Coming up soon

Wellbeing Festival, Wyck Gardens, SW9 7AH Friday 21st July 3pm ’til 7pm fun activities for all the family.

Windrush Family Fun Day @ Max Roach, Wiltshire Rd SW9 7NE Sunday July 23rd 1pm ’til 7pm drumming, face painting food and workshops.
 
Myatt’s Fields Family Fun Day Saturday July 29th 2pm ’til 7pm  Live music, face painting and fun

Summer events and courses at Art4Space

Summer Scrap Club – Wednesdays 10 – 2 pm, Thursdays 10 – 1 pm, Fridays 10 – 2 pm, from 2nd August to 1st September, for children 5 to 16 (under 8s must be accompanied) with priority to children receiving free school meals or with special needs or disabilities, limit 3 sessions per child.
 
Creative Pathways – for young people age 18-30, 14 to 18 August, 1 to 4 pm (5 days).  Free but limited spaces.
 
Creative Health – 8 week course starting 6 September, to help LGBTQ+ smokers practice mindfulness, creativity and healthy living as a route to stop smoking.  Thursdays 4 to 6 pm, free but limited spaces. 
 
Creative Community Champions – Tuesdays 10 am to 12-30 pm, 10 weeks from 19 September, producing a textile banner for climate change.  For people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, free but limited spaces.
 
Creative Enterprise – Wednesdays 10 am to 12-30 pm, 10 weeks from 20 September, an enterprising art project leading to selling the products at a local Christmas market, free but limited spaces.
 
All courses at Art4Space Studios, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU. Enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk
 
Children’s Cricket Lessons, Myatt’s Fields Park
On Wednesday afternoons from 26 July for 4 weeks (last session 16 August), up to 64 free places available for boys and girls, either 5-8 or 9-11 age groups.  Enquiries to Kim Price at Surrey Cricket Foundation, 07500 950 517 or allstars@surreycricket.com 
 
Summer Coding Camp in SW8, 26 July to 23 August
Millennium Community Solutions are holding a 5-week course, Wednesday to Friday each week, for young people, covering computer coding, programming and robotics.  
Sessions for the 6-11 age group will run from 12-45 to 2-45 pm, and for those age 12-16, sessions will run from 2-45 to 3-45 pm.  Sessions will take place at Wimbourne House Community Hall, Wimborne Estate, South Lambeth Road, SW8 1AH.  For more information and registration, see www.southwyck.co.uk
 
Art in the Park, Windmill Gardens, Sunday 13 August
A range of free art workshops for both adults and children, materials provided, from 1 pm to 5 pm, around Brixton Windmill.

Repowering London is inviting you to participate in their Summer School of Power & Organising, a free, 2-week, practical, adult course based in Brixton. You’ll learn all things digital, art, energy and organising. The Summer School will take place from Tuesday to Friday, between the 1^stand 11^thof August, from 10 to 2pm. This is a family friendly school, and we will provide kids activities as well as free lunches. You can see the flyer at this link for more info and get in touch if you’d like to participate. To apply, visit tinyurl.com/y5ymb25k  Or call Ewure Esi at 07943 708647 or email info@repowering.org.uk

 Health & Social Care

Project Smith – Community Connector Training
Another course is just about to start – enquiries to Emma Corker at emma@rbeassociates.com or phone 07734 670 300.
Four training sessions will run from 9-30 am to 3 pm at different locations around the borough, to help people support their neighbours and signpost them to local health services.

Other News

How was it for you?
June turned out to be a very busy month, with lots of events in connection with the London Festival of Architecture and the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush with the first settlers from the Caribbean.  Some events even managed to reference both!  If you are planning – or just thinking about – some future events, we would like to hear.  Maybe we can help, or put you in touch with others who can offer support or contribute to a joint event?  See foot of page for contacts.
 
