Coming up soon
Last minute reminders
Lambeth Made Community Meetings are starting up again, for local Councillors to meet online with community groups and residents. The emphasis is meant to be on community safety issues, but any local issue might come up. For Coldharbour Ward, the meeting is on Thursday 4 November, 6 pm to 7-30 pm – to register, e-mail to lambethmadesafer@lambeth.gov.uk
Fiveways Health Day is also on Thursday 4 November, 11 am to 3 pm at Myatt’s Fields North Community Centre, 24 Crawshay Road, SW9 6 FZ. Stay fit and healthy as we head into winter with health advice, blood pressure checks, keep fit starter sessions, and help with maintaining a healthy weight – despite a free hot lunch being served at 12 noon! Free IT help with computers, tablets and smartphones also available throughout the day.
Support Southwyck Pantry – sign their petition, asking the Council to find them a secure location within Southwyck or Moorlands Estate. They had to leave their base at Southwyck Hall but for the past month have been running a skeleton service from the Brixton Street Gym at 10 Somerleyton Road. They hope to move to Moorlands Community Centre but it’s far from certain. You can catch up with their recent Instagram posts at:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVjWQ-Rod8N/?utm_medium=copy_link
And here is the petition link:
https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?Id=524
Christmas is coming
News is already coming in of Christmas-themed events – here’s some for starters:
Windmill Christmas Market – Sunday 12 December, open 12 noon to 3-30 pm, in Windmill Gardens, off Blenheim Gardens, SW2. Organised by Friends of Windmill Gardens.
Pop-up Christmas Markets in Brixton: My Pop-Up Events comes to Brixton with 2 Christmas markets bang in the heart of Brixton – a great opportunity for small businesses to come together and show their wares. To book a pitch, contact Toyin Oke at info@mypopupevents.co.uk
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 November in the Gallery room at Brixton Tate Library, open 10 am to 4 pm.
Saturday 4 December in Lambeth Town Hall.
Christmas Open Studio, Thursday 2 December, 3 pm to 9 pm at Art4Space Learning Hub, Studio 1, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU, for cards, artworks, “mosaic in a box” gift packages plus mulled wine and mince pies.
Winter Pop-up Village in Brockwell Park – proposed by Lambeth Events to run from 1st to 19th December, on the Redgra pitch near Brockwell Lido. Free but individual activities charged for, which should include an “immersive” cinema, 9-hole crazy golf, side show games and food and drink stalls. This is still being firmed up, so please relay any concerns to brockwellparkcommunitypartners@gmail.com
Catering for your event: If you have been tasked with organising food for your office/ group Christmas event, Brixton’s branch of Domino’s Pizza is offering discounts for business orders – contact Nabeel at nabeel@passapizza.com or phone (020) 7737 0000.
Funding, Training and Support
Funding Streams
To remind you, Integrate Agency recently circulated details of these grant sources:
Sport Unites Fund from the Mayor of London is his community sport programme, offering up to £50,000 for activities taking place before June 2022 – closing date Tuesday 16 November.
Untold Stories Grants also from the Mayor of London help community organisations with changes in our public spaces, whether to create something new, highlight something hidden or forgotten, or present a different story to what already exists. Grants range between £1,000 and £25,000 and the closing date is 12 January.
Racial Equality Fund from Lloyds Bank Foundation, offering a 2-year grant of £50,000 plus development support.
Pebble Grants from the Rank Foundation offer grants of £250 to £4,000 for smaller charities and recognised churches for projects benefitting local communities, provided those groups have already found a third of the costs. No set closing date.
Training Courses
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion – Monday 8 November at 10 am on Zoom. A webinar presented by Elizabeth Takyi, free but book through Integrate,to eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk
Chairs and CEOs Discussion – Thursday 18 November at 10 am on Zoom. Two local case studies and frank discussion of the roles of Chairs and CEOs in Voluntary/ Community organisations. Book through Integrate as above.
Supporting LGBTQ people with their mental health – Tuesday 23 November from 1-30 pm to 4-30 pm online. Book through Integrate as above.
