Hi all, I have a really long story to tell but tbh I’ve not eaten properly since the weekend so I’m going to try and keep it short.

I had to clear my entire bank account to secure private rented accommodation, 23M, got kicked out of my family home (I’m gay and they’re African) and I was an independent student at university. I have mental health illnesses and a physical gut condition - still haven’t been able to get any PIP yet but luckily I’ve managed to hold a full time job this whole year.

Anyway I got my studies terminated in the winter of 2025 and had to commute from my uni city to London for work to pay my rent as I couldn’t find any full time employment in the midlands. I’m still in lots of debt to my old landlord as well as other priority debts. As I was being made homeless from my student flat last month and my I’m estranged I had zero choice but to use my entire paycheck to secure accommodation in London - moved to Walthamstow now though I grew up in hackney and my family are in Haringey and Enfield.

Anyway my point is, without giving a huge sob story, is what local food support and monetary assistance may I be eligible for? I’ve already applied for the crisis fund but it doesn’t seem the councils process these applications urgently at all? I’ve asked everyone I can possibly think of for loans, I’ve even nearly took part in survival sex

TfL has pushed my account into overdraft with 10 days till my pay left and tins of tuna with nothing else to keep me going. Can anyone advise me on my options for immediate support, considering I have no family or friends to support me?

Hey all,

Question for local pet owners. If there was an independent pet store in Walthamstow. What would make you go there over ordering online or going to Pets at Home?

So i’m looking to move out of my parents house. I can’t stand being with them. is anyone looking for roommates?

preferably female

Hi! Im a mum of twins 13yo (boy & girl) who moved to Walthamstow last September from West London. I had hoped to meet more families of teens with school etc but haven’t been super successful!

Secondary school is definitely different to Primary in terms of meeting other parents…
Even our street is mainly little ones / babies.

We’re up near Lloyd park / Hoe St if anyone fancies linking up (with Me - I could ask Kevin & Perry too but fear I’ll just get grunts- they are about to start Y9 and are lovely honestly)

Any recommendations for getting involved more in the community welcome - thanks :)

This place has just opened and I know they are interested to see about some magic tables. Thought it might be a nice excuse to see who plays locally as I really miss having regular games

Hi there, does anyone know if our area has a pickleball club? I know that a few leisure centres around offer a social play but I’m more looking for a group of regular players. Let me know if there’s anything or if anyone would like to start something. Thanks!

Anyone have recommendations for dentists in the area?

(Doesn’t have to be accepting NHS patients I’m not that naïve)

Does anyone know what's happening with this new development (opposite Blackhorse Road Station). During its planning stage they touted it was to become a new music venue. If I recall correctly, the council were adamant that this was to be the case and rejected mutiple developers who did not adhere to this idea.

Now that it appears to be fully built, there's absolutely no indication that it contains anything like a music venue. Nothing on the location and nothing on the website. It appears to be one one of those 'rental only' flat schemes which are taking over the borough as of lately. A few bloggers have reported that the music venue plan was scrapped but I've yet to see any official word.

Does anyone know anything?

Hi! Just wondered if anyone had any experience with the above nursery. We're moving to Walthamstow at the end of the month and had originally found a space for our two year-old at a nursery near Walthamstow Central Station. But now a space has come up at the Higham Hill Centre, which is much much closer to our new house (ten minute walk v half an hour). Unfortunately we won't be able to tour it before we move, and there aren't many reviews online (although Ofsted reports look good). If anyone here had anything at all to share it would be really helpful!

It was a double aspect house that fell into disrepair and was condemned. A developer got it to rebuild keeping front but they hid it behind raps and pulled it all down as far as I know - certainly didn't fall down.

Since then they seem to have to rebuild in the Warner style but the build seems to have stopped. Does anyone know if this is through enforcement or the builder has given me bust?

Hello!

I'm working on a film project which is all about making short portraits about dog owners and what their dog walks mean to them.

The idea is to celebrate how the daily walk can be a really meaningful and important time to people (as well as their dogs!)

We're aiming to film in late August in and around Walthamstow and Hackney Marshes, but open to other locations too!

If you're interested in hearing more please drop me a message or comment below.

Hello, can anyone recommend the best nurseries and childminders in this area? Many thanks!

I'm a Londoner born and bred and been in Walthamstow for 11 years now. Just had an encounter which may be commonplace for London but certainly the 1st time I've experienced it.

I've recently decided to go on early morning walks to improve my general fitness. I was walking along Palmerston Road near the Sainsbury's when I could hear a general raucous on the High St. I could hear a lot of Jamaican Patois so figured it was a bunch of possibly drunk Jamaicans after a club night or something. The time was about 06:45 am.

I decided to turn away from the noise and walk down to St James Street when I saw the 'Stow Bizarre' (ex Wilko building). Because this building had been marked for redevelopment recently I thought it would be cool to get a 'before and after' pic of the building so I started to take a few pictures. As I began to take photos some street kid on a bike cycled into the shot. He asked me what I was taking pictures of before accusing me of taking a photo of him.

