Category Archives: Community

Community, News

volunteering – food growing and community gardens

Advice from Lambeth Together / Printable PDF version

Coronavirus Advice April 2020
Food Growing and Gardening Activities

We know that outdoor activities such as food growing and/or gardening activities can help us feel good and be beneficial for health and wellbeing. This activity can be used as the one form of exercise for the day.

Now more than ever it is important to support people to feel safe and comfortable to grow food and to practice safe measures when doing so. This guidance for community gardens during Covid-19 has been sourced and compiled from trusted sources including Public Health England, Sustain and the NHS.

Guidance for access and travel to community gardens

  • Community gardens should be accessible only to members who live close by and not open to the public.
  • Anyone considered medically vulnerable/ subject to government shielding advice should not visit the community garden.
  • Rotas should be set up where there are a lot of members to limit to single households going into the community garden at any one time.
  • During Covid-19 outbreak growers should wherever possible travel to gardens by bike or foot. At no time should public transport be used.
  • Those who are deemed vulnerable and classified as in the “shielded” group should stay at home
  • Anyone displaying a fever or dry cough or has someone in their household with these symptoms should stay at home and comply with national guidance
  • www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-athome-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
  • Garden leaders should publicise visitor restrictions on any communications and on external signage. This should include reference to government guidance on social distancing.

Social distancing and sanitation

  • At all times, social distance (minimum 2m) must be maintained between growers.
  • Hand washing should be followed according to government guidance. Wash your hands when you arrive at the garden, wear gloves while working in the garden and ensure you only use your own gloves and take those home with you in a disposable bag
  • Have hand sanitiser available and use before opening and closing any gate locks.
  • Ensure any visitor to the site washes their hands with soap and water if available, or with hand sanitiser before they engage in growing activities even if they are going to wear gloves.
  • Growers should only use tools if wearing (own) gloves, otherwise no tools to be shared
  • Do not offer guest gloves to garden visitors or volunteers during this period.
  • If children are onsite, ensure that they stay within its confines and do not run around on communal paths and spaces.
  • All associated communal facilities should be closed. e.g. tea making facilities

Please check current information on websites and social media of local organisations with volunteer gardening and food growing projects, as conditions are constantly changing. Please let us know if you are a project that would like to be listed.

Lambeth Larder http://www.lambethlarder.org/food-growing.html

Incredible Edible Lambeth https://www.incredibleediblelambeth.org/

Brockwell Community Greenhouses https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/

Friends of Windmill Gardens https://www.brixtonwindmill.org/

Great North Wood https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/great-north-wood

Myatts Filed Park Project https://www.myattsfieldspark.info/

Community, News

volunteering – lambeth food hub

Lambeth has set up a food hub in Brixton to focus collection and distribution of rood to people in need. To volunteer, please follow this link

We have heard that potential volunteers are not hearing back from Lambeth soon after applying. Please be assured that Lambeth are working through hundreds of ID checks and will respond.

For those already volunteering, or thinking of doing so, please follow this advice from Lambeth Together / Printable PDF version

Guidance for access and travel

  • Anyone considered medically vulnerable/ subject to government shielding advice should not visit or volunteer in a food hub. Those who are deemed vulnerable and classified as in the “shielded” group should stay at home
  • During Covid-19 outbreak growers should wherever possible travel by bike or foot. At no time should public transport be used.
  • Anyone displaying a fever or dry cough or has someone in their household with these symptoms should stay at home and comply with national guidance
  • www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-athome-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
  • Food Hub leaders/managers should publicise restrictions on any communications and on external signage. This should include reference to government guidance on social distancing.

Social distancing and sanitation

  • It is very unlikely that you can catch coronavirus from food. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. It is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging. See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-food-businesses/guidance-for-food-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19
  • Although it is very unlikely that coronavirus is transmitted through food, as a matter of good hygiene practice anyone handling food should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This should be done as a matter of routine, before and after handling food, and especially after being in a public place, blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using your standard cleaning products
  • Take steps to avoid crowding and minimise opportunities for the virus to spread by maintaining a distance of 2 metres between individuals, wherever possible.
  • –  No goods or food should be physically handed over to the customer. There should instead be a set drop-off point agreed in advance.
  • If you decide the work should go ahead, you should advise staff to wash their hands frequently using soap and water for 20 seconds, and especially after blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, on arrival at work, before and after eating, after using public transport, and when they arrive home. Where facilities to wash hands are not available, hand sanitiser should be used.
  • If you decide the work should continue, staff should work side by side or facing away from each other rather than face-to-face if possible.
  • You should increase the frequency of cleaning procedures, pausing production in the day if necessary for cleaning staff to wipe down workstations with disinfectant.
  • You should assign staff to the same shift teams to limit social interaction.
  • You should not allow staff to congregate in break times; you should consider arrangements such as staggered break times so that staff can continue to practice social distancing when taking breaks.
  • Consider adding additional pop-up handwashing stations or facilities, providing soap, water and/or hand sanitiser.

Community, Events, News

March 2020

Forum Meetings update

Based on public health advice on avoiding face-to-face contact, the Forum meeting on 23 April is cancelled.  The next Forum meeting would be on Thursday 23 July but we will see how the situation develops. 

In the meantime, we will continue to share information by e-mail – please also use this channel to reach out to other local organisations.

Community Showcase Event

We originally set the date for our event on Windrush Square as Saturday 27 June to allow for Lambeth’s ponderous application process.  It now looks as if that may need to be pushed back even further on public health grounds.  

To recap, the idea was for member groups to set up stalls on Windrush Square to show off what they do, and maybe do a bit of fund-raising too.  Although we cannot be precise about the timing yet, it will help our planning if you can tell us if your group would be interested in taking part in this sort of event – please respond to apiperbrix@aol.com

Don’t call at the office!

No sooner had we got settled into our new office base on the 6th floor of International House, than the Coronavirus epidemic hit, and the Forum team have mostly reverted to working from home.  Most other occupants of International House are doing the same, so the building is only ticking over with a skeleton staff.  The front reception desk is not staffed for the time being, so access is via the loading bay and only by prior arrangement.

Not far away, Impact Brixton’s new hub at 17a Electric Lane is also quiet, though not quite dormant.  The official re-launch event on 26 March has been cancelled, but their pre-launch discount offer on space has been extended to 6th April.  Regular events like the Open Project Night are suspended.  Enquiries to team@impactbrixton.com

Health Precautions and Social Care

Current Health Advice

The best source is the NHS itself, at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

If you or a family member appears to have symptoms, see www.nhs.uk/coronavirus for advice on how to isolate the household.

For an overview of how all Lambeth Council services are affected, see www.lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus

Self-isolating – but not alone!

Around Lambeth, local residents are getting together to help out their community – contact the Lambeth Covid 19 mutual aid group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/214918153220011/?ref=share

This links to lots of locally-based WhatsApp groups, e.g. for the Poets Corner/ Railton Road group call 07 787 511 201 or 07 311 865 874.

Get in touch if you are self-isolating and need someone to run errands, or if you can offer help in some way.

Sainsburys early opening for pensioners and NHS staff

Sainsbury’s has reset its opening hours across all stores to 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday (Sundays unchanged) to allow more time for staff to re-stock the shelves.  Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the first hour (up to 9 am) will be reserved for elderly, disabled and vulnerable customers. 

A separate time-slot is now being set up for NHS staff and care workers.

Tesco has since announced it will be prioritising the elderly and vulnerable for one hour, between 9 am and 10 am, again on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except at its Express stores).  Check the websites of the major supermarkets for latest updates.

By the way, the Brixton Buzz website suggests the smaller supermarket branches without car parking are less likely to be picked clean by car-borne shoppers.

Getting some fresh air

Parks and Countryside

Parks are a vital breathing space at this time, but to avoid their early closure, please be considerate and keep your distance.  Joggers in particular should steer clear of other people on the paths, as your huffing and puffing increases the risk of aerosol transmission to other people nearby.

Lambeth Parks are remaining open for the time being but toilets, children’s playgrounds, sports facilities and cafes will be closed.  Group events and activities within parks may be curtailed – please check with organisers or refer to the relevant Friends group website.  In Windmill Gardens, Tai Chi sessions were continuing because there’s room to spread out.  In Myatt’s Fields Park, Stay & Play sessions at the Mulberry Centre, LEAP events and Lambeth Tigers football training are all suspended.

