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TURNER ZAHRA QADIR’S KATE’S STEW PRIZE ARTIST CAMPAIGN OF CHOICE page 3 page 6 page 16 Hospital bosses quit as debt mounts

James Cracknell

TWO chiefs at the NHS trust which runs University Hospital in have announced they are quitting – days after record debt levels were revealed. Peter Morris Chief executive Peter Morris and chief nurse Kay Riley both confirmed they were leaving their roles at Barts Health NHS Trust, without elaborating on their reasons for doing so. Riley has already been replaced on an interim basis by Professor Janice Stevens, who left her role as director of Health Education England to take where money might be saved, while at up the job in East London. Morris will the same time upgrading services. continue as chief executive until his At a recent Barts Health board successor is found. meeting, a question was raised on Barts Health became the biggest whether a “surplus” part of the hospital trust in the country after Whipps Cross site might be sold off merging with Whipps Cross three for housing. Director of strategy years ago, but now also has the Frances O’Callaghan confirmed that dubious honour of posting the largest negotiations had begun and a deficit, at £93million. This figure has preferred developer had already been more than doubled in a single year. found, but could not promise that all The NHS in East London as a money raised from the scheme would whole needs to make savings of be spent on Whipps Cross. £400m over the next five years, but Nevertheless, Whipps Cross remains Barts, which runs six hospitals in the one of the most likely of the trust’s region, is likely to have to make up the hospitals to be used for “raising capital”. most. A large part of the the deficit at A Whipps Cross Improvement Barts Health is attributed to a Private Programme due to be announced by Finance Initiative (PFI) deal signed the end of March could determine long before Whipps Cross merged with the trust. The £1.2billion deal paid for the redevelopment of both Barts and Royal London hospitals, but repayments over the next 35 years could, by some estimates, eventually reach £6.5bn. Barts says it is currently paying back £30m each year, accounting for a third of its deficit, but this figure will rise with inflation. Bosses at Whipps Cross are currently awaiting the outcome of a Care Quality Commission inspection on the standards of its care, likely to be published later this spring. Whipps Cross University Hospital PLUS: Features • Interviews • Reviews • Comments and more... 2 Waltham Forest Echo Voting for social change Strong women in From the editor of Waltham Forest Echo view to the likely impact on both the existence, or significantly changed local voluntary sector and the people their ways of working, in response to who depend on our services. this challenge over the past five years. In 2010, the Coalition government Some have taken over community came to power pledging to support buildings no longer managed by the the development of a Big Society council, some have responded to that, amongst other things, would library closures by starting volunteer- transfer power to people and local run libraries, others have set up communities, and enable charities services to help people who don’t and social enterprises to play a bigger have enough food to eat. role in delivering public services. The election gives citizens the Welcome to issue four of Waltham The Big Society label is unlikely to chance to express our views on, Forest Echo. It may only be March but, be featuring prominently in any amongst other issues, the extent to as we’re a bi-monthly newspaper, this party’s 2015 manifesto but the which social needs can or should be is our pre-election issue. The Echo is challenge it set out to tackle remains. met by the state. Once it’s over, not a party political publication so the How can we meet growing social whichever parties end up forming the aim of our election coverage (see needs while (based on most parties’ government need to find better ways pages 4 and 5) is to give all candidates policies, at least) spending less to work with community groups to the chance to explain what they and government money? meet those needs the state can’t. Deborah Nash slavery, environmental disaster and their parties have to offer. While they might not regard Thank you for reading and prejudice to gain an education. As a newspaper owned by themselves as part of the Big Society contributing to issue four, please Beautifully shot in each of their community organisations, though, we agenda, many organisations in get in touch to let us know what you Local community hub and craftivist countries - Cambodia, Nepal, India, look at the looming election with a Waltham Forest have either come into make of it. – David Floyd organisation Significant Seams has Egypt, Ethiopia, Peru, Sierra Leone, teamed up with independent cinema Afghanistan and Haiti – the girls’ Stow Film Lounge to curate a series of stories were scripted by local writers films cut on a feminist