Hondo Tower – the last battle?
Way back in 2020, the owners of the main market arcades proposed a 20-storey office tower in Popes Road, on the old Tesco site between the railway viaducts.  After many local objections, the planning application was called-in by the Mayor, who was due to hear the case on 10 June last year, with the GLA planners recommending refusal, but it was called off at the last moment.  At the time of writing it’s back in the diary for a hearing at (new) City Hall on Friday 21 July, this time before Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning etc.  No changes have been made since last year, so it ought still to be refused, but we need to make sure!  Once again, objectors are trying to co-ordinate their efforts to best effect – contact the Fight The Tower campaign via danainardi@gmail.com or the Brixton Society via planning@brixtonsociety.org.uk

UPDATE:  10,000 BRIXTONIANS VS 1 MILLIONAIRE LANDLORD.

WE HEARD YESTERDAY THAT HONDO ENTERPRISE HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE ENORMOTOWER. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO SAVE NOUR and FIGHT THE TOWER and all who campaigned to save us from this development. The hearing of 21st July at County Hall is consequently CANCELLED.


Just Dropping in?
A slightly different approach to fund-raising for good causes – Yvonne Thompson of 7 Traits Leadership Learning is doing a sponsored skydive on Sunday 23 July.  This is in aid of Champions for Justice and Not For Sale which works to counter human trafficking.  To find out more and ideally contribute, see https:bit.ly/yvonnes-skydive
 
Moving on
Victoria Sherwin has played a key role in advancing the Myatt’s Fields Park Project over the past several years, but has now stepped down.  Instead, she will be spending a sabbatical year with Incredible Edible Lambeth, which is currently selecting prizewinners for the Lambeth in Bloom competition.  See also www.incredibleediblelambeth.org/events

Brixton Blog/ Bugle Summer Art Show
This will continue at Brixton Tate Library until 27 July, during normal library opening times.

Funding, Training and support

Social Investment Workshop, 17 July
On-line via Zoom, 10 am to 11-30, to explore the potential for social investment for charities and social enterprises.  Organised by Integrate with the Trust for London.  Book via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scale-it-what-is-social-investment-can-it-help-grow-my-organisation-tickets-650056194577
 
Develop your ideas and learn new skills
We picked up a few ideas from the recent Small Charities Week, including a new funding source.  If you are part of a community business and open to exploring tech-based solutions, then the Discovery Fund is worth checking out.  The fund will support you to explore a challenge that you have identified, and learn the processes and skills to design a solution, offering free training and a place in their community of practice so you can network with peers and experts.  Applications must be in by midday on 21 July – for more details, see https://www.powertochange.org.uk/our-work/our-programme/discovery-fund/ 
 
Grants Reminders
Our usual reminder of grants previously notified by Integrate – if you missed the original notice, contact eoin.heffernan@integrate agency.co.uk

The Field Family Charitable Trust: grants of up to £10,000 available for projects assisting vulnerable young people (13-25 years), or will also consider projects supporting older people and rehabilitation of ex-offenders. Deadline Friday 28 July.
 
Lloyds Bank Foundation: for organisations led by and working with deaf or disabled people who are experiencing poverty.  Grants up to £75,000, potentially for a 3-year period.  Deadline Thursday 31 August.
 
Before you go…
 
Something to share with us?
If you are doing something around the Brixton area, why not use these monthly bulletins to tell other Forum members about your activities, or your next event?  You might even like to present your work at a future Forum meeting, or raise a concern for discussion.  
Please send items for future bulletins to the Forum Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com – ideally by the 5th of the month so we can publish by the 10th. Also use this contact to include something on the agenda for a Forum meeting.
 
Remember, there is more about the Forum on our website at www.brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org
 
Is this your best e-mail?
We want these bulletins to reach all community organisations and activists in the wider Brixton area.  Please contact us at admin@brixtonneighbourhodforum.org
– If you want these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so you see them sooner or more reliably.
– If you want to add a neighbour or colleague to the circulation list.
– If you have moved away or are no longer interested.

