Forum News
Next Forum meeting
We aim to hold at least 4 general meetings of the Forum each year. We can now confirm that the next will be on Monday 13 October, from 7 pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, SW2 1EP (opposite the Black Cultural Archives). There is still time to tell us if you want to include something on the agenda – please contact the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com
Making Plans for Brixton
Pop Brixton/ International House
The current round of consultations runs until Sunday 14 September. Although it’s still proposed that International House will remain, it’s now likely to be in wholly residential use. The business space will be relocated on the lower floors of a new complex on the Pop Brixton site, above shops and market storage, with 2 residential towers rising above. Both sites should continue in their present uses until March 2027.
Proposals will be shown in Brixton Tate Library on Thursday 11 September, 4 pm to 7 pm, and in Atlantic Road during the car-free day on Saturday 13 September, 11 am to 4 pm.
Enquiries to consultation@49bsr6cc.com or by phone to (020) 8469 3079.
Towards a Neighbourhood Plan
The proposed area should be published for comments from Monday 8th September, and people should respond (to Lambeth) by Monday 20 October. The Council should then decide before Christmas on final boundaries and whether we are an acceptable team to make a neighbourhood plan.
That means consultation events and plan-making will only get going in the New Year. But if you have a bright idea, or a quibble over the boundary, feel free to tell us now, while it’s fresh in your mind.
In the meantime, we have been exploring sources of professional help, so that work can start as soon as we get the go-ahead.
We are also still keen to hear from more locations around Brixton – not just in the centre – that could host consultation events.
Reviving Station Road
Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road have been severely weakened by the Arch Company’s mismanaged attempt to upgrade the railway arches below the station. Too many are still empty or unattractive, and the adjacent street market has suffered. Now the Brixton Project are proposing a community-led regenerative project, centred on Brixton Station Road, to rescue this part of the Town Centre. This might restore footfall to a corner facing the removal of Pop Brixton in 2027.
This idea was one of several to emerge from a series of discussions among groups in Lambeth and Southwark, under the banner of Rewiring Communities. Enquiries to Binki Taylor, binki@thebrixtonproject.com
Local Events coming up
Lambeth Heritage Festival
A full programme of events takes place all around the borough throughout September. You may still find a printed programme at a Lambeth library, or find the programme online at bit.ly/LambethHeritage2025
Mindful Moments at St. Vincent’s
A new weekly activity is being introduced from 12 September at St. Vincent’s Brixton Centre in Talma Road SW2. Thanks to funding from L&Q Housing Association, a 13-week series of free Tai Chi sessions will run on Friday mornings between 10 and 11 am.
Enquiries to LeanneT@svp.org.uk or see the website for the full list of activities restarting this month: www.svp.org.uk
Art4Space craft courses
A whole new series of courses and craft sessions starts up this month, at the A4S Creative Learning Hub, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU. We have just seen their latest programme – full details on their website at www.art4space.co.uk
Brixton Windmill Events
Brixton Windmill opens for free short tours on Saturday & Sunday 13 & 14 September between 1 pm and 5 pm. No need to book but it may be busy because this coincides with London Open House Festival and the national Heritage Open Days.
Followed closely by the Harvest Festival in Windmill Gardens on Sunday 28 September,
1 pm to 5 pm, with live music, family workshops, milling demonstrations, hot food and beer.
More details at www.brixtonwindmill.org
Exhibition at Longfield Hall
Retrace is a photographic exhibition illustrating the route from Hubert Grove SW9 to the Minet Library SE5, comparing views taken in 1967 to the modern street scene. Open from 9 to 28 September – see also https://longfieldhall.org.uk
Festival of Encounters
A series of talks, workshops, films and installations is running until 4th October, curated by the Van Gogh House, at various locations around the north side of Brixton. For full listings, see the website at https://festivalofencounters.com
Black History Month Market
Advance notice of a special edition of the Black Culture Market for Black History Month. This will be on Saturday & Sunday 4 & 5 October, 11 am to 5 pm both days, once again in the basement of the Department Store at 248 Ferndale Road, SW9 8FR.
Tickets are free but please book in advance at www.blackculturemarket.co.uk
Green spaces, Green issues
Loughborough Park community vegetable growing
Have you ever cultivated any of the beds at the back of the Open Space, around the old container? The Friends of Loughborough Park are convening a meeting on Saturday 20 September at 2 pm to discuss returning the beds to a fit state for re-use, and would like to hear from previous users. Please contact Jon Bromwich at jon.bromwich@outlook.com or Xiaochen Low at xiaochen.low@gmail.com
Black Growth CIC
Recently, they have mainly been active in Croydon but they have 2 Brixton events lined up for September:
Saturday 13 September – Black Farmer’s Market, Brixton Station Road.
Sunday 21 September – BFM Wellness Edition, around the bandstand in Myatt’s Fields Park. More details at https://bit.ly/3X2qx2W
Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
Another performance from Mambista is lined up for Sunday 7 September at 6 pm, this time with Cuban rhythms from Sarabanda.
From Log to Spoon – an introduction to Green Woodworking is a craft session on Friday 12 September from 12-30 pm.
For details of other upcoming events and courses at the Community Greenhouses, see the website https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events
On Your Bike
Brixton BID continues to sponsor monthly sessions by Dr Bike mechanics for cycle safety checks and essential maintenance. The next is on Saturday 13 September, 12 to 3 pm at the junction of Atlantic Road, Marcus Garvey Way and Railton Road, SE24. This will coincide with the next car-free day on Atlantic Road.