The National Trust has closed its parks and gardens (e.g. Morden Park) though its countryside and coastline areas remain accessible – but it’s prudent to avoid the popular spots.


Coronavirus (Covid – 19) and volunteering events in parks   All remain open at the present time; Lambeth are currently following advice issued by Central Government. Lambeth Council has also set up a dedicated page on its website which can be viewed here.

Lambeth have also made the decision to cancel council-led volunteering activities, including community and corporate workdays – we will review this on a regular basis. 

Lambeth genuinely appreciates everything that stakeholder groups and volunteers do in our parks and open spaces to make them safe, green and welcoming for everybody but your safety and well-being should come first at all times. With a potentially reduced workforce if you need to contact us please email your normal point of contact copying in parks@lambeth.gov.uk and we’ll aim to deliver with enquiries as promptly as we can.  Dr Iain Boulton Environmental Compliance Officer, Parks Development Team Lambeth Parks and Open Spaces Environment and Streetscene Residents’ Services London Borough of Lambeth. 



Practical Gardening

Gardening sessions were continuing normally in Windmill Gardens and at Loughborough Farm, but have ceased at Pop Brixton (fully closed), at Myatt’s Fields Park, and at the Great North Wood Project run by London Wildlife Trust.

Walking round the neighbourhood

A busy programme of guided walks was due to kick off next month, but demands for social distancing mean that organised walks generally are in abeyance for at least the next month or two.  Some of the local groups have published heritage trails or walk routes so maybe you can still get out and explore solo?  See www.lambethlocalhistoryforum.org.uk 

Funding, Training and Support

Keeping community organisations active

Lambeth Council has come together with several other funders to offer a more flexible, friendly and financially understanding approach to the voluntary and community organisations that it currently funds.  This should allow for activities and outcomes to be adapted to suit changing circumstances. If reporting deadlines or spending patterns need to change, the advice is to consult funders early so that changes can be agreed.  London Funders are aware that there may also be impacts on projected income streams for projects.

To see the full list of funders who have committed to a more flexible approach, see https://londonfunders.org.uk/about/covid-19

The Greater London Authority and the City Bridge Trust have set aside £1 million each to launch a fund to support London’s voluntary sector at this uncertain time.  The emergency scheme will be co-ordinated by London Funders (as above).

A special section of the London.gov.uk website will shortly be set up to help link organisations in need of volunteers with individuals willing to help.

Also look out for further e-bulletins from the Integrate Agency, including funding leads.

Challenges for social enterprises and small businesses

The Government have introduced measures to help businesses through this difficult time, though some will be more exposed than others.

First check out: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

A good source of free independent advice is the smallbusiness.co.uk website.

And of course, don’t forget our own Brixton BID as a source of advice – although staff are now working remotely, you can still reach them via admin@brixtonbid.co.uk

Training goes on-line

The Directory of Social Change have reminded us that, even if the normal training courses are suspended, they already offer several on-line courses.  There is also an extensive On-line Funding advice service (on a subscription basis).  For updates, see www.dsc.org.uk

We expect to hear about more on-line training offers, webinars etc in the next couple of weeks.

News (but hardly any events!)

Brixton’s Nightlife curtailed

Brixton’s bars and restaurants are a major attraction for people from a wide area, but this also increases the risk of Coronavirus transmission, so it may be for the best that the Government has closed them across the country.  We should commend the local enterprises which saw the danger and closed before the Government ban, including the PoW, Pop Brixton, Market House, Canteen, Laundry, Cafe Cairo, Phonox, Ritzy (and Upstairs), Whirled Cinema and the Effra Hall Tavern.

Public transport reduced

A key driver of Brixton’s weekend night-life is the Night Tube, which is being curtailed for the time being.  Public Transport generally is being scaled down in frequency, in response to the reduced number of commuters, with more people working from home or in quarantine.  Some intermediate Tube stations without interchange are being closed to conserve resources – on the Victoria Line, that’s only Pimlico and Blackhorse Road, but check the TfL website before you travel.  TfL advice is that you should only take public transport when essential.

National Rail services are also being reduced – see www.nationalrail.co.uk

Lambeth Libraries closed

After first curtailing library-based events and activities, Lambeth has now closed all its libraries.  Lambeth Archives is closed to visitors but staff will try to assist with e-mail or telephone enquiries.  However, if you have a library card, digital books, magazines etc are still available for free at http://lambeth.rbdigitalglobal.com/

The Brixton Rec and other leisure centres run by Better/GLL are also now closed.

The Black Cultural Archives is also closed to the public, but staff will be working from home on ongoing projects, and can be contacted via info@bcaheritage.org.uk or phone (020) 3757 8500.

Events cancelled or postponed?

Lots of messages received this past week about proposed events no longer happening.  Some have already been re-arranged for various dates between July and October, though July is now beginning to look a bit early, based on recent Government comments.  We can only remind you to check the websites of local organisations whose events you usually attend – I hear many are trying to update them more frequently as the situation develops.

Contact us 

News and comments welcome

We welcome hearing from you at any time, but if you want something included in our e-bulletins, please send it to apiperbrix@aol.com – by 29 March if you want it to appear in our April issue.

Keep our mailing list up-to-date

Now more than ever, we want to ensure that information and useful contacts are being shared with local groups and Forum members. Help keep our mailing list current by notifying admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org: 

– if you want to add a colleague or neighbour to our contact list;

– if you prefer us to send to a different e-mail address, or other details have changed;

– if you have moved away or are no longer interested.

Stay safe – keep your distance!

Community, Events, News

March 2020 – What was going to be

This page is included as ‘historic documentation’ of events and activities that were in train just as the coronavirus pandemic was beginning to affect public life and overtaking the ability of our editorial to keep up

Forum Events

Our Next Forum Meeting – 23 April

The next Forum meeting scheduled for Thursday 23 April has been cancelled

Changing Plans

The situation with the Corona virus outbreak is changing from day to day, so for all events listed in this bulletin, we suggest you check with the organisers whether they are still happening as announced.  Already the annual get-together of leading members of all 14 Neighbourhood Forums in Lambeth has been postponed until late summer/ autumn. Please tell us if something your group has announced in these bulletins has been cancelled, postponed or otherwise altered.

Community Showcase Event – 27 June

We have been working on an opportunity for local organisations to set up their stalls and shelters in Windrush Square on Saturday 27 June.

This sounds a long way off, and the Corona virus situation makes it very uncertain, but we had to apply early to secure the site.  Sadly Lambeth’s application process is the same for small community events as if we wanted to book the whole of Brockwell Park for a 50,000 people weekender!  Detailed arrangements may change during negotiations with Lambeth Events staff, but we intend the event to be open to the public between 11 am and 5 pm (set up from 9-30 am, clear away by 6-30 pm).

We will be issuing more information shortly, but it would be good to hear from you soon if you want to reserve a pitch, since space is limited. Brixton community organisations and local charities will have priority.  

Health and Social Care

Coronavirus Advice

Subject to the possibility of stricter distancing rules, we are sharing some health hints from our friends at Brixton Therapy Centre and Age Concern Lambeth:

> Keep your distance – avoid unnecessary contact like handshakes or hugs.

> Wash your hands regularly – particularly after using public transport, after any coughs or sneezes, and before handling food.

> If you feel unwell, stay at home and minimise contact with people, preferably for 7 days. Call NHS 111 for advice, rather than go to your GP or hospital.

If your organisation depends on just one or two key workers, they should also be following these hints for maintaining good general health:

> Make sure you get enough sleep.

> Prolonged use of laptops and i-phones in cafes or at the kitchen table means more strain on your eyesight and posture than the big old-fashioned PCs in typical offices of 20 years ago.  If you have an office, does its layout help or hinder? Take regular breaks, move around a bit, even look at the view out the window so your eyes can shift focus.  

> Go for long walks in the fresh air (weather permitting).

> Warm up before any vigorous exercise, to avoid strain.

> Eat healthy – try to get your 5-a-day of vegetables and fruit.  Cut down on red meat, sugar and refined carbohydrates.  BTC recommend more garlic, ginger and turmeric, and good quality honey.

The Future of Landor Road Hospital site

Lambeth Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) are reviewing mental health services based at Lambeth Hospital on Landor Road, SW9.  The proposal is to move 4 acute adult wards and a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit to a new building on the Maudsley Hospital site in Denmark Hill, 3 miles away.  There will be no change in the total number of beds.

