May 2023

Local Achievements

What’s Brixton Saying?
The Advocacy Academy should be commended for a great piece of research, conducted between November 2022 and February this year, and presented on 25 April.  Their team of young people had 83 conversations with Central Brixton traders, passers-by and local organisations.  They picked up many local concerns, but particularly that people are feeling the squeeze from rising prices and rents, and a growing feeling that the Council favours big corporations over residents and local enterprises.  The Advocacy Academy will be following up some of the issues raised by facilitating local meetings and networking, and the Forum will offer support with this. 

Working Together
It’s encouraging to hear of different organisations collaborating to deliver services or projects.  One of the best developed is Ecosystem Coldharbour, a consortium of local groups, mainly active on the north and east sides of Brixton, dedicated to steering young people towards career opportunities and creative outlets, and away from involvement in crime and violence.  In between major events and grant funding rounds, they hold monthly Coffee Mornings where people active in the community can get together and chat informally about the challenges they face.  The next sessions will be on Tuesdays 23 May and 20 June – contact connect@ecosystemcoldharbour.org to confirm times and locations. 

At a simpler level, Blenheim Gardens RMO have linked up with Herne Hill-based Get Rid of and Donate, to provide a free donation service from the RMO’s community hub at 23 Prague Place SW2.  The aim is to collect and re-distribute essential living items, including clothes, shoes, household items, toys and books.  Of course, sustaining a service like this needs a flow of donations, as well as enough volunteers to operate it.  More details at www.getridofit-donate.com

News from Shamha Vibrations
Peter Phillips writes:
Thanks for keeping us informed of events in our local area – this forum is extremely useful indeed.
We are a Brixton-based Community Interest Company, founded in 2012 by local resident Djina Jones.  We’ve been doing our African drumming and Drumming for Community Wellbeing sessions in the South London area for many years.  We were recently awarded funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to start a new season of the Drumming for Wellbeing sessions in the Brixton area.  The National Lottery have funded these free-to-attend sessions since 2017 and many local people have benefited from attending.  The weekly drumming circles provide an opportunity for residents to spend a couple of hours with their neighbours, enjoying an uplifting activity which can help reduce stress, improve co-ordination and increase feelings of positivity.
Angell Town Community has usually been the centre of our activity, but this year, from 5th May, we are also doing sessions at Stockwell Park Community Trust, Akerman Health Centre and Myatt’s Fields Park.  Everybody is welcome, drums are provided and it is free to attend.
Enquiries to shamhavibration@gmail.com or see the website at  www.shamhavibration.org  or phone Djina on 07377 921 549.

Things to come
Open Weekend at the Windmill, 13 & 14 May
Following their successful Beer & Bread Festival on 1st May, Friends of Windmill Gardens are hosting their next monthly opening of the Windmill this coming Saturday and Sunday – and if conditions are right, you may even see the sails turn on Saturday!
To book tours of the mill, see www.brixtonwindmill.org.uk

Careers Networking Events for Young People
WeRisehave 2 more sessions in their current Youthconnect series of careers events, where young people between 14 and 21 can talk to experts from various professions.  Sessions will run between 5 pm and 7 pm at 3Space, International House, corner of Popes Road and Canterbury Crescent, SW9.  Enquiries to hello@werise.org.uk
Wednesday 17 May – Design, Fashion, Textiles, Architecture and Engineering.
Wednesday 24 May – Science, Healthcare and Sport.

Black Culture Market
Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 June: A reminder that this showcase for black-owned businesses and craftspeople returns to Downstairs at the Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road SW9, 11 am to 5 pm with a different mix of traders each day.  Admission free but please register in advance via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-culture-market-summer-market-tickets-570736868337?aff+erelxpmlt

Brockwell Live
This year, the major commercial events have been consolidated into one group, to be closely followed by the Lambeth Country Show, to minimise the disruption of setting up and clearing away which can put large areas of Brockwell park out of public use.  Even so, there will be road closures and parking restrictions around the park on certain event days.  Between 15 May and 18 June, the Brockwell Live Community Liaison Team can be reached on 03304 450 272 or community@brockwell-live.com (for residents) or 03304 450 273 or localbusiness@brockwell-live.com (for businesses).

