Upcoming Changes around the Brixton Rec

Since May last year we have been waiting for consultation to start on London Square’s proposals to develop both the Pop Brixton site and International House, in partnership with Lambeth Council.  The new programme has only recently been announced. 

The future of International House

London Square’s intention is to refurbish the building, rather than replace it.  Even so, this will need present tenants to move out while modern services are installed.  The “meanwhile” use of International House, managed by 3Space, has been one of Brixton’s success stories, providing a base for business start-ups and small community organisations.  We don’t want to see this all swept away and successful firms dispersed away from Brixton, so we are looking for a more gradual transition.  3Space management of the building is due to end in September, but the delay in starting the development process would justify a 6-9 month extension.
Opportunities for relocating many of the existing users within Brixton seem to be limited, but tenants are already e-mailing key Councillors and Council officers to seek a “soft landing”. If like us, your organisation is affected, please keep in touch.  

Feed in to Public Realm changes
The overall timescale is based on a Planning Application being made in the coming Autumn for rebuilding on the Pop Brixton site.  Community Vision workshops are to be held on either 4 or 6 March, followed by 2 evening sessions on 23 and 30 March.  These will mainly be about street-level improvements around the Recreation Centre in Popes Road and Brixton Station Road.  They are being organised by Mutual Gain on behalf of London Square and the Council – if you have not already registered your interest, please contact Susan Ritchie at susan@mutualgain.org

Brixton joins in London Festival of Architecture
This year, Brixton will be one of 7 London destinations hosting events for the Festival, which runs through the month of June.

Events programme
Organisations are encouraged to put on events which will be publicised as part of the Festival programme.
The closing date for submitting details of most events will be 3rd March.  The Festival is co-ordinated by New London Architecture – enquiries to sophie.roberts@nla.london

Design Competition
There is also an ideas competition to provide an installation or feature to be placed in either Atlantic Road or Windrush Square during the Festival. This will be a 2-stage competition.  Details of team members, and your design approach are required by midday 2nd March.  Up to 6 design teams will then be selected for the second stage, to provide 2 A2-size boards to explain the proposal, together with a Powerpoint presentation and key construction details, budget and maintenance plan.  Enquiries to info@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org

Marking 75 years since the Empire Windrush arrival
Proposals are starting to come together for local celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in June 1948.  A lot of interest was shown at an exploratory meeting on 6th February, convened by the Brixton Project.  If you have something in mind, particularly for events or activities around June, contact Serena at serena@thebrixtonproject.com 

Coming Events
 
Saturday Art Club at St. Vincent’s Centre
Free sessions on Saturday afternoons for the 7-12 age group, at St. Vincent’s Centre, Talma Road SW2 1AS.  Run by Lamonte Johnson but additional volunteers are wanted.  Enquiries to (020) 7274 1190 or lindon@svp.org.uk

Warm Space Wednesdays at Brixton Windmill Centre
Next to Brixton’s Windmill, the Centre is opening up as a Warm Space on Wednesdays until the end of March, from 12 noon to 3pm.
They are also offering use of their large professional oven – you just need to bring the ingredients and a recipe!  Enquiries to centremanager@brixtonwindmill.org

There’s also a Volunteering Open Session on Sunday 19 February between 1 pm and 4 pm – a chance to meet with existing volunteers and discover the growing range of roles for which help is needed.

Black Culture Market, 4 & 5 March
Another selection of stalls can be found in the Basement space of the Department Store at 248 Ferndale Road, SW9 on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th March, 11 am to 5 pm both days.  Free admission but please register via Eventbrite, at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-culture-market-spring-market-tickets-473002462097?aff=erelexpmlt  
If you want to trade on either day, please contact the organisers at https://www.blackculturemarket.co.uk

Space for Young People at the Advocacy Academy
Marhaba means hello in Arabic, so our Marhaba Space is an open, free, warm and inclusive open space for young people in Lambeth, aged between 13 and 25.  The space is open every Thursday at 5-7 Vining Street – 18-25 year-olds are welcome between 1 and 4 pm, 13-17 year-olds between 4 pm and 8 pm.  Free hot drinks and sandwiches available every week.  You don’t need to sign up in advance, but if you have any questions, contact hello@theadvocacyacademy.com 

Computer Coding Classes for Kids
The Computer Coding Classes at the Southwyck House community space are expanding to other local venues:

There are now coding classes at Evelyn Grace School, on Wednesdays between 1 pm and 2 pm.
As from 1st March, there will also be coding classes for ages 5-11 at Myatt’s Fields South Community Hall, SW9 6DQ.

At Southwyck House, sessions for age 12 upwards run on Mondays at 4 pm to 6 pm. There’s also a Home-School coding group for ages 5-12 on Tuesdays between 1 pm and 2 pm, or on Thursdays between 4 pm and 6 pm for ages 5-11.
All enquiries to Millennium Community Solutions at gail@millenniumcommunitysolutions.com or phone 07 368 487 263.

Current Consultations
 
Tulse Hill Low Traffic Neighbourhood
Lambeth Council is currently consulting on detail design of landscaping works around the Elm Park Tavern, and the junction of Upper Tulse Hill and Claverdale Road.  Closing date for comments is 28 February – see https://tulsehillltn.commonplace.is

Dogs Public Space Protection Order in Lambeth have your say on proposals Visit the Lambeth website to have your say by completing our short survey. The consultation is running from 13 February to 26 March.

Brockwell Hall Cafe

For once, not a Council consultation, but one of the contenders to run the cafe in the restored Hall is doing some market research.  What sort of services or menus would you like to see?  Do sports groups have any special needs?
Charlie Gleeson is conducting the survey, which you can find at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7ZXVSBS

Green spaces and Green issues
 
Barrier Block Greening Project
The Brixton Business Improvement District has been awarded a grant from the Mayor’s Grow Back Greener fund to remodel the green space in front of Southwyck House on Coldharbour Lane.  Supported by Urban Growth, the new layout will provide fruit trees, a wild meadow and a shaded games area.  If you would like to be involved in developing these ideas, contact admin@brixtonbid.co.uk 

Join the Chelsea Fringe
As a spin-off from the Chelsea Flower Show, this alternative garden festival takes place between 20 and 28 May.  Events can take place throughout Greater London, in other parts of the country, or even abroad.  Events start being posted on the Fringe website from this month, so if you have an idea — or you want more visitors to something you were already planning – contact the Fringe team at info@chelseafringe.com 

News from Myatt’s Fields Park
The Park is seeking to appoint a part-time Community Engagement Manager (3 days a week).  Deadline for applications is 7th March – find the full job description and application process at https://www.myattsfieldspark.info/work-for-us.html

Funding, Training and support

 Grants deadlines reminder
Once again, a reminder of approaching deadlines for various grant funds. Most of these have previously been circulated by Integrate, so if you missed the original alert, please contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

The Walcot Foundation is reviewing its funding priorities for the next 3 years.  Please submit your comments before 20 February.

The Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust is offering grants of up to £1,000 to support the rehabilitation of ex-prisoners and those at risk of offending. Priority will be given to work with Ethnic Minorities.  Deadline 28 February.

The Mayor’s Community Weekend Fund is offering grants up to £1500 towards events to be held during the Mayor’s Community Weekend, 23 to 25 June.  Deadline is 12 noon on Wednesday 1st March.

Reclaim Black Heritage Fund – As the final round of the 81 Acts campaign, grants of up to £4,000 are being offered to black-led groups but projects must be completed by 15 July.  Deadline for applications is 5 pm on 2nd March, and awards will be announced by Ubele around 10-12 April.

Training with Brixton BID
Even if you are a small start-up or social enterprise, if you are working in the BID area, you should be eligible for the free training events organised by the BID.  There is a course each month for the next several months.  Upcoming topics include Mental Health First Aid (20 March) and Health & Safety (24 April).   For further details and booking, see their website at www.brixtonbid.co.uk

Keep in touch!
Something to share with us?
If you are doing something around the Brixton area, why not use these bulletins to tell other Forum members about your activities, or your next event?We aim to publish around the 10th of each month, so we really need to hear from you by the 5th March to be included in the next issue.
Please send items for the bulletin, and ideas for Forum events, to the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com

What’s missing?
We still have the resources to run at least one more event or Forum meeting in March or April, but if you have a bright idea, you need to tell us NOW! For example, do you want to present your bright idea or achievements to other Forum members, or is there some training you can’t find through your usual channels?

Is this your best e-mail?
We are keen to reach all local organisations and activists.  Please contact us at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org 
– If you want to add a colleague or neighbour to the mailing list.
– if you want these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so you see them sooner or more reliably.
– if you have moved away or are no longer interested.

