Injections vs Infections In the March 2020 issue, COVID-19 received a small write-up in the news pages as we watched and waited to see what impact this new virus would have on our lives. A few weeks after that issue hit doorsteps, we were in our first full scale national lockdown. As we go to press, the country is starting to look forward to emerging from our third national lockdown. As plans are set out to restart the country, there is hope (page 18). The race between the vaccines and the virus continues and I am cautiously optimistic that there are better times ahead. By testing and vaccinating, we should be able to learn to live a more normal life as the virus will not simply disappear. More than 20 million people have been vaccinated against COVID so far in the UK with lifesaving antibodies now acting as a protective shield against the worst effects of the virus. I know that in Brent there is a thirst for knowledge about the vaccines. On page 20, we answer some of the most pressing questions attendees have asked in the series of webinars we organised with doctors and community leaders. More than 2,000 people dialled into those webinars and confidence is growing. I hope that these answers will help you to make the right decision for you and your family. Most of us have had to change the way we work, live and play in the past year. On page 24, we find out how Brent Music Service has adapted to the challenges that COVID-19 has presented. In Brent I’m proud to see so many mutual aid groups spring up to support those who need it. On page 22, you can read about the friendly phone calls many groups are running to help support those who are lonely. I, like you, am keen to get back to a more normal way of life. We will get there, but only if we support each other and follow the rules. So please do protect yourself and your loved ones by doing the right thing and following the current guidelines. Cllr Muhammed Butt Leader of Brent Council
Kilburn’s Kiln wins Theatre of the Year Award Kilburn’s Kiln Theatre has been recognised nationally as London Theatre of the Year by The Stage Awards, the highest profile theatre awards in the UK. This year’s winners were chosen for the achievements and impact in response to the pandemic in what has been one of the most challenging 12 months for the theatre industry. Kiln Theatre partnered with charity Food for All, to provide free meals once a week to local people in need, produced two online productions, launched its Young Writers Programme for young Brent residents who had never written for theatre before and continued their Minding the Gap project, supporting young people newly arrived in the UK to develop language skills and confidence through drama. Find out what’s on at the Kiln at www.kilntheatre.com.
Indhu Rubasingham, Artistic Director at the Kiln Theatre
The Kiln Theatre in Kilburn High Road
Advice Line goes borough-wide The Brent Health Matters programme has already led to some great examples of acting on feedback from the community, including the launch of a health and wellbeing telephone advice line. Initially just for a part of the borough, the advice line is now available to all Brent residents with questions about their health or wellbeing. Operated by local NHS staff, the telephone line allows you to ask any non-clinical questions about health and social care. You will then be helped to access the right services. You can also receive advice on how
to better manage your health conditions. Call the Advice Line on 020 3114 7185, 10am to 3pm, Monday-Friday.