A 12-week public consultation period was due to start at the end of February, but we are still awaiting more details. Meanwhile, we can say that comments should be sent to lambethconsultation@londoncommunications.co.uk

Changes to Social Prescribing Service

Age UK Lambeth have announced that their social prescribing service, launched a few months ago as Safe and Independent Living (SAIL) is now rebadged as MyCommunity Lambeth.  What’s more, the service is now open to anyone over 18 who is in need of support.  As before, people can access the service on-line through the Age UK Lambeth website, or call the team directly on (020) 7346 6800.

 
Funding, Training and Support

More Training through the FSI

Training and information resources from the Foundation for Social Improvement to tell you about this time – more details are on their website at www.thefsi.org

Small Charities Coalition

Another body offering training and support to small charities, membership is free and aimed at bodies with an annual income below £350,000.

They provide four key services:

– Helpdesk and information service, accessible by phone or e-mail, and backed-up by a weekly e-bulletin.

– Mentoring by experienced people from larger charities, businesses or the public sector, for periods from a few weeks to 6 months. For more information contact mentoring@smallcharities.org.uk

– Training, typically at £30 per session.

– Policy and Advocacy, to raise the concerns of smaller charities with policy-makers and funders.

For further information, contact them at info@smallcharities.org.uk

Training Hub by the Barrier Block

Southwyck Community Hall on Moreland Road SW9  recently re-opened as a community training hub.  Millennium Community Services CIC provide community-led training services, including a Job Club, art sessions, IT skills, and English as a Second Language.  Further planned services include fitness for all ages, motivational speaking, and internet radio.

For more information on the courses and their availability contact gailalisonthompson@yahoo.co.uk


So you need more volunteers?

Remember, the first step is always to consider what tasks need doing, and then think about how new people would best work with your team – do you need a specialist to sort out an issue and then move on, or do you need extra pairs of hands to help you cope with more users? Here’s a few sources to explore:

Town Hall Time Bank: Did you realise that all Lambeth Council staff can take up to 21 paid hours per year to volunteer within the borough? The Town Hall Time Bank is a joint effort between Time4Lambeth and the Lambeth Forum Network (LFN). Enquiries to timebank@lambeth.gov.uk

Link UP London: They aim to connect volunteers with professional skills to local community groups, charities and social enterprises. They cureently operate in Lambeth and Wandsworth.  Projects or placements are usually short-term, structured and flexible to fit into busy schedules.  For more info, see their website www.linkuplondon.org or contact them at hello@linkuplondon.org

Paxton Green Time Bank: The emphasis is on encouraging individual residents to share and exchange their skills and time.  Present coverage extends down the eastern side of the borough, overlapping into Southwark too.  For more, see their website www.pgtimebank.org or e-mail to broker@pgtimebank.org

More News and Events

– Subject to late changes. Please  check their latest information

Impact Brixton re-launch in their new home

The former Impact Hub will officially re-launch in the former Photofusion Gallery on Thursday 26 March.  They are offering 30 days free membership to anyone who signs up before midnight on the 26th.  The new space extends to 6,000 square feet and includes a podcast room, meeting rooms, event space, training room, industrial kitchen and business concierge service.  The official address is 17a Electric Lane, London SW9 8LA.

Among other things, they are looking for Hosts to join their monthly membership programme – volunteer for 4.5 hours a week to support the running of the space, and in echange receive 100 hours per month of free workspace, plus access to free member events, a registered business address and discount rates for room hire.  Enquiries to team@impactbrixton.com or see www.impactbrixton.com

Events at Brixton Library

Adventures with Electricity: Thursday 26 March from 7 pm. Local musician and writer Peter Phillips describes the life and work of his grandfather Percy Phillips.  In 1955 Percy opened Liverpool’s first recording studio, Phillips Sound Recording Service, which recorded the first discs of Ken Dodd, Billy Fury and the Beatles. Hear archive recordings and see original photographs from the studio, followed by Q&A.  Free event, organised by the Library Friends and the Writers’ Group at Brixton Community Base.

Windrush and beyond – tracing your African Caribbean ancestors: Saturday 28 March, 2-30 to 4-30 pm, a masterclass led by Paul Crooks, author and genealogist. Free but book with the library or contact TODell@email.lambeth.gov.uk

Spring Bazaar: also on Saturday 28 March, in front of the library railings, 11 am to 2 pm, including a gardening workshop.  Organised by the Friends of Tate Library Brixton to help raise funds for library-based activities.  Followed by the launch of a gardening book at 2 pm in the main library.

Tai Chi extended: Friends of Tate Library have agreed with the funders for the free Saturday morning sessions to be extended until 4th July.  Due to the high turnout, no new registrations can be accepted.  If you have been registered but can no longer attend, please notify foftlbrixton@gmail.com because there are still people on the waiting list.

Brixton Windmill

The fast changing public health situation has regrettably led to the cancellation of open days, schools visits, guided walks and events until at least May, however Tai Chi and volunteer gardening continue for now at Windmill Gardens. Milling is also continuing, and stockists of the flour (along with the latest news) can be found on the website  www.brixtonwindmill.org

Longfield Hall activities

Please see the website for the latest, or contact details, www.longfieldhall.org.uk/events

Planning ahead – reminders………..

Brixton Liveable Neighbourhood consultation

Although consultation on the first phase closed on 7th March, there will be a further round in May, this time focussing on the Town Centre, the St. Matthew’s Estate, and on streets west of Brixton Hill, between Blenheim Gardens and Acre Lane. More details nearer the time.

Affordable Workspace

Lambeth has published a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to amplify its updated policy in the Lambeth Local Plan.  Basically, it aims to safeguard some premises for local businesses, and to keep their rents affordable, but will it be effective?  Or will developers find ways to ignore it? The deadline for comments is 7th April.

Draft Design Code

This is another SPD, expanding on several policies in the Lambeth Local Plan.  Some of this replaces earlier guidance on home extensions and new basements, but the most important section is that on Tall Buildings.  Several new towers are being proposed around Brixton and at Loughborough Junction, despite the lack of infrastructure to make them work.  Again the deadline for comments is 7th April.

You can find more details of these proposals via the Consultation pages on the Lambeth Council website, www.lambeth.gov.uk

Remember, if you have specific concerns or queries, please share them with our colleagues at the Brixton Society who have been following these issues. E-mail to planning@brixtonsociety.org.uk or see related items on their website, www.brixtonsociety.org.uk

Contact us

Share your news

If you want something to appear in the April issue, try to send it before 29 March.  These bulletins are often put together in a hurry, from a fat folder of e-mails and press releases, so there may not be time to check details with you if we get incomplete or conflicting information.  Please send to the Forum Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com

Keep our mailing list up-to-date

Please notify us at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org

– If you are changing your e-mail or other contact details;

– If you want too add a colleague or neighbour to our e-mail list;

– If you have moved away or no longer wish to receive these monthly bulletins.

Community, Events, News

March 2019 Bulletin

Brixton Neighbourhood Forum – March 2019 Bulletin

Next Forum Meeting – Monday 1st April
6-45 pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road SW2
The venue faces onto Windrush Square, at the southern end of Brixton Town Centre.

We are still firming up the agenda, but we aim to include:
– Update on current plans for the Town Centre, including Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road;
– Events in Parks: Lambeth’s current review of how it handles events bookings, both for large parks like Brockwell and smaller spaces like Windrush Square (see also news item below).

This is also an opportunity for some of our member groups to share what they have been doing, or their ambitions for summer events.
If your group would like to make a presentation to the meeting, contact the Forum Secretary on apiperbrix@aol.com

Future Forum Meetings
Members asked for Forum dates to be set further ahead.  So far, we have booked further meetings at the Vida Walsh Centre for:
– Thursday 27 June,
– Thursday 25 October, both at 6-45 pm.

Other meetings and events may be slotted into the schedule according to demand.  We would welcome offers of other meeting places within our wide catchment area, and of course suggestions for topics or speakers for future meetings.

Meanwhile, we are arranging for minutes from the past two Forum meetings to be circulated to members and to be placed on the Forum website. 

Funding, Support and Training opportunities
Small Charity Training
At the time of writing, we do not know who will carry on the programme of support recently provided by Community Southwark, but we will keep you posted.  If there are training topics that your group would like help with, please let us know.  We have a small budget for this, so perhaps we could help organise something locally that member groups could send people to?