Live Forum Meeting – Tuesday 5 July 7 pm in the ground floor meeting room at 3Space, International House, c/o Canterbury Crescent and Popes Road, SW9 7QD. This will be our long-delayed Annual General Meeting, to report what the Forum has been doing.  More important though, we need to hear what you think the Forum should be doing in the year ahead.  The outline agenda will be: 1. Annual Report. 2. Annual Accounts for 2020/21 and 2021/22. 3. Approval of our funding bid for 2022/23 to Lambeth Forum Network. 4. Election of officers and committee for the year ahead. 5. Update on developments in Brixton Town Centre. Reports and accounts will be available at the meeting. More Local Events coming up Lambeth Country Show, 16 & 17 July The Country Show returns to Brockwell Park next month.  We are still awaiting final details, but we expect the site to be walled-off once again, with security at the gates.  No alcohol or glass bottles allowed, while water or soft drinks must be in unopened bottles.   Opening times are 12 noon to 8 pm each day (last entry 7-30 pm).  There will be parking restrictions and road closures affecting some streets near the park. It’s planned to have a stand for several of Lambeth’s Neighbourhood Forums, co-ordinated by the Lambeth Forum Network.  If your group will also have a presence, let us know – after 2 years of on-off lockdowns, it would be good to touch base with more of you face-to-face. Drumming Workshops Shamha Vibration will be running free drumming workshops in the Roundhouse in Myatt’s Fields Park on Sundays 10, 17 and 24 July, from 4 pm to 6 pm.  Sessions are free – drums provided – but for more details, please see www.shamhavibration.org Happy Drums – Tony B is running a home education workshop for all age groups every Thursday from 11 am to 12 noon at Myatt’s Fields North Community Centre, Eythorne Road SW9.  All enquiries by e-mail to homeeddrum@gmail.com Black Culture Market returns The Market returns to the Basement of the Department Store,  248 Ferndale Road for Saturday and Sunday 6 & 7 August. Open between 11 am and 5 pm each day, with a different mix of traders each day, offering an outlet for African and Caribbean-inspired entrepreneurs, traders and crafts-people.  Free admission but please book tickets in advance – enquiries to hello@blackculturemarket.co.uk or see www.blackculturemarket.co.uk Events at Brockwell Park Greenhouses Nurtured by Natureis a therapeutic gardening group which will run on Friday mornings, from 11 am to 12-30 pm.  If you are finding life stressful, this is an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a garden setting.  BPCG are looking for people who. after a 4-week taster period, are willing to commit to attending for a block of 8 weeks.  If you are interested, e-mail Cat via garden@brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk  Natural Dyeing Workshopsare starting on Saturday 9 July.  Learn how to prepare and dye different textiles, and create pigments from plants and food materials, before jazzing-up your old white T-shirts.  Enquiries as above. Folk Performance on Sunday 10 July: Contemporary folk duo Fellow Pynins will play an outdoor gig at the Greenhouses – please book via the website, where more details can be found – see https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/event/fellow-pynins/ Art in the Park – by Brixton Windmill Sunday 14 August, between 1 pm and 5 pm, with fun art and craft family workshops for adults, children and families. Tours of the Windmill continue to be available at least one weekend a month, but for the full tour it’s best to book in advance via the website, www.brixtonwindmill.org  Next tour dates are 9 & 10 July and 13 & 14 August. Events in Myatt’s Fields Park Brixton Chamber Orchestrawill be performing on the bandstand from 4 pm on Friday 22 July, no charge. Inter-generational Black History Dayat the bandstand between 11 am and 4 pm on Sunday 31 July.  A family fun day and a celebration of the African contribution to music and dance, organised by Happy Drums and Nadz. Health and Social Care   MYSocial – supporting older residents The MYSocial service operated by Age UK Lambeth has been running on-line activities through successive lockdowns, to support older residents, with occasional outings to places of interest as they have re-opened.  In-person activities have recently resumed, with the re-opening of the Vida Walsh Centre at 2a Saltoun Road SW2 (facing onto Windrush Square).  The main aim is to maintain social contact and joining is free. Age UK Lambeth have recently negotiated a series of concessions and perks for members from local businesses, which will also be available to Lambeth-registered Carers.  More information about this aspect can be found at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lambeth/get-involved/aukl-campaigns/mysocial-deals/ Beat the Street – encouraging exercise Beat the Street is a free, fun physical activity and active travel initiative designed to get communities moving and exploring their local area, by walking or cycling.  It is running between 22 June and 3rd August with a different theme each week. It is run by Intelligent Health on behalf of Lambeth Council, and funded by the National Lottery via Sport England.  For more details and to register, see the website at www.beatthestreet.me/lambeth Consulting on Healthcare and Support Services Lambeth Council recently invited comments on a number of services, with a closing date of Sunday 17 July: Refer to the Consultations pages on the Lambeth Council website, or enquiries to sexualhealth@lambeth.gov.uk – HIV Care and Support Services (in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham); – Young People’s Sexual Health (age 13-24, in Lambeth and Southwark); – Substance Misuse Services (again for Lambeth and Southwark). Health services across a wider group of SE London boroughs are being co-ordinated by a new Integrated Care Board that will take effect from 1st July and oversee numerous existing organisations and providers.  Two Zoom-based webinars are being held to consult community and voluntary organisations, on Friday 22 July from 2 pm to 4 pm, or Monday 25 July from 5 pm to 7 pm.  Enquiries and bookings to iuliana.dinu@nhs.net or after 1st July, to iuliana.dinu@selondonics.nhs.uk  Lambeth Healthwatch is your health and social care champion. They listen to what people say about local services and how they could be improved, and share your feedback with NHS leaders and other care providers to make change happen.  Occasional surveys are conducted for specific services.  Enquiries to info@healthwatchlambeth.org.uk  Mosaic Clubhouse This is the link to the newsletter from this Mosaic club on Effra Rd.  https://issuu.com/mosaicclubhouse/docs/itm_27th_june_-_10th_july Funding, Training and Support   Grant Deadlines Reminder These grant programs were previously publicised via Integrate.  Deadlines are approaching, so if you missed the original notices, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk for details: Your Station, Your Community Improvement Fund:  The underlying aim is to encourage under-used space at railway stations to be used for community projects to make them busier places.  Projects could address mental health, education and employability skills, diversity or sustainability.  Two on-line lunchtime briefings are available, on 7 or 14 July, to find out more.  Deadline for bids is Saturday 30 July. The Ironmongers Company: funding to help disadvantaged young people reach their potential, for children and young people under 25.  Closing date Sunday 31 July. Building Strong Communities Fund: Round 2 of this fund from the Mayor of London closes at 8 pm on Monday 8 August.  The fund offers either Micro grants between £1,000 and £5,000, or Small grants between £5,000 and £10,000. Starting Young Kiddie Coding Club:  Last month we reported on the first sessions at the Southwyck Coding and Art Centre, behind the “Barrier Block”.  We can now confirm that another Coding class for children age 5 to 11 will start on Thursday 28 July.  Sessions will be on Thursdays from 4 pm to 5-30 – for more information and registration, e-mail to gail@millenniumcommunitysolutions.com or phone 07 368 487 263.  Cycle Training for Children: As part of its programme to promote cycling, Lambeth Council offers free cycle training sessions for children living in the borough, and the following dates are offered, operating from Brockwell Lido in Brockwell Park: Monday 25 July from 9-45 am (beginners), Monday 25 July to Thursday 28th, from 12-30 pm – on-road training. Tuesday 26 July from 9-45 am (beginners), Wednesday 27 July to Thursday 28th, from 9-45 am – off-road training. Provided by Cycle Confident in partnership with Lambeth Council – enquiries to cycling@lambeth.gov.uk Courses are also available for adults, and there are more children’s courses available at Clapham Common.  Practical Help Finding Volunteers may be the way for your community group to do more, whether you are looking for extra hands to share the workload, or you need an expert to fill a key gap in the organisation.  One possible channel is Team Lambeth Volunteers, which circulates a weekly bulletin of volunteer requests among a pool of Lambeth residents and Council staff who have offered some spare time for good causes. Another network operating London-wide on a similar basis is Team London Volunteering, which is hosted by City Hall – see their webpage at https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/volunteering/search/ In both cases, you need to be clear what you want your volunteers to do, and where and when you will need them. If you are looking for Trustees or Board members, there are some good pointers for recruitment at https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/trustee-recruitment-cycle/ Keep in touch We’ll be back! This bulletin is intended to go out a little earlier than usual, to remind you about our next meeting.  Normally we need to hear from you before the 5th of the month, to publish around the 10th.  Exact dates can vary, because we only have admin support one day a week, and everything else is done in members’ spare time.  For the time being, please continue to send your news to apiperbrix@aol.com More detail or more items? Our bulletins over the last few years have generally included lots of short items, but bulletins from some of the other Neighbourhood Forums have slightly longer news items and more pictures.  With the many local organisations feeding us with information, we would then need to be more selective about who gets featured in each issue.  Also, I guess that many of you are reading this on a smartphone rather than a large screen, so maybe longer articles might not suit you?  However you get this, it would help the Forum Team to know what works for you and what you would prefer to see in future bulletins.   Is this your best e-mail? We are keen to keep in touch with organisations, enterprises and community activists around Brixton, but please tell us: – If you want these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so you can get them more quickly or reliably. – If you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our mailing list (no extra charge at present). – If you have moved away, or are no longer interested. Please notify all mailing list changes to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org

We’ll Meet Again

A live meeting of this Forum will be held on Tuesday 5th July, 7 pm at International House.

After 2 years of postponements and occasional on-line meetings, we are finally getting together for real, in the 3-Space Event Space on the ground floor of International House, at the corner of Popes Road and Canterbury Crescent, SW9 7QD. 

This will be our Annual General Meeting, which means we will review the annual report and accounts, and elect committee members for the year ahead.  We also hope to have a guest speaker or two, to be confirmed next month.
Meanwhile, we are trying to get out and about again, and meet more of you face-to-face.  Clashes of dates and the demands of our day jobs mean we cannot follow up every invitation, but we are making an effort!

Diary of Local Events

Summer Events in Brockwell Park

Final details have just reached us for the Summer event series that will run from Friday 27 May to Sunday 5 June.  Sections of the park will be closed off from Monday 16 May for setting up, and clearing away should be completed on Monday 13 June.  

Around the park, there will be a number of road closures, access restrictions and extra parking controls during the major show days.  Some of these will only apply during peak exit times from the events (9 pm to midnight) but for full details of access restrictions in and around the park, please see the Community page on the website: https://www.brockwell-live.com 

Note that the Railton LTN access restrictions will continue during these events.Ticketed concert days are Friday 27 to Sunday 29 May and Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.  In addition, there are free-to-enter community events – Brockwell Bounce – on Monday 30th, Tuesday 31st and Wednesday 1 June.  If issues arise between 16 May and 13 June, you can contact the Residents Hotline at 020 8050 4367 or at community@summereventsuk.co.uk 

Council contacts are Lambeth Events on 020 7926 6207 (office hours) or the Noise Monitoring team on 020 7926 5000 between 9 pm and 5 am on event days.

The Lambeth Country Show will take place on Saturday and Sunday 16/17 July – more about that next time

Baking Beside the Windmill

Friends of Windmill Gardens have organised a series of adult baking classes in the education centre next to the windmill, led by Fabio, the Italian baker.  They will run for 3 to 4 hours at weekends from this month.  Sessions will explore recipes for tarts, breads, cakes and pastries.  Spaces are limited, so please register your interest by e-mail to info@brixtonwindmill.org For more about this and other events in Windmill Gardens, also see their website, www.brixtonwindmill.org

Loughborough Park Food Forest

The Friends of Loughborough Park have received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to replant part of this public open space.  The aim is to create a new Food Forest, using forest garden permaculture techniques, both to improve biodiversity and to provide lots of edibles.  You are invited to join with the Friends and Urban Canopy to create the new garden at a series of sessions, with all tools provided. Planting sessions will be near the eastern edge of the park, close to Loughborough Park itself.

Site Prep Days: removing weeds, clearing paths and cutting back shrubs: Tuesdays 17 & 24 May, 6 to 9 pm; Wednesdays 18 & 25 May, 10 am to 1 pm; Sundays 22 & 29 May, 12 noon to 4 pm.

Planting Days: introducing new plants, including activities suitable for children: Monday 30 May, Tuesday 31, Wednesday 1 June, and finally Friday 3 June, all sessions 12 noon to 4 pm.All enquiries and offers of help to Lydia at friendsofloughboroughpark@gmail.com 

Love Your Local Market

News just in that Lambeth is running a promotion campaign for Brixton’s street market between Friday 13 May and Sunday 5 June, following the first upgrading works in Brixton Station Road.  Expect to see extra stalls and events on Saturdays in particular.  Enquiries to Oladayo Bello on 07 710 026 240 or at obello@lambeth.gov.uk

Black Culture Market returns, 4 & 5 June

Once again, the Black Culture Market will be taking over the Downstairs space at the Department Store at 240-250 Ferndale Road SW9.  The organisers promise a different selection of traders on Saturday and Sunday, in both cases a mix of African and Caribbean inspired entrepreneurs, traders and crafts-people. Open between 11 am and 5 pm each day, free admission but please book tickets via Eventbrite: https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-culture-market-tickets-288460913357 If you want to trade at this event, refer to their website, https://www.blackculturemarket.co.uk or contact hello@blackculturemarket.co.uk

Funding, Training and Support

Grant Deadlines coming up

Our usual quick reminder, in case you missed previous notices from Integrate – contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Everyday Heritage Grants from Historic England: Looking to celebrate working class histories, ethnic minorities, women’s and LGBTQ+ stories linked to overlooked heritage sites.  Closing date Monday 23 May.