NFP Workshops, based in York, also offer a range of on-line training courses, typically at £95 for a 10 am to 12-30 session. Mainstream topics are bid writing, trust fund-raising, recruiting and managing volunteers, legacy fund-raising and corporate fund-raising. Topics are repeated on a fortnightly or monthly cycle. Google nfp workshops to visit their website and book places.
Other Resources
The Charity Excellence Framework has compiled several short guides for trustees or management committee members of community projects, on topics such as fund-raising and recruiting more trustees. They also have 6 short videos on YouTube which can form part of your own trustee training programme. See their website, https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk or enquiries to charityexcellence@gmail.com
The Directory of Social Change publishes a range of handbooks and guides, not just funding directories but also titles like “Managing without Profit” which covers management and governance for any charity or community organisation. They also continue to offer a wide range of half-day training courses on-line at competitive prices. More details on their website at https://www.dsc.org.uk
Crowdfunding
Has your organisation tried crowdfunding as a route to raising funds for a project? How did it go? Are there any lessons to share?
Brixton BMX Club launched an appeal last month to raise £30,000 for major works to their track in Brockwell Park.
Brixton Wholefoods held a crowdfunder appeal to get the business in Atlantic Road back on its feet after lockdown, and succeeded in raising £20,000 within 3 days.
Business Support
Impact Brixton in Electric Lane continues to host events for business start-ups and micro-businesses.
Social Enterprise Day will be a co-working day for local social entrepreneurs to network and share their ideas, on Thursday 11 November from 11 am with free brunch – but please register in advance.
Sustainability in Business is the theme for a launch event in conjunction with Start-ups Magazine on Thursday 18 November at 6 pm.
Finding Work in the Digital Age is a 5-week course, starting on Wednesday 17 November, to show you how to use digital tools and make sense of the shifting jobs market, including refining your CV and interview skills, building your personal brand and the finer points of freelancing.
Enquiries about all events to team@impactbrixton.com
Transport, Planning and Regeneration
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – comments invited
The latest round of consultation on the Tulse Hill and Streatham Hill LTNs will open on 15 November and remain open for a month. Comments should be sent to lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk but we encourage you to share your views with us too,
Consultation on the Ferndale LTN is now unlikely to start until January at the earliest. Comments on the Railton LTN closed at the end of September.
Brixton Rec Quarter – meeting the bidders
Lambeth Council’s Regeneration Team has arranged for prospective developers of the Pop Brixton and International House sites to show their initial ideas to local stakeholders this Saturday, 6 November. The Council’s brief was widely criticised at our April Forum meeting for both the loss of International House as a hub for creative businesses, and for the diverse range of benefits sought, rather than prioritising one or two features to make a real impact.
Health and Social Care
Covid Vaccination opportunities
For latest details of vaccination clinics, both regular sessions and special events, the best source is www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics
More walk-in clinics have been offered recently, including for the 12-15 age group.
Questions? There is a live Q & A session on the vaccination programme on Thursday 11 November at 6-30 pm – you can join in at the start from https://www.facebook.com/nhsselondonccg
Recording of earlier Q & A sessions, some of them for particular interest groups such as pregnant women, are available via https://www.facebook.com/nhsselondonccg/videos/
Coronavirus infections hit a new peak recently, so please don’t drop your guard. Please continue to wear a mask on public transport, while shopping, and in other enclosed spaces
Towards an Age-friendly Borough
Age UK Lambeth are seeking for Lambeth to be a more age-friendly borough, based on 8 themes set by the World Health Organisation. They are currently inviting feedback from residents aged over 55, plus their carers and families, about the priorities. They are hosting 3 on-line focus groups this month, on Thursdays 4, 11 and 18 November, each at 3 pm. To attend one of these, please e-mail cathi@ageuklambeth.org or you can ask for a paper survey form. For more information on the 8 themes, see https://ageing-better.org.uk/age-friendly-communities/eight-domains
Cook an extra Christmas dinner for an isolated older person this Christmas. Once again Age UK Lambeth is inviting people to cook an extra Christmas dinner for someone living by themselves and deliver it to them on Christmas Day. Interested? To offer your support, phone 03 333 603 990 or e-mail to volunteer@ageuklambeth.org
Improving Black Men’s Health
Tony Cealy has just launched a new 4-month arts and health programme, to improve men’s mental health and wellbeing, and identify ways in which members can influence the services that are provided for them in the community. See https://theblackmensconsortium.com
Greenspaces and Green Issues
Distinctions for local parks
Myatt’s Fields Park achieved a Gold Award in the London in Bloom awards last month. Planning permissions were recently granted for the remodelling and extension of the Park depot building, and also for new floodlighting for the all-weather football pitch which will reduce glare for neighbours.