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 May, 1-30 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.

Local Events Coming Soon

Easter Holiday Activities for Children
Between 3rd and 14th April, a range of free activities are taking place for children aged 4 to 16 at several sites around Brixton.  Priority is being given to children normally receiving free school meals.  For venues and details, refer to https://lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-spring-food-fun

A Mile in My Shoes
This exhibit will be on Windrush Square from Thursday 13 April for 2 weeks, organised by the Empathy Museum.  This appearance is part of the ongoing series of “81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance” which commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Brixton Uprising of April 1981.  More details at www.empathymuseum.com 

A-Maze-ing Brixton launch – Saturday 22 April
A joint project between Brixton BID and Father Nature, the Lavender Maze in Max Roach Park will be launched with a family-friendly planting session on Saturday morning between 9 am and 12 noon.  In future, the site will be maintained by volunteer gardeners on the same basis as the Brixton Orchard, and also host eco-nature sessions for local school groups.

What is Brixton Saying? – Tuesday 25 April
The Advocacy Academy invite you to their Open House event to discuss the results of their recent Listening Campaign, conducted by their young people.  7 pm at 5-7 Vining Street, SW9 8QA.  Free but please book via Eventbrite.

Beer and Bread Festival by the Windmill – Monday 1st May
Mark the traditional Bank Holiday in Windmill Gardens, with stalls including craft bakers and artisan brewers, plus live music, open from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Organised by Friends of Windmill Gardens, admission free.

Creative Courses at Art4Space – starting in May
Two more special courses are coming up, each to run for 10 weekly sessions, free for eligible individuals but places are limited  – enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Creative Community Champions Tuesdays 10 am to 12-30 from 2nd May, creating hand-built ceramics.

Creative Remedies, Wednesdays 10 am to 12-30 from 3rd May, textile design and overlay to create bespoke hangings.

Black Culture Market, 3 & 4 June
This showcase for Black-owned businesses and craftspeople returns to Downstairs at the Department Store for another weekend – 11 am to 5 pm with a different mix of traders each day, at 248 Ferndale Road SW9 8FR.  Admission free but please register in advance via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-culture-market-summer-,arket-tickets-570736868337?aff+erelexpmlt
If you want to trade at this or similar events, please refer NOW to https://www.blackculturemarket.co.uk


Town Centre Developments

Hondo Towers
Most of you will know by now that GLA planners had recommended to the Mayor that he refuse permission for the planning application by Hondo to build a 20-storey tower dominating the market. This was only discovered following pressure from the Fight The Tower campaign.  Normally a developer would withdraw a proposal if there were major objections, in the hope of coming back later with a new design.  Instead, Hondo were allowed merely to postpone the hearing when they offered to “adjust” their plans.  However, the defects in the plans are so fundamental that only a complete rethink and new application could possibly deal with the objections.  In the meantime, the ongoing uncertainty is damaging to the Town Centre.

Brixton Rec Quarter development
Consultation on the plans for International House and the Pop Brixton site was originally scheduled to start in May last year, but only got underway last month with an “Appreciative Enquiry” event. Naturally this attracted criticism that consultation was happening long after the key decisions had been made, while information was lacking on transitional arrangements for existing users of both sites. 
Nevertheless, a separate consultation exercise will run over 10 sessions from 20 April to 22 June, for a hand-picked panel of residents to consider how the developments could benefit Brixton’s Town Centre.
 
Work finally started last month on adapting vacant space below the Rec into workshop space for small enterprises and for training projects.  Within the Rec itself, Lambeth took over management from GLL/ Better on 1st April, to operate it under the “Active Lambeth” banner.  Work has been underway to create a children’s “soft play” area at the lower level where the bowling green used to be.