The series kicks off on Friday 26 May with Project 6, followed by Wide Awake on Saturday 27th, then Cross The Tracks on Sunday 28th and City Splash on Bank Holiday Monday 29th.  Brockwell Bounce is a free family event on Wednesday 31st, before the final weekend of the Mighty Hoopla on Saturday and Sunday 3 & 4 June.

Lambeth Country Show
Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 June: So far, we expect this to follow the pattern of the last few years, free admission but secured behind a fence with likely restrictions on what you can bring in to the show.  If your group will have a presence, let us know.

Windrush 75th anniversary events
Some events were still to be confirmed as we were putting this bulletin together, but the central event will be a parade on Thursday 22 June.  This will assemble in Brockwell Park near the Lido, to set off at 3 pm, and pass along Railton and Saltoun Roads to assemble in Windrush Square about 4-30 pm.  This will be followed by a service led by Bishop Brown of NTA, followed by music performances until 7 pm.

Marking Refugee Week – Tuesday 20 June
As part of Refugee Week (19-25 June), Haven Coffee will be showing 2 short films at 5 pm in the ground floor event space at 3Space, International House.  Their theme is the hostile environment faced by refugees and migrants, and their resilience.
Tickets are free but donations are welcome when booking or during the evening, towards Haven Coffee’s refugee barista training programme – book at bit.ly/haven3sp 

Health and Social Care
Age UK Lambeth – MY Health launch and taster session
Thursday 18 May1-30 to 3-30 pm at Brixton Tate Library.  Age UK Lambeth are launching their health support services for older people, including free dementia support, chair-based exercise and walking groups.  Free to all older people in Lambeth, no need to book.

Planning Healthcare in SE London
NHS South-East London are consulting on their joint forward plan for the next 5 years.  There is a choice of 2 dates for webinars (on MS Teams) on either:
Friday 19 May, 12 noon – 1-45 pm, register via eventbrite, https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/join_a-webinar-about-nhs-south-east-london-joint-forward-plan-tickets-609318306457
Tuesday 23 May, 6 pm – 7-45 pm, register via eventbrite, as above or contact engagement@selondonocs.nhs.uk

Feedback is sought in particular on planned care, urgent/ emergency care, cancer, and ageing well.

Mental Health First Aid, 15 & 16 June
Art4Spaceat Stockwell are hosting another 2-day course next month, delivered by It’s a Playground.  The next course specifically on Youth Mental Health First Aid will be on 21 & 22 September.  Cost in either case is £325 per person.  Book via their website at www.art4space.co.uk

Green spaces, Green issues

Community Parklets Scheme – apply by 28 May
As part of Lambeth’s Big Shift Programme, the Council are inviting applications for creating “parklets” out of existing kerbside parking spaces.  This first wave will create just 12 parklets around the borough.  The programme will support a total of 25 parklets, one in each Council ward.  More details at www.lambeth.gov.uk/parklets or enquiries to bigshift@lambeth.gov.uk

Railway Repairs
Network Rail have advised us of upcoming work on the railway lines through Brixton Station to renew the conductor rail.  Works take place overnight, typically between midnight and 5 am latest, on 16-19 May, then 18-22 June and finally on 23 & 24 July.  Normal rail services should not be affected. More details at www.networkrail.co.uk or contact the helpline 03457 114141 quoting Brixton Conductor Rail Renewal.

Check your bike!
The next Dr Bike session sponsored by Brixton BID will be on 31 May, between 12 noon and 3 pm at 89 Acre Lane SW2 (the former Beast of Brixton), provided by Cycle Confident.

