Tag Archives: Help

Arts,, Community, Events, Fund Raising, News, Training

AUGUST 2025

Forum Update 


Next Forum meeting?
Due to various commitments in September, we are planning the next General Meeting of the Forum for October.  Date and location will be confirmed in our September bulletin, but if you want to include something on the agenda, it would be a good idea to tell us sooner rather than later.  Please contact the Secretary at apiperbrix@aol.com

Making Plans for Brixton Pop Brixton/ International House
We had a preview of the development programme at the Forum general meeting on 3rd July, and the next stage of consultations starts on 11th September.  This time, we may even see some building plans, though it seems the intention remains to adapt International House while replacing Pop Brixton with a new apartment block.  Both should continue in use until March 2027.
Enquiries to consultation@49bsr6cc.com or by phone to (020) 8469 3079.

Towards a Neighbourhood Plan
We now have a timescale from Lambeth’s Planning Policy Team.  The proposed area will be published for comments in the first week of September, and people have 6 weeks to respond (by mid-October).  The Council will decide by Christmas on final boundaries and whether we are an acceptable team to make a neighbourhood plan.
That means consultation events and plan-making will only get going in the New Year.  But if you have a bright idea, or a quibble over the boundary, feel free to tell us now, while it’s fresh in your mind.

In the meantime, we have been exploring sources of professional help, so that work can get underway as soon as we get the go-ahead. We are also still looking out for more locations around the Brixton area to host consultation events.

Local Events coming up

Angell Town Networking event
On Saturday 4th September, from 6 to 8 pm, Angell Town RMO is hosting an event at Overton Road for residents, commercial tenants, local VCS organisations and faith groups to connect, learn more about each other and share opportunities.
RSVP/enquiries to 07 860 395 933, NWhittaker@lambeth.gov.uk  

Lambeth Heritage Festival
A full programme of events takes place around the borough through the whole month of September.  You may find a printed programme at any Lambeth library, or find the whole programme online at bit.ly/LambethHeritage2025

Solidarity Summer Market
The Advocacy Academy is holding a Solidarity Summer Market on Saturday 30 August, 10 am to 4 pm at the Liberation Centre in Beehive Place, SW9.  An opportunity to buy eco-friendly, justice and healing-related goodies while supporting the Advocacy Academy’s programme and mutual aid groups in Palestine. 
If you want to run a stall at this event, contact Isaiah@theadvocacyacademy.com

Exhibition at 198 Gallery
Witnesses is the latest exhibition at 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning, running until 11 September.  It showcases work by London-based women artists Amida Deen and Ihsan Saad Ihson Tahir. Further details on the website at www.198.org.uk

Mindful Moments at St. Vincent’s
A new weekly activity is being introduced from 12 September at St. Vincent’s Brixton Centre in Talma Road SW2.  Thanks to funding from L&Q Housing Association, a 13-week series of free Tai Chi sessions will run on Friday mornings between 10 and 11 am.  Enquiries to LeanneT@svp.org.uk or see the website for the full list of activities restarting next month: www.svp.org.uk

Green spaces, Green issues

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses
For details of upcoming events and courses at the Community Greenhouses, see the website https://www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events
One to note in the meantime, Mambista will perform on Sunday 17 August, 6-30 pm, with Brixton jazz legend Michael “Bammi” Rose.

On Your Bike
Brixton BID continues to sponsor monthly sessions by Dr Bike mechanics for cycle safety checks and essential maintenance. The next will be on Saturday 13 September, 12 to 3 pm at the junction of Atlantic Road, Marcus Garvey Way and Railton Road, SE24.

Black Growth CIC
Recently, they have mainly been active in Croydon but they have 2 Brixton events lined up for September:
Saturday 13 September – Black Farmer’s Market, Brixton Station Road.
Sunday 21 September – BFM Wellness Edition, around the bandstand in Myatt’s Fields Park.
More details at https://bit.ly/3X2qx2W

Other News

Brixton Police Station reprieved
Desperate to save money, the Metropolitan Police has abandoned its policy of having a public-facing police station in every borough, with 18 sites to lose their front desk.
However, Brixton is one of 20 which are being retained.  Other survivors south of the river include Walworth, Croydon and Bromley.

