems and are receiving - Disability Allowance / Personal Independence payments or Attendance allowance you may be able to get 2 tickets for the price of one to allow a friend /companion /carer to support and accompany you on a trip to the cinema . Please note you do not have to have a physical health problem to qualify for a card that will give this concession– if you have a mental illness and get DLA you will also be eligible

Full details can be obtained The Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card Website.( ) The CEA are responsible for issuing is a national card that can be used to verify that the holder is entitled to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema. Terms and Conditions of use apply which can be downloaded byclicking here. Or go to .( )

The card is valid for 1 year from the date of issue for cards issued since March 2009.

Printed application forms are available from cinemas across the UK supporting this card.
You candownload an application form to print out or go to .( ) and fill in.
We are unable to provide application forms by post.

To apply for the card you will need submit proof to show that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

a) Be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or Armed Forces Independence Payment.
b) Be a registered blind person.

You will also need to supply a passport-sized photo with your application to appear on the card.

A processing fee of £5.50 is chargeable per card. This is to be sent along with the completed application.

If you wish to search for participating cinemas pleaseclick here.(. )

For information and frequently asked questions about the scheme pleaseclick here. .( )
.

If you have any difficulty, please contact CEA us at the address below:

The Card Network
Network House
St Ives Way
Sandycroft
CH5 2QS

Tel: 0845 123 1292
Fax: 0845 123 1296

Minicom / Text phone: 0845 123 1297

Cinemas near WalthamForest

Stratford picture House

Salway road

Stratford Centre ( close to Stratford Theatre )

E15 1BX

Tel 0871 902 5740

South woodford Odeon

60/64 High road

South Woodford

Tel 0871 22 44 007

Cinema Club in WalthamForest : Mcguffin Film and TV Society

Run various screenings for film buffs throughout the year as well as other events for eg Film quiz @ 8pm on the first Saturday of the month at the Rose and Crown 55 Hoe street Walthamstow E17 – Full details

Visit :

Email :

Write to McGuffin Club

c/o 458 Hoe street

Walthamstow E17 9AH ( enclose SAE)

Section Three – Libraries and Museums in WalthamForest

Using libraries in WalthamForest

Libraries are much more than a place where books are stored. They provide everyone with access to knowledge, culture and information. They are an ideal place to study or relax. They offer a wide range of books, free Internet access, and free WiFi (Walthamstow, Leytonstone, Hale End and North Chingford, Leyton and LeaBridge libraries) access.

There are 8 libraries in WalthamForest.

Library Plus libraries

The 'Library Plus' libraries are open 7 days a week. As well as offering books and free internet access, visitors can make enquiries about Council services. Housing and Benefits advice will be available through pre-booked appointments.

The opening hours, address and contact information together with regular activities can be found on the following links:

  • Leyton Library
  • Leytonstone Library
  • North Chingford Library
  • Walthamstow Library

Library Local libraries

The ‘Library Local’ branches are open for 30 hours a week and offer a wide range of books and free Internet access.

The opening hours, address and contact information together with regular activities can be found on the following links:

  • Hale End Library
  • Higham Hill Library
  • Lea Bridge Library
  • Wood Street Library

Library Opening hours

Hale End Library

Castle Avenue, Highams ParkE4 9QD

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am–6pm

Saturday: 10am–4pm

Higham Hill Library

North Countess Road, WalthamstowE17 5HS

Monday, Thursday, Friday: 10am–6pm

Saturday: 10am–4pm

LeaBridge Library

Lea Bridge Road, LeytonE10 7HU

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am–6pm

Saturday: 10am–4pm

Leytonstone Library

6 Church Lane, Leytonstone E11 1HG

Monday–Friday: 9am–7pm

Saturday: 9am–6pm

Sunday: 12–4pm

North Chingford Library

The Green, Chingford E4 7EN

Monday–Friday: 9am–7pm

Saturday: 9am–6pm

Sunday: 12–4pm

Walthamstow Library High StreetWalthamstowE17 7JN

Monday–Friday: 9am–7pm

Saturday: 9am–6pm

Sunday: 10am–4pm

Wood Street Library

Forest Road, WalthamstowE17 4AA

Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 10am–6pm

Saturday: 10am–4pm

Sidmouth House (January only)

25 Sidmouth Road, LeytonE10 5QZ

Monday–Friday: 4.30–7pm

Saturday: 9am–6pm

Sunday: 12–4pm

Leyton Youth Centre (January only)

Crawley Road, LeytonE10 6PY

Monday–Friday: 9am–7pm

Saturday: 9am–6pm

Sunday: 12–4pm

Leyton Library (From March 2014)

High Road, Leyton E10 5QH

Monday–Friday: 9am–7pm

Saturday: 9am–6pm

Follow us on Twitter @wflibs Sunday: 12–4pm

Computer and Internet access

Computer hire

Use of computers is free in all WalthamForest libraries:

  • Free Internet access at all our libraries opening a gateway to the world of online information at even our smallest branch
  • Computer hire is available at all our libraries giving you access to Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint
  • Libraries operate a booking system and computers may be booked by the hour. Contact your local library for available time slots
  • Online Resourcesaccess to a wide range of online resources for both information and education. Titles include Know UK, Newsbank - full text of 12 daily newspapers and Encyclopaedia Britannica

Free WiFi hotspots at the library

Free wireless hotspots are a fast, reliable wireless broadband connection to the internet is available for everyone to use throughout the library. All you need to use the service is a laptop, PDA or mobile phone with built in WLAN capability or an added WiFi card.

WiFi is available at:

  • Walthamstow Library
  • Leytonstone Library
  • Leyton Library
  • Lea Bridge Library
  • Hale End Library
  • North Chingford Library

How do I use the WiFi access at the library?

Step 1: What you need

You will need a laptop, PDA or mobile phone with built in WLAN capability such as Intel Centrino or an added WiFi card. We support Windows, Macintosh and other operating systems.

Step 2: Get connected

Launch your browser, insert any web address and you will be automatically directed to the Waltham Forest Libraries wireless homepage.

Step 3: Login

Complete the online registration form and you will be issued with a username and password which you will be able to use to login straight away.

Help?

An information sheet is available at the library counter providing details for accessing the wireless internet.

For information and frequently asked questions about the scheme pleaseclick here. .( )
.

Section Four : Volunteering opportunities

1)Waltham Forest Voluntary action- Volunteering in WF

Mainstream service to help people access volunteering opportunities in WalthamForest.

Eligibility criteria : Maintream volunteering service for anyone ready to access volunteering opportunities

Referral Process and contact info

Resource Hub ( central) 1 Russell road Leyton E10 7ES

Tel : 0208 558 3614 Email : Website

2) – National volunteer database

A national database providing a mainstream on line service to help people access volunteering opportunities nationally

Eligibility criteria : Dependant on skills required for individual volunteer role advertised

Referral Process /contact info : Apply on the do it online website or alternatively via direct contact with organisation offering volunteer role . Website :

3) Forest Recycling Project – Volunteers

Offers volunteering in “Green office”: Paper collection/sorting/delivery /shredding. “Organic clear” : Horticultural volunteer roles . “Paint shop”: Paint collection sorting/mixing sales “Re-use IT” computer refurbishment /data removal/hardware check.

Eligibility – none stated but publicity indicates they are keen on offering supported volunteering opportunities to people with disabilities including mental illness

Referral process contact info; FRP 2 Bakers AveWalthamstowE17 9AW

Tel: 0208 539 3856 Website :

4) Hornbeam Centre – Eco Volunteering