LEAP Co-Create Fund to support work with Early Years children, closing date 12 noon on Monday 30 May.  There is also an on-line briefing on the funding scheme on Monday 16 May.

The Fore opened its Summer funding round on 19 April, no set deadline but it’s first come, first served, so time is running out!

Arnold Clark Community Fund offers grants of up to £1,000 to community groups and charities, particularly those whose activities have been affected by the Coronavirus pamndemic.  Closes on Thursday 30 June.

Training Opportunities

Integrate also offer occasional on-line sessions to share experience from other projects or fill skills gaps – contact as above to book.

30 May – Meet the founder of HABITS of London CIC, 10 am to 12 noon.  Helen Raphael discusses her social enterprise, providing employability support for Lambeth residents aged 16-30.

13 June – Cybersecurity 101, 1o am to 12c noon on Zoom, a practical workshop led by Shurel Reynolds for small and medium-sized organisations, featuring data protection, GDPR and cybersecurity tips. 

Business Support

Brixton Creative Works offers a free blended package of business advice, coaching and accredited training to creatives or freelancers working in Lambeth.  Enquiries to 020 3735 8955 or e-mail to BCW@getsetuk.co.uk 

There is also a programme for Creative employers, including advice on recruitment and working standards – contact 07 443 839 421 or e-mail as before.

Health and Social Care

Support for Dementia patients and their carers

Age UK Lambeth has shared details of two regular sessions available for Lambeth residents living with dementia, and their carers: On Monday afternoons, Age Exchange run sessions at Stockwell Park Community Centre, Aytoun Road SW9 0TE, between 1-30 and 3 pm.  Cost £6 per session but no charge for carers.  Enquiries to Lydia at 020 8318 9105 or hello@age-exchange.org.uk

Age UK Lambeth are opening another branch of their Magnolia Club for people with dementia on 17 May, to run on Tuesday afternoons from 3 pm to 5 pm. This will be at the Myatt’s Fields North Centre, 24 Crawshay Road, SW9 6FZ and operate on a free, drop-in basis. Enquiries to 0333 360 3700.

Mental Health Awareness

Thursday 12 May will be a Health & Wellbeing Event at the Marcus Lipton Youth Centre, Minet Road SW9.  It will be open between 12 noon and 5 pm, with free food, free massage, and a chance to try yoga, boxing and fitness techniques.  Organised by ML Community Enterprise and Ecosystem Coldharbour – see www.ecosystemcoldharbour.org 

Art4Space will be hosting further Mental Health First Aid Courses at their base at 31 Jeffreys Road SW4 6QU.  The next course will be for those working with young people, on 30 June & 1 July.  To register, e-mail to info@itsaplayground.org

Mosaic Clubhouse in Effra Road publish an occasional bulletin of their activities, which can now be found via Issuu – see https://issuu.com/mosaicclubhouse/docs/

Other News

News from Urban Growth

Urban Growth are hosting a monthly series of weekend gardening workshops until September, in the Paulet Estate Community Garden.  This is next to the Remakery, at the corner of Lilford and Paulet Roads, SE5.  Topics will include creating living walls, growing mushrooms, making your own fertilisers and botanical dyes, as well as saving different types of seeds.  Enquiries to info@urbangrowth.london or sign up via Eventbrite.

Weekly Thursday gardening volunteer sessions are continuing, led by Taye, head of food growing.  Sessions are at Pop Brixton between 10 am and 11-30 am, and at the Brixton Orchard between 1 pm and 3 pm.  Sign up via Eventbrite or just turn up!

Paused for Upgrades?

In Wyck Gardens, the Platform Cafe is currently closed for refurbishment, but expects to be back in action next month.

On the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Moorland Road, despite the hoardings around the Domino Club, the Brixton Soup Kitchen is still active in providing hot meals and food packs for the homeless, between 1 pm and 3 pm Monday to Friday. For more details, see https://lnkd.in/estjSkxh

Southwyck Pantry re-opened at the Moorland Estate Community Centre, 50a Corry Drive, off Somerleyton Road, on 5th May.  Continuing on Thursdays, they will offer 10 fresh fruit/ vegetable items plus up to 10 cupboard items, for £5. Enquiries to info@healthylivingplatform.org

Southwyck Community Hall, off Moorland Road SW9 8UR, will re-open on Friday 13 May as the Brixton Coding & Arts Centre, managed by Millennium Community Solutions. This will provide a training space for information technology and coding for all ages and abilities.  There will also be space for the community to explore and develop art in all its forms.  Enquiries to gail@millenniumcommunitysolutions.com or 07 951 087 923.

Outdoor Yoga

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses are now hosting outdoor yoga sessions on Saturday mornings on the decking outside the greenhouse.  To book and pay online, go to: https://www.naturalconnection.org.uk/yoga-for-all

Advice Surgeries on Council Estates

Details have been received of a series of tenant advice surgeries on major Lambeth Council estates.

St. Matthew’s Estate, Brixton Hill: sessions held at St. Matthew’s Hall, 10 St. Matthew’s Road SW2 1NH, on the 3rd Thursday of each month, 10 am to 1 pm from 19 May.

Edmundsbury Estate, Ferndale Road: sessions held at Edmundsbury Community Hall within the estate, on the 2nd Friday of the month, 10 am to 1 pm from 13 May.

Tulse Hill Estate: sessions held at the Jubilee Community Hall, SW2 2LY on the 1st Wednesday of each month, 2 pm to 4 pm from 1 June.

Art Exhibitions

 Brixton Art Prize: Closing date for entries is 15 May, entries may be in any media, on the theme of conflict and integration, culminating in a group show for shortlisted artists at The Department Store between 30 June and 3rd July.  First prize £1000 and a London solo show, runner-up prizes of £750 and £500.  Entry fee £15 – for more details see the website, https://brixtonartprize.com

Brixton Bugle Art Show – a reminder from last month’s bulletin: The closing date for entries is 20 May, leading to the Art Show at Brixton Tate Library between 4 and 26 July.  Initially, send up to 3 digital photos of your work to arts@brixtonblog.com together with your name, address, e-mail, contact phone number and social media, together with the title and brief description of each work.  You can submit up to two pictures, but each must be no larger than 1 metre square.

Other exhibitions at Brixton Tate Library: The latest art exhibition in Brixton Library is “Peripheral Visions, Marginal Figures” by Martin Grover, continuing during library opening hours until 31 May.  The following show will be a retrospective of the work of Marion Jones (1952-2021), open 6 to 28 June.

Have your say on Lambeth United

A reminder from our last bulletin, that Lambeth Council is reviewing place-names with likely links to Slavery and the colonial past.  Comments can be made on their Commonplace website until 31 May – see https://lambethunited.commonplace.is

Keep in Touch

Share Your News – and Views!

Feel free to make use of these bulletins to share your concerns, to announce events and services, or just to report what your group or enterprise is doing.We aim to publish monthly, around the 10th of the month, so we really need to hear from you before 5 June for the next issue.  Keep it clear and simple, because we don’t really have the time for re-writes, or to chase you if your press release was garbled.  Continue to send your news to apiperbrix@aol.com for the time being.

Is our mailing list up to date?

We have some 500 contacts on our e-mail list, but are you still there?Please tell us, by e-mail to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org– If you want these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so you get them more reliably or quickly.- If you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our mailing list (no extra charge at present!)- If you have moved away, or are no longer interested.

Christmas is coming…And still there are more seasonal events happening around Brixton…

10-12 December: Open Studios at Clockwork Studios, 38 Southwell Road SE5 9PD – Friday open evening 6 pm to 9 pm, weekend openings 11 am to 5 pm.  This may be on the outer fringe of Brixton now, but as Fred Karno’s Fun Factory, it was a centre of its Music Hall activity some 110 years ago.

Saturday 11 December – Christmas Bazaar at Brixton Tate Library, 11 am to 3 pm, organised by the Friends of Tate Library.

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December: Christmas Wreath & Decoration Making Workshops, 11 am to 3 pm at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses.  Book via https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events/

Sunday 12 December – Windmill Christmas Market, 12 noon to 3-30 pm in Windmill Gardens, off Brixton Hill SW2.And don’t forget the Christmas Bake competition for amateur bakers, using Brixton Windmill flour.  Entry is free but you will need to bring your entry to the Windmill Centre by noon on this date, for judging.  More details on the FoWG website, www.brixtonwindmill.org

Sunday 19 December – Christmas Fair with carol singing and christingle at Myatt’s Fields Park.  Market stalls open 11 am to 4 pm, Carol Concert at 4-30 pm, led by the Brixton Chamber Orchestra.  To book a stall pitch, e-mail to market@myattsfieldspark.info

Cook an Extra Christmas Dinner – a reminder that once again Age UK Lambeth is inviting people to cook a meal for somebody living by themselves, and deliver it to them on Christmas Day.  They can even supply the extra plate.  To register and be matched with a nearby older person, please e-mail to volunteer@ageuklambeth.org or phone 0333 360 3990.

But What Next?

We have over 500 contacts on our e-mail list, including most local organisations, but how many of you are still out there?Please tell us – by e-mail to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org– If you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our mailing list;- If you prefer these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so you get them more quickly or reliably;- If you have moved away, or are no longer interested.

The Forum team are disappointed at the lack of ideas coming in for Forum events or activities.  Even if you hesitate to join in live events, we can still set up discussions or training events on-line, but we need to know where to focus our efforts.  We still have some resources to spend before the end of March, plus we need to plan ahead for the summer months so we can bid for fresh funds.Whether you have a bright idea or a desperate need, please share it with us!

Funding, Training & Support

Funding Reminders

Lambeth Wellbeing Fund is looking for projects run by residents and local organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the borough. Now in its 6th year, it’s run by London Community Foundation on behalf of NHS Lambeth, Lambeth Council and Lambeth Public Health Directorate.All details are on the LCF website at https://londoncf.org.uk/grants/lambeth-wellbeing-fund  Organisations applying should have an annual income less than £100,000.  Deadline for all applications is 7th January.

Peter Minet Trust – Open Grants Fundis offering grants of up to £30,000 a year for up to 3 years.  Grants are limited to registered charities based in and serving only Lambeth and Southwark, but can be used in whatever way the charity chooses. This time the Trust is giving priority to Black-led charities, and expects to fund 5 or 6 projects in total.  Details were circulated last month by Integrate – if you missed them, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk  Deadline for all applications is 20 January.

Untold Stories – grants from the Mayor: The Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm is the Mayor’s initiative to encourage our shared public spaces to reflect the diversity of London achievements.  Grants between £1,000 and £25,000 are offered for community-led organisations to create something new, highlight something missing or hidden, or to present a different story to what already exists.  Details are on the GLA website if you missed the earlier links circulated by Black Cultural Archives and Integrate, but the the deadline is midday on 12 January.

Funding for Tree Planting

The Nature for Climate Fund will support tree-planting efforts through 4 funds totalling £12 million-plus.A £4.4 million pot will support planting 260,000 trees outside woodlands across 139 local authorities from the Local Authority Treescapes Fund.

