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Answer:

This year, Bangladesh and the Bengali diaspora in the UK are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's independence. The celebration starts on 26 March 2021 and ends on 26 March 2022.

1947 Partition of British India 

In 1947, partition gave way to two new states. These were India, with a Hindu majority population and Pakistan, with a Muslim majority population. Pakistan is comprised of two distinct areas, separated both culturally, and geographically. India filled the thousand miles of land between these two regions. Political power was concentrated in West Pakistan, which led to grievances in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

1947 – 1971 Pakistan period - Bengali language movement

In 1948, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan's Governor-General, declared that "Urdu, and only Urdu" would be Pakistan's state language. This decision was unacceptable to Bengalis and led to birth of the language movement. Urdu was hardly spoken by anybody in the East.  The decision led to protests. On 20 February 1952, the Pakistani Government issued Section 144, restricting gatherings and rallies.

21 February 1952 – Martyrs’ DayMartyrs’ Day gathering (laying wreaths) by young people at Altab Ali Park, Shahid Minar. Credit: Ansar Ahmed Ullah/ Swadhinata Trust

On 21 February, Bengali students gathered, defying Section 144. The police opened fire, killing four students, one other person and injuring many. The language movement led to the realisation that the Bengalis constituted a separate nation. Their destiny lay not with Pakistan but elsewhere as an independent country.

Abdul Gaffer Choudhury

Abdul Gaffar Choudhury, journalist and Freeman of Tower Hamlets, wrote the well-known Martyr’s Day song Amar bhaier rokte rangano Ekushe February.

Shahid Minar in Altab Ali Park

The Shahid Minar in Altab Ali Park was erected in 1999 through a partnership between the local Bengali community and Tower Hamlets Council. It was funded by contributions from 54 local Bangladeshi community organisations. The calls from community leaders prompted the council to allocate space within the park to accommodate the memorial monument.

In the same year, UNESCO recognised the Bengali language movement, declaring 21 February as International Mother Language Day. This is now a day observed globally in recognition of the martyrs and to preserve linguistic diversity.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Credit: Photographer Abul Lais Shyamal/Swadhinata TrustBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – independence leader (1920–1975)

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman challenged the disparity between the regions. He demanded self-autonomy for East Pakistan.

In 1969, at a million strong public rally in Dhaka, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was given the affectionate title of Bangabandhu. This means friend of Bengal.

In the 1970s general election his political party, Awami League, won a landslide victory. The ruling elite in West Pakistan refused to allow Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to form a government. In protest Bangabandhu initiated the non-cooperation movement against Pakistani rule in 1971.

7 March 1971 speech

Bangabandhu School Credit: Kois MiahOn 7 March 1971, as the military and the West's political leadership was conspiring not to hand over power to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he delivered a fiery speech at the Racecourse Ground against the ruling elite. He urged ‘his people’ to turn every house into a fort of resistance. He closed his speech by saying,

"Our struggle is for our freedom; our struggle is for our independence. Joi Bangla!"

This powerful speech inspired the Bengali nation to fight for its independence. In 2016 the speech was recognised by UNESCO and archived in its Memory of the World Programme.

In Tower Hamlets, a school in Bethnal Green, Bangabandhu Primary, is named in his honour.  The ‘7 March Foundation’ was set up in 2018 to propagate Bangabandhu’s ideals.

This year Bangladesh is also observing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 100 birth anniversary.

25 March 1971 - Genocide Day

On the night of 25 March, the Pakistani military began a violent crackdown to suppress the Bengali opposition. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested and taken to West Pakistan. British journalist Simon Dring, in hiding, reported a massacre unfolding.

26 March 1971 - Declaration of independence

Before his arrest, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called upon his people to resist Pakistani forces of occupation in a declaration that read,

“This may be my last message, from today Bangladesh is independent. I call upon the people of Bangladesh wherever you might be and with whatever you have, to resist the army of occupation to the last. Your fight must go on until the last soldier of the Pakistan occupation army is expelled from the soil of Bangladesh and final victory is achieved.”

This declaration of independence marks the beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War and is observed as Bangladesh Independence Day.

10 April 1971 - A government in exile

Following the Pakistani military crackdown, Awami League leaders crossed over to India for safety. On 10 April, the People's Republic of Bangladesh Government, was formed in exile with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman as the President and Tajuddin Ahmed as the Prime Minister.