bias. and intercut with statistical evidence The launch of the ‘Strong Women’ showing the importance of educating News programme on 26th February girls to effect economic and social heightened awareness of International change. Women’s Day (8th March) and the “I am a girl masked,” says Amina, Significant Seams ESL classes that from Afghanistan. “My body is a teach English as a second language resource to be spent for profit and Local residents unite to raise money complemented by a sewing activity. pleasure.” “I am a child of the dump,” The ‘Strong Women’ film series aims says another, “hunting for a glint of to raise funds through ticket sales to gold in the rot. I am a girl thrown for Syrian families support the ESL classes and Girl Rising away.” was chosen as the film to launch the As education, particularly tuition thinking about getting programme. fees and student debt, is likely to be some of my girls together Catherine West, chief executive of one of the hot topics for political and collecting loose Significant Seams, says: “The film is debate in the forthcoming General change, literally just about female access to education in a Election, it was illuminating to be whatever we could get but way that connects to our ESL reminded of its international then Zahra [Qadir] programme, however, it is also about significance, in countries where contacted me on the creativity of children, which we at millions of girls are still deprived of Facebook after I posted the Significant Seams find is often taught basic schooling. idea of a coffee morning. out of them. We spend a fair bit of Another film in the ‘Strong Her family runs the Active time telling people it’s okay not to be Women’ series, How to Make an Change Foundation and perfect. There is beauty in difference American Quilt, starring Winona she said she would give me – we call it personal style.” Ryder and Maya Angelou (shown the venue for free and it all Nick Bertram, founder of Stow 6th March) was wonderfully apt as took off from there.” Film Lounge took bookings for the Signifcant Seams is currently making evening at Orford House and in the its fifth community patchwork quilt Ozel Rowland selling cakes, candles, and cosmetics, Zahra Qadir, who helps to run the the event featured clothing and Active Change Foundation and chandeliered comfort of the green themed on the changing role of jewellery stalls, and henna artists. founded the social media campaign walled lounge, punters sat down with women. The individual patches will and Walthamstow residents There was also an auction and a raffle, #NotinMyName (see interview on reasonably priced drinks from the bar be stitched together to create a richly and small business owners came with one of the prizes posted from a page 6) said: “I thought it would be a to watch an inspiring documentary distinctive community craftwork, together as a community in February supporter in Glasgow. really good opportunity for women to showing the struggle of nine girls from unique to Walthamstow but telling a to put on a charity event raising In total, the event raised £679 and come together and to show that you different parts of the world who global story. It will go on display for more than £600 for displaced families accumulated ten boxes full of donated can donate things to Syria rather than overcome forced marriage, poverty, the E17 Art Trail. in Syria. goods – including food, medical having to go out there, because a lot of The event, which took place in a supplies, clothing and blankets – women are going out there.” hall provided for free by which will be sent to a Syrian refugee She added: “We’ve had people Road-based youth organisation, camp via the humanitarian who have contacted us because family Active Change Foundation, was organisation Buttercup Primary members have gone out to Syria and Waltham Forest Echo originally intended to be a small scale Foundation. right now that’s the worst thing you coffee morning but ultimately Event organiser, Zenhab Zafar, of can be doing. If you want to donate, flourished into a united effort Conyers Close, Higham’s Hill, first you can and help out with events like Get involved! between local female entrepreneurs proposed the idea to friends and this. You can give money where there’s Would you like to get involved in Waltham Forest Echo? We are and other local people, who donated family through her Facebook page. a hundred percent donation policy looking for writers, photographers, artists, poets, advertisers and their skills to put on a fun family event. She explained: “Originally it was and you know that’s going towards volunteers. Further details: www.walthamforestecho.co.uk Along with various businesses going to be really small, I was just food and clothing for people in Syria.” Mar / Apr 2015 Issue News 33 Turner Prize artist exhibits in Walthamstow Yinka Shonibare MBE, The William Morris Family Album, Park, a volunteer at the gallery, who 2015. Courtesy the artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London. posed as Morris’s sister Isabella, replicating a photo taken