We have previously mentioned the courses for small charities organised by the Foundation for Social Improvement.  Closing date for the 28 March sessions is about now.  However, they have another cluster of London training courses coming up over the 3 days, 14-16 May – enquiries to admin@thefsi.org or see their website, www.thefsi.org

Support from Locality
For the past few years, the Neighbourhood Forum has been a member of Locality, a national federation supporting community organisations.  It recently launched a £3.2 million Bright Ideas Fund to help community business start-ups in England – closing date 9th April.
They are also involved (in partnership with 4 other organisations) in Community-led Homes, which has 3 grant funds to provide training, funding and practical support to community groups keen to take action to provide or refurbish the homes communities want.
They are continuing their Save our Spaces campaign to protect public buildings and spaces being sold off for private use.
If your group runs – or aims to run – a community building, it’s worth considering joining directly – see www.locality.org.uk
Meanwhile, our Secretary is happy to forward their recent e-bulletin.

Totally Thames calls for artists, performers and community groups
Totally Thames is a September season of arts and culture events along the 42-mile stretch of the Thames through London.  The organisers recently called for proposals for indoor or outdoor events, installations or activities that would be in, on, by or about the river. The submission guidelines provide more details, but they are keen to receive submissions from members of ethnic minorities, and from under-30s. Closing date for applications is Friday 5 April.
Enquiries to contact@thamesfestival.org 

Crowd-sourcing and Text-giving
The British Film Institute has created a short animation to promote their Britain on Film crowdsourcing platform, which can be downloaded from:
https://we.tl/t-TCA3swcrGB
It can also be viewed and shared from Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=326088114700087

Just Text Giving are ceasing their “text to donate” services at the end of this month.  News is starting to trickle in from alternative providers in this field. One we have already received details of is instaGiv – contact chris@instagiv.com if it might be useful for your fund-raising.

PAC-UK

 https://www.pac-uk.org/inoculand-forms-first-charitable-relationship-pac-uk/

We are now trying to find recipients for a grant that we have put in place starting April 2019. I already found my first recipient that is Oasis Children’s Venture in Stockwell https://oasisplay.org.uk/
What I did not count on was how challenging it was to actually find recipients. So I am now posting in various forum the incentive hoping to reach interested parties.\Brixton Neighbourhood Forum is exactly the king of recipients we are looking for. But I also see that you may know of many other organisations that could be a recipient of it.

In a nut shell:
1- we want to promote Diversity and Community by supporting any incentives with a social or educational character

2- The project need to be vetted through an organisation/establishment such as churches, schools, charities, associations.
3- Money will be paid to the organisation and will be acknowledged in a post linking our Diversity and Community page https://www.inoculandpestcontrol.co.uk/diversity-and-community/
4- it could be any thing from supporting a charity, to make possible a school project, to help a family in need…
Could you pass on the info to interested parties or promote it through your page.
Regards,Daniel

Historic Buildings Guidance
If your project revolves around a historic building, either Listed or in a Conservation Area. the Heritage of London Trust is currently holding a series of morning workshops in Clapham on some of the key issues for groups considering or preparing bids for funding. Still to come are:
– Thursday 21 March: Asset transfer and partnerships;
– Monday 1 April: Fund-raising for historic buildings;
– Thursday 18 April: Feasibility study or Options appraisal?

To reserve a place on any session, please contact rosemarie.shaw@yahoo.co.uk

News, Events and Activities
Events in Parks – Council Consultation underway
Lambeth Council is now consulting on changes to how it manages events in its parks and open spaces.  The present scheme was adopted in 2016 but has been criticised for the impact of big commercial events on major parks like Brockwell Park and Clapham Common.  The proposed changes sound like an improvement on this, but it’s worth checking for loopholes.  We would like to hear your comments at our April meeting, but the closing date for comments to reach the Council is Sunday 5 May.  See the Consultations page on the Council’s website, www.lambeth.gov.uk

Council Review of Licensing Policy
Another Council consultation will be coming up in May over its Licensing Policy, which has to be reviewed from time to time to ensure it is abreast of current concerns.  Don’t expect too much from this, because the Council has limited scope for changes, but it’s a chance to flag up “hot spots” within the borough and loopholes in current controls. More news about this nearer the time.
 
81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance!
The germ of the idea was something to mark the 40th anniversary of the original Brixton Riots of April 1981, and to remind everyone that there is still a diverse community here.  After a couple of exploratory meetings, many ideas are emerging and several working groups are following them up.
There is an open Facebook group for anyone that wants to find out more or join in later – see https://www.facebook.com/81Acts/
Enquiries also to Chloe Osbourne, chloelayla@gmail.com or Tony Cealy,  tctonycealy@gmail.com

A last summer at the bowling green?
The bowling green in Brockwell Park has been in decline since the serious bowlers moved down the hill in 1996 to use the indoor bowls pitch in the basement of the Brixton Recreation Centre.  The outdoor green has been looking the worse for wear since the Council’s specialist green-keeper retired last year.  However a small group of enthusiasts, the Sylvan Bowls Club, revived use of the green in 2007 and has since tried to keep it in use for its original purpose. This might be their last year of playing before the surface becomes unplayable, but they expect to open the green to the public every Sunday afternoon from April to September, between 2 pm and 6 pm. There were 582 players over 30 Sundays in 2017, plus some special sessions laid on for local organisations including the Mosaic mental health centre on Effra Road.  

Vintage Voices – creative writing sessions
Another series of creative writing sessions is starting up, to encourage people to share their experiences, explore different writing styles and craft stories.
Sessions take place 1 pm to 3 pm (light lunch available at 12-30 pm) on Tuesdays 26 March, 2, 9, 23 and 30 April and 7 May, with an extra session on Saturday 20 April, all at Brixton Community Base in Talma Road, SW2. 
To register your interest, enquiries to 07 958 448 690 or 07 941 624 247, brixtoncommunitybase@gmail.com.

Youth Connect Careers Event
We Rise is organising a series of monthly careers events, each focussing on a different field of work, in conjunction with Business Launchpad.
Each will be at International House, Popes Road, SW9 7QD, between 5 pm and 7 pm:
– 8 April – Design & Media,
– 14 May – Health & Sport,
– 4 June – Finance & Tech.

These are aimed at Lambeth-based 16-18 year-olds, to help them explore different careers and build connections with professionals in those fields.
So it’s not just about getting word out to the young people, We Rise would also like to hear from people with relevant experience who can come along on any of these dates to talk to them about what they do – contact hello@werise.org.uk

Green Issues
Green light for Atlantic Road improvements
Lambeth Council’s bid for funding from TFL’s Liveable Neighbourhoods programme has finally reached the top of the pile.  The key element is re-organising Atlantic Road between Coldharbour Lane and Brixton Road to make it safer for cyclists and provide dedicated kerb space for deliveries to the shops and markets.  There will also be changes in Coldharbour Lane to improve pedestrian movement between the Brixton Village arcade and the new Oval Theatre.  The Neighbourhood Forum and the Brixton BID were represented at design meetings when proposals were first prepared nearly two years ago.  Since then the plans have been tweaked with “low traffic neighbourhoods” to be added in nearby residential areas, and a cyclists “hub” off Electric Lane. 
 
Recycling Food Waste
Lambeth has begun reminding residents about its food waste collection service.  If your home has ordinary wheely bins for waste and recycling, you should also have a small “pigswill” bin or caddy for food waste.  Feeding it to pigs is no longer allowed, so it is actually composted as a soil conditioner, but this is still cheaper for the Council than adding it to the general waste collection.  Leaflets are being distributed with more advice on how best to recycle.
For estates with larger shared bins, the Council is willing to supply community composters for a block or estate to share.

Ultra Low Emission Zone
To help improve air quality, the Mayor is starting an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from 8 April.  To begin with, it will match the existing Congestion Charging Zone in Central London, but it will be rolled out across Brixton as far as the South Circular Road from October 2021.  To avoid paying extra charges, powered vehicles will need to meet tighter exhaust emission standards.  To check whether your vehicle meets the new criteria, see the TfL website.

