NEXT FORUM MEETING
Thursday 23 November, 7pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, SW2 1 EP (facing Windrush Square). We will be following up some topical issues this time, including:
A report from Friends of Windrush Square;
Anti-Social Behaviour in the Town Centre;
Based on this and other local concerns, should we put together a Neighbourhood Plan?
NB: We will feature Brixton’s Arts and Creative Industries at the following meeting in the New Year. This is also likely to be our Annual General Meeting, when we review the past year and elect a new committee.
MORE LOCAL EVENTS COMING UP
THEATRE OF THE OPPRESSED Wednesday 15 November:
The last of a series of workshops run by Tony Cealy at the Advocacy Academy, 7 Vining Street SW9.
Story-telling, learning and communal sharing, 3-30 to 7-30 pm – open to people of all age and abilities, no theatre experience necessary. Please book via Eventbrite.
BROCKWELL LIDO Sunday 19 November:
The Brockwell Lido Users Group and the Brockwell Lido Steering Committee hold their joint Annual General Meeting at 10-30 am on Sunday 19th at the Lido, when members will be able to vote in their new committee.
BLACK CULTURE MARKET Christmas Edition, Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December:
Downstairs at the Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, SW9, open 11 am to 5 pm each day. Free event, but please book via Eventbrite.
If you are interested in trading at these events, please contact the organisers via https://www.blackculturemarket.co.uk
WINTER MARKET around Brixton Windmill, Sunday 10 December:
12 noon to 3-30 pm with a range of stalls including food and drinks, live music, craft workshops for children, and of course, Santa’s Grotto.
Also a festive wreath-making workshop for adults, 12-30 to 2 pm, fee £12 – please book in advance at www.brixtonwindmill.org
CHRISTINGLE IN MYATT’S FIELDS PARK Saturday 16 December
2 pm to 5 pm, to include a Christmas market, carol-singing and a Christingle-making workshop for kids. More details from enquiries@myattsfieldspark.info
FUNDING, TRAINING & SUPPORT
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
We occasionally hear of local projects recruiting paid staff, though our publication schedule seldom ties in with closing dates for applications.
One that just fits in is at the St. Vincent’s Centre in Talma Road, SW2 1ASwhere they are seeking a part-time Activities Co-ordinator (22.5 hours a week). The role is to develop the arts and cultural programme at the centre, as well as establishing long-term food and service projects in the area.
More details can be found at https://svp.org.uk/work-with-us but the closing date is 15 November.
GRANTS REMINDERS
Once again, a reminder of approaching deadlines for grants previously notified by Integrate – if you missed the news, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk
Make it Big with Pathway Fund: deadline Thursday 16 November.
Lambeth Advice Services Grants: deadline Wednesday 22 November.
Dying Matters – Hospice UK Community Grants: deadline 24 November.
GROW AT HOME, EAT BETTER
Afreesixweek minicourse aimed at local food growing groups, to be held at Myatt’s Fields Park greenhouses. More details from Fabrice at fabrice@myattsfieldspark.info
TRAINING WITH BRIXTON BID
Our local Business Improvement District is offering free training sessions for small businesses and social enterprises within the BID catchment area. Book via their website at https://brixtonbid.co.uk/event-type-training/ or enquiries by e-mail to admin@nrixtonbid.co.uk Upcoming events include:
Emergency First Aid at Work (level 3) – 15 November.
Food Safety (level 2) – 20 November.
Social Media – 22 November.
Anti-Terrorism Training – 28 November.
OTHER NEWS
NEXT STEPS FOR SOMERLEYTON ROAD
There was strong interest at our last Forum meeting in how Lambeth would take forward the housing development along Somerleyton Road. A design was approved some years ago, but Homes for Lambeth failed to follow up on it. Lambeth is now looking for a partnership with a private developer. It is currently looking for 12 local stakeholders or residents to join a “Meet the Bidders Day” to help select that developer and shape local engagement. Total commitment is 12 hours between December and February, and panel members will be paid. Priority is being given to residents or organisations based in Windrush Ward, but closing date to apply is 26 November. Find the application form at bit.ly/meetthebidders
NEW PLAY STREETS
From 13 November, Lambeth Council is introducing several new play streets on a 6-month trial basis. Motor vehicles (except permit holders) will be banned from those streets Mondays to Fridays during school term time, for an hour in the morning (typically 8.15 to 9.15am) and again in the afternoon (typically 3 to 4 pm). This is intended to cover the peak periods when children are travelling to and from school. On our patch, the roads affected are:
– Lambert Road, between Branksome and Strathleven Roads.
– Mandrell Road, the whole length.
– Strathleven Road, between Lambert and Mauleverer Roads.
– Minet Road, between Lilford Road and Rupert Road.
Enquiries to schoolstreets@lambeth.gov.uk
WORK ON RAILTON ROAD
The latest phase of street landscaping for the Railton Road LTN will take place between 8 November and 15 December, between 198 Gallery and the corner of Herne Place. This will be followed by some road surfacing work on that section, on 16/17 January. During these periods, the 322 bus will be re-routed Atlantic Road/ Coldharbour Lane/ Effra Road/ Dulwich Road and then resume its normal route. Enquiries to lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk
COPING WITH STORM RAINWATER
Something we have had plenty of in the past few weeks! Lambeth is trialling some new techniques to reduce the risk of flooding when the drains can’t cope with the flow of rainwater. A new landscape layout has been designed for the Effra Road frontage of the St. Mathew’s Estate, including one temporary and two standing ponds, with new paths and damp-tolerant planting.
Details can be found via the Consultation pages on the Council’s website – but the deadline for responses is Tuesday 14 November. Send comments to lambethbeeroads@lambeth.gov.uk or use the on-line survey form.
LAMBETH CIVIC AWARDS
An opportunity to thank your leading volunteers or highlight your group’s work. Deadline for nominations is Sunday 26 November, culminating in a presentations event expected in late February. Details on the Council’s website at www.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-civic-awards-2024
HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE
FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH
Art4Space are due to host a couple more sessions on Mental Health First Aid at their studio in Jeffreys Road, SW4. Sessions are led by It’s A Playground.
Refresher half-day for previous attenders on Friday 17 November, fee £150, or £125 for Lambeth residents.
Adult Mental Health: Two-day course on 23 & 24 November.
Bookings via www.art4space.co.uk
Solidarity in a Crisis (SiaC) offers support for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, in Lambeth, Southwark or Lewisham. They offer an out-of-hours crisis helpline – 0300 123 1922, 6 pm to midnight Monday to Friday, midday to midnight at weekends. They also have a Community Team who can offer individuals a course of three to six one-to-one support sessions. For more information, e-mail them at communitycrisis@certitude.org.uk
TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Two upcoming free events, both at St. Matthew’s Church at the foot of Brixton Hill SW2 1JF:
Let’s Talk about Mental Health, Tuesday 14 November, 11 am to 1 pm, in the Level 2 co-working zone (with free pizza!).
This workshop is to enable local people to share their experiences – anything shared will be anonymous.
Organised by Lambeth Healthwatch and the Lambeth Living Well Collaborative, to reserve a place e-mail to info@healthwatchlambeth.org.uk
Lambeth Open Space Event to help shape Mental Health services in Lambeth, Thursday 23 November, 9-45 to 4-30 pm, food provided.
Led by Public Service Works with the Lambeth Living Well Collaborative, to reserve a place e-mail to Beth.Towle@seldonics.nhs.uk