International House
Although London Square intends to keep International House in office use, it is likely to be out of use for up to 2 years while the building systems are upgraded.  This puts at risk the network of organisations, both commercial and charitable, that has built up during its “meanwhile” use under 3Space. Despite the delayed start to the development programme, Lambeth is unwilling to extend the present use beyond September.
For years, business space around Brixton has been replaced by housing uses, so it’s hard for International House tenants to find other premises locally. 
We need to find ways of keeping creative businesses and charity projects within the Brixton area, and one suggestion made by the Brixton Society is to use the former Sudbourne School buildings in Hayter Road SW2 as another “meanwhile” space until International House is refurbished.  This would help maintain existing networks and local employment, instead of dispersing most firms out of the borough.  

Funding, Training and Support

Last call for our 2023/24 programme
The Forum needs to make its own funding bid to the Council shortly.  Typically this will pay for meetings costs, part-time admin support and equipment, but there is scope to include some training or advice for the wider membership.  If there is something that you think we should be providing or organising, we need to hear from you NOW.
If your ideas are beyond the scope of the usual Forum funding, we can of course make separate applications to other potential funders.

Jobs with Local Projects
We have seen a number of paid jobs advertised by local projects in recent months, but usually application deadlines have passed before we can share details in these bulletins.  Here’s one that’s still open:

Centre Manager at St. Vincent’s Centre, Brixton: Based at Talma Road SW2, full-time post (37.5 hours a week) annual salary £35,000 to £40,000 depending on skills and experience.  For more details, e-mail to hr@svp.org.uk and prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Kate Nightingale (Deputy CEO) for more information on 07 889 006 234 but before 12 April please.  Deadline 20 April for application forms, with interviews to be held on 28 April.

Your Streets, Your Way competition – closes 28 April
Lambeth Council is inviting ideas for street design improvements at selected sites around the borough.  Within the Brixton area, those include:
– 85 Angell Road, SW9;
– Loughborough Road/ Minet Road junction;
– Outside Brixton Domino Club/ Soup Kitchen, 297-299 Coldharbour Lane;
– Telegraph Passage, between Brixton Hill and New Park Road.

The top prize offered is £750 plus runners-up prizes, and the competition is managed by architects We Made That.  For full details, see https://your-streets-your-way.squarespace.com 

Flexible Support Fund briefing – Monday 17 April
This DWP fund is to support organisations who can help the unemployed towards jobs.  Integrate has set up a Zoom briefing session with officials from the DWP and Lambeth, starting at 10 am.  To book a place, contact Eoin Heffernan at eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Negotiating and Managing Your Lease – Wednesday 19 April
Integrate have set up another Zoom briefing, this time with the Ethical Property Foundation, to review the ins and outs of business leases and managing your relationship with your landlord.  This session will start at 11 am and an information pack will be circulated afterwards.  Book voa Eoin Heffernan, as above.

Changes in public support for Charities
The Directory of Social Change recently reported from the Community Life Survey, an annual survey of adults across England that follows trends in social action.   The most recent figures are from the 2021-22 survey.  While 55% of adults reported taking part in some form of volunteering in the past year, participation is at its lowest since data collection started in 2014.  14% reported that the Covid pandemic continued to inhibit their participation.
Charitable giving was more variable from year to year, but 66% reported giving money to charitable causes in the past 4 weeks.  There was a significant increase in people giving to overseas aid and disaster relief, notably the war in Ukraine, where the Disasters Emergency Committee reported receiving over £400 million.
On the other hand, legacy giving has increased by 43% over the past decade, according to a 2022 survey just released by Remember a Charity.  This may reflect greater efforts by some of the larger charities to encourage people to leave a gift in their will.

Adapt to the New Borough Plan
Finally, Lambeth Council’s Cabinet adopted the new version of the Borough Plan on 27 March.  The aim of the plan is to integrate all the Council’s activities and services, and to set out priorities for the period up to 2030.  This is worth study if you work closely with the Council or want to show that your projects support their priorities.  The new version, Lambeth 2030 – Our Future, Our Lambeth, can be found on the Council’s website.