The third round of the Urban Tree Challenge Fund will support 46 projects in urban areas of England, adding another 25,000 trees to the 134,000 provided in earlier rounds.To restore biodiversity to woodland habitats, and help them adapt to climate change, the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Fund will provide £700,000 to 17 projects.In addition, the Tree Production Innovation Fund will contribute £1 million to 16 projects to to increase and diversify the supply of young trees for all your planting projects. 

Training Courses

Skills for Tomorrow is a free coding class for BAME members of the community, aged 18 to 25 years and living with a disability.  It’s due to start in January, so if you are interested, contact Millennium Community Solutions at gail@millenniumcommunitysolutions.com

On-line Training Courses (via Zoom) are offered by NFP Workshops, based in York.  Typical cost is £95 for a session from 10 am to 12-30.  Topics available include Bid writing, Trust fund-raising, Recruiting and managing Volunteers, Legacy fund-raising, Major Donor fund-raising and Corporate fund-raising.  Enquiries to 01133 280 988 or e-mail to 02@nfpsend1.co.uk 

Health & Social Care

Coronavirus latest

Restrictions have been tightened again, in response to continued high infection rates and the more transmissible Omicron variant.Masks must now be worn in shops and on public transport.  Everyone in schools and colleges should wear masks in communal areas.Take a rapid test if you are heading out to an event, meeting up with friends or even returning to a busy office.

Vaccination is reducing the risk of severe cases, and efforts are being made to roll out booster jabs to those who were vaccinated some months ago.If you missed out first time round, there are still opportunities to get protected.  Better still if you can also get your jab against this winter’s ‘flu.For details of both “walk in” and appointment clinics locally, see www.selondonccg.nhs,uk/popupclinics or www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations or contact your GP surgery.

Supporting Wellbeing

The Wellbeing Workshops are FREE sessions for Lambeth residents working or volunteering with community projects.  They offer a range of themed sessions at various local venues, plus some more on-line sessions.  More details at https://tinyurl.com/snv9vvxa

Creative Remedies will be a 10-week series of Free sessions for the over 55s, starting on 19 January.  To be held on Wednesdays, 10 am to 12-30 pm, at Art4Space at Stockwell.  Funded by Reaching Communities, enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Creative Community Champions is another 10 week series, aimed again at residents working or volunteering at community projects, and feeling in need of a well-being boost, or just feeling isolated.  These sessions will be on Fridays, 10-30 am to 1 pm, starting on 21 January, also at Stockwell.Funded by Reaching Communities, enquiries to jewels@art4space.org.uk

Lambeth Larder is more than a food resource

We have been reminded that the Lambeth Larder website offers signposting to more than food banks.Community Food Resources are mapped at https://lambethlarder.communitymaps.org.uk

Struggling to pay your Utility Bills? see https://www.lambethlarder.org/money-issues

Refugee and Migrant Support can be found via https://lambethlarder.org/advice-and-support

Windrush Compensation Scheme

Stockwell Park Community Centre can offer assistance in making claims under this scheme.  You can apply if:- You came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973;- Your parents or grandparents came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973;- You came to the UK from any country before 1988, and are now settled here;- You are the close family of an eligible person, and you have experienced losses yourself;- You are the representative of the estate of a deceased person who would have been eligible.

First, call the Windrush Support Team at We Are Digital on 0808 196 8496 to start the process.  They are assigned by the Home Office to assist people in completing their claims.  You will need to:- Ask to start your claim;- Request assistance in starting your claim.- Ask to be referred to the Stockwell Park Community Centre for help in completing your claim.

Greenspaces and Green issues

Bulbs for Loughborough Park

It’s good to hear when we make a connection and it gets a result.  We shared with several groups the details of a free bulbs offer from the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, and we recently heard that the Friends of Loughborough Park were among the successful applicants.  Their next challenge is to get 400 bulbs planted before Christmas!  Enquiries to friendsofloughboroughpark@gmail.com

Wildflower Hunt in Brockwell Park

Saturday 1st January – The annual plant walk for Friends of Brockwell Park takes the form of a Wildflower Hunt in the park, led by Roy Vickery of the South London Botanical Institute.  See also the FoBP website, www.brockwellpark.com 

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

The closing date for comments on the Tulse Hill and Streatham Hill LTNs is 19 December.  Your feedback should be sent to lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk and do share your views with us too.  Consultation on the Ferndale LTN is expected to start late January/ February. 

Other News

Hondo Towers – Mayor’s Decision soon

The Hondo planning application for a 20-storey office tower is now to be decided by the Mayor.  In the last week of November, Hondo tried to make their project more attractive to the Mayor and Lambeth Council by modest increases in the amount of training and affordable workspace.  However, they have resisted suggestions from GLA planning staff to reduce the overall height. Any comments on the recent changes should reach the GLA by 17 December – on-line via planning.london.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i4J000002gBW8QAM/20210265?tabset-c2f3b+3 You may also want to use this link to remind the Mayor about objections that you previously sent to Lambeth.  The Fight The Tower campaign and the Brixton Society are co-ordinating their objections to the Mayor – enquiries to planning@brixtonsociety.org.uk

The future of Pop Brixton and International House

Lambeth Council has been seeking a team of developers for these 2 sites, and held a “Meet the Bidders” day for the finalists on Saturday 6 November. We are not supposed to disclose the identity of the final bidders for the time being, but we can assure you that none of Hondo (Popes Road), Muse (Olive Morris House) or Derwent (Blue Star House) is involved.  Bids should be reaching Council offices about now, and Lambeth’s Cabinet is due to make its final choice in late January/ early February.  Forum members told us clearly in April that you would prefer to see International House retained, as a hub for creative businesses and community organisations.  One of the bidders is sympathetic to this, but Lambeth is looking for a long list of benefits from the development, so with several different factors to choose between, there’s a strong likelihood that the Council will fail Brixton again! 

Keep in Touch

Share your news – and views!

Please make use of these bulletins to share concerns, to announce events or services, or just to report what your group is doing.We aim to publish at least monthly, but with reduced activity over the Christmas/ New Year period, we expect the next bulletin to reach you in mid-January. Send your news to apiperbrix@aol.com ideally before Christmas for the January issue.

Is our mailing list up-to-date?

We have over 500 contacts on our e-mail list, including most local organisations, but how many of you are still out there? Please tell us – by e-mail to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org- If you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our mailing list;- If you prefer these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so you get them more quickly or reliably;- If you have moved away, or are no longer interested.

Events

Community Rally on Windrush Square

Saturday 18 September, between 2 pm and 6 pmSeveral community campaigns are coming together to remind you that another Brixton is possible.  Expect speeches from Fight the Tower Campaign, Save Cressingham, Brixton Rec Users Group, Save Nour/ Save Brixton, London Renters Union, Green New Deal London, Planning Aid for London and more – with some music and poetry too.

Black Thrive Lambeth Partnership

The Partnership is inviting Black individuals, organisations and allies that are striving for an equal society to join the Community Assembly on Saturday 18 September. Book separately for morning (10-30 to 1 pm) and afternoon (2 pm to 4 pm) sessions – #TogetherWeThrive

81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance

On These Streets is a free interactive audio experience by Non Zero One, accessible until 30 September.  It takes the form of a self-guided walk using a web-app, created in response to the 1981 Uprising, including verbatim testimony, new writing and music.  The walk route starts from Brixton Tube Station, takes in 6 waypoints and is available between 10 am and 10 pm daily.  To book, see https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/whats-on/

When Brixton Went on Fire: A photo exhibition at the Carnegie Library Community Hub, Herne Hill Road, continues until Wednesday 29 September. Organised by Learning Through the Arts, open Tuesday- Friday 11 am to 6 pm, Mondays from 2 pm, Saturdays 9 am to 4-30 pm, but closed for lunch 1 pm to 2 pm each day.

Lambeth Heritage Festival continues

Events at Brixton Windmill

We were caught out by some late changes to dates, but fortunately there is an extra Open Weekend at the Windmill on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September.  Tours are still free but must be booked in advance, via www.brixtonwindmill.org In addition, a guided walk round the Brixton Hill area starts from the mill at 1 pm on Sunday 26th – again, book via the website.

There is also a talk at 7 pm on Wednesday 29September, tracing the past 10 years of activity since the major restoration of the mill in 2011.  Available in person at the Education Centre next to the mill, or via Zoom, but for either option, please book via the website.

A Walk Round Stockwell Green

A guided walk around Stockwell Green on Sunday19 September – meet at 2-30 pm outside the Costcutter store, at corner of Landor Road and Lingham Street, SW9 9JF.  No booking required.

Ecosystem Coldharbour – Community Truths Meeting

This coalition of community projects covers the north-east side of Brixton, from Angell Town Estate through Moorlands Estate. Their next open meeting is a chance to share problems and make contacts to help organise solutions – 6 pm to 9 pm on Wednesday 29 September at Moorland Estate Community Centre, 50a Corry Drive SW9 8QT (off Somerleyton Road).  Please note the change of date and venue from previous notices.  Reserve a place by e-mailing  connect@ecosystemcoldharbour.org

Great Big Green Week

This runs from 18-26 September, with various events tied in with Climate Change and Green spaces. It kicks off in Myatt’s Fields Park on Saturday, 18th. Loughborough Farm have a workshop on Creating New Plants from Cuttings – on Saturday 25 September from 10-30 am to 1 pm – please book in advance via loughboroughfarm@gmail.com South London Botanical Institute (in Norwood Road, towards Tulse Hill Station) also has a couple of events that week.

Also worth looking at the Lambeth Larder website, particularly for food-growing projects and ideas – see http://lambethlarder.communitymaps.org.uk/

Black Culture Market at The Department Store

The Market returns to the basement of the Department Store, on Ferndale Road, on both Saturday & Sunday, 2 & 3 October, open from 11 am to 5 pm each day.  To book a stall, see the website,  https://www.blackculturemarket.co.uk Admission is free but please register in advance via Eventbrite – see website for link.

Autumn Show at 198 Gallery

Breaking the Mould is the theme of the next exhibition at the 198 Gallery on Railton Road.  Continuing the gallery’s long-standing commitment to showcasing the work of ethnic minority artists, it will feature 12 emerging artists from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The show will run from 14 October to 28 November, normal opening hours Monday- Friday, 11 am to 5 pm, free admission.  More information at www.198.org.uk

Current Council Consultations 

Review of Low Traffic NeighbourhoodsWe have heard little from members about how well – or not – the LTNs are working around our area, but it’s critical to identify what works and what does not.  Lambeth is inviting comments, so decisions can be taken in the New Year about whether to make these temporary schemes permanent. Around Brixton, the Railton LTN is open for comments until 10 October, to www.lambeth.gov.uk/railton-ltn-say Although there was prior local consultation on the design of this LTN, the present layout introduced extra features such as cutting off the northern arm of Shakespeare Road from all vehicle traffic from the Railton Road side.Consultations should follow on the Ferndale and Tulse Hill LTNs, but we have not been able to get clear dates yet – we suggest contacting lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk

Safeguarding Space for Local Business

Lambeth proposes to make 3 “Article 4 Directions” to protect existing business premises from casual change to residential use.  The Government has removed most planning protection, with the risk that most shops and workspaces will be changed into flats, which generate higher rents for landlords.  Between them, the 3 proposed orders would cover Brixton Town Centre, the other established business areas (KIBAs) around the borough, and the north end of the borough which is part of London’s Central Business District.  Closing date for comments is 27 September.