Colonel MAG Osmani, Commander-in-chief of Bangladesh Forces Credit: Abul Lais Shyamal/Swadhinata Trust26 March 1971 – 16 December 1971, The Liberation War of Bangladesh

There were spontaneous uprisings throughout Bangladesh following the declaration of independence on 26 March 1971. On 12 April 1971, Colonel MAG Osmani was appointed Commander-in-chief of Bangladesh Forces known as the Mukti Bahini. In addition to Mukti Bahini, guerrilla groups led by individual leaders successfully controlled some areas within Bangladesh.

 In a tribute to Colonel MAG Osmani, there are four organisations named after him:

  • Osmani Primary School in Vallance Road
  • A community venue, Osmani Centre in Underwood Road
  • A dance music outfit Osmani Soundz
  • Bongobir Osmany Trust, a community organisation.

16 December 1971 - Victory Day

On 21 November 1971, Bangladesh Muktu Bahini and the Indian forces formed an Allied Command and went on to defeat the West Pakistani army. The resulting surrender was the largest in the number of prisoners of war since World War II. Victory against Pakistan was declared on 16 December 1971.

Genocide in Bangladesh

During the war, there were widespread killings and other atrocities carried out by the Pakistan military. Bangladesh authorities state that three million people were killed. Bangladeshi sources cite a figure of over 200,000 women killed, tortured and/or raped, giving birth to thousands of war babies.

On 16 December 2002, George Washington University's National Security Archive published declassified communications between US embassy officials, the United States Information Service centers and officials in Washington DC. These documents show that US officials working in diplomatic institutions used the terms selective genocide and genocide to describe events at the time.

Refugees

There was an internal displacement of 30 million civilians within Bangladesh, with a further 10 million people fleeing the country to seek safety in neighbouring India.

14 December 1971– Martyred Intellectuals Day

On 14 December 1971, just two days before the surrender, the Pakistan Army and local Razakar militia (collaborators) abducted and murdered hundreds of Bengali intellectuals. 14 December is observed as Martyred Intellectuals Day.

8London, England, 8 January 1972, Bangladesh leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (right) is greeted by British Prime Minister Edward Heath as he arrives at 10 Downing Street for talks. Credit: © Popperfoto /Getty Images January 1972 - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s release

Following Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s release from Pakistan, he came to London on 8 January 1972. In London, he was warmly greeted by the British Prime Minister Edward Heath and Labour leader Harold Wilson.

4 February 1972 - The UK recognises Bangladesh

On 4 February 1972, the UK officially recognised Bangladesh. This led to recognition from other European and Commonwealth nations and Bangladesh's induction into the Commonwealth on 18 April 1972.

Researched and compiled by the Swadhinata Trust

The Swadhinata Trust is a Tower Hamlets based, non-partisan, secular Bengali heritage organisation. It was established to raise awareness about Bengali history, culture and heritage. It has created resources for the British Bengali and wider communities in the fields of education, research and the creative arts.

Answer:

P&C research in Tower Hamlets can be independently funded through a grant, internally funded by an organisation, or a P&C research team can be commissioned by an organisation to undertake a research project on their behalf. Examples of these different approaches are described below:

• Independently funded: A research organisation secures funding for P&C research it wishes to undertake and then uses the research findings to develop recommendations for policymakers they wish to influence. For example, the Blueprint Architects group is funded by the National Lottery, with the goal of influencing the council’s decision-making on food and climate issues.

• Internally funded: A council department might coordinate a team of community researchers, with internal funding set aside for this team. Government organisations like the London Borough of Camden and the Greater London Authority’s Peer Outreach team facilitate P&C research in-house. The Community Insights Programme in Tower Hamlets was an in-house 13 programme funded by the Tower Hamlets Council who delivered projects on a range of topics to support the development and delivery of council services and initiatives.

• Commissioned: The Council or NHS commissions a research provider to conduct P&C research that feeds into a specific strategy or policy. An example is Toynbee Hall being commissioned by the Council to carry out community research for the Tower Hamlets Poverty Review.

Some funders in London have implemented participatory commissioning in their grant-giving processes, involving residents from the outset. Examples include Shift Design for Trust for London, Black Food Fund, and Thrive LDN’s Right to Thrive Fund.

Answer:

The adult social care sector in Tower Hamlets plays a vital role in supporting the community. According to Skills for Care, 2024/25

  • The staff turnover rate in Tower Hamlets was 24.6 per cent, slightly above the regional average (19.0 per cent) and in line with the national average (24.8 per cent).