Keep in touch
Something to share with us?
If you are doing something around the Brixton area – an event, or a new service, even a re-launched service – you are welcome to use these bulletins to tell other Forum members.  That’s over 500 on our current list!
Please send items for future bulletins to the Forum Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com and ideally before the 3rd of the month so we can publish by the 10th.
Also use this contact if you want to present your work at a Forum meeting, or raise a topic for discussion.
Remember, there is more about the Forum on our website at www.brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org

Is this your best e-mail?
We want these bulletins to reach all community organisations and activists in the wider Brixton area.  Please contact us at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum,org if:
– You want to add a colleague or neighbour to the mailing list.
– You want these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so that you see them more quickly or reliably.
– You have moved away or are no longer interested.

Our meeting on 10th January included an update from the Fight the Tower Campaign on the Hondo Tower proposals, which have been in the Mayor’s pending tray for 15 months now. We also shared what we know about other prospective developments, like the Pop Brixton site and the future of International House, and agreed some actions on pursuing these concerns. More to follow.

More local events this month

Advice sessions in person on local Council Estates Lambeth closed its Housing Office during Covid, expecting residents to access all services on-line through its Housing Portal.  The Council have finally realised that tenants don’t all have Internet access or skills, so a series of resident drop-in surgeries have begun on local estates.  Sessions should provide face-to-face access to staff from housing management, maintenance and rent services teams, and a chance to discuss any issues affecting you in your home.  However, these live sessions are only once a month – for more information, call Lambeth Housing Services on (020) 7209 2660.

Edmundsbury Estate:  Edmundsbury Community Hall, Ferndale Road SW9 8FQ – Second Friday of each month, 10 am to 1 pm.
St. Matthew’s Estate:  St. Matthew’s Hall, 10 St. Matthew’s Road SW2 1NH – Third Thursday of each month, 10 am to 1 pm.
Tulse Hill Estate:  Jubilee Community Hall, SW2 2LY – First Wednesday of each month, 2 – 4 pm.

Reducing Energy Bills in SE24

The Herne Hill Forum, to the east of our patch, are organising a series of briefing sessions to help residents with energy-saving ideas, from simple house-keeping hacks to organising major retro-fits for your home.  Dates and venues will be:
Wednesday 18 January, 7 pm at Herne Hill Baptist Church, Half Moon Lane, SE24: why this matters and general energy-saving tips.
Monday 23 January, 7 pm at Carnegie Library, Herne Hill Road SE24: getting approvals from planners, landlords and building inspectors.
Sunday 29 January, 1 pm at Brockwell Barn, Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses, SE24: sources of heat and solar power.
Thursday 2 February, 6-30 pm at the Club House, Herne Hill Velodrome, Burbage Road SE24: retrofitting older properties and insulation do’s and don’ts.

For more information and booking, see https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/reduce-energy-bills-and-carbon-footprint-1464349

Events at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses

• They start the year with a range of workshops and activities, including:
• Fermentation afternoon workshop on Saturday 14 January or 4 February.
• Mindfulness workshop with Deepti on Sunday 22 January.Introduction to Knitting – a beginners workshop on Saturday 11 February.
• Also, Saturday Yoga sessions resume from 7 January.

For more details and bookings, see their website, https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events 

Creative Courses at Art4Space

Two special courses are being offered this term, at the Art4Space Learning Hub, 31 Jeffreys Road SW4 6QU.  In both cases, there is no charge, but only 12 spaces are available for each course.:

Creative Community Champions will create a collective mixed-media textiles project, with the finished work to be presented to a local community project. This will run on Tuesdays for 10 weeks from 17 January, 10 am to 12-30 pm, in a LGBTQ+ friendly environment. Enquiries to info@art4space.co.uk

Creative Remedies is a mosaic-making course for women in need of a creative well-being boost.  This will run on Wednesdays for 10 weeks from 18 January, 10 am to 12-30 pm. Enquiries to jewels@art4space.co.uk

Other News

Honour for Forum Chair

We are pleased to hear that our Chair, Ken Floyde, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of his years of work with the Brixton BMX Club, which now has an impressive track within Brockwell Park.

