Thanks for Survey responses
Despite the run-up to Christmas being a busy time for us all, we received encouraging responses to our recent digital survey. These include some constructive ideas that we want to follow up. Overall, 82.9% of respondents thought the Forum has been useful, and 92.4% agreed it was needed.
More Help Needed!
The Forum was less active last year because our Executive team was depleted by illness. We are now looking for extra members to get involved, so that the Forum can be more active again – come to the next meeting or e-mail us.
Building Community Links
We are aware that the majority of our members are involved in a variety of local organisations, some fully-fledged charities, some very informal grass-roots groups, and some small businesses or social enterprises. We are keen to encourage networking and collaboration between different groups around Brixton. We try to share useful information through these bulletins, but if you would like more on any particular topic, please tell us.
Open Project Night at the Impact Hub
One regular spot for networking is the Open Project Night, held every Monday evening at the Impact Hub, at the back of Pop Brixton, Station Road SW9 – open 6-30 to 10 pm (food served at 6-30 pm as an incentive to be on time!)
Enquiries to info@transitiontownbrixton.org
Dexter Playground opportunity
At short notice, Lambeth Council is offering use of the Dexter Adventure Playground rent-free for community use. The new leaseholder will need to provide activities that support the development of children and young people in the borough, though hiring the premises for other purposes will be permitted if consistent with the main use. Critically, applicants will need to provide a business plan showing how they intend to use the premises, and how they will engage with the community. This plan will be the basis of a Community Service Agreement with the Council. Deadline for proposals is 1st February and the site is available for viewing this Tuesday morning (15th) or Wednesday 16th between 1 pm and 3 pm.
All enquiries to Paul Davies of Lambeth’s Children’s Services Team, pavies5@lambeth.gov.uk
Funding and Training opportunities
Stronger Together programme – Community Southwark
Community Southwark is nearing the end of its 2-year programme of practical support for Lambeth-based community organisations, funded by the London Community Foundation (LCF). We have not yet heard if there will be any further support for Lambeth groups after March, so latch onto this programme while you can.
Enquiries to development@communitysouthwark.org or phone Rachel Henry on 020 7358 7288.
Foundation for Social Improvement
Once again, the FSI is running a series of training events for staff and management committee members/ trustees of small charities, at affordable prices at various London venues. Enquiries to admin@thefsi.org or see their website: www.thefsi.org
Be a Community Connector
Project Smith has been mentioned in past bulletins, as an NHS-funded project to make care in the community more effective. They are now looking for local residents to join in the next round of Community Connector training during February and March.
Community Connectors are simply local people who link others in their community to organisations and activities that can help improve their quality of life. Lots of people may do this naturally on a daily basis, but do you always know where neighbours can turn for help?
The training will help you improve your skills and knowledge, and also provides a Level 2 qualification in Supporting Behaviour Change.
The training days run between 9-30 am and 3 pm, on February 21, 25 and 26, and March 4th. You must attend all 4 sessions to complete the course. If you are interested in joining the programme, please call David Goslyn on 07 540 095 696 or e-mail to dave.goslyn@nhs.net
Brixton BID Training Days
For social enterprises and businesses operating in the Brixton area, our Business Improvement District is running a series of one-day training courses from the end of this month through to July. All these courses run from 10 am to 4 pm and will take place in International House (corner of Popes Road and Canterbury Crescent, SW9). Topics include food hygiene, emergency first aid, fire safety and customer service. Enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk
News, Events, Activities
Bookings open for Lambeth Country Show
If you want to trade or exhibit at the next Lambeth Country Show, the deadline for applications is Friday 15 February at 4 pm. There are also opportunities to perform, or to host workshops, with the same deadline. See https://lambethcountryshow.us11.list-manage.com or enquiries to countryshow@lambeth.gov.uk
Brockwell Park – A Future for the Hall
For the past couple of years. Lambeth Council, supported by Brockwell Park Community Partners, have been attempting to get funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support improvements to the old house in the centre of the park. The latest bid has recently been given Stage 1 approval by the HLF, which releases £387,500 to develop detailed plans over the next couple of years. The second stage, the actual restoration, will cost around £6 million, of which Lambeth will need to find part. See also https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/brockwell-hall-restoration/
BPCP is organising a meeting of all the groups with an interest in the Park for Sunday 3rd March – more details to follow.
Lambeth Archives temporary closure
The Archives at Minet Library are about to close for their annual stock-taking, from Monday 28 January, and re-opening from Monday 11 February.
Brixton Vegan Market Returns
The Vegan Market will be back in Brixton Station Road, next to the Farmers’ Market, from Sunday 27 January onwards. It will be open weekly between 11 am and 4 pm.
More at www.Facebook.com/BrixtonVeganMarket
Children’s Centres at Risk
Lambeth Council is currently consulting on reducing the number of children’s centres in the borough. These mostly cater for under-5s and offer support to parents. Local sites include Effra early years centre in Effra Parade, and centres attached to Stockwell Road, Jubilee and Loughborough Road schools. Closing date for comments is10 February -see the Consultations page on Lambeth’s website.
Software Savings
If your project needs more or better versions of Microsoft programs, Tekgia can provide them to charities, churches, schools and associated volunteers at discount prices. See their website www.tekgia.com or phone 0845 124 0484.
PAPA’s Park Facelift
The community playground in Pulross Road SW9 recently re-opened after an extensive refit. New play equipment has been installed and the under-5s area has been extended. This comes after 6 years of fund-raising and lobbying. Thoughts are already turning to the next phases, to upgrade the multi-purpose ball games court and add a new purpose-designed building to enlarge the café and provide meeting space that can be hired out to generate future income, because the site receives no public funding.
More details, including how to contribute, on their website at www.papaspark.co.uk
Keep in touch!
We are rebuilding our contact list, so this is the ideal time to tell us if you prefer information to go to a different e-mail address, or to a colleague.
If you no longer wish to be involved, please tell us and we will delete you from our list – e-mail to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org or to apiperbrix@aol.com
Also get in touch if you want something from your group to appear in the next bulletin, or to feature in a future Forum meeting.