Met Engage
Meanwhile, the Met is developing alternative means of engaging with the public and local businesses.  Met Engage is intended to keep people informed of local policing activities, offer crime prevention advice and issue invitations to local engagement events, such as meetings of Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Users can highlight issues of concern to them and provide feedback on the services provided.  The new service can be accessed via www.metengage.co.uk

Art4Space craft courses
A whole new series of courses and craft sessions starts up next month, at the A4S Creative Learning Hub, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU. See their website for full details, at www.art4space.co.uk

Health and Social Care

Meet with National NHS leaders
A conversation between National NHS leaders and representatives of local voluntary and community organisations is being arranged for Thursday 30 October, 10-30 am to 3-30 pm with lunch included.
Places are limited, so please register your interest with Bren McInerney (community volunteer) via 07 940 045 770 or e-mail to: brenmcinerney@hotmail.com

Support for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
The long-standing “hostile environment” set up by the previous government has recently spilled over into demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers.  Voluntary groups may wish to help those at risk, but advice has only recently been pulled together by London Plus and the London Communities Emergencies Partnership (LCEP).  A list of resources and contacts is being built up – see their website at https://londonplus.org/concerns-about-anti-migrant-hostility/

Community Connectors
Project Smith starts another free training course for volunteer community connectors later this month.  Dates for the 4-day course are 26 August, 15/16 September and 1st October.  Gain an accredited qualification in behaviour change from the Royal Society of Public Health.  Lambeth-based but venues to be confirmed – for more details and to sign up, e-mail to emma@rbeassociates.com

Be Well at Brixton Library
A Project Smith/ Community Connectors grant is also enabling the Friends of Brixton Library to run health workshops over the weekend 3rd /4th October – more details from foftlbrixton@gmail.com

Long Covid Superheroes
Alchemise Theatre’s Long Covid Superheroes project is a year-long creative project specially designed for young people (age 8-14) living with Long Covid. 
Led by artists with lived experience and run in partnership with Long Covid Kids, this exciting programme is fully funded by Arts Council England and completely free to join.  Sessions start in September on Mondays at Longfield Hall (times to be confirmed).  For details and expression of interest form, please see https://longfieldhall.org.uk/2025/05/30/long-covid-superheroes/
If you know a family who might benefit, please share this information.

Funding, Training & Support
Grant deadlines approaching
We have heard from various sources about several upcoming grants, but for most you will have to follow them up via a Google search:

Women & Girls Community Fund: offers grants of up to £5,000 to support women’s health needs, including education and promotion work, but the deadline for EoIs is Sunday 17 August, to publichealth@lambeth.gov.uk

Metropolitan Public Gardens Association makes small grants (up to £1500) to groups that improve publicly accessible open space.
Deadline 18 August.

Brockwell Live Community Fund: open for community organisations connected with or local to Brockwell Park.  Sponsored by the various commercial events leading up to the Lambeth Country show, deadline is Thursday 22 August.  Enquiries to community@brockwell-live.com

Grassroots Community Innovation Fund from the Lambeth Southwark & Lewisham Sexual Wellbeing Service is offering grants up to £2500 to support activities to raise awareness, reduce stigma or social isolation and promote ways to wellbeing.  Deadline is 12 September, enquiries to izzy.williams@turning-point.co.uk

Paul Mellon Centre recently opened its Autumn funding round with a deadline of 30 September.  Its grants and scholarships can support research, lectures, exhibitions and publications concerned with British art and architectural history. 
More details on their website at https://paulmelloncentre.grantplatform.com

National Lottery Awards for All has an Environment strand to support community-led projects for improving green spaces, cutting waste or carbon emissions, or helping people to access nature.  Grants of up to £20,000, but don’t apply if you have a current Awards for All grant.  Deadline is 17 December.