when she was in her 60s. “The whole process was really interesting – as soon as I saw the photo of Isabella, a picture of my own grandmother flashed into my mind,” says Johnsen. Jo Bounds “I wore a bustle and a corset, which I had to be fitted for, and laced into. I couldn’t breathe, but I had a lovely Waltham Forest’s arts scene boasts figure! Then the photo was taken at a new exhibition at the world- Yinka’s studio.” renowned William Morris Gallery on Zainub Chohan, a 27-year-old Forest Road. project manager from Leytonstone, Once on the brink of closure, posed as Morris’s youngest sister vociferous support from the local Alice. “I was dressed in an olive green community led to a £5m makeover jacket and skirt – I felt like I was in a and the former Morris family home period drama – it was great reopening in 2012. fun. But what I really like Now the gallery has invited about the exhibition is that Waltham Forest residents to become it uses local people. It part of its art. “We had a includes the community.” The gallery’s latest exhibition, The ‘family day’ at the Johnsen adds that it’s set William Morris Family Album, is the gallery where we to draw Arts & Crafts result of a collaboration with Turner invited people aficionados to Waltham Prize nominee and east London from the local area Forest from further afield, resident Yinka Shonibare MBE. to come and have too. “People come from all Designed to reflect the current their photograph over the world to visit the diversity of the area and celebrate taken,” says William Morris gallery, costume and textiles, the artist has Shonibare. “The especially Canada and recreated three photographs of the criteria was that they had to be from Shonibare’s interest in the Victorian Walthamstow area in the 19th century America, as William Morris is so big Morris family from the gallery’s the Walthamstow area. age and placing history in a new light. was very different from now,” he adds. over there. archive. “The turn out was very good – “William Morris was a socialist “William Morris himself was against “The exhibition is great because it’s Featuring 12 local people wearing about 100 people came. I then chose and believed in equality,” says the alienation created by the Victorian so representative of the area - it gives Victorian outfits, the sitters, aged from the sitters from their photographs. I Shonibare. “I felt that by inviting local industrial period and he very much everyone even more reason to come five to 60, all responded to a request wanted a range of ethnicity so I chose people to recreate his family album we wanted to return to the idea of to the gallery and Waltham Forest.” by the gallery to turn up and be them for diversity.” would be doing something in the societies and communities.” Yinka Shonibare: The William photographed, before seeing if they The exhibition links William spirit of William Morris’ character.” One of Shonibare’s subjects was Morris Family Album runs until 7 fitted with the artist’s vision. Morris’s belief in equality with “The population of the Anne-Lise Johnsen from Highams June 2015, visit wmgallery.org.uk. 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Ashley Gunstock – Green Anne Crook – Liberal Democrats Bilal Mahmood – Labour Rebecca Tully – Green Freddy Vachha – UKIP X marks the spot he upcoming general the Homes for Britain Campaign. the wonderful William Morris Gallery. bought as ‘investment spaces’, the BM: Capping energy bills, reducing election in May is Economy – Continue to campaign, Lisa McKenzie (LM) – Class War: Tories’ benefit cap and lack of council the tax rates at the lower threshold, likely to be the most via our anti-austerity and taxation The strong working class people who housing means the homes crisis is at building more homes and complicated and policies, for a better way of conducting live under the incredibly difficult breaking point. campaigning for the living wage. unpredictable in living how we go about our business. conditions of having to cope with a Making sure the NHS is properly memory.T Voters in Waltham Forest’s Conservative Member of Parliament BM: We have the highest proportion staffed, and local businesses thrive three constituencies are faced with a How do you know, or find out who has introduced the cruel and of people in London earning less than also helps. The Council and local choice of candidates from at least five about, what is important to local vicious cuts to the welfare state. the living wage (just under 50%). The volunteers obtained parties who may play a role in or people? dated image of a leafy, Essex county £100,000 for shop fronts, which is a supporting the next government, AG: Word of mouth and the local Bilal Mahmood (BM) – Labour: hides the desperate plight of many great start. along with a range of candidates from media. I am often contacted by Where else can you sail and be 20 residents. It’s one sign that the middle smaller parties. residents – who pass on information minutes from central London! class has been squeezed by this RT: A Tax Dodging Bill in the first 