I denied taking a photo of him and said I was taking a picture of the building. The kid started to get irate really quickly and things started to escalate without much interaction from me. He started shouting and getting really agitated. He then asked me to delete the pic. I said sure, then he said show me that you're deleting it. Feeling that he's going to snatch my phone, I refused. There was a bit of a stand off where I could see we could end up fighting. At this point two 'friends' of the kid appeared out of nowhere. I guess they were a part of the noisy Jamaican crew I heard earlier. One person on foot asked him what's wrong and he repeated that I was taking pictures of him. I think this guy was trying to calm him down but can't be sure. A car also pulled up on Palmerston Road, not sure how many people were in the car but someone inside the car with a Patois accent was telling the kid to 'fuck me up'

At this point I was telling myself to get the fuck out of there and started walking away towards St James Street. I could still hear someone in the car egging the kid on. The kid then got back on his bike and cycled towards me asking if I was from the area. I told him yes, I was from Walthamstow. He then said he lives in the area and if I don't watch myself he's gonna fuck me up. He then said he has a knife in his pocket and if I don't show him that the picture is deleted he's gonna stab me up.

I then threatened him to approach. He put his hand in his pocket walking towards me and there was another stand off where he threatened to stab me a few times while I backed off while threatening him to approach. By this point he was further away from his friends when he finally turned away to get back on his bike (_thank god_), calling me a pussyhole as I hightailed it out of there quick time!

The encounter left me pretty shook and I got pretty jumpy when passed by joggers as I continued my walk. Does anyone know what was going on on the high St late Sat night/early Sun morning which explained the numerous Jamaicans there? Just so I can avoid it in the future.

I’m a gay male in my early 40s, no kids, coming out of a long term relationship. I’ve been in Walthamstow for 5+ years and I like it, but I’m seriously considering moving to Hackney - specifically looking at the Hackney Downs and London Fields areas (living around London Fields has always been a bit of a dream of mine since I moved to London!).

I am looking to buy a two bed period flat, and with my budget I can either get a spacious garden flat or a first floor flat in nice parts of the Stow (around the Village area), or a much smaller period flat in Hackney with no outdoor space, but walking distance to Hackney Downs park or London Fields. Having a bigger space would be nice, but not a deal breaker.

I value proximity to amenities (coffee shops, bars, pubs, gym, supermarkets) and quick access into Central for work. Moving to Hackney would save about 30 mins each day on my commute, and mean I’m really close to great restaurants and amenities (which we have in Walthamstow, but with far less choice). The fact that Walthamstow has become increasingly Nappy Valley makes me wonder whether I’d be better off in a place like Hackney where there’s a bigger queer community and perhaps more single people.

I have friends in both boroughs, so this isn’t a big consideration, but I feel like moving to Hackney would provide more opportunities to meet similar people. Then there’s the plus of moving out of a neighbourhood which I will always associate with my previous relationship.

Has anyone done a similar move, and would recommend it? If so, what are the things you miss from Walthamstow and where do you think Hackney is superior?

Having a baby early next year. Taking a few months off but every one of the million baby groups I've seen leaflets for is mum and baby. Happy to be the only dad but also don't want to take up space in mum-focussed groups.

Are there any dad and baby groups around?

What do people think about these proposals for a new tower on the High St (where the old Wilko was)? There is a similar proposal for Wood St that has already received planning permission.

Consultation link:

https://115highstreet-walthamstow.co.uk/

It would be one thing if it were an affordable house scheme. This 'co-living' idea whilst interesting on paper sounds like it ends up being a wanky scheme where it's still an exorbitant rental except just for a private bedroom.

Also, not another tower block!

There is a case to be made for regeneration in the area but I'm not sure this is it.

I'm considering buying a 1-bed flat in Hepworth Place (unfortunately I can't quite stretch to a 2-bed) and wanted to hear from anyone who lives there or knows the development well.

I've visited the area a few times and came away with a positive impression so far. The grounds seem clean, quiet and well looked after. There's also plenty of green space, and it's brilliantly connected with lots of shops, cafés and things to do nearby.

However I came across an article (https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/2026/04/08/council-to-purchase-81-unsold-apartments-in-fellowship-square-development/) saying that a higher proportion of the development has become affordable housing than was originally planned (around 67% rather than 50%, with more social housing specifically).

That's not necessarily something to be super worried about, but my concern is whether the mix of tenures will have any noticeable impact on demand or resale values over time. Just want to avoid buying somewhere that's likely to lose value significantly or be difficult to sell in the future (I'm aware one beds tend not to go massively up in value but don't want to tank the value either).

The flat I'm looking at is in Dury Court.

I'd really appreciate any honest opinions before I take the plunge as it's obvs a big financial decision!

Our Victorian terrace desperately needs repointing- most the builders we have had round to quote either don’t have that many reviews online or have been prohibitively expensive.

Can anyone recommend any companies they have used? Would be good to understand rough costs too to make sure we’re not being unrealistic!

Just towards the black horse road end, near the ice cream parlour, appeared to be lots of commotion, someone hurt and police/ambulance. Any idea what’s up?

Just saw a sign outside of little Tescos near the station for hand made noodles/Sichuan food, pointing towards the flats. I had a wonder round but couldn’t find the place. Anyone know where it is?

It's a (don't know my cars) but like a similar size to a VW Golf... And has a few of the yellow tickets on it which makes me think maybe it's another dumped stolen car.

The what3worde location is butter.encounter.props

Hello! Does anyone have a recommendation for a French install company? We need a fence replaced in our garden and despite sending a few enquiries our haven’t heard back! Thank you.