Heritage Revival Fund: offers 3 levels of funding, for project viability (up to £15k), project development (up to £100k) and capital works (up to £350k).  Open until 31 March ‘26, funded by Architectural Heritage Fund, DCMS and Historic England.

Training Opportunities
Awesome Tech Training have come up with an even better offer than last month.  This time they have a free training day on Wednesday 21 August, with a series of webinars:
10-11 am, Getting started with WordPress;
12-1 pm, Everything you need to know before setting up a website;
3- 4 pm, Introduction to Digital Marketing.
All enquiries to rachel@awesometechtraining.com

Business Training Opportunities
Social enterprises and small businesses within the Brixton BID area should be able to join their free training courses.  We expect more dates soon, but next up is:

  • Personal Licence (level 2)

Tuesday 9 September, 10 am to 4 pm.
Enquiries to admin@brixtonbid.co.uk

Business Networking
Born or Made in Brixton hold their next meeting for freelancers, creative start-ups and micro-businesses on Wednesday morning 20 August between 9 am and 10 am at The Birds Nest, on the 11th floor of International House.
See also www.bornormade.com

Community, Events, News

NOVEMBER 2023

NEXT FORUM MEETING

Thursday 23 November, 7pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, SW2 1 EP (facing Windrush Square). We will be following up some topical issues this time, including:
A report from Friends of Windrush Square;
Anti-Social Behaviour in the Town Centre;
Based on this and other local concerns, should we put together a Neighbourhood Plan?

NB: We will feature Brixton’s Arts and Creative Industries at the following meeting in the New Year. This is also likely to be our Annual General Meeting, when we review the past year and elect a new committee.

MORE LOCAL EVENTS COMING UP

THEATRE OF THE OPPRESSED Wednesday 15 November:
The last of a series of workshops run by Tony Cealy at the Advocacy Academy, 7 Vining Street SW9.
Story-telling, learning and communal sharing, 3-30 to 7-30 pm – open to people of all age and abilities, no theatre experience necessary.  Please book via Eventbrite.

BROCKWELL LIDO Sunday 19 November:
The Brockwell Lido Users Group and the Brockwell Lido Steering Committee hold their joint Annual General Meeting at 10-30 am on Sunday 19th at the Lido, when members will be able to vote in their new committee.

BLACK CULTURE MARKET Christmas Edition, Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December:
Downstairs at the Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, SW9, open 11 am to 5 pm each day.  Free event, but please book via Eventbrite.
If you are interested in trading at these events, please contact the organisers via https://www.blackculturemarket.co.uk

WINTER MARKET around Brixton Windmill, Sunday 10 December:
12 noon to 3-30 pm with a range of stalls including food and drinks, live music, craft workshops for children, and of course, Santa’s Grotto.
Also a festive wreath-making workshop for adults, 12-30 to 2 pm, fee £12 – please book in advance at www.brixtonwindmill.org

CHRISTINGLE IN MYATT’S FIELDS PARK  Saturday 16 December
2 pm to 5 pm, to include a Christmas market, carol-singing and a Christingle-making workshop for kids.  More details from enquiries@myattsfieldspark.info

FUNDING, TRAINING & SUPPORT

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
We occasionally hear of local projects recruiting paid staff, though our publication schedule seldom ties in with closing dates for applications.
One that just fits in is at the St. Vincent’s Centre in Talma Road, SW2 1ASwhere they are seeking a part-time Activities Co-ordinator (22.5 hours a week). The role is to develop the arts and cultural programme at the centre, as well as establishing long-term food and service projects in the area.
More details can be found at https://svp.org.uk/work-with-us but the closing date is 15 November.