100 In a bid to help readers understand or need help – and the media in the Growing up in , I’ve Tory/LibDem Government. days. Crack down on tax havens. the choices on offer, the Echo area, to give my opinion on a wide seen it become a diverse and active Caroline Lucas has called for a Fair contacted all candidates listed as range of issues. community, with residents being RT: Many are contacting me about Tax Mark. Locally: new leisure standing in the Leyton and Wanstead, recognised for their spirit and tax – angry the government hasn’t services to include ALL needs. This and Woodford Green and What would a government led creativity. It’s an area that feels like it acted to stop evasion. It just doesn’t connects to wider changes: a health Walthamstow constituencies and by your party do for the could be the next big thing in London. feel like a level playing field for small service free at point of delivery, no asked them to answer the same series voluntary sector? enterprises, when so many provide internal markets or creeping of questions. AG: Implement and enforce laws, to Rebecca Tully (RT) – Green: The jobs in the area. Another big one is the privatisation. Not all candidates had responded ensure that those volunteering their many green spaces and amazing views NHS; maintaining standards of care by our print deadline but we have services are not taken advantage of – my favourite being Organiclea’s in a climate of such massive cuts. FV – When a bathtub is overflowing, printed responses from those who and are at least reimbursed for any Hawkwood near Pole Hill. The the first thing to do is to turn off the did. If we receive further responses, expenses which may be incurred. volunteers and amazing veg are proof FV – The pressure on local services tap. Somehow, the other parties they will be added to the online that we can create food, jobs, leisure and housing, mainly caused by mass haven't managed to grasp this. Fix uncontrolled immigration. We have version of this feature. Quickfire questions: and learning right here in our uncontrolled mass immigration Austerity – Yes/No: AG –No constituency – and not a punitive only to look south from Chingford exacerbated by a benefits system that Mini-Holland – Yes/No: AG – Yes measure in sight. And they have a to see the enormous menace pays out to newcomers almost More council housing Yes/No: tyre swing! heading our way, with construction immediately and irrespective of LEYTON AND AG – Yes cranes everywhere in Walthamstow. contribution and the issues vanish. EU – In/Out: AG – Out Freddy Vachha (FV) – UK So great is the pressure, and contrary WANSTEAD Independence Party: For me, the to propaganda spread by other How do you know, or find out Also standing: combination of our beautiful forest parties, that even parts of our forest about, what is important to local What is the best thing about and accessibility to central London are under threat. people? John Cryer MP – Labour Leyton & Wanstead? were the clinching factors. It still is a AC: As I have lived in the area for over Martin Levin – UKIP Ashley Gunstock (AG) – Green: bit like a village, which was how my What will you or your party do thirty years I know many local people Carl Quilliam – Liberal Democrat What impresses me most about the gran (born 1899) remembered it. to tackle these issues? and the issues that concern them. I Matthew Scott – Conservative constituency is its diversity, vibrancy AC: Liberal Democrats have worked have worked as a teacher in local and general community spirit. What issues do you think are the hard in government to tackle the schools and met many parents. I have most important to people in the housing crisis. By May 2015 we will also worked as a Volunteer Adviser at What issues do you think are the constituency? have built 170,000 new social & CAB helping people with their most important to the people in CHINGFORD & AC: The issues that I think are the affordable homes. We have set out problems. the constituency? WOODFORD GREEN most important are housing, the lack plans to build 275,000 more affordable AG: The NHS, Housing and The of affordable social housing and the homes by 2020. Liberal Democrats LM: The only local people I am Economy What is the best thing about high cost of renting property, the cost pledge to create a better deal for low- interested in are working class people, Chingford & Wood Green? and overcrowding on public income energy consumers. the people that the Tories despise and What will you or your party do Anne Crook (AC) – Liberal Democrats: transport and the high cost of gas & Labour have let down. I’ll be in the to tackle these issues? Woodford Green is my home and I electricity. LM: We will compulsory purchase pubs and on the council estates AG: NHS – Continue to push for enjoy its proximity to London plus its empty properties from landlords at talking to the people that our system better funding, especially via the open green spaces adjacent to Epping LM: Like the whole of London, the the same rates our local councils are ignores. Campaign for the NHS Forest. I lived and worked in key issue is housing and homes crisis. selling off publicly-owned land and Reinstatement Bill 2015. Housing – Walthamstow in the 1970s and the best I say homes rather than housing property to the private sector. That is BM: Living locally! We do our Continue to insist on the need for things were its diverse and vibrant because London has thousands of rock bottom; some of our land has shopping in the constituency; it’s a more affordable housing and support community, its mile long market and empty properties that have been been given away, and sold for £1. great way to get a sense of the IssueMar / OneApr 2015– Summer Issue 2014 Comment 55