Parks and Open Spaces Consultation

Don’t panic – this one is largely to keep track of how residents think the Council is doing with running its Parks and other open spaces, rather than any new proposals.  Might be worth commenting on those extended closures of our scarce greenspaces for commercial events though?Closing date for this one is 29 October.For access to Council consultations generally, see the Lambeth website and follow the Consultations links – https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/consultations/

Funding, Training and Support

Grant deadlines approaching

A quick reminder of some of the schemes about to close – most have previously been circulated by Integrate – if you missed those notices, contact  eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

LEAP Co-Create Fund, supporting pre-school children and their families, see www.leaplambeth.org.uk/cocreate closes at 12 noon on Monday 20 September.

London Fund for Racialised Communities (Round 2) from the BME Health Forum and Comic Relief, closes at 12 noon on Monday 4 October. 

Women in Innovation Awards 2021/22, for women business founders or social entrepreneurs, deadline 11 am on Wednesday 20 October.

Writing effective Grant Proposals Tuesday 28 September, 10 am to 4 pm, on-line via Zoom.  A course to provide you with the basics of preparing effective grant applications.  Delivered by CLEN cic and funded by the Walcot Foundation and Battersea Power Station Foundation.  Apply via Eoin Heffernan at Integrate, e-mail as above.

Finding Volunteers

It’s easy to overlook some channels for finding volunteers to help your group or project, so here’s a reminder about Team London Volunteering. Advertising volunteer roles with them is free, and you may attract people from beyond your immediate area, or with key skills you need. It’s hosted by City Hall, so find their webpages at https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/volunteering/search/

Training from Brixton BID: If you are a social enterprise or small business within the Brixton Business Improvement District, take advantage of these upcoming courses:

• Tuesday 5 October – Equality and Diversity
• Tuesday 9 November – First Aid (level 3)
• Tuesday 7 December – Team Working. All enquiries to Chantel at chantel.facey@brixtonbid.co.uk

Promoting Equality and Diversity

In Lambeth and Southwark, people from Black communities have historically faced worse health outcomes than other groups.  The Transformational Leadership Programme will support up to 20 local organisations to develop Black potential leaders and reduce racial inequality.  The programme is supported by the Guys & St. Thomas Foundation, but deadline for applications is Thursday 30 September.  Contact Eoin Heffernan at Integrate Agency, as above.

Courses & classes at Art4Space

Art4Space have launched a number of new courses and activities at their Creative Learning Hub, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU.

Creative Enterprise for Textiles or Ceramics, meeting on Friday mornings 10 am to 12-30 pm, from 24 September to 3rd December (except 29 October) with an opportunity to sell the products made at a local Christmas Market.  Open to all residents with a SW2, SW4 or SW9 postcode, but places are limited – enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Creative Remedies is a Women’s Sewing Collective, meeting on Wednesday mornings, 10 am to 12-30 pm, from 22 September to 1st December (except 27 October) – enquiries to info@art4space.co.uk

After School Art Club runs on Thursdays, 3-45 to 5 pm, minimum age 8, fee £5 each – see http://www.art4space.co.uk

Mosaic Classes are continuing in person on Tuesday evenings, 6-30 to 9 pm.  Enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Creative Writing Course

Get that novel started!  The Carnegie Library Community Hub is hosting another creative writing course on Thursdays from 21 October.  This will run for 6 sessions, from 7 pm to 9 pm, for up to 12 participants.  Cost is £129 (£109 for OAPs).  Courses are led by Dominic Canty – for details and booking, see https://creative-writer.co.uk/courses

Health and Social Care

Coronavirus Update

With infections rising again, make sure you have not missed out on getting vaccinated! For the latest details of local vaccination clinics, see www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics This also includes clinics beyond the borough boundary, to give you more choice. The Lambeth Health and Wellbeing bus is still popping up at various locations to fill gaps in coverage – and for other health functions too.  To keep track of it, see www.lambethtogether.net/wellbeing-bus

Black River Counselling

This is a free online service supporting people of Black African and Afro-Caribbean heritage, to meet their mental health and wellbeing needs at this difficult time.  If you are a low income key worker, a young person (over 18), an elder, or someone who just needs to talk, please get in touch at 0808 196 3007.  Hosted by Lambeth & Southwark Mind – see https://www.lambethandsouthwarkmind.org.uk/our-services/

In Other News
 

Running Lambeth’s Leisure Centres

Lambeth is to extend its contract with Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) for another year, but is likely to bring all leisure facilities back under Council management  from April 2023.  Brixton Recreation Centre is the most high-profile site, but the Ferndale and Flaxman sites are also in our orbit, and GLL also manage the major Clapham, Streatham and West Norwood sites.  GLL have held the current contract since 2007.  Direct management by Lambeth opens up the potential for a more responsive service to residents needs, rather than what suits the contractor.

Extending the Santander Cycle Hire Scheme

Windrush Square is currently the southernmost outpost of the Mayor’s Cycle Hire scheme, but there is now a petition to extend it as far as Herne Hill.If you want to support it, see  https://you.38defrees.org.uk/petitions/extend-the-santander-cycle-hire-scheme-to-herne-hill

Are you using your Forum?

What’s on your agenda? Last month we asked for topics to include in our next meeting, but it seems as if most people took the opportunity to get away, so we only received some holiday pictures from the Isle of Wight and Crete! Despite Government blethering, Coronavirus infection rates have been rising, so the next Forum meeting will still be on Zoom. We are keen to have presentations or reports about what you are doing or planning, or to discuss any local issues, but we do need to hear what you want included in a meeting anytime soon – contact the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com

Share your news! We are keen to share news and requests from our member groups in these bulletins.  Short items are easier, bearing in mind that many people are trying to read this on their mobile phones.  Distribution is normally monthly, so please send any news for the October issue before the end of September, to the Secretary as above. Is our mailing list correct?

Finally, our usual reminder for you to tell us – at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org

– If you would like to add a colleague or neighbour to our e-mail distribution list.

– If you would prefer these bulletins to be sent to a different e-mail address so you can receive them more quickly or reliably.

– If you no longer wish to receive them because you are no longer interested, or have moved away.

Events Coming up

Lambeth Links – Tuesday 17 August

The next in the series of talks from the founders of voluntary organisations working in Lambeth, hosted by Integrate.  Christopher French talks about Lambeth Links, set up to act as a forum for Lambeth’s LGBTQ+ communities.  To book, e-mail to  eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance

To mark the 40th anniversary of the ’81 Uprising, individuals, community groups and organisations are coming together to create 81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance.  For an overview, see https://81actsofexuberantdefiance.com

The Human Library, Saturday 28 August: Tony Cealy of 492 Korna Klub invites you to their performance project at the Black Cultural Archives, 3 pm to 5 pm.  It will feature 12 speakers who can be “checked out” for a unique one-on-one performance/ conversation about their own personal narratives of race, class and migration, within the overall theme of Windrush Generation. To book, go to: https://lnkd.in/d8-hNnK

Pearl’s Return – 3-19 September: Pearl Alcock’s Shebeen operated in Railton Road in the 1970s, and became a hub for an overlooked Black queer community.  In September, BLKOUT will be hosting a series of events celebrating Pearl and re-imagining what Black queer space could be in 2021 and beyond.  Collaborations with other groups welcomed.  More details at www.blkout@gmail.com

Brixton Windmill open for tours again

Tours take place this coming weekend (14 & 15 August) between 1 pm and 5 pm, and there will be two open weekends next month, 4/5 and 18/19 September.  There are still some restrictions, so we cannot take visitors up to the top floor at present.  Please book in advance via the website, www.brixtonwindmill.org

Creative Workshops for over-50s

Brixton Community Base at St. Vincent’s in Talma Road SW2 is hosting a series of creative workshops on Thursdays and Fridays through August, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Sessions are free, thanks to funding from London Community Foundation – more details from Caroline on 07 958 448 690 or at brixtoncommunitybase@gmail.com

Free Music Events at Pop Brixton

A series of free music events in the Pop Box at Pop Brixton – more details at www.popbrixton.org/events

• Thursday 19 August – Kin Teet with guest DJ Jazz T, 8-30 pm to 11-30 pm.
• Friday 27 August – Just Vibez Carnival, from 7 pm.
• Sunday 29 August – B3 Carnival Special from Afarari Records, 12 noon onwards.

Events at Impact Brixton

The Dreamers Club is running a series of on-line sessions to support small and start-up businesses, supported by NatWest Business. Still to come:

• Thursday 12 August – Understanding your customer, 10 am start;
• Thursday 19 August – Responding to Change and implementing an action plan, 10 am start.
• Thursday 26 August – Set Goals: a long-term vision and manageable milestones, 10 am start.
• Digital Creatives Club will be a book club for curious creatives.  Its first meet-up is planned for Thursday 9 September in the Black Bar at Impact Brixton, 17a Electric Avenue SW9.See more at https://impactbrixton.com

Events at Longfield Hall

• Music Recital, Thursday 26 August, 7-30 pm Emma Jungling and Yoojin Kim, tickets £14 or £12.
• Friday Jazz, 24 September, 7 pm – A return visit by Mac & Xvngo, tickets £8.
• Longfield Hall Community Choir is starting up again on Wednesdays, 10 am to 11-30 am from 8 September. Sessions are free and no booking required.

Many other classes and sessions are held at the Hall – for details, see their website www.longfieldhall.org.uk

Lambeth Heritage Festival will run through September

The borough-wide programme of 55 events will go live online from this weekend – see www.lambethlocalhistoryforum.org.uk or contact info@brixtonsociety.org.uk

Saturday 4 September – Lambeth Local History Fair in St. Mark’s Church at the north end of Brixton Road, opposite Oval Tube Station.Open 10-30 am to 4-30 pm, including stalls and a choice of talks and local walks.

Funding, Training and Support 

Grant offers closing soon

In recent weeks, Integrate has circulated details of several funding sources, but those listed below close for bids shortly.  If you missed or lost the links, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Community Ownership Fund, closing date 13 August (but there will be further rounds).Mental Health Stability Fund, closing date 13 August.

Santander Foundation: Financial & Digital Empowerment Fund, closing date 13 August.

Co-op Community Fridge Fund, closing date 16 August

Peabody Community Foundation: Young People’s Fund, closing date 3 September.

Community Ideas Grants Fund, closing date 10 September.

LEAP Co-Create Fund to support work with children under 3 years old in Coldharbour, Vassall, Stockwell or Tulse Hill wards, closing date 20 September.

