Forum Update
Next Forum meeting?
Due to various commitments in September, we are planning the next General Meeting of the Forum for October. Date and location will be confirmed in our September bulletin, but if you want to include something on the agenda, it would be a good idea to tell us sooner rather than later. Please contact the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com
Making Plans for Brixton Pop Brixton/ International House
We had a preview of the development programme at the Forum general meeting on 3rd July, and the next stage of consultations starts on 11th September. This time, we may even see some building plans, though it seems the intention remains to adapt International House while replacing Pop Brixton with a new apartment block. Both should continue in use until March 2027.
Enquiries to consultation@49bsr6cc.com or by phone to (020) 8469 3079.
Towards a Neighbourhood Plan
We now have a timescale from Lambeth’s Planning Policy Team. The proposed area will be published for comments in the first week of September, and people have 6 weeks to respond (by mid-October). The Council will decide by Christmas on final boundaries and whether we are an acceptable team to make a neighbourhood plan.
That means consultation events and plan-making will only get going in the New Year. But if you have a bright idea, or a quibble over the boundary, feel free to tell us now, while it’s fresh in your mind.
In the meantime, we have been exploring sources of professional help, so that work can get underway as soon as we get the go-ahead. We are also still looking out for more locations around the Brixton area to host consultation events.
Local Events coming up
Angell Town Networking event
On Saturday 4th September, from 6 to 8 pm, Angell Town RMO is hosting an event at Overton Road for residents, commercial tenants, local VCS organisations and faith groups to connect, learn more about each other and share opportunities.
RSVP/enquiries to 07 860 395 933, NWhittaker@lambeth.gov.uk
Lambeth Heritage Festival
A full programme of events takes place around the borough through the whole month of September. You may find a printed programme at any Lambeth library, or find the whole programme online at bit.ly/LambethHeritage2025
Solidarity Summer Market
The Advocacy Academy is holding a Solidarity Summer Market on Saturday 30 August, 10 am to 4 pm at the Liberation Centre in Beehive Place, SW9. An opportunity to buy eco-friendly, justice and healing-related goodies while supporting the Advocacy Academy’s programme and mutual aid groups in Palestine.
If you want to run a stall at this event, contact Isaiah@theadvocacyacademy.com
Exhibition at 198 Gallery
Witnesses is the latest exhibition at 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning, running until 11 September. It showcases work by London-based women artists Amida Deen and Ihsan Saad Ihson Tahir. Further details on the website at www.198.org.uk
Mindful Moments at St. Vincent’s
A new weekly activity is being introduced from 12 September at St. Vincent’s Brixton Centre in Talma Road SW2. Thanks to funding from L&Q Housing Association, a 13-week series of free Tai Chi sessions will run on Friday mornings between 10 and 11 am. Enquiries to LeanneT@svp.org.uk or see the website for the full list of activities restarting next month: www.svp.org.uk
Green spaces, Green issues
Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
For details of upcoming events and courses at the Community Greenhouses, see the website https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events
One to note in the meantime, Mambista will perform on Sunday 17 August, 6-30 pm, with Brixton jazz legend Michael “Bammi” Rose.
On Your Bike
Brixton BID continues to sponsor monthly sessions by Dr Bike mechanics for cycle safety checks and essential maintenance. The next will be on Saturday 13 September, 12 to 3 pm at the junction of Atlantic Road, Marcus Garvey Way and Railton Road, SE24.
Black Growth CIC
Recently, they have mainly been active in Croydon but they have 2 Brixton events lined up for September:
Saturday 13 September – Black Farmer’s Market, Brixton Station Road.
Sunday 21 September – BFM Wellness Edition, around the bandstand in Myatt’s Fields Park.
More details at https://bit.ly/3X2qx2W
Other News
Brixton Police Station reprieved
Desperate to save money, the Metropolitan Police has abandoned its policy of having a public-facing police station in every borough, with 18 sites to lose their front desk.
However, Brixton is one of 20 which are being retained. Other survivors south of the river include Walworth, Croydon and Bromley.
Met Engage
Meanwhile, the Met is developing alternative means of engaging with the public and local businesses. Met Engage is intended to keep people informed of local policing activities, offer crime prevention advice and issue invitations to local engagement events, such as meetings of Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Users can highlight issues of concern to them and provide feedback on the services provided. The new service can be accessed via www.metengage.co.uk
Art4Space craft courses
A whole new series of courses and craft sessions starts up next month, at the A4S Creative Learning Hub, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU. See their website for full details, at www.art4space.co.uk
Health and Social Care
Meet with National NHS leaders
A conversation between National NHS leaders and representatives of local voluntary and community organisations is being arranged for Thursday 30 October, 10-30 am to 3-30 pm with lunch included.