Windmill Gardens received a Green Flag Award in the 25th year of this awards scheme, which recognises the both the standard of upkeep and the community input into additional activities in this small park.
The planned extra opening weekend of the Windmill on 13 & 14 November is in question due to impending repairs to the floor in the Education Centre – please check the website for the latest position www.brixtonwindmill.org
Brockwell Park Tree Sculpture: Just behind the cafe, next to the 600-year old oak tree, Brixton artist Morganico has carved a tree sculpture to commemorate those who lost their lives during the pandemic, not just from infection, but also from mental health issues. Come and view the sculpture and meet the artist on Saturday 6 November at 3 pm. Funded by the Lambeth Wellbeing Fund and supported by Lambeth Mind and Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses.
Help with Utility Bills
A Community Energy Talk has been set-up online by Homes for Lambeth for Lambeth residents who are over 65 or with a long-term health condition or disability. It will be on Wednesday 10 November and cover energy tariffs, smart meters, energy-saving tips and other help available. Please book a place through Wendy at wendy@homesforlambeth.co.uk or phone her on 07507 644 645.
Lambeth Larder have put details of local support on their website at https://www.lambethlarder.org/money-issues
Tariff switching has been a popular way of trimming domestic energy bills, but this is difficult right now because several of the smaller companies have gone out of business, and it may take a while for things to settle down. Even so, there is further advice at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/energy
Other News
Library Services Returning
It is no longer necessary to make appointments to visit or study in the library. Please continue to wear masks if you can, follow social distancing measures and use the hand sanitiser supplied.
Events are also taking place in libraries again though the numbers allowed in rooms have been reduced by half to allow for social distancing. CO2 monitors are also in use to check that the air quality is safe. The Gallery room in Brixton Tate Library now has a working induction loop for the benefit of those relying on hearing aids, and the ambition is to roll out similar systems to the rest of Lambeth’s libraries.
Many library events are also being streamed so those still reluctant to attend live events can take part from the comfort of home.
Changes at Black Cultural Archives
Arike Oke stepped down as Managing Director at BCA at the end of October. She will continue to be involved as a member of their Archives Advisory Group. Lisa Anderson will join as interim Managing Director from 6 December. She is currently Corporate Partnerships Lead at the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.
Brixton Advice Centre moving?
The Brixton Advice Centre on Railton Road has become a valued local institution, but its immediate surroundings are now more respectable than they were in the 1970s. The search has begun for a new base with level access, and perhaps closer to the Council estates where social deprivation is more concentrated these days.
Extra November Bulletin
QUICK REMINDERS Already we have received many updates and urgent items since our last bulletin went out on 4th November, so we have put out this extra bulletin so you do not miss out.
Green InspirationThe Blooming Lambeth Awards take place online on Thursday 18 November, between 7 pm and 8 pm. Maybe your community project or estate could take part next year, to get some recognition for what you do? Meanwhile, tune in for some inspiration – book via the Incredible Edible Lambeth website, www.incredibleediblelambeth.org
Christmas is Coming We highlighted several seasonal events in our last bulletin – please check back for more details:
Pop-up Christmas Market at Brixton Tate Library (Gallery room) on Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 November, 10 am to 4 pm.
Christmas Open Studio Thursday 2 December, 3 pm to 9 pm, at Art4Space, 31 Jeffreys Road SW4.
Pop-up Christmas Market, Saturday 4 December, in Lambeth Town Hall (Assembly Hall).
Windmill Christmas Market, Sunday 12 December, 12 noon to 3-30 pm in Blenheim Gardens, SW2.