In addition, MBEs were awarded to Elizabeth Maytom, Project Manager of the Norwood & Brixton Food Bank, and to Dr Stephen Mowle of the Hetherington Group Practice, who is also Hon. Treasurer of the Royal College of General Practitioners. 

Brixton Hill Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Lambeth Council is currently consulting on initial designs for a LTN covering the area bounded by Brixton Hill, Acre Lane, King’s Avenue and the South Circular Road.  The northern half already has some long-standing access restrictions which have worked well, but may change, while new restrictions are proposed for streets west and south of Brixton Prison.  No obvious benefits offered for cyclists or pedestrians this time, just some nonsense about flood prevention measures – for the highest part of Brixton!  More details on the Lambeth website (consultation pages) – Closing date for comments is 22 January, to lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk

Workspace in Beehive Place

Work is getting underway to convert disused space below the swimming pools of the Brixton Rec into space for manufacturing businesses and training projects.  Access will be from Beehive Place, off Brixton Station Road.  This will be followed in the Spring by shopfront improvements for the shops below the Rec, together with works to its external lighting and concourse.  For an overview, see https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/revitalising-brixtons-rec-quarter

Reporting Water Leaks

For years we have ignored most leaking water mains as only a problem for Thames Water shareholders, but this year the early freeze and pre-Christmas thaw resulted in so many leaks that many people have been reporting loss of water pressure.  If you spot a leak that Thames Water have not responded to yet, you can report it to them on 0800 714 614, or via their website, https://thameswater.co.uk/leak

New Chair at Friends of Loughborough Park

At the on-line AGM in November, Jon Bromwich was elected as Chair of the Friends, in succession to Lydia Stone, who had moved away from the area.  This little park is continuing to recover from years of neglect, benefitting from some recent investment by Lambeth Parks and some hands-on help from local residents.  Monthly litter-picks are continuing, co-ordinated by Anthea Masey, the next being on Sunday 29 January at 11 am.  Jon can be contacted via the Friends’ e-mail account at friendsofloughboroughpark@gmail.com as before.

Milling & Baking at Brixton Windmill

Friends of Windmill Gardens are offering a unique full-day experience, making flour and then bread with their volunteer millers and bakers.  This will be on Sunday 26 February, 10-30 to 4-30 pm at the Windmill and Education Centre.  Maximum of 6 places, £70 per person including lunch.  See their website for more details and booking, www.brixtonwindmill.org
Incidentally, if you were thinking about having a go at the Great British Bake Off, casting is underway for the next series, so please contact Jake Stoodley, researcher at Love Productions, phone 0117 456 8530 or e-mail to jake.stoodley@loveproductions.co.uk    

Health and Social Care

User involvement at King’s College Hospital

There are several opportunities for patient input into how hospital services are provided, including: King’s Cancer Voices for patients with experience of using cancer care services; King’s Accessibility Advisory Group for both voluntary groups and individuals with access or communication needs; King’s Mental Health Advisory Group is a new forum to improve patients’ mental health care within the hospital; King’s Young People is a forum for 11-16 year-olds who use the hospital services, aiming to make the services more user-friendly for younger users.
If you are interested in joining any of these, or other groups, please contact the Patient & Public Involvement Team at kch-tr.KingsPPI@nhs.net or phone (020) 3299 3682.