GRANTS REMINDERS
Once again, a reminder of approaching deadlines for grants previously notified by Integrate – if you missed the news, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Make it Big with Pathway Fund: deadline Thursday 16 November.
Lambeth Advice Services Grants: deadline Wednesday 22 November.
Dying Matters – Hospice UK Community Grants: deadline 24 November.

GROW AT HOME, EAT BETTER
Afreesixweek minicourse aimed at local food growing groups, to be held at Myatt’s Fields Park greenhouses.  More details from Fabrice at fabrice@myattsfieldspark.info

TRAINING WITH BRIXTON BID
Our local Business Improvement District is offering free training sessions for small businesses and social enterprises within the BID catchment area.  Book via their website at https://brixtonbid.co.uk/event-type-training/ or enquiries by e-mail to admin@nrixtonbid.co.uk  Upcoming events include:

Emergency First Aid at Work (level 3) – 15 November.
Food Safety (level 2) – 20 November.
Social Media – 22 November.
Anti-Terrorism Training – 28 November.

OTHER NEWS

NEXT STEPS FOR SOMERLEYTON ROAD
There was strong interest at our last Forum meeting in how Lambeth would take forward the housing development along Somerleyton Road.  A design was approved some years ago, but Homes for Lambeth failed to follow up on it.  Lambeth is now looking for a partnership with a private developer.  It is currently looking for 12 local stakeholders or residents to join a “Meet the Bidders Day” to help select that developer and shape local engagement.  Total commitment is 12 hours between December and February, and panel members will be paid.  Priority is being given to residents or organisations based in Windrush Ward,   but closing date to apply is 26 November.  Find the application form at bit.ly/meetthebidders 

NEW PLAY STREETS
From 13 November, Lambeth Council is introducing several new play streets on a 6-month trial basis.  Motor vehicles (except permit holders) will be banned from those streets Mondays to Fridays during school term time, for an hour in the morning (typically 8.15 to 9.15am) and again in the afternoon (typically 3 to 4 pm).  This is intended to cover the peak periods when children are travelling to and from school.  On our patch, the roads affected are:

– Lambert Road, between Branksome and Strathleven Roads.
– Mandrell Road, the whole length.
– Strathleven Road, between Lambert and Mauleverer Roads.
– Minet Road, between Lilford Road and Rupert Road.
Enquiries to schoolstreets@lambeth.gov.uk

WORK ON RAILTON ROAD
The latest phase of street landscaping for the Railton Road LTN will take place between 8 November and 15 December, between 198 Gallery and the corner of Herne Place.  This will be followed by some road surfacing work on that section, on 16/17 January.  During these periods, the 322 bus will be re-routed Atlantic Road/ Coldharbour Lane/ Effra Road/ Dulwich Road and then resume its normal route.  Enquiries to lowtrafficneighbourhoods@lambeth.gov.uk

COPING WITH STORM RAINWATER
Something we have had plenty of in the past few weeks!  Lambeth is trialling some new techniques to reduce the risk of flooding when the drains can’t cope with the flow of rainwater.  A new landscape layout has been designed for the Effra Road frontage of the St. Mathew’s Estate, including one temporary and two standing ponds, with new paths and damp-tolerant planting.
Details can be found via the Consultation pages on the Council’s website – but the deadline for responses is Tuesday 14 November.  Send comments to lambethbeeroads@lambeth.gov.uk or use the on-line survey form.

LAMBETH CIVIC AWARDS
An opportunity to thank your leading volunteers or highlight your group’s work.  Deadline for nominations is Sunday 26 November, culminating in a presentations event expected in late February. Details on the Council’s website at www.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-civic-awards-2024

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH
Art4Space are due to host a couple more sessions on Mental Health First Aid at their studio in Jeffreys Road, SW4.  Sessions are led by It’s A Playground.
Refresher half-day for previous attenders on Friday 17 November, fee £150, or £125 for Lambeth residents.
Adult Mental Health: Two-day course on 23 & 24 November.
Bookings via www.art4space.co.uk