Energy Advice for Enterprises
Need expert advice for a small business or organisation, but can’t spare even half a day to attend a briefing or exhibition? The Carbon Trust is now offering free technical webinars lasting 45 minutes on a range of topics, in connection with its Green Business Fund.  Topics include supply chain sustainability, commercial kitchens, sports centres, and the challenges for new start-up businesses. See more at https://www.carbontrust.com/about-us/events

Keep in touch!
We have been busy updating our mailing list, but there is still lots to do!  Please respond to this e-mail to tell us if:
– You have moved away, or are no longer interested in Brixton affairs;
– You want to add a colleague to the list;
– You want to change your contact details so you get messages sooner, rather than them going to an old inbox that you only check occasionally.

In fact, if we haven’t heard from you for a while, why not send us an e-mail anyway, to remind us that you are still active and interested?
 
We are trying to issue these bulletins each month, so if you want an announcement included in our next issue, it helps if we receive it by 13 April.
Remember it takes a while to compile and distribute each bulletin, so no point in telling us about events happening before the 20th!
We are not usually short of space, but we are often short of time, so most bulletins have been basic so far.
Please send direct to the Secretary, Alan Piper, at apiperbrix@aol.com or phone enquiries to (020) 7207 0347.

Community, Events, News

February 2019 Bulletin

Brixton Neighbourhood Forum – February 2019

A quick bulletin this month, because we have some imminent dates to remind you about.  Meanwhile, other plans are taking shape, so we should have much more to tell you next month.  If you want to share what your group is doing, or seek support from others around Brixton, try to send us your news or requests before the end of February.

Quick Reminders

Lambeth Country Show

A follow-up to the notice in last month’s bulletin – applications to trade or exhibit must be in by 4 pm on Friday 15 February.

This is even earlier than last year, and the site fees are higher!  Show dates are 20 & 21 July – enquiries to countryshow@lambeth.gov.uk

Tackling Violent Crime – Herne Hill Ward Meeting

Herne Hill Labour Councillors have organised a public meeting this Saturday, 16 February, 12 noon to 2 pm at the Carnegie Library, 188-192 Herne Hill Road SE24.  Speakers include Helen Hayes MP, London Assembly member Florence Eshalomi, Cllr Mohamed Seedat, Lambeth’s cabinet member for community safety, and police representatives.

Camberwell Area Plan

If you are interested in the area around the Camberwell Green crossroads, Southwark Council is hosting a public consultation event this Saturday, 16 February between 10 am and 4 pm outside Camberwell Library, 48 Camberwell Green SE5 7AL.  Architects Gort Scott are conducting more detailed workshops in the large meeting room above the library, 12-30 to 1-30 pm or 3 pm to 4 pm – to attend these, please e-mail sarah@gortscott.com

 

Community Connector Training – Last Call

Another follow-up from last month’s bulletin – the next course starts with a training day on 21 February so act now if you want to join in!  You must attend all 4 dates to complete the training.  If you missed out, Dave Goslyn should be able to tell you if another course is in the pipeline – all enquiries to him on 07 540 095 696 or dave.goslyn@nhs.net

Sustainable Energy – closing soon

Need help with combating fuel poverty, improving energy efficiency of community spaces or creating renewable energy infrastructure?  Power Partners is funded by UK Power Networks and administered by the Centre for Sustainable Energy.  Closing date for the first round of applications is Monday 18 February at 6 pm.  See website www.communityenergy.london or enquiries to Fleur Disney at fleur.disney@communityenergy.london 

Lambeth’s Own World Cup

This reached us by a roundabout route, but the Lambeth World Cup Tournament is being organised by the Fulham FC Foundation to coincide with the schools’ half-term, on Tuesday 19 February.  Matches take place on the Astro pitch in Kennington Park, SE11 4BE. Players should arrive at 11-30 am tosign in, for matches to start at 12-30 pm, and the event should end by 4 pm. Age groups are 9-12, 12-14 and 15-18. Enquiries to Paul Smithers on 0870 442 5432 or 07 500 108 495 or e-mail to psmithers@fulhamfc.com

Healthy Family Food with Incredible Edible LEAP

A morning of demos, recipes and tips from food blogger Mandy Mazliah on how to encourage kids to eat more fruit and veg, on Tuesday 19 February. 10 am to 12 noon at the Platform, the former toilet block at the corner of Loughborough Road and Ridgeway Road, SW9. To book a place please contact Helen on 07 949 985 343 or e-mail toincredibleedibleleap@gmail.com

Half Term at the Fire Brigade Museum

The pop-up museum in Lambeth High Street is hosting a morning session for kids (age 3 upwards) on Wednesday 20 February, drop in between 10 am and 1 pm (last entry 12-30).  Design your own fire engine greeting card and learn about the history of firefighters uniforms in London.

Enquiries to museum@london-fire.gov.uk

News, Events, Activities

High Rise at Loughborough Junction

A revised planning application has been made for the former Higgs Industrial Estate at the foot of Herne Hill Road, close to Loughborough Junction Station.  This time it includes a single tower block rising to 16 storeys.  Loughborough Junction Action Group have called a public meeting to discuss the plans, on Wednesday 27 February, at 7 pm at the Grove Adventure Playground.  If you want to see the proposals on the Council’s website, the reference is 18/05425/FUL and the deadline for comments has been extended to 4th March. 

Town Hall Changes

Now that Lib Peck has gone to work at City Hall, Councillor Jack Hopkins has been elected Leader of the Labour Group, and is due to be confirmed as Leader of the Council shortly.  It is not clear yet if this will lead to any other changes of roles within Lambeth’s Cabinet.

Among senior officers, some will be pleased to hear that Sue Foster has left, and staff are now grouped into 5 Directorates, though their heads (some still “acting” or interim) are not familiar names.  The Directorates are:

– Sustainable Growth & Opportunity, which includes responsibilities for new housing and regeneration.

– Resident Services, including most day-to-day public services and Council housing management.

– Children’s Services, including schools and social care.

– Adults and Health, including adult social care and public health matters.

– Finance & Investment, including the traditional Treasurer functions.

Meet at the Brixton £ Café?

The Brixton Pound Café at 77 Atlantic Road has space available to hire for meetings or exhibitions – either the café space, or the basement studio – at affordable rates. Enquiries toThomas@brixtonpound.org

Free Woodworking Classes at the Remakery

The Brixton Remakery in Lilford Road, SE5 9HY, is to host a series of woodworking classes, starting in March.  The target group is older men in Lambeth, though women and younger men will be welcome too.  Classes are free and will take place every 2 weeks over 6 months. Typical projects will include planters, wine racks and wooden toys, mostly using recycled wood. Both beginners and experienced woodworkers welcome – enquiries to terry@citywoodwork.co.uk

Volunteer Guides Wanted!

Two local opportunities if you want to get out and meet more people:

Brixton Windmill Tours start up again in April, with at least one weekend opening a month through to October.  Friends of Windmill Gardens are keen to recruit more volunteers as activities should increase once the Education Building is completed next to the mill.  Enquiries or offers of help to info@brixtonwindmill.org.uk

Van Gogh in Brixton: 87 Hackford Road SW9, where the artist stayed in 1873-74, is being renovated and should open for tours from April.  Volunteer guides are being recruited via the San Mei Gallery, now based in the former Loughborough Hotel.  More details on their website at www.sanmeigallery.co.uk/van-gogh-house   Closing date for first batch was meant to be Friday 15th, but check with Janet Currier on janet@sanmeigallery.com

Funding and Training opportunities

Future Support for Community Organisations

For the past couple of years, some support with fund-raising and training has been available through Community Southwark, but that contract runs out this month.  We understand that new arrangements are being considered from several possible providers, but it may be a month or so before the position is clearer.

 

Sustainable City Awards

If your group is interested in sustainability or promoting greener life-styles, check out this award scheme run by the London Sustainability Exchange. Applications can be made up to 29 March.  More details on their website at www.lsx.org.uk

Small Charity Workshops

In previous bulletins we have mentioned the training sessions run by the Foundation for Social Improvement.  The next batch in London comes up on Thursday 14 March at Voluntary Action Islington, with a choice of 90-minute sessions.  Following that is a full-day Skills Conference on Thursday 28 March in Central London, with a mix of useful sessions for a total of £25.  As before, all enquiries to admin@thefsi.org or see their website, www.thefsi.org

First Aid Training

The St. John’s Ambulance Association currently have a scheme to encourage over-50s to gain basic first-aid skills.  Brixton Community Base in Talma Road has already hosted a session before Christmas, so maybe it could be useful to your group too?  Sessions are free, funded by DCMS and Nesta.