Lisa McKenzie – Class War Michael Gold – Green Molly Samuel-Leport – Conservative Stella Creasy – Labour Waltham Forest’s 2015 General Election candidates map out their vision for the political future community. I recently introduced year because we recognise the advice, cheeky and opinionated and it’s a housing; repealing the health & social gagging law and making it easier to myself to a local mums and toddler’s support and enthusiasm the sector privilege to work for and with them. care act; improving access to GPs; work with the public sector. I think it group on Facebook asking to hear can give to public services. investing in schools and more spaces is really important to value the sector their views on childcare. I’ve had to Michael Gold (MG) – Green: There for growing numbers of students; for its unique contributions. arrange three separate meetings to RT: It will be relieved of the huge is a cosmopolitan population and a providing more business education meet demand. pressure it is under now by, for mixture of cultures especially for food for young entrepreneurs. MG: The voluntary sector is under example, welfare payments paid to in the shops, market and restaurants. tremendous pressure to provide a RT: I live here, volunteer here, and terminally ill people WITHOUT Good transport connections benefit MG: Cease all privatisation of the safety net for increasing numbers work with other community groups sanction; real affordable housing so those that live here and those that NHS. Restore rent control and of people as government turns its here that use the services we all care that homeless charities don’t have to come for the vibrant art, cultural and security of tenure and abolish tax relief back on them. Measures on housing about. I am also (with an ace little pick up the pieces; and inspiring political scene. for buy-to-rent landlords. Abolish and wages would take away some of team – get in touch if you want to join volunteer programmes not being zero hours contracts and bring in a this need. it!) visiting as many residents as undermined by involuntary, Molly Samuel-Leport (M S-L) – living wage of £10 per hour by 2020. M S-L: We’re making it easier to give possible to research specific issues we unsuccessful work programmes. Conservative: The best thing about money to charities so they can help can support. Walthamstow is the people. They’re M S-L: I will work closely with the more people through employer FV – UKIP is the only major party friendly, tolerant and proud of their Safer Neighbourhood Board to payrolls & match funding. We’re FV – I moved to this borough in the with policies giving real power to the community. Walthamstow is engage community organisations that investing around £470 million to summer of 1981. I have lived in people. On any local issue about fantastically located and has plenty of work with disaffected groups. We will directly support charities and Chingford itself for 30 years, and which there is sufficient interest, a transport options for hardworking invest £18bn for new school buildings voluntary groups. We’re making it raised a family here. Unlike my UKIP government will itself pay to Londoners. It’s no surprise that more nationally. We will continue with our easier for charities to offer services to opponents, who have to rely on carry out a local referendum, whose and more people are discovering just long-term economic plan for growth the Government by opening up pollsters and spin, I just listen to what results will be binding in law. how great Walthamstow is. & jobs that has seen 1,435 fewer government procurement. neighbours, friends and people on the Voluntary sector, think what that people in Walthamstow claiming street say to me. means! What issues do you think are the unemployment benefit. Quickfire questions: most important to the people in Austerity – Yes/No: MG – No; M What would a government led Quickfire questions: Walthamstow? How do you know, or find out S-L– Continue to reduce our deficit by your party do for the Austerity – Yes/No: AC – No; SC: At the moment the most about, what is important to local so we can safeguard our economy & voluntary sector? LM: No!; BM: No; RT – No!; FV – important issues are personal and people? invest in frontline public services AC: Liberal Democrats admire the Yes household debt, housing, healthcare SC: I have lived here for 18 years and Mini-Holland – Yes/No: MG