Solidarity in a Crisis (SiaC) offers support for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, in Lambeth, Southwark or Lewisham.  They offer an out-of-hours crisis helpline – 0300 123 1922, 6 pm to midnight Monday to Friday, midday to midnight at weekends.  They also have a Community Team who can offer individuals a course of three to six one-to-one support sessions.  For more information, e-mail them at communitycrisis@certitude.org.uk

TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Two upcoming free events, both at St. Matthew’s Church at the foot of Brixton Hill SW2 1JF:

Let’s Talk about Mental Health, Tuesday 14 November, 11 am to 1 pm, in the Level 2 co-working zone (with free pizza!).
This workshop is to enable local people to share their experiences – anything shared will be anonymous.
Organised by Lambeth Healthwatch and the Lambeth Living Well Collaborative, to reserve a place e-mail to info@healthwatchlambeth.org.uk

Lambeth Open Space Event to help shape Mental Health services in Lambeth, Thursday 23 November, 9-45 to 4-30 pm, food provided.
Led by Public Service Works with the Lambeth Living Well Collaborative, to reserve a place e-mail to Beth.Towle@seldonics.nhs.uk

Community, Events, News

coronavirus / covid-19 support update

8 June 2020 rules update: See exactly what applies in full detail here

Important advice on travelling here

On this page

Updated 13 June 2020

  • Local advice and resources from Lambeth, Brixton BID and links to local self-help groups
  • Regional advice and resources from the mayor of London and Metropolitan Police
  • National advice from the government, NHS and Public Health England
  • Volunteering: Advice on staying safe
  • Food growing and community gardens
  • Health, wellbeing, faith and culture at home and outside
  • Shopping in Brixton
  • Crime resources: Domestic abuse and scams
  • Pandemic statistics: International national and local

Local – Lambeth

Lambeth helpline for access to food and medicines: 020 7926 2999

Lambeth’s Get Support site (Assistance – Financial help, benefits, employment and housing advice – mental health, domestic violence and emotional support – children and families)

Lambeth Food Hub This has been a joint effort between Lambeth Food Partnership, Incredible Edible Lambeth and the Healthy Living Platform, led by Sue Sheehan. Using the bowling green in the basement of the Brixton Rec., volunteers have been sorting donated groceries and packing lots of food boxes to send out to vulnerable households, mostly delivered by bike. 7000 boxes had gone out as of a week ago.For a good summary of the various food and food-growing initiatives in and around Lambeth, see the website www.lambethfoodpartnership.org.uk and follow the links to Covid 19-related services.  Enquiries to lambethfood@gmail.com The Healthy Living Platform is about to put out a call for more volunteers – see their website, www.healthylivingplatform.org  or e-mail to incredibleedibleleap@gmail.com or phone 07 701 365 551.

A Portuguese language helpline to support Portuguese speakers has been set up by the Lambeth Portuguese Wellbeing Partnership with Age UK:  020 3143 4060 – open seven days a week 10am-4pm They are also looking for more Portuguese speaking volunteers to help run the helpline. Full information is here http://www.lambethlife.com/lambeth-talk-covid-19-support-available-for-portuguese-readers/

Lambeth’s main information page is here https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19

Lambeth’s downloadable guide covering a wide variety of topics is here http://www.brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Community-organisation-external-FINAL-9-April.pdf

Local Business Support from Brixton Business Improvement Disctrict https://www.brixtonbid.co.uk/covid-19/

Lambeth Mutual Aid – a growing group of volunteers committed to providing and facilitating mutual support in our community http://a growing group of volunteers committed to providing and facilitating mutual support in our community.