Beginner Cycle Training for Children
Cycle Confident are also providing 2-hour training sessions in Brockwell Park for small groups of children (minimum age 5 years old) sponsored by Lambeth Council.  Sessions are either 9-45 to 12 noon, or 12-15 to 2-30 pm, and dates are 30 May, 31 May, 1 June, 2 June but places are limited. Kids must have their own bicycle (and ideally a cycle helmet).  More details at https://cycleconfident.com/event/

Funding, Training and Support

Seeking Volunteers?
Team Lambeth are holding their Volunteers Fair on 1st June, between 12 noon and 7 pm at the Assembly Hall, Lambeth Town Hall.  This is an opportunity to sign up new volunteers from among Town Hall staff and other visitors, and to compare notes with other organisations about best practice. 
We hope to have a shared presence again, with other members of the Lambeth Forum Network.  More information at https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/your-community/get-involved/volunteering/team-lambeth

Funding deadlines reminder
The usual reminder of approaching deadlines for various grants previously publicised by Integrate Agency.  If you missed the original notices, or want to get on their mailing list for future opportunities, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Thomas Wall Trust: deadline 15 May – grants up to £5,000 for charities helping provide people with critical life skills for employment.

The Leathersellers Company – Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences: deadline Friday 19 May.

Women’s Urgent Support Fund: deadline Friday 19 May – to support essential services for women, impacted by the cost of living crisis.  Supported by the Smallwood Trust and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Mayor of London – Shared Endeavour Fund: closes 9 am on 22 May – support for organisations countering racism, intolerance and radicalism.

Youth Investment Fund
This fund has been developed to support improvements to youth facilities, particularly the out-of-school youth sector in deprived areas.  They recently launched a Refurbishment Grant stream to support projects costing under £150,000.  The next window for applications will be open between 29 May and 9 June.  For further information see the webinar on their website at https://youthinvestmentfund.org.uk/resource/refurbishment-grant-programme-webinar/ or enquiries to yif@sibgroup.org.uk

Training opportunities
Emergency First Aid at Work – Wednesday 24 May: Ecosystem Coldharbour have set up this free course, 9 am to 4 pm at the Baytree Centre, 300-302 Brixton Road SW9 6AE.
Booking enquiries to grow@ecosystemcoldharbour.org or call (020) 8001 2188.

Health and Safety – what charities need to know, Tuesday 23 May: On-line briefing by NCVO and Zurich, 11 am to 12 noon, organised by Integrate. Book via https://booking.ncvo.org.uk/event/sessions?idZurichNCVO_webinar_Health_safety_what_charities_need_to_know1468879270

Training with Brixton BID:  Once again our Business Improvement District is offering free training sessions for small businesses and social enterprises within the BID catchment area.  Booking via the website at https://brixtonbid.co.uk/event-type/training/ or enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk   Upcoming events include:

Fire Safety Training (level 2) – 24 May,
Food Safety Training (level2) – 26 June,
Emergency First Aid at Work (level 3) – 25 July,
Health and Safety (level 2) – 25 September.


Keep in touch

Something to share with us?
If you are doing something around the Brixton area – an event, or a new service, or just changes to what you already do – you are welcome to use these bulletins to tell other Forum members.  That’s well over 500 on our current list!
Please send items for future bulletins to the Forum Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com preferably by the 3rd of the month so we can publish on the 10th.

Also use this contact if you want to present your work or ideas at a Forum meeting, or raise a topic for discussion.
See more about the Forum on our website at www.brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org

Moving On
The approaching closure of Pop Brixton and International House means that a lot of charities and businesses are relocating.  Please let us know if you have to change your location or phone number, to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.com – we assume that e-mails and websites should not be affected if you are still active.  The Brixton BID has already moved to new offices at the rear of The Department Store, at 19 Bellefields Road SW9.  

Are we reaching the right people?
We want these bulletins to reach all community organisations and activists in the wider Brixton area.  You might be involved in a social enterprise, charity, small business, or just interested in what’s happening in your neighbourhood.  We want to be inclusive.
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 that you see them more quickly or reliably;
– If you have moved away or are no longer interested.