Kew Liberal Democrats

11/04/2024

April is World Autism Awareness Month and I’ve been really struck recently by the number of women, in particular, who are receiving diagnoses in their 40s, 50s and 60s.

Some have told me that they “always knew I was different”. One told me that when she was little, she was convinced she was an alien from outer space because no-one could understand her.

We now know that there are many types of autism, that’s why autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.

We also now know that autism has historically been diagnosed based on the way it presents in men - not women - resulting in women and girls often being overlooked or misdiagnosed.

So it was great to meet the Women's Institute, who have launched their 'Thinking Differently: Autistic and ADHD Women and Girls’ campaign, to take action to improve the diagnosis process for women and girls ✍️

https://www.thewi.org.uk/campaigns/key-and-current-campaigns/thinking-differently

11/04/2024

Today, six months on, I am thinking of all those Israelis and Palestinians who have had their lives turned upside down by this dreadful conflict.

13/11/2022

07/07/2022

🇬🇧 The Guardian: to replace thousands of Amazon van deliveries in London.

💡 The online retailer is opening its first hub in Hackney, which will serve about a 10th of the capital’s ultra low emission zone.

"Cllr Mete Coban, Hackney council cabinet member for environment and transport, welcomed the plan. “Tackling transport emissions is key if we’re to reach net zero. We’re really pleased to have worked with Amazon to support them to take traditional vans off the streets and replace them with e-cargo bikes. This will help to reduce emissions and improve air quality for people in Hackney and beyond” "

Full story 👀⏩ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jul/04/amazon-e-cargo-bikes-deliveries-london?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other



📸 John Nguyen/PA
🚲📦 EAV

07/07/2022

Overview We are making some changes to our services in the Barnes area, on services created following the Hammersmith Bridge closure. Since the bridge reopened to pedestrians and cycle traffic last year travel patterns in the area have changed significantly, with

07/07/2022

"In the Netherlands, cargo bikes are used by everyone from plumbers and electricians to car repair technicians. Pharmacies deliver medications via cargo bike, and doctors arrive on them for home visits." - International Cargo Bike Festival founder Jos Sluijsmans in the New York Times News

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/29/climate/cargo-bike-transportation.html

30/06/2022

01/04/2022

Local heroes honoured at Community Heroes Awards

Last night, Wednesday 23 March, local individuals and groups were honoured at Richmond upon Thames’ annual Community Heroes Awards in York House.

Over 100 inspiring individuals, groups and businesses were nominated across ten categories.

The Community Heroes Awards aim to highlight those working and living in Richmond upon Thames who go above and beyond to make their communities a better place in which to live, work and learn.

Following the successive cancellations of the annual in-person ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last night’s event was the first in-person Awards held at York House since 2019.

The winners are:
Business contribution in the community
Meet & Deep Newsagents, for acting as a local hub for those who may be isolated, in need or simply looking for a friendly chat.

Community Project of the Year
Food for Thought Heathfield, for distributing surplus food from local businesses back into the community every week.

Outstanding Volunteer
Andrew White and Vincent Seabrook, both for their extensive work as peer mentors at SPEAR

Environmental Award
Jenine Langrish, for her work with local environment causes like the Making Air Safe and Clean Coalition and Richmond and Twickenham Friends of the Earth.

Community Group of the Year
Linden Hall Community Centre, for partnering with organisations and volunteers across the borough to improve lives, from reducing isolation to supporting parents and carers.

Helping Hands
Su Harper-Clarke, for bringing together local mothers during periods of lockdown through the Teddington Immunity Boost Walks, when many were struggling with pressures of home-schooling and loneliness

Trustee of the Year
Andrea Samuelson, for her work leading the Board of Trustees at local charity Small Steps

Young Person Achievement
Lydia Roebuck, for her campaign work with the Richmond and Kingston Youth Council, ensuring young people have their voices heard in the borough.

Communities Together
Crossroads Care Richmond & Kingston, for providing practical, mental and emotional support to hundreds of unpaid carers in our communities.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Alison & Kevin Sears, for over 20 years of work with organisations like the Richmond branch of the National Autistic Society and the Richmond Parent Carer Forum.

Cllr Michael Wilson, Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities & the Voluntary Sector, said:

“After so long without in-person awards ceremonies it was great to be back in York House last night for the 2022 Community Heroes’ Award ceremony.

“I was inspired by the amazing work being done by so many residents and it was wonderful that we could bring all the nominees together to show our gratitude for their continued contribution to our community. Congratulations to all this year’s nominees and thank you to all those who made submissions for their Community Heroes’.”