  • Around 60 per cent of new recruits came from within the adult social care sector, helping retain valuable skills and experience.

  • The vacancy rate was 6.1 per cent, lower than the regional average of 10.6 per cent and close to the national average of 8.1 per cent.

Across England, workforce challenges are improving, with a decrease in vacancy rates and an increase in filled positions, partly due to international recruitment efforts.

Answer:

We are the Planning and Building Control Department for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This privacy notice explains how we use information in the course of our work as a local authority. This work includes:

  1. making decisions and providing advice on planning applications
  2. responding to allegations of unlawful development
  3. monitoring development
  4. entering legal agreements, serving notices and promoting the best use of land
  5. providing property search information
  6. naming or renaming streets and numbering or naming dwellings
  7. making decisions and providing advice on Building Control applications

If you have questions about data or privacy contact our Data Protection Officer by email at DPO@towerhamlets.gov.uk or write to Information Governance Manager, Legal Services, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1BJ.

Condition for processing personal data

It is necessary for us to process your personal data (name, address, contact details), under the GDPR as a task carried out in the public interest, and more personal data including health, personal and household circumstances as necessary for substantial public interest reasons.

How we collect your information

We receive applicant information in numerous ways – it is supplied to us directly from the applicant or on behalf of the following but not exclusive to, planning agents/solicitors/developers/builders. We may also receive information from a third party website that provides a transaction service. These currently include but are not exclusive to:

  • the Planning Portal
  • iApply
  • Submit-a-plan
  • National Land Information Service (NLIS)
  • TM searches. 

We also receive comments, representations, allegations and questions via email, letter, and through our platform(s) such as the Planning and Building Control webpage or the online Planning Register. We may also be given information passed on via local councillors. 

What we do with your information

To allow us to make decisions on their applications, individuals must provide us with some personal data (e.g. name, address, contact details). In a small number of circumstances individuals will provide us with "special category data" in support of their application (e.g. evidence of medical history or the documentary evidence required for self-builders to prove residency).

We use the information provided to us to make planning decisions about the use of land in the public interest. This is known as a "public task" and is why we do not need you to "opt in" to allow your information to be used.

We are obliged under the regulations to make available on planning registers some information provided to us in relation to planning applications. This is a permanent record of our planning decisions that form part of the planning history of a site. Planning and Building Control information along with other facts may form part of a "land searches".

How we share your information

We do not sell your information to other organisations. We do not routinely share data with any organisation outside the UK, but our website is available across the internet and we communicate with applicants and stakeholders wherever they are. We do not use your information for automated decision making.

We will make details of planning applications available online so that people and organisations can contribute their comments. We will sometimes need to share the information we have with other parts of the council and other statutory bodies such as London Fire Brigade and Historic England. This could be for example, to establish how long a building has been used as a dwelling.

Redaction ('blanking things out')

We operate a policy where we routinely redact the following details before making forms and documents available online:

  1. personal contact details for the applicant such as phone numbers and email addresses
  2. signatures
  3. Special Category Data - e.g. supporting statements that include information about health conditions or ethnic origin
  4. information agreed to be confidential

Sometimes we might decide it is necessary, justified and lawful to disclose data that appears in the list above. In these circumstances we will let you know of our intention before we publish anything.

If you are submitting supporting information which you would like to be treated confidentially or wish to be specifically withheld from the public register, please let us know as soon as you can - ideally in advance of submitting the application. The best way to contact us about this issue is to email ahead to planning&building@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Retention ('how long we keep your information for')

We process many different types of information according to our Retention and disposal schedule. A brief summary of how long we keep things before they are destroyed:

Retention schedule
Information typeRetention period
Statutory registers (e.g. planning decisions, approved plans, legal agreements)  Indefinite 
Supporting documents, reports - committee decisions  6 years 
Supporting documents, reports - officer decisions  4 years 
Representations, letters, general correspondence  4 years 

Your rights

Making decisions on planning matters is a public task and you do not have the right to withdraw consent. However if you think we have got something wrong or there is a reason you would prefer for something to not be disclosed please ask us initially by emailing planning&building@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

You can find out more about your rights on our data protection page.