Enquiries to Rosie Mcgloughlin, 07 896 969 869 or at rosie.mcgoughlin@sja.org.uk

 

Keep in touch

We are rebuilding our mailing list, so now is the time to tell us if you prefer information to go to a more convenient e-mail address, or to a colleague.

If you have moved away, or no longer wish to be involved, please tell us and we will delete you from our list – a simple e-mail toadmin@brixtonneighnourhoodforum.org or to apiperbrix@aol.com

And please get in touch if you want something from your corner of Brixton to feature in a future Forum meeting, or in one of these bulletins.  We are currently trying to arrange meeting dates for the year ahead.

                                   Alan Piper, Secretary.

Community, Events, News

January 2019 Bulletin

Thanks for Survey responses

Despite the run-up to Christmas being a busy time for us all, we received encouraging responses to our recent digital survey.  These include some constructive ideas that we want to follow up.  Overall, 82.9% of respondents thought the Forum has been useful, and 92.4% agreed it was needed.

More Help Needed!

The Forum was less active last year because our Executive team was depleted by illness.  We are now looking for extra members to get involved, so that the Forum can be more active again – come to the next meeting or e-mail us. 

Building Community Links

We are aware that the majority of our members are involved in a variety of local organisations, some fully-fledged charities, some very informal grass-roots groups, and some small businesses or social enterprises.  We are keen to encourage networking and collaboration between different groups around Brixton.  We try to share useful information through these bulletins, but if you would like more on any particular topic, please tell us.  

Open Project Night at the Impact Hub

One regular spot for networking is the Open Project Night, held every Monday evening at the Impact Hub, at the back of Pop Brixton, Station Road SW9 – open 6-30 to 10 pm (food served at 6-30 pm as an incentive to be on time!)

Enquiries to info@transitiontownbrixton.org

Dexter Playground opportunity

At short notice, Lambeth Council is offering use of the Dexter Adventure Playground rent-free for community use. The new leaseholder will need to provide activities that support the development of children and young people in the borough, though hiring the premises for other purposes will be permitted if consistent with the main use. Critically, applicants will need to provide a business plan showing how they intend to use the premises, and how they will engage with the community. This plan will be the basis of a Community Service Agreement with the Council.  Deadline for proposals is 1st February and the site is available for viewing this Tuesday morning (15th) or Wednesday 16th between 1 pm and 3 pm.

All enquiries to Paul Davies of Lambeth’s Children’s Services Team, pavies5@lambeth.gov.uk

Funding and Training opportunities

Stronger Together programme – Community Southwark

Community Southwark is nearing the end of its 2-year programme of practical support for Lambeth-based community organisations, funded by the London Community Foundation (LCF).  We have not yet heard if there will be any further support for Lambeth groups after March, so latch onto this programme while you can.

Enquiries to development@communitysouthwark.org or phone Rachel Henry on 020 7358 7288.

Foundation for Social Improvement

Once again, the FSI is running a series of training events for staff and management committee members/ trustees of small charities, at affordable prices at various London venues.  Enquiries to admin@thefsi.org or see their website: www.thefsi.org

Be a Community Connector 

Project Smith has been mentioned in past bulletins, as an NHS-funded project to make care in the community more effective.  They are now looking for local residents to join in the next round of Community Connector training during February and March.

Community Connectors are simply local people who link others in their community to organisations and activities that can help improve their quality of life. Lots of people may do this naturally on a daily basis, but do you always know where neighbours can turn for help?

The training will help you improve your skills and knowledge, and also provides a Level 2 qualification in Supporting Behaviour Change.

The training days run between 9-30 am and 3 pm, on February 21, 25 and 26, and March 4th. You must attend all 4 sessions to complete the course. If you are interested in joining the programme, please call David Goslyn on 07 540 095 696 or e-mail to dave.goslyn@nhs.net

Brixton BID Training Days

For social enterprises and businesses operating in the Brixton area, our Business Improvement District is running a series of one-day training courses from the end of this month through to July.  All these courses run from 10 am to 4 pm and will take place in International House (corner of Popes Road and Canterbury Crescent, SW9). Topics include food hygiene, emergency first aid, fire safety and customer service. Enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk

News, Events, Activities

Bookings open for Lambeth Country Show

If you want to trade or exhibit at the next Lambeth Country Show, the deadline for applications is Friday 15 February at 4 pm. There are also opportunities to perform, or to host workshops, with the same deadline. See https://lambethcountryshow.us11.list-manage.com or enquiries to countryshow@lambeth.gov.uk

Brockwell Park – A Future for the Hall

For the past couple of years. Lambeth Council, supported by Brockwell Park Community Partners, have been attempting to get funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support improvements to the old house in the centre of the park.  The latest bid has recently been given Stage 1 approval by the HLF, which releases £387,500 to develop detailed plans over the next couple of years.  The second stage, the actual restoration, will cost around £6 million, of which Lambeth will need to find part.  See also  https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/brockwell-hall-restoration/

BPCP is organising a meeting of all the groups with an interest in the Park for Sunday 3rd March – more details to follow.

Lambeth Archives temporary closure

The Archives at Minet Library are about to close for their annual stock-taking, from Monday 28 January, and re-opening from Monday 11 February.

Brixton Vegan Market Returns

The Vegan Market will be back in Brixton Station Road, next to the Farmers’ Market, from Sunday 27 January onwards. It will be open weekly between 11 am and 4 pm. 

More at www.Facebook.com/BrixtonVeganMarket

Children’s Centres at Risk

Lambeth Council is currently consulting on reducing the number of children’s centres in the borough. These mostly cater for under-5s and offer support to parents. Local sites include Effra early years centre in Effra Parade, and centres attached to Stockwell Road, Jubilee and Loughborough Road schools. Closing date for comments is10 February -see the Consultations page on Lambeth’s website.

Software Savings

If your project needs more or better versions of Microsoft programs, Tekgia can provide them to charities, churches, schools and associated volunteers at discount prices. See their website www.tekgia.com or phone 0845 124 0484.

PAPA’s Park Facelift

The community playground in Pulross Road SW9 recently re-opened after an extensive refit. New play equipment has been installed and the under-5s area has been extended. This comes after 6 years of fund-raising and lobbying.  Thoughts are already turning to the next phases, to upgrade the multi-purpose ball games court and add a new purpose-designed building to enlarge the café and provide meeting space that can be hired out to generate future income, because the site  receives no public funding.

More details, including how to contribute, on their website at www.papaspark.co.uk

Keep in touch!

We are rebuilding our contact list, so this is the ideal time to tell us if you prefer information to go to a different e-mail address, or to a colleague.

If you no longer wish to be involved, please tell us and we will delete you from our list – e-mail to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org or to apiperbrix@aol.com

Also get in touch if you want something from your group to appear in the next bulletin, or to feature in a future Forum meeting.

Community, Events, News

June 2018 Bulletin

Coming Events and Activities


A Snapshot of Brixton – open until 6 July
We have already mentioned the exhibition, in Room G01 on the ground floor of the Town Hall. It’s based on the photo collection of the late Harry Jacobs, who ran a photography business in Landor Road through the last half of the 20th century.  If you would like to hear some more background, joint curators Kelly Foster and Jon Newman are putting on free talks in the room on these dates: Tuesday 12 June at 6-30 pm, Friday 22 June at 6-30 pm, and Tuesday 26 June at 1-15 pm.  Tickets are free, but please book through the Eventbrite page,
https://a_snapshot_of_brixton.eventbrite.co.uk 

 

Lambeth Country Show – 21 & 22 July
If your group plans to have a presence at the show in Brockwell Park, we will be happy to announce details in the next e-bulletin.  Remember to tell us where to find you, because it’s such a big show nowadays, you could easily miss a whole section!
Advance notice also that security will be tighter this year, with a fence round the whole show, so please allow more time to get in and out – last admission each day will be 6-30 pm. Stalls generally are expected to be set up during Friday, and removed on Monday. 