Local and street level self help groups as compiled by Brixton Buzz http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2020/03/lambeth-coronavirus-full-listing-of-local-whatsapp-support-groups/

Regional – Mayor of London / GLA / TfL

Mayor of London resources and advice https://www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus

Thrive London – a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners. It is supported by the Mayor of London and led by the London Health Board partners https://thriveldn.co.uk

Metropolitan Police – Be clear about the restrictions, and other advice https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/c19/coronavirus-covid-19/

Transport for London have issued advice on new terms of carriage starting on 15 June, in particular the wearing of face coverings. General advice on travelling on all public transport is here: http://www.brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/GOV-Travel-Advice.pdf

Adaptations at Brixton station – It’s been a while since many of us have been on the tube, and the advice remains to only travel if you need to. Just as in the shops, new sanitising and distancing measures are in place, along with new signage. This short video blog shows how Brixton station has been adapted, so you know what to expect if you do need to travel, and includes an interview with the Managing Director of London Underground. https://youtu.be/bykaHNVYflk

National

UK Government

  • Protect yourself and others
  • Testing
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Employment, financial support and money
  • Working safely
  • Business and self employed people
  • School openings, education and childcare
  • Housing and accommodation
  • Driving and transport in the UK
  • International travel and immigration
  • Volunteering and offering help
  • Healthcare workers, carers and care settings
  • Support if someone dies

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Leaflet on protecting yourself and others https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877678/coronavirus-leaflet.pdf

NHS

Concerns about symptoms – NHS 111

NHS Latest information and advice

  • Check of you or your child has symptoms
  • Self-isolation and treatment if you have symptoms
  • Testing and tracing
  • People at higher risk
  • Social distancing and changes to everyday life

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Public Health England

PHE publishes free campaign material that can be used for posters and on websites https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/

Latest advice on distancing for young people (updated 9 May) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others-guidance-for-young-people/covid-19-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others-social-distancing-guidance-for-young-people

All public advice (updated 1 June) https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

Health & Safety Executive

The HSE has not featured prominently in the public consciousness to date, but points out that businesses should stay open as much as possible, except for some non-essential shops and public venues that were ordered by the government to close.  Some construction sites and other businesses are beginning to re-open, having taken time to reassess working practices against the distancing requirements. The prospect of no early end to distancing will mean that more businesses that can, are likely to reopen and adapt rather than wait indefinitely.   This page has specific advice on distancing in the workplace, which is also relevant for volunteers engaged in key services (see also volunteer section below) https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/social-distancing-coronavirus.htm

There is wider advice covering a variety of topics, including workplace PPE here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm?utm_source=hse.gov.uk&utm_medium=refferal&utm_campaign=coronavirus&utm_term=covid-landing&utm_content=home-page-popular

Volunteering

The National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has published easy to understand advice on maintaining safety and distancing while volunteering here: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/i-want-to-volunteer/volunteering-coronavirus

and have produced a useful PDF download for briefing organisations

Lambeth has produced this PDF download on volunteering

Register with Lambeth for volunteering donating food, money, and keeping safe here: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/forms/volunteer-to-help-your-community

Advice on volunteering at the Lambeth Food Hub is here

NHS Volunteer Responders

  • delivering medicines from pharmacies;
  • driving patients to appointments;
  • bringing them home from hospital;
  • or making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home.

– Due to the level of interest, new applications have been paused, but check the website for updates: https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS

Other local organisations offering volunteering opportunities

Lambeth Forum Network https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/elections-and-council/lambeth-forum-network-lfn

AGE UK https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lambeth/get-involved/together/

Lambeth Mutual Aid https://www.lambethmutualaid.co.uk

Next Door https://nextdoor.co.uk/

Communities Together https://together.madeopen.co.uk/

List of local WhatsApp suport groups compiled by Brixton Buzz http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2020/03/lambeth-coronavirus-full-listing-of-local-whatsapp-support-groups/

Brixton Soup Kitchen https://brixtonsoupkitchen.org/

Donate food

Lambeth Larder http://www.lambethlarder.org/

Norwood & Brixton Foodbank https://norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk/

Lambeth Food Bank Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-lambeth-food-bank-fund