If you need to make a complaint specifically about the way we have processed your data you should in the first instance contact the council’s Data Protection Officer via email at DPO@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Answer:

Data Protection: Idea Store Membership

Your personal details are required for the creation of a library account. This information is held on a common database shared by the London Libraries Consortium [LLC] authority members. It is password protected and only accessible to Idea Store and LLC staff. Details of all completed transactions i.e. items borrowed and returned, are kept within the system for two years and details of non-completed transactions i.e. items borrowed and not returned are kept for six years. 

You can sign-in to our online catalogue to view the last 18 months of your borrowing history.

We collect and use depersonalised details, which do not identify you as a named individual for statistical analysis of our services, such as Idea Store Online usage and the number and type of library items borrowed. This allows us to review and provide better services.

When you register for a library account:

• We will need to collect your email address. This is so that we can send you pre-overdue, overdue and reservation notifications;

• You can choose to opt-in or opt-out to receive marketing emails that alert our members to new services and Idea Store courses that may be of interest. You can opt-out of receiving marketing communications at any time by using the ‘Unsubscribe’ link at the bottom of the marketing emails.


Idea Store Learning: How We Use Your Personal Information 

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1988.  We will keep your data for a maximum of 6 years in line with our retention schedule and to meet the requirements of our funding providers, The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

Idea Store Learning: Health Screening Questionnaire Privacy Notice
It is necessary for us to process your name and health information, disclosed on the Health Screening questionnaire, to ensure that you complete Health, Fitness & Wellbeing, Technical Education and Visual Arts class activities / exercises safely.

We keep your data for a maximum of 6 years in line with our retention schedule and to meet the requirements of our funding providers and the Department for Education.

Idea Store Website Data Protection

We respect and protect the privacy of everyone who visits this website.  This website does not store or capture personal information, but merely logs the customer's IP address that is automatically recognised by the web server.  The IP address is not linked to anything that identifies an individual and therefore your user session will remain anonymous to Tower Hamlets Council.  We do not use cookies for collecting user information from the site and we will not collect any information about you except that required for system administration of the web server.

Consent for the Use of Images

If you attend an Idea Store activity, event or course you may be asked to consent to having your photograph taken, as an individual or as part of a group, for promotional purposes only. These images may appear in our printed publications, such as the course guide, on our website or other marketing materials or media. The images are only used to promote Idea Store. We do not use the images taken, or the information you provide on the consent form, for any other purpose. We do not include personal details in our printed publications or on our website. We retain a copy of the image and the related consent form on the council’s secure network.  If we have taken your photograph you may withdraw your consent for use at any time.

Tower Hamlets Council Data Protection and Freedom of Information 

You can find out more about your rights on the Data Protection and Freedom of Information page, and this includes details of your rights about automated decisions, such as the ranking of Housing Applications, and how to complain to the Information Commissioner.  

Contact Idea Store

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the use of your Idea Store membership or learning data, please contact the ideastore@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Answer:

Data Controller and Purpose

The information you provide will be used by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ Public Realm, to process your request. The council’s waste team provides the service and manages waste in the borough. The council is responsible for controlling and protecting your data

We have received your requests which may be accompanied with personal information such as name, address and contact details from your use of our waste collection service and will use this for data processing which will allow us to make improvements.

We process your data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and if you have any concerns the council’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted on DPO@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Condition for Processing Personal Data

It is necessary for us to process your personal data (name and contact details), under the GDPR as a task carried out in the public interest / for the performance of a contract / for compliance with a legal obligation/with consent], and more personal data (health, personal and household circumstances) as necessary for (substantial public interest reasons / preventative or occupational medicine / public health).

A delay in you providing the information requested may result in a delay in providing appropriate services.

How long do we keep your information?

We will only hold your information for as long as is required by law and to provide you with the necessary services. This is likely to be for seven years after the case is closed. For further details, you can view our retention schedule.

We may also anonymise some personal data you provide to us to ensure that you cannot be identified and use this for statistical analysis of data to allow the council to effectively target and plan the provision of services.

Information sharing

Your personal information may be shared with internal departments or with external partners and agencies involved in delivering services on our behalf. As stated above this will include some personal information such as names and contact details if necessary to your request. The council has a duty to protect public funds and may use personal information and data-matching techniques to detect and prevent fraud, and ensure public money is targeted and spent in the most appropriate and cost effective way. Information may be shared with internal services and external bodies like the Audit Commission, Department for Work and Pensions, other local authorities, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Police. This activity is carried out under social protection law.