Arts Funding Streams

Paul Mellon Centre has launched its Autumn round of Arts funding, for events, research, publications and digital projects.  Events can include lectures, conferences, exhibitions, training workshops and online events.  Closing date for all applications in this round is 30 September.  More details on their website at https://paulmelloncentre.ac.uk/fellowships-and-grants

Samuel Ross Black British and People of Colour Arts Grants: Ten grants of £2500 each are to be awarded in the fields of sculpture, painting, literature/ writing, fashion, photography, industrial design, furniture, fil, VR & AR.  Grants will be awarded with advice from the Design Council, Royal College of Art and the British Fashion Council.  More details at https://community.samuel-ross.com 

Training Opportunities

Morley College in the north of the borough is urging Lambeth residents to enrol now for a variety of short courses which start in September. Subjects include Visual Arts, Fashion & Textiles, Digital Media & Photography, Humanities, Applied & Social Sciences, Dance, Drama and Music.  For more details phone 020 7450 1889 or see www.morleycollege.ac.uk/short-courses

For Women in Business: News from Yvonne Thompson of WinTrade Global Network of some upcoming Masterclasses – free online at https://bit.ly/free-summer-masterclasses

• Saturday 14 August – Demystifying the route to the Boardroom, 9-30 am to 12-30, tips and tricks to help you arrive, survive and thrive on a board or committee.
• Saturday 28 August – How to increase your Public Profile, 9-30 to12-30, Are you a master of social media, and is it benefitting your business
• Saturday 11 September – The Power of Public Speaking, 9-30 to 12-30, to help you prepare for any public speaking opportunity.

Health and Social Care

 Coronavirus Vaccination Update

Details of local clinic sessions often reach us too late to share widely, so we urge you to check directly for the latest news at www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics  This will include news of sessions just beyond the borough boundary.You may also notice the Lambeth Health and Wellbeing Bus popping up at various locations to fill gaps in cover, or where nearby health facilities do not have enough space – to see where it will be, visit www.lambethtogether.net/wellbeing-bus It can be made available for a wider range of health and advice services, so if you have suggestions to fill a local need, please e-mail the team at publichealth@lambeth.gov.uk

Advance Care Planning

If you are a grassroots community organisation supporting older people, a reminder that Integrate have arranged an online briefing session with the Lambeth Advance Care Planning Consortium on 23 August at 10 am on Zoom.  To book, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk 

Community Wellness supported by local pharmacies

Pharmacists across South-East London have arranged a series of on-line events to show people how to self-care and improve their wellness.The next session is hosted by the Church of God of Prophecy in New Cross on Sunday 22 August, between 11 am and 12-30 as part of their Sunday Service, via Zoom – ID 932 3961 6570. The final session is hosted by Black British Recommendation, a network for black-owned businesses, again via Zoom.  This will be on Thursday 26 August, 7 pm to 8 pm. Zoom ID 337 945 0386 or enquiries to rudipage7@gmail.comRoots Restoration a wellbeing project at High Trees Comunity Centre Tuesdays 6 – 8pm,  talk therapy for BAME comunity, contact info@rootsrestoration.co.uk or call 07845 815 202

In Other News

 Reducing Food Waste – Trial Survey

Compliments of the House is a Brixton-based food charity working to cut food waste in Britain.  Not to be confused with a Food Bank or soup kitchen, they are not seeking public food donations.  Instead they aim to collect cooked food from local restaurants, cafes and supermarkets, and divert it to those in need, rather than it going to landfill.They have just launched a 5 minutes/ 5 questions survey to gather local attitudes to food date labels, and want to hear what Brixton folk think about them.  In particular, are date labels on food products confusing, and does this increase food waste?  Do you rely on food labels to decide if food is safe to eat?Take the survey at https://sjte5tdw6d1.typeform.com/to/e3TufSUd Enquiries to Alison on 07855 242 918 or e-mail to team@complimentsofthehouse.org

Libraries almost back to normal

Evening opening hours were restored from 19 July, but extra cleaning and social distancing are continuing for the time being because Lambeth infection rates are relatively high.  An appointments system is still operating, to regulate numbers, so please phone or e-mail your local library to fix a visit or to book use of a PC. Overdue and reservation charges will come into force again from 16 August, so you are encouraged to return items before then if possible, to avoid charges.  Libraries will again be sending E-mail reminders of overdue or reserved items.

Fenwick Estate Hub open again

Homes for Lambeth have reminded us that their information hub at 66 Willington Road SW9 is open again.  For the time being, please book your visit via Margaret Amadi at margaret@homesforlambeth.co.uk This includes sessions for use of their wi-fi or laptops, as well as for housing issues.  A number of wellbeing workshops are also being run to support estate residents – contact Wendy Bohan on 07 507 644 645 or at wendy@homesforlambeth.co.uk

Make the most of your Forum! 

Future Forum Meetings

We had hoped to set up another Forum event by now, but ideas and requests for presentations have been slow to arrive.  The next Forum meeting is still likely to be via Zoom, but we are also starting to think about “real” meetings before long. Forum officers have begun meeting people again for real, not just on screen, so a quick shout out to Stockwell Park Community Trust, Transition Town Brixton, Friends of Windmill Gardens, Lloyd Leon Community Centre (and Ubele), Healthy Living Platform and Millennium Community Services, among others. If you want to present something to Forum members, or to seek support for your bright idea, please contact the Secretary, Alan Piper, at apiperbrix@aol.com

Want to see your name here?

We urge you to use these bulletins to report what your group is doing, to announce coming events or new services, or to raise concerns.  Just bear in mind that space and time are limited, and we cannot guarantee to print everything we receive.  We try to publish at least monthly, so expect to see the next issue around 8th September.  Please send to apiperbrix@aol.com ideally by the end of August.

Is our mailing list correct?

Finally, our usual reminder for you to tell us – by e-mail to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org 

• if you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our mailing list
• if you would prefer these bulletins to be sent to a different e-mail address, so you will see them more quickly
• if you have moved away or are no longer interested.

Coming Events

The Brixton Blog and Bugle Art Show

This is running in the Gallery at Brixton Tate Library until 19 July, with works by 40 local artists.  Viewing by appointment – e-mail to  rblack@lambeth.gov.uk with your preferred date and time, and please wear a mask when visiting.

Music in Brixton

The Brixton Business Improvement District have arranged further Lockdown Lifts performances for Monday 19 July.  The Brixton Chamber Orchestra will perform at Electric Circle, Tunstall Square and Brixton Station Road during the course of the afternoon. The BID are following up with the Brixton Performs Festival on Wednesday 28 July including live music and comedy.

Further afield, the bandstand at Myatt’s Fields Park is hosting a wide variety of live music performances on Sunday afternoons between 3 pm and 6 pm, continuing until 8 August – more details at www.camberwellfair.co.uk.

81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance

Marking the 40th anniversary of the original Brixton Riots of April 1981, the programme of events will now run until April next year. We will mention some of the Acts or events here from time to time, but for the bigger picture, see https://81actsofexuberantdefiance.com  See also under Funding below.

The People’s Tribunal on Police Killings: 81 Acts continues the fight on behalf of those in the Black community who have been affected by police brutality, with a series of posters entitled “People’s Tribunal on Police Killings” which list those who have died at police hands.  Posters have been installed at bus stops encircling the Brixton Police Station.  The Tribunal is particularly concerned that murder or manslaughter committed by state agents have gone unpunished, and supports the work the United Families & Friends Campaign (@uffcampaign), Migrant Media (@migrantmedia) and 4WardEverUK (@4wardeveruk).

The Human Library: The Black Cultural Archives are hosting a performance on Saturday 28 August.  This will feature 12 speakers who can each be “checked out” for a unique one-to-one 15-minute conversation/performance, based on their lived experiences, including issues of race, class and migration.  The objective is to encourage individuals to reflect on the stories that have shaped their identities.  Organised by Tony Cealy and 492 Korna Klub.  Limited tickets – book via https://lnkd.in/d8-hNnK www.492kornaklub.com

Performances at Longfield Hall and Myatt’s Fields Park

Love’s Labour’s Lost to be performed in the Quiet Garden in Myatt’s Fields Park, at 2 pm and 7 pm on Saturday 10 July. Please bring your own chair or picnic blanket.

Friday Night with Mac & Xvngo, 7 pm in the Hall on Friday 16 July.  Join amazing musicians Mac & Xvngo for a night of jazz, jazz drill and jazztronica

As You Like It, also in the Quiet Garden in the Park, at 2 pm and 7 pm on Saturday 24 July.  Seating as before.
Both Shakespeare plays are presented by Open Bar Theatre. 

People Power in the Park, in the Hall at 7 pm on Monday 26 July, a community performance based on the history of the Park, with a free performance (no booking needed) on Thursday 29 July at 7 pm, again in the Quiet Garden in the Park.

For all bookings, e-mail to enquiry@longfieldhall.org.uk 

Lambeth Heritage Festival

Once again there will be a variety of events and activities running through the month of September.  This year will be a mix of live and on-line events, but we will highlight local events nearer the time.

Funding, Training and Support

Community Art Commission

81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance want to commission an artist to lead a series of creative workshops with the residents of Hurst Street Estate, behind the 198 Gallery on Railton Road.  The workshops will lead to a public artwork or mural, and possibly a pop-up exhibition in a local greenspace, contingent on further funding. The selection is being managed by the Brixton Project, working with 81 Acts.  Further details and application forms from hello@thebrixtonproject.com
To apply, e-mail by 25 July to apply@thebrixtonproject.com with a completed application form and a portfolio of your work.

Grant Deadlines approaching

A reminder of approaching deadlines for these grants, previously circulated by Integrate – enquiries to  eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk  if you have mislaid the earlier e-mails.

Lambeth Made Safer – Summer Violence Prevention grants come from a Council pot of £15,000 per ward in selected wards, including Brixton Hill, Ferndale, Stockwell and Vassall.  Mainly intended to support summer holiday activities for children and young people.  Deadline is midnight on Sunday 12 July.

Walcot Foundation grant round supporting academic achievement, helping young people into employment and boosting advice services, particularly debt, housing and employment.  Expressions of interest by phone to 020 7735 1925, before 2 pm on 13 July, then submit application form within 4 weeks.

5th London Faith & Belief Community Awards:  £500 awards to recognise work by faith groups and associated individuals, nominations close on Monday 19 July.

London Fund for Racialised Communities offers grants up to £20,000 to support groups experiencing racial inequality, particularly for immediate needs in the wake of Covid-19.  Limited to charities or social enterprises with average annual income of £100,000.  Apply by 12 noon on Monday 26 July.

Ecosystem Coldharbour – Micro Grants programme is limited to the present Coldharbour Ward, to support grassroots groups with an annual turnover below £20,000.  The priority is projects which reduce youth violence, which could include sport, recreation, or improving life skills or employability.  Grants will be between £500 and £2500 per project – see the website https://www.ecosystemcoldharbour.org for more details.  The programme will run over the next 18 months, but the deadline for the first round is Monday 26 July.