Funding for organisations

Locality has regularly updated information on local and national funding sources https://locality.org.uk/services-tools/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-support/covid-19-funding/

Lambeth Fund for VCS Organisations

Lambeth Council are providing one-off payments of up to £10k to help voluntary and community organisations.  This is being funded from part of the Community Infrastructure Levy collected on new building developments.  The aim is to make communities more resilient both during the crisis and in the recovery period that should follow.  The one exclusion is for food-related projects, where the Council is making a separate funding contribution. Organisations must be Lambeth-based with an existing bank account and a written constitution.If you have not already received a notice with a link to the simple application form, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk

Other Coronavirus-related Grants

Our friends at Age UK Lambeth recommend this web-page for a wide range of sources for community organisations, regularly updated: https://www.grantsonline.org.uk/coronavirus.html If you are in business, you ought to be checking the regular bulletins from the Brixton BID, but there’s a guide to applying for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan at www.knowyourmoney.co.uk  DSC advise us that charities are also eligible for this.

Staying at home

Summary of information and tips from Lamtheth Talk PDF

News – get facts from the government website http://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Stress – take sufficient rest, eat properly, do some physical activity and keep in touch with family and friends http://nhs.uk/oneyou/ every-mind-matters/coronaviruscovid-19-anxiety-tips

Routine – follow usual routine as much as possible and don’t overwork https://www.good-thinking.uk/

Keep active – Build in physical activity into your day, remembering that dancing, cleaning your home, and seated exercises also count https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-blogs

Being alone – do things to boost your mood if things are too quiet for your liking https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

Church and Mosque at home

Information for staying connected and online services:

Church of England – Southwark Diocese list of local churches with online offer https://southwark.anglican.org/churchonline/

Catholic Diocese of Southwark – http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk

New Testament – https://ntcgbrixton.org

Advice from the Muslim Council https://mcb.org.uk/general/ramadan2020_guidance/

Art, Culture and History at Home

Lambeth Library services available on-line, see the website, www.lambeth.gov.uk/LibraryServicesOnline for general information. See this here for updates and links for online events. If you don’t have a library membership, to access the full range, you can sign up on-line at www.lambeth.gov.uk/jointhelibrary

Lambeth Local History talks online – Weekly topics have now been announced up to the end of May. Capacity has been upgraded to cope with audiences of over 100 people.  The talks are also being recorded so they will be viewable on Instagram if you miss them.  To book a place for the live version for a session, e-mail archives@lambeth.gov.uk to receive the Zoom log-in details

Get your art at home – our guide to what the galleries (local and around the world) are offering online: http://www.brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org/?p=338

London history in cinema – This link has old documentaries about London in iPlayer https://londonist.com/london/film/iplayer

Art4Space has been busy adapting to the new situation, in the hope of opening the Centre soon in a new safer format. They are also contributing to the BBC’s Get Creative at Home.  And do have a look at Louise’s video demonstrations, refreshed every 2 weeks. See the website for more – www.art4space.co.uk

Living History – We are unwittingly living through a key time in the course of world events. Lambeth Archives would like to capture the moment by getting help with collecting items that shows life in Lambeth during the lockdown period – full details at: https://www.lambethlocalhistoryforum.org.uk

Theatre – This page has links to a variety of online theatre performances https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/mar/17/hottest-front-room-seats-the-best-theatre-and-dance-to-watch-online

Greenspaces – and green fingers

Social distance in parks – jog responsibly!

Friends of Brockwell Park are encouraging park users to follow these guidelines to maintain social distance within the Park , which has been very busy on recent occasions. These apply across walkers, pram pushers, wheelchair users, runners and cyclists.

  • Move around the park on the left-hand side of the path, keeping 2m behind the person in front. Most paths are wide enough for you to stay 2m clear of people approaching from the other direction.
  • Overtake to your left, on the grass, keeping 2m clear of others.
  • If there is no space to the left, only use the opposite lane if this is clear of other users.  Do not walk, run or cycle between the two lanes, to maintain that 2m clearance.  That may mean joggers running on the spot until a safe space opens up, or cyclists dismounting, but please keep a safe distance.