Containing Coronavirus – access to vaccinations…..Sorry to repeat ourselves, but this is important. Despite the Government’s enthusiasm for reviving the economy, coronavirus infections remain high, so please don’t drop your guard. Please continue to wear a mask on public transport, while shopping, and in other confined spaces.Details of vaccination clinics – especially walk-in sessions – usually reach us too late to share widely, so please refer directly to www.selondonccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics or contact your GP surgery.
Cook an extra Christmas Dinner My Ho Ho Ho! Could you cook an extra Christmas Dinner for an isolated older person this Christmas? 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 will 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.
Health and Social Care Achieving a Healthy Weight – Tuesday 23 NovemberFor residents of Coldharbour and Vassall Wards, or community groups working locally, there is a lunchtime session (12 noon to 1-30 pm) on helping people to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, including signposting them to expert support. It takes place at Myatt’s Fields North Centre, 24 Crawshay Road SW9 6FZ, and lunch will be provided. Supported by Imperial College, London.
Wellbeing Workshops series starting now and continuing into February, a series of FREE sessions for Lambeth residents working or volunteering with community projects. Choose from a wide range of themed sessions at various local venues (and some online) – the programme has just been updated, so see more at https://tinyurl.com/snv9vvxa Funded by Lambeth Wellbeing Fund and London Community Foundation.
Winter Wellbeing advice for older people – Wednesday 24 November At Brixton Tate Library, open 2 pm to 5 pm, organised by Age UK Lambeth. Enquiries to ourcommunity@ageuklambeth.org
Making Lambeth an Age-Friendly BoroughAge UK Lambeth has another on-line focus group on Thursday 18 November at 3 pm, to gather feedback on making Lambeth more user-friendly for those over 55. For log-in details, please e-mail to cathi@ageuklambeth.org as soon as possible.
Mental Health First Aid Course – 9 & 10 December Once again, Art4Space are hosting a Mental Health First Aid Course, run by It’s a Playground and supported by Studio Moross. This will be a 2-day course, held 6 minutes walk from Stockwell Tube Station. This course is aimed at supporting adult “patients”, but a Youth-oriented course will follow on 24 & 25 February 2022. All enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk
Funding, Training and Support Grant offers closing!These grant schemes were previously circulated by the Integrate Agency:
Walcot Foundation closes for expressions of interest at 2 pm on Wednesday 17 November.Fridge & freezer fund (round 5) closes at 11-59 pm on Wednesday 17 November.
Recovery Loan Fund operated by Locality closes at midnight on Sunday 21 November.
Grant offers still open Wellbeing Fund is managed by the London Community Foundation, to create community connections and improve wellbeing. For full details and key dates, see the LCF website at https://londoncf.org.uk/grants/lambeth-wellbeing-fund
Three on-line briefing workshops are being offered. to help community organisations to draw up suitable bids, on 22 November, 29 November and 6 December. There are also half-hour surgery slots between 30 November and 8 December, to discuss your proposals in confidence. The deadline for all applications is 7th January 2022.
Ecosystem Coldharbour Micro-Grants programme – Round 2 is now open, with a closing date of 29 November. The grants are targetted at smaller organisations (turnover up to £20,000 pa) in Central Brixton including Angell Town, Loughborough and Moorlands estates. The main aim is reducing youth violence but projects are also encouraged to build skills, support employability, sports or other recreational activities. See www.ecosystemcoldharbour.org or all enquiries to grow@ecosystemcoldharbour.org
Free training is also being offered to local groups, including:
Organisation Governance on 23 November,Volunteer Management on 6th December,Both from 10 am to 12 noon at the Baytree Centre, 300-302 Brixton Road SW9 6AE, enquiries as above.
e-Cargo Bike Grant Fund – in case you missed the launch in August, the Department of Transport have partnered with the Energy Saving Trust to offer up to 40% of the cost of electric cargo bikes for small businesses. The closing date of 14 December is approaching, and approved grants must be claimed by 14 February 2022. For details see https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants-and-loans/ecargo-bike-fund/
Peter Minet Trust – Open Grants Fund – details recently circulated by Integrate Agency – if you missed the link,contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk
For projects based in Lambeth or Southwark, and this time prioritising black-led charities and expecting to fund 5 or 6 projects in this round. Application deadline 20 January.
