2020 10 30 — Weeknotes
2.41 — the calm before the fun…
I feel that this week really was the calm before the storm. As we wave goodbye to October, November is going to be very hectic indeed. The Digital Festival Hounslow started life as a bit of an idea to bring colleagues together in Digital and IT during the darker winter months, but has turned into an amazing Digital event for Hounslow.
The Digital Festival Hounslow is running for the whole month of November. Lots of bite-sized webinars, all free, all virtual, a great chance to learn new skills and look into practical skills and mental health and wellbeing.
Working with colleagues from across the council and beyond as well as a number of our partners including: Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, FutureGov, Liquidlogic, Socitm, Eddie Copeland and many more… We are also launching our Digital Ambassador scheme and Innovation Network as well as much much more…
Find out more and register here for the community sessions: https://bit.ly/31U9xzC
The team produced this amazing promotional video as well: Digital Festival Hounslow 2020
I went to Hounslow House again this week, mainly to take some photographs with my portfolio lead, Cllr Pritam Grewal for the launch of the Festival. It was good to be in the building again. I have no idea what was happening with the wi-fi in the building though but drove me insane — was better at home, and that is saying something with Sky! Hoping we will have it resolved by the next time I am there.
We had a Management team coaching session on Wednesday and spent a bit of time thinking about the things that we need to Start; Stop and Continue to do to ensure that we have the time and headspace to deliver what we need to against our OKRs. It was really good session and something so simple, but powerful to move things along. We are going to do something similar with the rest of the teams as well.
Was great to watch the LGC awards on Wednesday evening, even it was at my desk. It was one of the better platforms for engaging with other people, suppliers and watching the event, so a very well done to all involved. Even managed some chat at the Socitm ‘table’ which was very entertaining…
We had a meeting of the Hounslow Integrated Care Partnership on Thursday, I did an update on the digital workstream following a workshop the other week. There is a lot to do in this area, especially in the #FixThePlumbing area but really exciting to be working with health colleagues across Hounslow.
All of this whilst continuing to move a lot of the projects forward, progressing both our response to the pandemic but also the recovery. Oh and Leisure services formally transfer to the council on Sunday!
Sober for October seemed like a good idea at the time, and of course it was! Over a month now without alcohol, and I certainly feel better for it but I am also looking forward to a beer tomorrow evening… As I sort of stumbled into it I didn’t really think about fundraising but as we are at the end if anyone wants to donate to a good cause I’d be grateful: https://www.gosober.org.uk/users/mark-lumley
Tune of the Week: The Black Eyed Peas — I Gotta Feeling (Official Music Video) — this will set us up for November!!