We have a duty to improve the health of the population we serve. To help with this, we use data and information from a range of sources including hospitals to understand more about the nature and causes of disease and ill-health in the area. This data would normally be anonymised and never used to make decisions on a specific individual or family.

Your rights

You can find out more about your rights on our data protection page and how to complain to the Information Commissioner.

Answer:

We work closely with a variety of landlords in the borough. If the matter you wish to report is not one that requires an immediate call to the police and concerns an issue where you live, please report this directly to your housing provider in the first instance. Our main providers in the borough include:

Answer:

Skills & Trills

Club location:
Cranbrook Community Centre, Mace St, Bethnal Green, London E2 0RB

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
5 to 15 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Website: Balogun Bassey
Email: info@balogunbassey.org
Tel/WhatsApp: 07467 065 821

BBBCO Winter Active Club

Club location:
Marner Primary School Multi Surface Pitch, Devas Street, London E3 3LJ

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
10am to 2pm

Age range (years):
6 to 14 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07956 040 469
Email: haf@bbbco.co.uk

CWFA HAF Winter Project 2025

Club location:
Club 1. Sir John McDougal Gardens, E14 8LN
Club 2. Bow Cross Community Hub, E3 3EY

Dates of operation:
Club 1. 27 to 28 December 2025 and 3 to 4 January 2026
Club 2. 29 to 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026

Times of operation:
10am to 2pm

Age range (years):
5 to 12 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Email: canarywharffa@outlook.com

CKC Community Winter HAF

Club location:
CKC Community Hub, 104 Cavell St, London, E1 2JA

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December and 2 January 2026

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
8 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Contact: Manav Patel
Email: manav.patel@ckc.london
Tel: 07460 607 070
Booking Form: CKC Winter HAF Registration

Frontline Community HAF Camp

Club location:
St. Paul’s Way School, 125 St Paul's Way, London E3 4FT

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December and 2 January 2026

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
7 to 14 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Website: EEQU website
Tel: 07843 976451
Email: frontlinecommunityfc@gmail.com

Jaguars Winter Holiday Club 2025

Club location:
Bernie Cameron Community Centre, E3 4LX

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2, 3 January 2026

Times of operation:
10am to 2pm

Age range (years):
6 to 12 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07342 481 010
Email: Ljca.org@gmail.com

London Sportif Winter HAF

Club location:
London Enterprise Academy, 81 to 91 Commercial Road, London E1 1RD

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
10am to 3pm

Age range (years):
8 to 12 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07904 113 087
Email: info.londonsportif@gmail.com
Website: London Sportif website

MUL Winter Camp 2025

Club location:
Mazahirul Uloom London, 241 Mile End Road, E1 2AA
Whitechapel Sports Centre, 55 Durward Street, E1 5BA

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 3 January 2026

Times of operation:
10.15am to 2.15pm

Age range (years):
11 to 15 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Website: MUL website
Email: arif@mazahirululoom.com

Winter School

Club location:
Kobi Nazrul Primary School

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
10.30am to 2.30pm

Age range (years):
Year 1 to Year 6 (Reception & Secondary siblings eligible)

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Contact: Aqueddus Ali
Tel: 0207 375 3626
Email: admin@kobinazrul.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Booking link: Kobi Nazrul bookings

Newark Christmas HAF Programme 2025

Club location:
Locksley Community Centre, Dora Street, London E14 7TP

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
10.30am to 2.30pm

Age range (years):
6 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07565 262 691
Email: Sadique.miah@newark.org.uk / Shally.amin@newark.org.uk
Booking Form: Upshot attendee sign-up

Autumn Adventure

Club location:
Ocean Tenants Leaseholders Association, Forecourt Anson House, Ernest Street, London E1 4SH

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026

Times of operation:
12pm to 4pm (ages 5 to 16)
4pm to 7pm (ages 8 to 16)

Age range (years):
5 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07445 176 071
Email: tla@oceanyc.org
Website: Ocean NYC website

Winter HAF Project 2025

Club location:
Barkantine Community Hall, 12 Quarterdeck, Canary Wharf, London E14 8SJ

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
10am to 2pm

Age range (years):
5 to 14 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07432 219 412
Email: info.olivetreeeducation@yahoo.com

Omega Sportz Winter Camp

Club location:
Our Lady & St Joseph RC, Wade's Place, Poplar, London, E14 0DE

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026

Times of operation:
10am to 2pm

Age range (years):
4 to 12 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Website: Omega Sportz