The following session will be on Wednesday 24 September, 12 to 3 pm outside Mosaic Clubhouse on Effra Road, SW2.
Another low traffic neighbourhood starting up
On the north-west fringe of our area, Lambeth Council is starting the Stockwell Gardens LTN this month on a trial basis. It covers the streets between Landor Road and Clapham Road, eastwards from Clapham North Tube Station to Stockwell Road. The main effect will be to prevent traffic filtering through between Clapham Road and Landor Road, but it’s not clear yet if anything is being done to reduce congestion or hazards on Landor Road itself. The scheme will be open to objections for the first 6 months.
Health and Social Care
Help in a Mental Health Crisis
A free out-of-hours service based at Mosaic Clubhouse on Effra Road can provide short-term support to residents experiencing a mental health crisis. It offers a safe space, someone to listen, and a few hours away from everything.
The Evening Sanctuary is open every evening from 6 pm until midnight. It provides a range of optional activities, including movies, board games, fitness, yoga, arts and crafts. There are opportunities for peer support and signposting to specialist services. Members must have a Lambeth address, but referrals can be made by any medical professional.
Enquiries to (020) 7924 9657, or e-mail to evening.sanctuary@mosaic-clubhouse.org
Feedback on Health and Care
The SE London Integrated Care System brings together all health services in the South-East London boroughs from Lambeth to Bexley. They issue a monthly Get Involved e-bulletin to seek views on existing services and proposed changes. A typical month will flag up at least a dozen wide-ranging topics or specialist services, more than we can easily report here.
If you have a specific interest in health issues, we suggest you get on the list to receive their e-bulletin directly – contact engagement@nhssoutheastlondon-external.nw008.com
Meet with National NHS leaders
A reminder that a conversation between National NHS leaders and representatives of local voluntary and community organisations is being arranged for Thursday 30 October, 10-30 am to 3-30 pm with lunch included.
Places are limited, so please register your interest with Bren McInerney (community volunteer) via 07 940 045 770 or e-mail to: brenmcinerney@hotmail.com
Be Well at Brixton Library
A Project Smith/ Community Connectors grant is enabling the Friends of Brixton Library to run health workshops over the weekend 3rd /4th October – more details from foftlbrixton@gmail.com
Other News
Council Consultations
Go Vocal is Lambeth Council’s online community engagement channel. It provides updates on current consultations, generally with relevant contact details and closing dates for comments. The website link is https://haveyoursay.lambeth.gov.uk/en-GB/
Met Engage
A reminder that a couple of months ago, the Met Police launched this alternative means of engaging with the public and local businesses. Met Engage is intended to keep people informed of local policing activities, offer crime prevention advice and issue invitations to local engagement events, such as meetings of Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Users can highlight issues of concern to them and provide feedback on the services provided. The new service can be accessed via www.metengage.co.uk
Funding, Training & Support
Grant deadlines approaching
We have heard from various sources about several upcoming grants, but if no link is shown, please refer to Google search:
Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund has £500,000 from the UK Government to support digital skills training, assistive technology and connectivity improvements for vulnerable groups, including older people, job seekers and low-income families. Closing date 10 September; all projects must be complete by 31 March 2026. More details at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-inclusion-innovation-fund
Grassroots Community Innovation Fund from the Lambeth Southwark & Lewisham Sexual Wellbeing Service is offering grants up to £2500 to support activities to raise awareness, reduce stigma or social isolation and promote ways to wellbeing. Deadline is 12 September, enquiries to izzy.williams@turning-point.co.uk
Diversity and Inclusion Awards from Zurich Municipal Insurance offer small charities the chance to win up to £10,000. Three prizes are offered, with a closing date of 30 September. More details from https://www.zurich.co.uk/charity-insurance/diversity-inclusion-awards
Paul Mellon Centre has opened its Autumn funding round, deadline 30 September. Its grants and scholarships can support research, lectures, exhibitions and publications about British art and architecture. More details on their website at https://paulmelloncentre.grantplatform.com
National Lottery Awards for All has an Environment strand to support community-led projects for improving green spaces, cutting waste or carbon emissions, or helping people to access nature. Grants of up to £20,000, but don’t apply if you have a current Awards for All grant. Deadline is 17 December.
Heritage Revival Fund: offers 3 levels of funding, for project viability (up to £15k), project development (up to £100k) and capital works (up to £350k). Open until 31 March ‘26, funded by Architectural Heritage Fund, DCMS and Historic England.
Business Training Opportunities
Social enterprises and small businesses within the Brixton BID area should be able to join the BID’s free training courses. We expect more dates soon, but next up are:
- Personal Licence (level 2)
Tuesday 9 September, 10 am to 4 pm.
- Health & Safety (level 2)
Wednesday 8 October, 10 am to 4 pm.
Enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk
Charity Training Opportunities
The Charity Learning Consortium offers access to a library of over 500 on-line learning courses intended to support charitable organisations, large and small, with their training needs. Unlimited access is offered to all staff and volunteers with subscribing organisations. They have a virtual coffee morning on Tuesday 16 September to introduce their services for third sector organisations. Register at: https://charitylearning.org/charity-learning-coffee-mornings/
Trustees and Committees
Many charities and community enterprises struggle to build up a team of committee members, trustees or directors with a blend of skills and abilities. We share training opportunities and recruitment ideas in these bulletins when we pick them up. Something to look out for is Trustees Week, 3-7 November. More details nearer the date.