Crowdfunding for 198 Gallery

Although the extension to 198 Gallery has been completed on time and on budget, grants to fit it out have dried up due to most funders focussing on the coronavirus crisis.  198 Gallery has launched a Crowdfunder drive to attract donations to bring the new floorspace into use – with a reminder to add GiftAid too – see https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-to-complete-the-amazing-new198cal-youth-space

Training for Digital Volunteers

The past year has made everyone more reliant on Information Technology and digital services, but many need help with getting on-line or making their devices link-up properly.  And if you have an expert or enthusiast on call, can they explain their solutions to ordinary human beings?  Clear Community Web have teamed up with the West London Mission to present a four-session on-line course in how to be a useful Digital Volunteer – the next course is on Monday 19 July, Wednesday 21st, Monday 26 and Wednesday 28, 2 pm to 4 pm.  Enquiries or bookings to Abel on 07 903 629 544 or e-mail to abel.solomon@wlm.org.uk

Training for Business Needs

The Brixton BID currently organises one training session per month, currently delivered on-line.  Spaces are limited so make sure you take part once you are booked for a course.  All enquiries about BID training to Chantel at chantel.facey@brixtonbid.co.uk

Even if you are outside the BID area, if you are a business or social enterprise, you should be able to join in courses organised by the London Business Hub, such as:
– Using e-commerce to grow your business, Thursday 15 July, 10 am to 4-30 pm;
– Branding for SMEs, Thursday 12 August, 10 am to 4-30 pm.
For more about these and other courses, see https://www.businesshub.london/events 

Filling the Gap
If there is a skill or topic that would be helpful to your group, but that is not being provided affordably or within reach, tell us and we will see if something can be provided locally.  Do remember that training activities tend to die down during July/ August BUT maybe we can use that time to plan for the Autumn?  Please e-mail your needs or ideas to apiperbrix@aol.com

Trade Exhibitions and Conferences
If you are in business or running a social enterprise, trade exhibitions can help keep you in touch with trends and developments, and most include briefing sessions where you can pick up new ideas or extend your knowledge, often for free.  Live events are gradually returning to the calendar from September onwards.  We are happy to share details of the surprisingly wide range of industry sectors whose events we hear about – just e-mail us with your main field of interest, to apiperbrix@aol.com

Small Project – Big Impact
If your group has been involved with a landscaping or planting project, why not put it forward for one of the seven categories in this landscape industry award scheme? It’s limited to projects costing less than £30,000 (or £20,000 for planting projects).  Entry deadline is 27 August, and for more details, e-mail to Mark Wellman of Pro Landscaper magazine, mark.wellman@eljays44.com

Health and Social Care

Coronavirus Vaccination and Testing

We usually hear about local clinic sessions too late to spread the word widely, but you can use Twitter and follow either  @LambethTogether  or @nhslambethccg for breaking news on walk-in vaccination sites and other health news.  You can also refer to the website  www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics which includes walk-in sessions at local pharmacies, and the Lambeth Health & Wellbeing Bus, which is appearing at various sites to fill gaps in coverage.  Remember that for walk-in sessions, you do not need proof of address, a NHS number or immigration status. Many of these sessions are prioritising the over-40s, who are more likely to need hospital care if they succumb to coronavirus.  Sessions continue for the over-18s at the Streatham Place Surgery on the South Circular Road, with the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the AstraZeneca vaccine on Fridays.

Testing: The level of infections is rising again, so if you are meeting people outside your household, but not yet received a second jab, you should aim to take a rapid test twice a week.  The mobile testing unit is still active on Windrush Square, or you can visit a local pharmacy, or order test kits online from www.lambeth.gov.uk/covidcommunitytest
If you have symptoms, or have tested positive, Lambeth Council may be able to offer support while you self-isolate for 10 days – enquiries to 0800 054 1215. 
 If you think you have symptoms, or been exposed to the virus, the test site at Somerleyton Road is still active, but please book by phoning 119 or via the website www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Social Support services return to normal
Age UK Lambeth was using its Gateway support line number for a daily Covid helpline, but this has now reverted to its normal advice service.  Also note that 0333 360 3700 is now only operating between 10 am and 4 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, though you can leave a voicemail message outside these hours.

Support for Dementia Patients and Carers
From August, Age UK Lambeth will be managing the Magnolia Club, a drop-in group for people with dementia and their carers.  The Brixton Hill group meets at St. Saviour’s Community Centre, 24 Blenheim Gardens, SW2 5BZ on Fridays between 2 pm and 4 pm.  They have another site at Gipsy Hill, SE27, and expect to open a third site in Lambeth later in the year.  Enquiries to Kim at 07832 328 335.

In Other News…

Urban Art Fair
July usually brings the Urban Art Fair on the railings in Josephine Avenue, but once again Covid restrictions forced it on-line.  You can still catch up with the work of many local artists via the website  www.urbanart.co.uk which will remain active until the end of the year.

Brixton Recreation Centre
Reclaiming the Rec. “I look on this building here not as a recreation centre, but as a re-creation centre.” – Steadman Scott, founder member of Afewee training centre, based at the Rec. A group of local people have been meeting to talk about what the Rec means to its local people, why we value it, and how we want to see it revived.  We are imagining what a community-led regeneration and community-controlled contract could look like, to inform a conversation with Lambeth Council. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Amanda at reclaimtherec@gmail.com

Revitalising Brixton’s Rec Quarter: Following our brief report last month, a reminder that the proposals drawn up by MUF Architects, including a feedback form and webinar details, can be found at https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/revitalising-brixtons-rec-quarter
You can also send feedback direct to Martha Levi Smythe at  mlevismythe@lambeth.gov.uk 

Council Boundary Changes
Changes to ward boundaries within Lambeth are now in their final phase, with adjustments to the last few wards now published for comments.  Next year’s Council elections will be contested on the basis of the new ward boundaries, and some ward names may change to suit, so Coldharbour ward will shift a little further south, loosing the Loughborough Estate, and will likely be renamed Windrush. The latest changes to be consulted on are on the fringes of our area.  The new Stockwell East and Landor ward will extend from Clapham North tube station to South Island Place, but will exclude Stockwell Green, Birrell House and the Stockwell Park Estate.  Further south, most of the St. Martin’s Estate on Tulse Hill will be added to the present Thurlow Park ward, provisionally to be called West Dulwich & St. Martin’s.

The consultation closes on 26 July, and more details are at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/greater-london/greater-london/lambeth and follow the links to the Further Draft Recommendations.

Magistrates Wanted
London needs another 250 magistrates, and efforts are being made to recruit more from ethnic minorities, younger age groups and working class backgrounds.  You are invited to join a Teams session on Thursday 22 July to find out more.  Book by e-mail to  sara.brown.jp@ejudiciary.net or rosi.prescott@gmail.com
 
Caribbean Garden Project at the Garden Museum
The Garden Museum, in the former St. Mary’s Church alongside Lambeth Palace, has embarked on a project to gather and preserve recollections of Caribbean horticulture history and the extent to which practices were carried on in South London.  The first stage involves 6th form students recording interviews with members of the Caribbean community who keep a garden, or take part in a community garden project.  If interested, contact janine@gardenmuseum.org.uk

Make the most of your Forum

 Planning more Forum meetings
We are still trying to firm up arrangements for the next couple of Forum events, but responses have been slow to arrive.  Remember, we can host meetings on-line or (soon) live, to hear presentations or reports, or to discuss local issues.  If you want something featured at a meeting anytime soon, please contact the Secretary (e-mail below).

Share your news too!
We are keen to share news and requests from our member groups in these bulletins.  We prefer short items, bearing in mind that many people are trying to read this on their mobile phones.  Distribution is normally monthly, so please send any news for the August bulletin to arrive by 1st August, to the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com

Is our mailing list up to date?
Finally, our usual reminder for you to tell us – at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org 
– If you would like to add a colleague or neighbour to our e-mail distribution list.
– If you would prefer these bulletins to be sent to a different e-mail address, so that you receive them more rapidly or reliably.
– If you no longer wish to receive them because you are no longer interested, or have moved away.

Events Coming up

Marking Windrush Day

Officially it’s on Tuesday 22 June, so look out for further local publicity about linked events.  Last year, in spite of Lockdown restrictions, 35,000 Lambeth residents, schoolchildren and businesses took part in related activities, and particularly highlighting the contribution the Windrush generation and their descendants have made to the NHS and public services generally.
The Brixton Project have already organised a competition among local artists and designers for this year’s logo, which will be revealed shortly.  Tony Cealy has been commissioned by Lambeth Council to produce a short film, which will be screened at the Town Hall on Monday 21 June.

Domestic Abuse is all our business

In case you missed the notice in last week’s Integrate bulletin, an on-line workshop on this theme takes place on Monday 14 June, starting at 10 am. The focus will be on how organisations can support their staff or volunteers who are exposed to domestic abuse, and may be struggling to cope as a result.  The workshop will be led by former Forum member Fernanda Correia-Sefzick. 
Enquiries to eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Early Years service at Windmill Gardens

Lambeth Council is inviting offers to lease the former Stay-and-Play/ One O’Clock Club building in Windmill Gardens – the green hut next to the windmill.   The rent will be waived provided that the new organisation provides suitable community services, ideally for young children aged 0-4 years. The deadline for applications is Monday 21 June, to the Council’s Early Years & Parenting Team – enquiries to youthandplaytenders@lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth Speaks: Community & Culture in the Post-Covid Era

The Impact Hub are hosting a panel discussion on this theme on Monday 28 June at 6-30 pm.  A range of organisations will be represented on the panel, including We Rise, Brixton House, Squire & Partners, Brixton Village, Integrate Agency and Black Thrive.  The panel discussion will be followed by a Q & A session and an opportunity for guests and panellists to network and continue the conversation.  Booking enquiries to team@impactbrixton.com or see www.impactbrixton.com for this and other events at Impact Brixton.

Time running out for EU Citizens

European Union citizens must apply for EU Settled Status to live and work in the UK.  Applications are free but must be made by 30 June – see www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
For more information and help see  www.settled.org.uk  and  www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/european-londoners-hub/how-apply-eu-settlement-scheme
The fear is that the Windrush Scandal was just a warm-up, and that the Home Secretary is itching to extend her “hostile environment” to EU citizens.

Planning and Regeneration News

Around the Brixton Rec

MUF Architects recently unveiled their proposals for improvements around the Brixton Recreation Centre.  They expect to be out on Brixton Station Road on the afternoons of Wednesday 9 June and Saturday 12 June.  A webinar is being organised to explain the proposals in more detail, but date not confirmed yet.  In the meantime the link to see the proposed package is at http://orlo.uk/aRvgN

The future of Pop Brixton and International House

The Council’s current proposals for developing the two sites are described on their website at https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/better-fairer-lambeth/projects/growing-brixtons-rec-quarter-49-brixton-station-road-6-canterbury-crescent
A series of “meet the bidder” community events are expected in September. At our February Forum meeting, the views expressed by most Forum members were that retaining International House would be better for nurturing existing enterprises, instead of displacing them, while the Council’s objectives were too diverse to achieve much impact in any particular field, whether housing or employment or something else.  BRUG and the Brixton Society have since come out in support of listing International House, an idea for which there is already vocal support among architects.