Pro Touch SA to Tower Hamlets Winter HAF Camp: Hermitage School

Club location:
Hermitage Primary School, Vaughan Way, London, E1W 2PT

Dates of operation:
20, 21, 22, 23 December 2025

Times of operation:
10am to 2pm

Age range (years):
6 to 14 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Website: EEQU website pro touch

Winter Drama Club at Poplar Union

Club location:
Poplar Union, 2 Cotall St, London E14 6TL

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2, 5 January 2026

Times of operation:
Club 1. 9am to 1pm (ages 5 to 7)
Club 2. 1pm to 5pm (ages 8 to 11)

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Website: Purple Mono Drama

SAMA Winter Fun

Club location:
SAMA Centre, 544 Roman Road, E3 3ES

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
10.30am to 2.30pm

Age range (years):
4 to 13 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07432 860 004
Email: admin@samaacademy.co.uk
Booking link: Sama winter fun bookings

HAF Winter Programme @ SimpleGifts

Club location:
SimpleGifts, 117 Mansford Street, London, E2 6LX

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
5 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 020 7739 9930
Email: info@simplegiftsucsa.org.uk

Winter HAF

Club location:
Whitechapel Threshold Centre, 80 John Fisher Street, E1 8JX

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 29, 30 December 2025

Times of operation:
12pm to 4pm

Age range (years):
8 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Email: info@societylinks.org.uk
Website: Society Links website

SPLASH Winter Wonderland 2025

Club location:
The Workhouse Leisure Centre, 116 Poplar High Street, London E14 0AF

Dates of operation:
20, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
6 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Email: altabur.rahman83@gmail.com
Tel: 07961 959 158
Booking link: Splash booking

St Andrews Youth Trust HAF Camp

Club location:
St Elizabeth Primary School, Bonner Road, E2 9JY

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 26, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026

Times of operation:
10am to 2pm

Age range (years):
6 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07956 298 460
Email: standrewsyouthdevelopments@gmail.com

Stifford HAF Programme

Club location:
Stifford Centre, 2 to 6 Cressy Place, Stepney Green, London, E1 3JG

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
Reception to Year 11

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 020 7790 3632
Email: info@stifford.org.uk

Tower Hamlets Leap Ahead: Winter of Discovery 2025

Club location:
Idea Store Whitechapel to 321 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BU
Idea Store Poplar to 45 Vesey Path, London E14 6BT

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December and 3, 4 January 2026

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
5 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07848 388 800
Email: towerhamlets.ef@gmail.com
Website: Tower Seb website

UKLC Tower Hamlets

Club location:
In2Sports Indoor Sports Centre, 40 Harbour Square, London, E14 9QH

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026

Times of operation:
1pm to 5pm

Age range (years):
8 to 14 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07852 167 580
Email: admin@uklatincommunity.org
Website: Latin Community website

Let’s Get Active Winter 2025

Club location:
Hason Raja Centre, 117 Vallance Road, London, E1 5BW

Dates of operation:
21, 22, 28, 29 December 2025

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
6 to 14 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 07961 483 199 / 020 7247 6957
Email: iqbal.hussain@vallancecsa.org.uk / info@vallancecasa.org.uk

Weavers Adventure Playground Christmas Holiday Provision

Club location:
Weavers Adventure Playground
Entrances: Seabright Street E2 0BH / Viaduct Place E2 0BB, Weavers Fields

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 29, 30, 31 December & 2, 3, 4 January

Times of operation:
11am to 6pm

Age range (years):
4 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Tel: 020 7729 1295 / 07526 237 951
Email: weaversad@btconnect.com

Wise Youth Trust Holiday Activities & Food Programme

Club location:
St. Peters Community Centre, 1 Marian Place, Pritchards Road, London E2 9AP

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
8 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
No

Booking information:
Email: admin@wiseyouthtrust.com
Tel: 07376 590 378
Booking link: Wise Youth booking St Peters

Answer:

First Kicks sports Winter Camp 2025

Club location:
St Agnes Catholic Primary school Rainhill Way, Bow London EN3 3ER

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2025

Times of operation:
9.30am to 3pm

Age range (years):
5 to 12 years old

SEND focused:
Yes

Booking information:
Email firstkickssportscamp@hotmail.com or visit First Kicks Sports website  