 

Brixton Summer Bazaar, Sunday 10 June
From 12 noon to 4 pm in Windrush Square, just outside Brixton Tate Library, with children’s book sale, bric-a-brac, badge-making and paper crafts, gardening workshops to help you grow your own food.
Organised by Friends of Tate Library Brixton, with Brixton Library staff. Enquiries to foftlbrixton@gmail.com

 

Events at Longfield Hall
Movers and Shakers will be an inspiring evening of new dance by emerging and established artists, on Friday 22 June at 7-30 pm – doors and bar open from 7 pm. Tickets £4 and £5 in advance, or £5 and £6 on the door – book via www.longfieldhall.org.uk
The hall is at the corner of Knatchbull and Burton Roads, opposite the Minet Library.
Enquiries about their whole events programme to Catherine on 020 7978 9153 or catherinehamilton@longfieldhall.org.uk

 

Rapport Festival
15 -17 June – volunteers needed
We mentioned the Film Festival element a couple of months back, but we now hear that a wider range of arts and entertainment activities are being planned.  A final reminder that volunteers are being sought to help with administration, marketing, photography, videography, leaflet distribution, ushers and marshalls.  The Festival will take place in various locations around Brixton over 15-17 June.
As founder-director Lara Samuels says, “All the world’s a stage, and Brixton will be ours for 2 days. Its iconic status in the lives of the British African diaspora, and the Windrush generation in particular, provides us with a perfect setting. As urban regeneration continues its inexorable march, we want to re-engage with a community that feels disregarded and reclaim Brixton’s black heritage for a new generation.”
More info at www.rapportfestival.com

 

Myatt’s Fields Park Summer Fair
Saturday 16 June
Once again there will be music on the bandstand, a children’s fairground, a dog show, cake competition, dance performances and community stalls. Open from 1 pm to 5pm, stalls cost between £10 and £50 – enquiries
to enquiries@myattsfieldspark.info 

 

Brixton Pound Café
Not only great tea and coffee, but also delicious vegetarian and vegan lunches, made from surplus food that would otherwise be wasted.  The café runs totally on a pay-what-you-can basis, providing an accessible, inclusive and non-judgmental space for the residents of Brixton and further afield.
Why not use the café for a meeting space, or hire the basement for a film screening, yoga class or art exhibition?
There are also many opportunities to get involved with some of the amazing events already happening in the space.
Open 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday – more information at www.brixtonpound.org
If you are interested in their Volunteer Training Programme – whether to make the perfect coffee, brush up your cooking skills or help promote the space with your social media know-how – please contact Sean at  kitchen@brixtonpound.org

 

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
They have several upcoming events, including 2 music performances on the evenings of Sunday 17 June and 1st July, both starting at 6 pm.
Also some practical workshop sessions:
–  Sunday 24 June, 11 am to 12-30, How to take plant cuttings (free);
– Saturday 30 June, 11 am to 2 pm, How to prepare and make plant dyes.
Please book via their website, www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk and follow the links.

 

Into the Night – Friday 22 June
Photofusion in Electric Lane are hosting a night of free photography classes, screenings, walks and workshops in collaboration with the Museum of London. Billed as a free drop-in, from 6 pm onwards.
Opportunities for Funding and Support

 

Stronger Together Programme
Training and support delivered by Community Southwark for community organisations working in Lambeth – some upcoming training sessions are:

Be more enterprising: earn and prosper through social enterprise on Tuesday 10 July, 10 am to 4-30  pm
Shaping the future of your organisation: develop practical plans and winnable strategies,Wednesday 5 September 10 am to 4-30 pm
Fund-raising made easy: Tuesday 25 September, 10am to 4.30pm
Venues not yet confirmed, but all bookings should be made via their website, http://comunitysouthwark.org/training

 

Small Groups Network
For groups with less than £50k turnover a year, so most sessions are in the evenings to suit volunteers:
The next Network meeting is on Thursday 19 July, 6 pm to 8 pm – topics not yet confirmed, but all enquiries to Deborah@communitysouthwark.org 

 

Project Smith – Community connectors training
We have mentioned this in a few earlier bulletins, but please note there is now a new local contact, Dave Goslyn, tel. 07 540 095 696.  Training courses are typically 4 days, spread over 5 weeks, 9-30 am to 3 pm at various venues around Lambeth. One course has recently started, but expect another in early autumn.  

 

News from Local Groups  Please keep us in touch with what you are doing, and we will flag up highlights in this bulletin whenever we can.

 

Brixton People’s Kitchen  – New Café at the Vida Walsh Centre
Since 2011, Brixton People’s Kitchen has been tackling food waste, fighting poverty and strengthening the local community. BPK has run a variety of community events which bring people together to celebrate food, and helped them learn healthy living skills.
They have now launched a Community Café at the Vida Walsh Centre, providing hot food and drinks at subsidised prices for lunches and special supper club events.
The café proceeds will support BPK’s charity, Be Enriched, and its community canteens. These serve free meals to individuals and families who are unable to do so themselves, due to health, poverty or social exclusion.

The café is currently open on

 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10 am and 4 pm, with hot meals available between 11-30 am and 3 pm. The menu changes weekly and guideline prices are:
One course £3;
Two courses £5 (£4 subsidised price);
Three courses £6.50 (£5 subsidised price).
Enquiries to Kemi Akinola on 07 934 346 917 or e-mail to
brixtonpk@be-enriched.org More details at www.be-enriched.org.uk

 

Better Fridays at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
Need to get out more? Like to grow some vegetables, harvest and cook them? Come and try a spot of gentle gardening with Cathy and Cat at the Community Greenhouses on Friday mornings at 10-30 am, and enjoy a home-cooked lunch at 12-30 pm. Feel free to bring a friend or carer with you for support. Sessions continue weekly until 19 October. The greenhouse and community garden are sited between the Tennis Courts and the Walled Garden.
If interested contact Cathy on 07 834 343 664 or edu.assistant@brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk

 

Remembering Loughborough Road
LEAF is the Tenants and Residents Association for the older Council-owned houses between Fiveways and Brixton Road. With the help of a small grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, they are investigating the various past uses of the shops on Loughborough Road, and collecting memories from people who have lived in the area.  If you want to be involved, they have a workshop session at Lambeth Archives at the Minet Library, Knatchbull Road SE5, on Saturday 16 June, 2 pm to 3-30 pm, or otherwise contact leaftra@gmail.com 

 

Lambeth Carers Forum – Wednesday 13 June
The next Forum organised by the Carers Hub Lambeth will be beyond our own Forum’s area, but may still be of interest to those supporting a family member with a disability or ongoing illness. 
The theme of the day is to support carers to be healthier themselves, and better connected through fun, sociable activities. It runs from 11 am to 2 pm, at Black Prince Trust, Beaufoy Walk, Kennington SE11 6AA.
Booking is essential – call (020) 7501 or e-mail to connect@carershub.org.uk

Community

Knife Crime Resources

If you are being affected by the continuing problem of knife crime, and are not sure of what help there is, we are aware of a number of initiatives that take varied approaches to breaking the vicious cycle. If you know of any more, please let us know so we can add them:

Justice for Luther Edwards

Abianda – Working with young women affected by gangs

Art Against Knives – Supporting young people at risk of violent crime

Growing Against Violence – Protection, prevention, partnership

London Village Network – Access to positive role models

Pye Project – Enabling positive attitudinal and behavioural changes

Super Kids Trust – Working with young offenders, those who struggle with drugs and victims of child sex exploitation

Dwaynamics Boxing Club – and a lot more – Angell Town

Block Workout in Angell Town

The “official” line, explaining policies and useful advice:
Metropolitan Police – Stop and Search Policy
Metropolitan Police – Knife crime policy
Community, Events, News

May 2018 Bulletin

Coming Events and Activities

 

A Snapshot of Brixton – 23 May to 6 July
A free exhibition at Lambeth Town Hall to mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, open 9 am to 8 pm, Monday-Friday. Based on the work of Harry Jacobs, who ran a photography business in Landor Road until retiring in 1999, it shows typical portrait photos of his mainly Afro-Caribbean customers. Additional material from Lambeth Archives shows other aspects of their life in Brixton in the 1950s and 60s.