Places are limited, so please register your interest with Bren McInerney (community volunteer) via 07 940 045 770 or e-mail to: brenmcinerney@hotmail.com
Support for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
The long-standing “hostile environment” set up by the previous government has recently spilled over into demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers. Voluntary groups may wish to help those at risk, but advice has only recently been pulled together by London Plus and the London Communities Emergencies Partnership (LCEP). A list of resources and contacts is being built up – see their website at https://londonplus.org/concerns-about-anti-migrant-hostility/
Community Connectors
Project Smith starts another free training course for volunteer community connectors later this month. Dates for the 4-day course are 26 August, 15/16 September and 1st October. Gain an accredited qualification in behaviour change from the Royal Society of Public Health. Lambeth-based but venues to be confirmed – for more details and to sign up, e-mail to emma@rbeassociates.com
Be Well at Brixton Library
A Project Smith/ Community Connectors grant is also enabling the Friends of Brixton Library to run health workshops over the weekend 3rd /4th October – more details from foftlbrixton@gmail.com
Long Covid Superheroes
Alchemise Theatre’s Long Covid Superheroes project is a year-long creative project specially designed for young people (age 8-14) living with Long Covid.
Led by artists with lived experience and run in partnership with Long Covid Kids, this exciting programme is fully funded by Arts Council England and completely free to join. Sessions start in September on Mondays at Longfield Hall (times to be confirmed). For details and expression of interest form, please see https://longfieldhall.org.uk/2025/05/30/long-covid-superheroes/
If you know a family who might benefit, please share this information.
Funding, Training & Support
Grant deadlines approaching
We have heard from various sources about several upcoming grants, but for most you will have to follow them up via a Google search:
Women & Girls Community Fund: offers grants of up to £5,000 to support women’s health needs, including education and promotion work, but the deadline for EoIs is Sunday 17 August, to publichealth@lambeth.gov.uk
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association makes small grants (up to £1500) to groups that improve publicly accessible open space.
Deadline 18 August.
Brockwell Live Community Fund: open for community organisations connected with or local to Brockwell Park. Sponsored by the various commercial events leading up to the Lambeth Country show, deadline is Thursday 22 August. Enquiries to community@brockwell-live.com
Grassroots Community Innovation Fund from the Lambeth Southwark & Lewisham Sexual Wellbeing Service is offering grants up to £2500 to support activities to raise awareness, reduce stigma or social isolation and promote ways to wellbeing. Deadline is 12 September, enquiries to izzy.williams@turning-point.co.uk
Paul Mellon Centre recently opened its Autumn funding round with a deadline of 30 September. Its grants and scholarships can support research, lectures, exhibitions and publications concerned with British art and architectural history.
More details on their website at https://paulmelloncentre.grantplatform.com
National Lottery Awards for All has an Environment strand to support community-led projects for improving green spaces, cutting waste or carbon emissions, or helping people to access nature. Grants of up to £20,000, but don’t apply if you have a current Awards for All grant. Deadline is 17 December.
Heritage Revival Fund: offers 3 levels of funding, for project viability (up to £15k), project development (up to £100k) and capital works (up to £350k). Open until 31 March ‘26, funded by Architectural Heritage Fund, DCMS and Historic England.
Training Opportunities
Awesome Tech Training have come up with an even better offer than last month. This time they have a free training day on Wednesday 21 August, with a series of webinars:
10-11 am, Getting started with WordPress;
12-1 pm, Everything you need to know before setting up a website;
3- 4 pm, Introduction to Digital Marketing.
All enquiries to rachel@awesometechtraining.com
Business Training Opportunities
Social enterprises and small businesses within the Brixton BID area should be able to join their free training courses. We expect more dates soon, but next up is:
- Personal Licence (level 2)
Tuesday 9 September, 10 am to 4 pm.
Enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk
Business Networking
Born or Made in Brixton hold their next meeting for freelancers, creative start-ups and micro-businesses on Wednesday morning 20 August between 9 am and 10 am at The Birds Nest, on the 11th floor of International House.
See also www.bornormade.com