SOUL Winter Fun Camps

Club location:
Collingwood Community Centre, Barnsley Street, London, E1 5RB

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026

Times of Operation:
10am to 2pm

Age Range (years):
6 to 16 years old

SEND Focused:
Yes

Booking information:
Website: www.souluk.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7646 2320 / 020 8064 1351
Email: info@souluk.co.uk
Registration: souluk.online

Sportscool East London

Club location:
Bonner Primary School – Mile End Site, 2c Ropery St, London E3 4QE

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 3 January 2026

Times of operation:
10am to 2pm

Age range (years):
4 to 11 years old

SEND focused:
Yes

Booking information:
Website: https://bit.ly/Bonner-HAF25
Email: eastlondon@sportscool.org
Telephone: 07707 861 027

Tower Hamlets Youth League United Winter HAF Camp

Club location:
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6HG
Mile End Leisure Centre, 190 Burdett Road, Mile End, E3 4HL

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 4 January 2026

Times of operation:
11.30am to 4pm

Age range (years):
5 to 16 years old

SEND focused:
Yes

Booking information:
Telephone: 07399 111 435
Email: thylunited@hotmail.com
Website: www.thylunited.com

UDICHI Winter Holiday Arts Workshop for Children and Young People

Club location:
Idea Store, Whitechapel
321 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BU

Dates of operation:
22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 December 2025

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
5 to 16 years old

SEND Focused:
Yes

Booking information:
Email: info@udichiuk.org
Telephone: 07950 792 156 / 07932 539 241
Website: www.udichiuk.org

Let’s Get Active Winter 2025

Club location:
Hason Raja Centre, 117 Vallance Road, London, E1 5BW

Dates of operation:
21, 22, 28, 29 December 2025

Times of operation:
11am to 3pm

Age range (years):
6 to 14 years old

SEND Focused:
Yes

Booking information:
Telephone: 07961 483 199 / 020 7247 6957
Email: iqbal.hussain@vallancecsa.org.uk / info@vallancecasa.org.uk

Answer:

Who we are and what we do

The Electoral Services Section is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. For the purpose of the 2018 General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Controller is (depending on the service) either the Electoral Registration Officer (for registration matters), or the Returning Officer (for election matters) based at the Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1BJ

When you contact the Electoral Services Team, we are likely to ask you for certain personal information in order to be able to assist with your enquiry. Some of this information will need to be recorded and stored on our systems. This Privacy Notice aims to explain:

  1. the different kinds of personal data we process
  2. how we use your data
  3. how we store your data
  4. why we process your data
  5. when and why we share your information
  6. the legal grounds for processing your information.

Everyone working for Electoral Services has a legal duty to keep and process information about you in accordance with the law.

This notice explains why we ask for your personal information, how that information will be used and how you can access your records.

We process your data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK privacy legislation and if you have any concerns or questions the Council’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted on DPO@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

The laws that govern the collection and use of this data

The following is a list of all primary and secondary legislation relevant to the collection, processing and retention of personal data:

  • Local Government Act 1972
  • Representation of the People Act 1983
  • Electoral Administration Act 2006
  • Electoral Administration Act 2013
  • Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001
  • Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 and 2006
  • Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No 2) 2006
  • European Parliamentary Elections (Registration of Citizens of Accession States) Regulations 2003
  • European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 2004
  • Police (Scotland) Regulations 2004
  • European Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Regulations 2009
  • Local Elections (Principal Areas) Rules 2006
  • Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007
  • Greater London Authority Elections Rules 2007
  • The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011
  • The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Rules 2011
  • Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2012
  • Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012
  • Elections Act 2022

Why we need your information and how we use it

We use information about citizens, electors and voters to enable us to carry out specific functions for which we are responsible and to provide you with a statutory service.

We keep records about potential and actual electors, voters, citizens, candidates and their agents, staff employed at an election and the people we need to pay. These may be written down (manual records) or kept on a computer (electronic records).

What type of information is collected from you

The information we collect and process may include:

  1. basic details about you, for example, name, address, date of birth and nationality
  2. unique identifiers (such as your NI number),
  3. scanned application forms & dates of any letters of correspondence
  4. notes about any relevant circumstances that you have told us
  5. details and records about the service you have received
  6. your previous or any redirected address
  7. the other occupants in your home
  8. if you are over 76 or under 16/17
  9. whether you have chosen to opt out of the Open version of the Register.