Towers still in the balanceDecisions are still pending on several major developments, including the high tower developments at Popes Road and Loughborough Junction, which were both called in for the Mayor’s decision.  Documents and many individual comments/ objections can be seen on the Planning Applications Database within the Lambeth Council website.  The Brixton Society publishes its comments on recent applications on its website at www.brixtonsociety.org.uk
At our April Forum meeting, we promised to share the link to the GLA page for the Hondo Tower (Popes Road) application, so you can still send in comments – clicking on the Comments tag brings up a form in which to leave a representation: https://gla.force.com/pr/planning-application/a0i4J000002gBW8QAM/20210265

The Lambeth Hospital Site

Another bad example of unsustainable overdevelopment, the Lambeth Hospital site on Landor Road is being developed as flats by the South London and Maudsley Trust, to finance relocating most services to the Maudsley Hospital campus on Denmark Hill.  Belatedly, they are now consulting on what amenities should be included within a small community centre within the new residential estate.  They are particularly keen to hear from local groups who might be interested in using the new premises (fronting Landor Road) to identify needs and any special provision that should be built in.
All enquiries to Gordon Mackenzie Leceia at leceia.gordon-mackenzie@slam.nhs.uk

Funding, Training and Support

Please bear in mind when contacting funders and support agencies that responses may be slower due to staff working from home or part-time.

Current Grant Schemes

Common Call have launched a second funding round for Black-led impact projects, social enterprises and charities across the UK.  About 35 organisations are expected to receive grants of £5,000 or £12,500 as unrestricted funding.  Application deadline is 5 pm on Friday 25 June.  See more at https://www.commoncall.fund

Return to Play is a small grants scheme from Sport England, to help clubs and community groups restart or develop activities after Lockdown.  Grants can range from £300 to £10,000, with emphasis on providing better hygiene and safety equipment, or supporting smaller-scale activities to maintain some social distancing.  This programme is only open until 30 June – see  https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/return-play-small-grants

Black and Minoritised Women Fund offers grants of £5,000 or £10,000 to relevant women’s organisations impacted by Coronavirus.  The Women’s Resource Centre is hosting an information session for organisations preparing to apply – on Friday 18 June, 10 am to 11-15 am, enrol at https://bit.ly/3p9WSCY  Applications will open on 21 June.

Training offers

Your Forum now has a modest budget for organising some training for our members, so if there is a skill or topic that would be helpful to your group, please get in touch, via apiperbrix@aol.com

Enquiries about Training courses organised by the Brixton BID should be addressed to chantel.facey@brixtonbid.co.uk

Even if you are outside the Brixton BID area, if you are a business or social enterprise in London, you can probably access training or advice from the London Business Hub – see https://www.businesshub.london/resource or /events

Utility Bills and Debt Advice

This is not a complete list, but we suggest these contacts are worth exploring:

London-based debt advice charity Fair Money Advice has been funded to continue supporting Lambeth residents who are struggling financially.  More than a quarter of Lambeth households expect difficulties with paying for household essentials, such as food, rent and utilities, this year.  Seeking advice is an essential step in dealing with the problems.  More information on their website, https://www.fairfinance.org.uk/advice or contact 020 3475 8811 or info@fairmoneyadvice.co.uk

Turn2us also has an online benefits calculator, grant finder and other tools to help individuals find financial support – tel. 0808 802 2000 or see their website www.turn2us.org.uk

Christians Against Poverty may be able to help with budgeting and getting out of debt – call 0800 328 0006 or visit https://capuk.org

For older people, the Gateway Support Line can provide advice and put you in touch with relevant agencies – hosted by Age UK Lambeth, call 0333 360 3700.

If you are already claiming benefits, or experiencing financial hardship, Lambeth Council may still be able to help as part of its Coronavirus support services – see  www.lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-financial-help

Working with Volunteers

The pandemic brought an influx of new volunteers to some organisations, and enabled new grass-roots groups to spring into being.  Lockdown left more people available to volunteer, and in an NCVO survey published last month, 24% of VCS organisations said they had experience an increase in volunteering.  On the other hand, 36% reported a decline, the combined effects of restrictions on what services could be run, and older volunteers needing to isolate themselves.  Another effect was to increase the diversity of volunteers, including ethnic minorities and younger age groups.

92% of groups responding said they had moved services on-line, in response to the pandemic.  39% said this resulted in more volunteer roles being carried out remotely, while 26% found they needed to recruit volunteers with different skills to previously, such as digital skills.
(Source – Civil Society News.)

Finally, Sunday 4 July is being promoted as Thank You Day, an opportunity to lay on something to thank your volunteers and supporters in the community – see more about it at https:thankyouday.org.uk

Health and Social Care

Coping with Coronavirus

Vaccinations:  There have been various “pop-up” sessions around the borough so people who may have missed out in the earlier rounds can still get vaccinated.  Sessions are continuing at the Streatham Place surgery on the far side of the South Circular Road on Wednesdays, 9 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 4-45 pm.  For other sessions in Lambeth, see www.selondonccg.nhs.uk – or for younger age groups, ask your GP if they are organising any special sessions. 

Testing: Extra testing is underway in four parts of the borough, including Brixton (in Windrush Square, 9 am to 3 pm), Stockwell and Clapham.  You can either get a test on site, or collect a PCR test kit to complete at home.  This is in response to a local rise in cases and further details are on the Council’s website.

Help with Self-Isolating: If you test positive, or have Coronavirus symptoms, Lambeth Council can provide a payment of up to £738 to help you cope with self-isolating.  This recognises that it can be hard to take time off when money is tight.  Again see the Council website, or phone 0800 054 1215.

My Neighbour service

This is one of the services co-ordinated by Age UK Lambeth, to bridge the gap between formal and informal support at a neighbourhood level. It can provide:
– Friendship calls: over 400 volunteers are making weekly calls to isolated and vulnerable residents.
– Digital Neighbours: Advice provided over the phone, over Zoom or on the doorstep, as basic digital support with use of computers, internet and mobile phones.
– Missions: Volunteers can help with tasks like shopping, collecting prescriptions, running errands and even providing homemade birthday cakes.
– Home Cooks Project puts volunteers in touch with older isolated people who would appreciate a home-cooked meal brought round from time to time.
Plus there’s a wider range of volunteer roles – enquiries to volunteer@ageuklambeth.org or phone 020 3143 5836.

Health Complaints?

The Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service can help individuals make a complaint about a NHS service, including hospitals, GPs, ambulance services, district nurses, mental health services, dentists, pharmacists and opticians.  The advocates will listen to an individual’s experience, and help them raise their concerns. Contact Scarlett McCarthy, independent health complaints advocate, at Connect Lambeth, DASL, 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA – phone 020 3143 9000 or e-mail to s.mccarthy@pohwer.net  Websites www.connectlambeth.org or www.pohwer.net

In Other News…

Changes in the Town Hall

Following Councillor Jack Hopkins resigning as Council Leader last month, Cllr. Claire Holland has been confirmed by the Council as his replacement. As a result, there are several changes of responsibilities within Lambeth’s Cabinet.  Cllr. Holland’s old portfolio of Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air (including LTNs) is now a job-share between Councillors Mahamed Hashi and Danny Adilypour.  Similarly, Health and Social Care will be split between veteran Cllr. Jim Dickson and Cllr. Lucy Caldicott, a new Cabinet member.  Another new member is Cllr. Jess Leigh, Deputy Cabinet Member for the Health and Wellbeing of Young People.

Deputy Leader, with special responsibility for Jobs, Skills and Community Safety, is Cllr. Jacqui Dyer.  Cllr. Maria Kay is Cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness, though Planning, Investment and New Homes are still overseen by Cllr. Matthew Bennett.  Other responsibilities are Finance & Performance (Cllr. Andy Wilson), Children & Young People (Cllr. Edward Davie), Equalities & Culture (still Cllr. Sonia Winifred) and Voluntary Sector & Leisure (Cllr Donatus Anyanwu).

Deputy Cabinet members include Cllr. Christiana Valcarcel (Disabilities), Cllr. Ben Kind (Jobs), Cllr. Irfan Mohammed (Business Recovery).  Cllr. Nanda Manley-Brown is Policy Lead for Schools & Education, while Cllr Emma Nye is Policy Lead for Recycling & Waste.

Brixton Advice Centre seeks Trustees

The Brixton Advice Centre began in a prefab hut on Somerleyton Road in 1966, and is now a respected Brixton institution on Railton Road, continuing its free advice service for struggling residents.  Now the Trustees want to fill gaps in their ranks, and ideally attract both links to lived experience and useful skills for the future development of the organisation.  Closing date for applications is 30 June – more details of the Centre’s work and the recruitment process are on their website at https://brixtonadvice.org.uk

Consultations on Traffic Changes

Transport for London is consulting on changes it made to the A23 between the Oval intersection, along Brixton Road and up Brixton Hill to the South Circular Road by the Crown & Sceptre.  This is an extended consultation, continuing until 17 November.  Obviously there will be issues of what should remain of present controls as travel patterns become more “normal”, and what will be adapted or abandoned. More details can be found at their website, tfl.gov.uk/oval-streatham
You can respond via the website, or by e-mail to  haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk  and if your views change later, you can respond again.

Meanwhile, Lambeth Council has been distributing “Update” leaflets within existing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods but the one for the Railton LTN provided no new information, just a colourful map with several errors.  One problem is that LTNs divert more traffic into other areas whose residents don’t get included in any consultations.  For example, the Ferndale LTN has channelled more traffic into Landor Road, which is scarcely a main road to start with.  Yet we only hear about these issues at second hand – people for or against seem to speak out within their own echo chambers.  At least there’s a contact for feedback – e-mail to  lowtrafficneighbourhood@lambeth.gov.uk

Neighbourhood Champions

Really this is a recent rebranding of the old Street Champions scheme, to remind residents that it can also operate on estates.  The current programme began in 2016 as a joint effort with Veolia and has at least another year to run.  Basically, it encourages residents to improve their street or estate environment.  There were 500 volunteers signed up before the re-launch, and another 70 have been recruited since.  It is linked to the Council’s Freshview scheme, which supports local clean-ups.  Veolia can currently provide compost and hand tools for on-street planting, though not the plants.
More details on the Council website at lambeth.gov.uk/neighbourhoodchampions or enquiries to neighbourhoodchampions@lambeth.gov.uk

It’s Your Forum

Things to Come

We are currently in touch with several people about topics for future Forum meetings, but we have not pinned down dates yet.  We hope to confirm arrangements soon, but we can say that the next Forum meeting will be via Zoom again.  If you want to present something to Forum members, or seek support for your bright idea, please contact the Secretary, Alan Piper, at apiperbrix@aol.com

Want to see your name here?

We encourage you to use these bulletins to report what your group is doing, to announce coming events, or to share your concerns.  Just bear in mind that space is limited and we cannot guarantee to print everything we receive – though we seem to include more events and services than most other Forums around the borough!  Send to apiperbrix@aol.com or to  admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org

Is our Mailing List correct?

Finally, our usual reminder for you to tell us – at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org
– if you would like to add a colleague or neighbour to our distribution list,
– if you would prefer these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address so you are more likely to see them,
– if you no longer wish to receive them because you are no longer interested or have moved away.