Wildflower Planting – Saturday 12 May
Following a successful planting day last month, the Lost Effra Project are inviting you to help finish the task on the Cowley Estate this Saturday.  Come to Cliffsend House on the Cowley Road/ Normandy Road corner any time from 11 am to 3 pm, to help lay some wildflower turf, seed a wildflower lawn and plant the last few plants into our rain gardens – all tools provided.  Enquiries to Rachel on 07 971 315 245 or rdowse@wildlondon.org.uk

 

Lambeth Carers Hub events
The Carers Hub have linked up with Morley College for their next activity. intended to boost wellbeing and help you focus.  Japanese Calligraphy is the topic, with some Origami thrown in. It’s a 7-week course on Friday afternoons, 1 pm to 3 pm, starting this Friday 11th May, including a half-term break and finishing on 29 June.  Sessions are at Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, and their usual fee scales apply.  To book a place please phone 020 7501 8970 or e-mail: connect@carershub.org.uk

Next week, 14-20 May, is

 Dying Matters Week, which may sound depressing but planning ahead for care options, funerals and wills is important and can ease the tasks of those left behind.  Several information sessions are being held around the borough, but the nearest is at 336 Brixton Road on Wednesday 16 May between 10-30 am and 1 pm (open for registration from 10 am, free refreshments). Call Healthwatch on 020 7095 5764 or book via Eventbriteat https://end-of-life-care-info-session.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Inspiring Women in Business
14 -18 May WinTrade Week
A reminder about this series of events at various London venues, culminating in the WinTrade Awards at the Park Plaza Hotel. Organised by Yvonne Thompson of 7 Traits Leadership Learning, c/o 16 Trinity Gardens SW9 – enquiries to 020 3086 9311 or e-mail win@wintradelondon.com

 

Tackling the Windrush Scandal
The commemoration of the first arrivals from the Caribbean 70 years ago has helped embarrass the Government into a climb-down over its “hostile environment” policy, but people who arrived before 1973 still need to act to protect their position.  The Black Cultural Archives are hosting a series of Legal Clinics on these dates: Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm on 12 May, 19 May, 26 May, or Wednesdays at 5 pm to 8 pm on 16 May or 23 May, all at BCA, 1 Windrush Square SW2.

Longfield Voices now underway
This free singing group has launched with a focus on songs around the themes of “home” and “belonging”.  Sessions are at Longfield Hall (corner of Knatchbull and Burton Roads) on Thursdays between 10 am and 11-30 am, refreshments included.  Enquiries to Catherine on 020 7978 9153 or catherinehamilton@longfieldhall.org.uk

Rapport Festival
15 -17 June – volunteers needed
We mentioned the Film Festival element a couple of months back, but we now hear that a wider range of arts and entertainment activities are being planned.  Volunteers are being sought to help with administration, marketing, photography, videography, leaflet distribution, ushers and marshalls.  The Festival will take place in various locations around Brixton over 15-17 June. More info at www.rapportfestival.com

Myatt’s Fields Park Summer Fair – Saturday 16 June
Once again there will be music on the bandstand, a children’s fairground, a dog show, cake competition, dance performances and community stalls. Open from 1 pm to 5pm, stalls cost between £10 and £50 – enquiries to enquiries@myattsfieldspark.info 

 

Opportunities for Funding and Support

 

Stronger Together Programme
Training and support delivered by Community Southwark for community organisations working in Lambeth – some upcoming training sessions are:
Finance Made Easy on Wednesday 23 May, 10 am to 4-30 pm;
Fund-raising and beyond: diversify and grow your income on Thursday 7 June, 10 am to 4-30 pm;
Be more enterprising: earn and prosper through social enterprise on Tuesday 10 July.

Venues for the last 2 dates not yet confirmed, but all bookings should be made via their website

,http://communitysouthwark.org/training

 

Grants, helpers, premises…
For Projects working in or around Brockwell Park
Sections of Brockwell Park will be fenced off from 19 May onwards, in readiness for the Field Day/ Mighty Hoopla events which run through Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd June. Full public access will only be restored from 10 June.
To sweeten the pill, the organisers have committed to a community funding pot, which has just opened for grant applications. Maximum bid £5,000 – but lower is more likely to be successful.  Closing date is noon on Sunday 3rd June, application forms to be sent to Kelly@fielddayfestivals.com . Successful applicants will be advised by 16 July, and should receive funds by 30 July.  Most relevant groups should already have been alerted via Brockwell Park Community Partners, but if you still need a form, e-mail to apiperbrix@aol.com for a Word version.


Need a team of volunteers for a day?
A number of large City employers organise teams of their staff to help out at community projects for a day.  Santander is inviting London-based projects to sign up for help from teams of 6 to 20 people for practical projects such as a Big Spring Clean for your premises. Costs of materials can also be reimbursed up to £250. Register with Santander Discovery Days on 0345 612 3570 or enquiries to Adrianna Lancuski atSantander@ccworks.co.uk

 

Hire a Studio in Stockwell
A reminder that Art4Space Community Arts Centre can offer space for a meeting, training day or studio work. Currently available for some Saturdays, Sundays, and some weekday slots, at Unit 1, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU. Enquiries to Julie at jewels@art4space.co.uk or phone 07 816 386 270.

 

Are you a Small Business or Social Enterprise?
Support – and even funding – may still be available, even if your focus is earning a living rather than as a charitable project:
Federation of Small Businesses publishes a regular e-mail bulletin, First Voice, to keep members informed of changing legislation and emerging business issues. See www.fsb.org.uk
Other umbrella organisations that could be useful include Your Business Community,www.yourbusinesscommunity.co.uk
and London Entrepreneurs Network, www.londonentrepreneursnetwork.com

 

The Business Show will be at Excel in Docklands on 16 & 17 May, with lots of short talks and seminars on aspects of starting and running a business. For information and tickets see www.greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk

Need Music while you work / eat/ relax?
The Music Licence allows you to legally play music for employees or customers in your business through the radio, TV, other digital devices and live performances.
It’s a new venture between the UK’s two music licensing organisations – PPL and PRS for Music, to make it easier for businesses and organisations to obtain a music licence. There’s now one point of contact, one licence and one invoice. Enquiries to 0800 0720 808 or see www.pplprs.co.uk

 

News from Local Groups
Several events came bunched together around the end of April, and it was not possible to have a representative at all of them, but please keep us in touch with what you are doing, and we will flag up highlights in this bulletin whenever we can.

 

Stockwell Park Estate Community Trust. 

The Community Trust launched their re-modelled community centre on 26 April, the culmination of over 30 years of developing community activities and services on the estate. They now want to build partnerships with other organisations to support the local community and encourage social mobility.  Centre facilities are also available to hire for family social events or community activities – see www.thetrust.org.uk for current programmes.
Enquiries to 020 7924 9899 or info@thetrust.org.uk 

 

Groove School
Groove School offers DJ and Music Technology workshops for all ages and abilities. The organisation was set up in 2011 and has been based in Unit 31 at Pop Brixton since August 2017. Currently they are running 3 after-school groups a week and one at the weekend. They also run adult classes and mini-courses covering all aspects of music production and STEAM. They plan to host their own marquee again during this summer’s Lambeth Country Show.
Enquiries to info@grooveschool.co.uk

 

Brixton People’s Kitchen Café
Brixton People’s Kitchen now has a regular café service at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road SW2, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10 am and 3-30 pm.  They offer fresh healthy 2-course meals for £6 (£5 for pensioners), with nice seating, wifi and even a little garden. Profits go to funding free meals for vulnerable people and those on low incomes.

 

Better Fridays at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
Like to grow some vegetables, harvest and cook them? Come and try a spot of gentle gardening with Cathy and Cat at the Community Greenhouses on Friday mornings at 10-30 am, and enjoy a home-cooked lunch at 12-30 pm. Feel free to bring a friend or carer with you for support. Sessions continue weekly until 19 October. The greenhouse and community garden are sited between the Tennis Courts and the Walled Garden.
If interested contact Cathy on 07 834 343 664 or edu.assistant@brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk

 

Brixton Chamber Orchestra
News has filtered through that a Brixton Chamber Orchestra is getting underway. Rehearsals are at St. Michael’s Church, Stockwell Park Road. Upcoming projects are a Summer concert in Windrush Square, an Autumn concert with a choir, and something else around Christmas.


Improving St. Matthew’s Tenants’ Hall
Efforts are being made to turn an old store room into a usable office, at the hall in St. Matthew’s Road, so offers of decent furniture and office equipment would be welcome. 

 

Contact us
If you would like something from your group included in next month’s e-bulletin, please send the information to apiperbrix@aol.com before the end of May.  Also get in touch if you would like to present your project at one of our Forum meetings, or if you want an issue included in the next agenda.
Remember, if you want to update your contact details, add a colleague – or just stop receiving this stuff – please e-mail to admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org