Who your information may be shared with (internally and externally)

This will include:

  1. contracted printers to print polling cards, postal packs & other electoral material
  2. to registered political parties, elected representatives, candidates, agents and other permitted participants who are able to use it for electoral purposes only
  3. credit reference agencies, the British Library, UK Statistics Authority, the Electoral Commission and other statutory recipients of the Electoral Register
  4. details of whether you have voted (but not how you have voted) to those who are entitled in law to receive it after an election
  5. where the health and safety of others is at risk
  6. when the law requires us to pass on information under special circumstances,
  7. crime prevention or the detection of fraud as part of the National Fraud Initiative
  8. the police (article 6(1)(e) General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)). This is necessary and proportionate to fulfil the Returning Officer’s statutory functions of safely and properly conducting an election.

How long we keep your information (retention period)

In order to provide you with this service, we rely on our legal obligations. The Electoral Registration Officer & Returning Officer are independent statutory post holders and are obliged to process your personal data in relation to preparing for and conducting Elections.

Your details will be kept and updated in accordance with our legal obligations and in line with statutory retention periods.
Anyone who receives information from us has a legal duty to keep it confidential.
We are required by law to report certain information to appropriate authorities – for example:

  • where a formal court order has been issued.
  • to law enforcement agencies for the prevention or detection of a crime
  • to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau indicating those persons who are aged 76 or over and are no longer eligible for jury service.

Partner organisations

The process of checking citizens’ personal identifiers to ensure eligibility for inclusion in the Electoral Register, is controlled by the Cabinet Office via the Governments Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service.

The process includes:

  • The Department for Work and Pensions who use data provided to verify the identity of new applicants
  • The Cabinet Office will inform the old local authority of people who have moved area

Information will be processed within the European Economic Area (EEA) and will not be shared with overseas recipients.

If your details are in the Open version of the Electoral Register, your name and address can be sold to third parties who may use it for any purpose. You can opt out of this version at any time and are given the opportunity when you apply to register to vote and annually as part of the Canvass of all households.

To verify your identity, when you apply to be registered to vote the data you provide will be processed by the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service managed by the Cabinet Office. As part of this process your data will be shared with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Cabinet Office suppliers that are data processors for the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service.

Find more information on the Register to vote website.

How we protect your Information

We will not transfer your personal data outside the EU without your consent.

We have implemented generally accepted standards of technology and operational security in order to protect personal data from loss, misuse, or unauthorised alteration or destruction.  

Please note that where you are transmitting information to us over the internet this can never be guaranteed to be 100 per cent secure.  

For any payments which we take from you online we will use a recognised online secure payment system.

We will notify you promptly in the event of any breach of your personal data which might expose you to serious risk. 

Your rights

You have rights under the Data Protection Legislations:

  • to access your personal data
  • to be provided with information about how your personal data is processed
  • to have your personal data corrected
  • to have your personal data erased in certain circumstances
  • to object to or restrict how your personal data is processed
  • to have your personal data transferred to yourself or to another business in certain circumstances.
  • You have the right to be told if we have made a mistake whilst processing your data and we will self-report breaches to the Commissioner.

How you can access, update or correct your information

The Data Protection Legislation allows you to find out what information is held about you, on paper and computer records. This is known as ‘right of subject access’ and applies to your Electoral Services records along with all other personal records.

If you wish to see a copy of your records you should contact the Data Protection officer. You are entitled to receive a copy of your records free of charge, within a month.

In certain circumstances access to your records may be limited, for example, if the records you have asked for contain information relating to another person.

The accuracy of your information is important to us to be able to provide relevant services more quickly. We are working to make our record keeping more efficient. In the meantime, if you change your address or email address, or if any of your circumstances change or any of the other information we hold is inaccurate or out of date please email us or write to us at:

Electoral Services
Tower Hamlets Town Hall
160 Whitechapel Rd
London
E1 1BJ

Tel: 020 7364 5000

If you would like to know more about how we use your information, or if for any reason you do not wish to have your information used in any of the ways described, please tell us by contacting our Data Protection Officer:

The Data Protection Officer
Complaints and Information Team
Tower Hamlets Council
160 Whitechapel Rd
London
E1 1BJ

Tel: 020 7364 5000
Email: DPO@towerhamlets.gov.uk

You can obtain further information about GDPR from the Information Commissioner and can also contact them if you have any complaints that you wish to make:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Water Lane
Wilmslow, Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: 0303 123 1113
ico.org.uk

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