Latest developments digested by Tamisha Thomas
Tech City digital skills project to aid youth employment Tech City has announced new scheme running across Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham with the aim of connecting more youngsters to technology firms. The WeAreDotDotDot project, launching on 25 March, is a web platform for digital courses, apprenticeships and events, enabling users to filter their options by location, age and skills level (beginners, intermediate or advanced). To get involved, pre-register on wearedotdotdot.com
Who needs uni? The Addleshaw Goddard law firm, located in Moorgate, is one of the first in Britain to offer an apprenticeship scheme that allows students to gain qualifications up to degree level without having to attend university. The scheme, recently visited by Solicitor General Robert Buckland, enables students to be paid for completing legal tasks and working on live cases while learning the dos and don’ts of the law.
Local rapist in Britain’s top 10 ‘most wanted’ list Convicted rapist Mohammed Jahangir Alam has been added to Britain’s top 10 ‘most wanted’ list, after being on the run for five years. The 32-year-old East Londoner of Bangladeshi origin is thought to be living in Spain. In March 2010 he was convicted of rape and sexual assault and sentenced to 14 years in jail.
Healthy Eating for Ducks East London’s Regents Canal and River Lee Trust advises feeding ducks healthier snacks such as ‘oats, corn or even frozen peas’ instead of bread, in a bid to accommodate the birds’ ‘natural diet’.
GPs Go Green? Activists from the Tower Hamlets Green Party hit the streets of Whitechapel on Saturday 14 March at the start of their campaign to win two parliamentary seats at the general election on Thursday 7 May. Local Greens are backing NHS campaigners’ fight to prevent East London doctors’ surgeries closing down due to Whitehall budget cuts.
World’s largest genetics study Researchers from the East London Genes and Health Study aim to recruit up to 100,000 volunteers of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin to explore the genetic factors in harmful and potentially fatal conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. To volunteer, request a kit from genesandhealth.org .
Beginners to the battle of the bulge Banana Bytes sank their teeth into a Bromley by Bow primary school recently to encourage healthier eating amongst children. Hosted by Art Spokes Enterprise, the Japanese themed event at Marner Primary School included lessons on sushi making and how to write haiku poetry – all in a bid to reduce high levels of childhood obesity in East London.
The Blue Room: a homely route to fine dining Each weekend, Crofton Park resident Sonia Williams transforms her Lewisham home into The Blue Room – a fine dining experience with a choice of six ambitious dishes. The set menu at this homely pop-up restaurant is currently priced at £35 per person including starters, a main course, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages. The Blue Room operates a BYOB policy (bring your own booze). Diners are allowed to customise the menu as long as they email their requests in advance. Reservations: blueroom@hotmail.co.uk