Space at Akerman Health Centre

If your group has an interest in health issues, the Akerman Health Centre is offering free use of a room for meetings or events.  Rooms available are on the ground floor and accommodate between 8 and 30 people.  The downsides are that it’s only for weekdays between 9 am and 6 pm, and it’s a remote location on the NE fringe of Brixton.  If interested, please contact either: – Juliet Amoa at Lambeth, jamoa@lambeth.gov.uk  – Isabella Painting at SE London Integrated Care, isabella.painting@selondonics.nhs.uk

Polio booster clinics for Children under 9 These are still available, but for latest locations and opening times, see bit.ly/poliovaxSEL

Talking Therapies

Lambeth Talking Therapies offers free and confidential support to adults who are registered with a Lambeth GP.  They can help with a range of problems, including depression, stress, sleeplessness, coping with traumatic experiences and specific anxieties.  Types of support include group or individual talking therapy, on-line therapy and support with employment difficulties.  You can speak to your GP about a referral, or you can self-refer, via their website www.lambethtalkingtherapies.nhs.uk  or phone (020) 32286747 or by e-mail to lambeththiaptadministrators@slam.nhs.uk

Dry January

Expect various promotional efforts and publicity from Health sources this month, to encourage people to reduce or even stop their regular use of alcohol-based drinks.  Here’s a weblink that came to us from an American alcohol rehab group, this time about stomach pain rather than liver damage: https://alcoholrehabhelp.org/blog/stomach-pain-after-drinking/

Funding, Training and support

Grants reminders

Once again, we remind you of deadlines for grant offers previously circulated by Integrate.  If you missed the original alerts, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk 

Climate, Health and Community Fund, and particularly supporting diverse-led community organisations, up to £40,000 for a project or up to £10,000 for developing your organisation.  Closing date 5 pm on Tuesday 10 January.

The Fishmongers Company – grants up to £90,000 over 3 years, particularly for projects dealing with Food & Nutrition, Mental Health, or Education in Prisons.  Deadline 13 January.

Lambeth Wellbeing Fund – grants between £1,000 and £5,000 for community projects working with adults in Lambeth.  More details at www.londoncf.org.uk but closing date is midday Tuesday 31 January.
News of this one came to us via Locality so please use Google to search for more details: Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust – Sustainable Future Fund offers up to £100,000 for a project addressing climate change, particularly if giving a voice to young activists or marginalised groups – deadline 28 March.

Training opportunities

Fund-raising training: The next clutch of free Zoom briefing sessions from Ecosystem Coldharbour will cover the Walcot Foundation, and take you through the whole application process so you can make a worthy application to them.  Sessions will be on Tuesdays 24 and 31 January and 7 February, from 6-30 to 8-30 pm.  To register, phone 07 958 622 171 or on-line at https://forms.gle/n7ioVRDHJ4Cb9EtC7

Getting the best from LinkedIn:  The Wintrade Global Women in Business Network held an on-line masterclass a couple of months ago, and you can now check out the video recording of the event at https://lnkd.in/eNpGgFBz For their future events, see https://bit.ly/wintrade-zoom-events-landing-page

Enterprise

Kickstart your business with a professional London business address!  Impact Brixton is offering entrepreneurs from Lambeth, Wandsworth and Southwark their first year free, or for those from further afield, their first month free, using the promo code BUSINESS25 but the offer expires on 1st February. When you sign up to their Virtual Office, you can use their location as your business address, rather than show your home address on Companies House records.  You might just be in time to join the Virtual Office launch event on Friday 6 January – enquiries to team@impactbrixton.com 

Before you go…Is this your best e-mail? We want these bulletins to reach all community organisations and activists in the wider Brixton area.  Please contact us at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org if: – You want these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so that you see them earlier or more reliably. – You want to add a colleague or neighbour to the mailing list. – You have moved away, or are no longer interested.

Something to share with us?

If you are doing something around the Brixton area, why not use these bulletins to tell other Forum members about your activities, or your next event?Perhaps you would like to present your work at a Forum meeting, or raise a concern for discussion?

Please send items for future bulletins to the Forum Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com – ideally by the 5th of the month so we can publish by the 10th.  Also use this contact if you want to include something on the agenda for a Forum meeting.