Trans Awareness Training – Monday 22 NovemberAn on-line workshop, led by LGBT Foundation, from 1-30 to 5 pm – enquiries to justin.m-jones@lgbthero.org.uk
Skills for TomorrowThis is a free coding class for BAME members of the community aged 18 to 25 years and living with a disability. It will start in January, so if you are interested, contact Millennium Community Solutions at gail@millenniumcommunitysolutions.com
Learning for Life at Morley – Stockwell Morley College is running a number of courses at their Stockwell Centre, 1 Studley Road SW4 6RA, behind Stockwell Tube Station. Courses include computers, office administration, and working with children. Courses are for adults aged over 19, and free if you are not working OR if your annual earnings are less than £21,157. Before enrolling, you will need to complete an assessment, on either Tuesday 7th or Wednesday 8th December – to book an appointment, e-mail richard.mason@morleycollege.ac.uk
Worth mentioning too that various courses are offered at High Trees Community Education Hub in the former St. Martin’s Library at the corner of Tulse Hill and Upper Tulse Hill – enquiries to the team at courses@high-trees.org
Hope in the Heart Brixton resident Sophie Coxon has alerted us to a couple of workshop events that may be of interest to people involved with local groups, particularly if working with people with health or social issues. Both will be held near Victoria Station, at 24 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1RD, from 10 am to 1 pm. Enquiries to sophiehopeintheheart@gmail.com Thursday 25 November – The gifts of Lived Experience, harnessing our strengths, skills and gifts to contribute to a better world.Tuesday 7 December – Messages from the Heart – create a piece of art, poetry or creative writing to include in Hope in the Heart’s forthcoming exhibition – see www.hopeintheheart.org/lived-experience-messages-from-the-heart.html Hope in the Heart CIC is supported by the National Lottery.
Arts Video Funding:The Paul Mellon Foundation offers several funding streams linked to the arts and art history. They have just launched a film competition for undergraduate students, to generate short films about British works of art or architecture from any period. They aim to support 10 successful entrants, with a top prize of £10,000 for the winning film. The application deadline for the first round is 5 pm on 27 January. Full details on their website at https://paulmelloncentre.ac.uk
Business Support A reminder that the Business Show takes place at the Excel exhibition centre on 24 & 25 November, with lots of ideas and advice for small businesses and start-ups. You can still register for free tickets if you go to the event website at www.greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk
Other News
Festive Bake Competition Once again, Friends of Windmill Gardens are holding their competition for amateur bakers, using Brixton Windmill Flour. Entry is free but you need to bring your entry to the Windmill Centre by noon on Sunday 12 December, for judging at the Winter Market.There will be 3 adult prizes and under-12s prize to be awarded. See also their website www.brixtonwindmill.org
Brockwell Park Community GreenhousesThey are getting ready to run workshops on making Christmas decorations and Wreaths during the weekends 4 & 5 December and 11 & 12 December. Places should be booked via the website, where more details should be available by the time you see this – go to www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events/
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
Consultation on the Tulse Hill LTN opened on 15 November. Lambeth is vague about the closing date but try to respond before 15 December, to lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk It’s important to share what works and what makes life more difficult! A similar consultation on the Ferndale/ Landor LTN should follow early in the New Year.
Projects seeking paid staff
Loughborough Farm seeks a manager – This food-growing project on Loughborough road is seeking a Manager to work alongside farm co-ordinator Emily Myers, on a 12 month contract. Full details are on the LJAG website, at https://loughboroughjunction.org and the closing date for applications is 15 December, with interviews expected in early January.
Repowering London will shortly have a vacancy for a Community Champion because Chloe is returning to Australia. Again, this is a 12-month contract, starting in January and home-based. The closing date for applications is 12 December.
Winter Windows on Ferndale Road Between the old Post Office and the new one, the restored shop windows of Squire & Partners offices on Ferndale Road have been decorated with illuminated designs by Year 6 pupils from Reay Primary School in North Brixton.
Keep in touch. 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 more people nowadays are trying to read this on a smartphone or tablet, rather than a desktop computer. Distribution is normally monthly, so please send any news for the December issue before the end of November, to the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com
Please try to provide web links or contact details so people can follow up for more details.
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.
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– If you have moved away or are no longer interested.