Discover other green spaces

Why not ring the changes and explore some other open spaces on our patch?  I have just heard from a Town Centre resident who has discovered Myatt’s Fields Park for the first time.  Far fewer people know about the Loughborough Park open space – there is far more to it than a disused adventure playground.  You might think that Trinity Gardens, Blenheim Gardens and Wyck Gardens are too small to bother with, but at least the walk there will vary your exercise routine.  And with less traffic on the roads, a woodland walk through Brixton Orchard and Rush Common finally becomes worth tackling.

Grow at Home

Community gardening efforts are rather limited right now, but have not stopped completely. Advice on volunteering on food growing projects is here

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses are running some “remote” sessions including Gardeners Question Time, Fermentation classes, Story Stompers and a Singing Group. They also have some young soft fruit bushes, grown from cuttings, for sale at £5 each.  For details of all these, see their website,  wwwbrockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/events/

Myatt’s Fields Park has a free seedlings scheme to help local people grow their own food at home.  This applies to residents of Coldharbour and Vassall wards  More details at www.myattsfieldspark.info/free-seedlings.html They have also highlighted the Lambeth Larder website for great tips on food growing, recipes and saving money.  See  www.lambethlarder.org

If you are an experienced grower, Incredible Edible Lambeth are looking for people to start vegetable seedlings at home and then share with the community.  See https://www.incedibleediblelambeth.org/news/growing-veg-for-your-community/

Shopping

One of the positive things is that we seem to be falling back in love with our corner shops. Brixton Local is website that list details of local independent shops that remain open for business, including food outlets with takeaway service https://www.brixtonlocal.life/

Brixton Blog has a roundup of food and drink outlets here: https://brixtonblog.com/2020/05/take-it-away-brixton/

The big stores currently operate revised opening times with special times for vulnerable and key workers – please check their websites for all details, as they vary over bank holiday weekends. The general pattern for Tesco Acre Lane and Sainsbury’s Tulse Hill is:

  • NHS / Social care workers: Mon-Sat 7.30-8am at Sainsbury’s, Sun/Tue/Thu 9-10am at Tesco
  • Elderly, vulnerable and carers: Mon/Wed/Fri 8-9am at Sainsbury’s and Mon/Wed/Fri 9-10am at Tesco

Brixton Market has remained open, for food stalls only, with a more spacious layout. Mon-Sat 8am-6pm (Weds ’til 3pm)

More shops are getting ready to re-open in June. What can we expect?

Brixton Business Improvement District has issued advice on the preparations that shops and businesses need to make here: https://www.brixtonbid.co.uk/getting-your-business-ready/?mc_cid=1abc54c4f6

Remember to keep 2m away from other people when shopping

Crime Resources

Domestic Abuse – links and advice

If in danger, call the national helpline 0800 2000 247  https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  (In severe / immediately life threatening situations only: call 999 followed by a cough or tapping 55 to activate a tracing service)

Metropolitan Police advice – https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/c19/coronavirus-covid-19/domestic-abuse/

The Gaia Centre gives Lambeth residents free, confidential, practical and emotional support by phone or email – whatever’s safest – 020 7733 8724 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) email lambethvawg@refuge.org.uk

Scams and cybercrime

The National Cyber Security Centre has recently removed thousands of online scams and hundreds of fake shops selling Covid related items. They have set up a national service for reporting online scams: email to report@phishing.gov.uk

Further advice on avoiding cybercrime

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/public-urged-to-flag-covid-19-threats-new-campaign

https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/personal-fraud/

Coronavirus Statistics

World Health Organization Situation Reports https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports

Worldometer counts – This site tracks population statistics from governments around the world, including of the pandemic https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

UK Government data, with regional and local authority area statistics – https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/