Next meeting – 27 February
The next General Meeting of the Forum will be on Thursday 27th February from 6.30 pm at the Advocacy Academy, 2 Beehive Place SW9 7QR (off Brixton Station Road, entrance shared with Photofusion, please ring the bell!).
The main topic will be a presentation from Just Space of their findings on the local area. We continue to discuss the Neighbourhood Plan.
Events
Boots on the Ground an exhibition celebrating 20 years of grassroots football,
20 years of the St Matthews Project (SMP) football outreach project. This new photo exhibition “Boots On The Ground” is open at Lambeth Archives. The collection is curated by Brixton-based artist Ellie Laycock and will include her acclaimed photographic portraits of St Matthews Under 10’s players.
https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/libraries-0/lambeth-archives
February marks the start of LGBTQ+ History Month. This year’s theme ‘Activism & Social Change’. Throughout February, Lambeth Libraries will be hosting a fantastic series of events across the borough. You can find out more and get involved on the https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/
Is That A Boy’s Toy?Art Exhibition in Brixton Library
Showing from Tuesday 4 February
Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
A group show celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month, featuring a vibrant and diverse line up of artists from Lambeth and beyond. The show strives to explore themes of gender, sexuality, and society’s expectations from the very moment we learn to hold our first toys and play. It challenges traditional notions of masculinity and femininity, delving into how toys have been used to enforce gender roles and expectations. Curated by Xavier White (b. 1993). Further information: @rockxaviergb
LGBTQ+ History Walk of Brixton
Sunday 16 February, 1pm
Meet: Steps of Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Revealing Brixton’s hidden LGBTQ+ places, walking in the footsteps of local LGBTQ+ heroes, artists, activists and clubbers. A brief introduction to our stories and histories. Led by qualified Lambeth Tour Guides: Adrian Gibson and Clare Truscott. This circular walk lasts approx. 90mins Free! but numbers are limited so booking essential.
Booking essential: Contact clare@lambethlinks.org.uk
Looking Ahead
Black Culture Market Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March 2025
The Department Store,248 Ferndale Rd. Brixton SW9 8FR
www.blackculturemarket.co.uk
Rapport Festival
Mark your calendars for the Rapport Festival of Film happening 4th–6th April!
Join us for a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and cinematic brilliance. From thought provoking films to unforgettable experiences, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
To stay in the loop please sign up to our mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/ba57ee12c6a5/rapport-festival-mail-list
Health and Social Care
Energy Support from Age UK
Age UK are offering support and practical advice to people who are struggling with their energy bills or want to improve safety in their homes.
- Energy Boost Service – support includes: – Contacting energy providers – Exploring cheaper providers – Offering practical advice about reducing cost.
- Home Energy Checks – A trusted handyperson will visit an older person’s home to check its efficiency. The handyperson fits appropriate equipment to increase the energy and thermal efficiency in the home.
- Safe At Home – Our reliable and trustworthy Handyperson can help with: – Home Safety Advice – Security Checks – Lock Fittings & Repairs.
- https://www.ageuk.org.uk/london/about-us/local-age-uks-in-london/
Hustle for that Muscle Community Workout
Cynthia will lead the Stay Healthy Workout Class for all levels 18+ Mondays and Fridays 6.30pm ’til 8pm at St Johns Angel Town Church Hall 49-50 Wiltshire Road SW9, A free class supported by Better Lives Foundation.
Volunteer Opportunities
Raw Material is seeking musical talent in three areas:
Guitar Volunteer: Beat-making Volunteer: DJ Volunteer:
For more information and to apply, email lauren@rawmusicmedia.co.uk
Ahead of Brixton Windmill’s new open season starting Saturday 29 March, they are hosting volunteer training sessions in February and March, mainly for tour guides and stewards. The next session is on Saturday 22 February.
https://www.brixtonwindmill.org/
Funding, Training and Support
Kew Gardens Grow Wild Community Fund
The Grow Wild Community Programme supports groups and organisations to transform urban spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife by planting and championing UK native plants or fungi. Grow Wild is seeking 20 fantastic community groups from across the UK to join the programme in 2025.
https://growwild.kew.org/apply-grant/community-programme
Clear Community Web info@clearcommunityweb.co.uk
Digital Drop-ins provide a friendly, informal space to get questions answered or problems solved for your laptop, tablet or smart phone.
All sessions are free and open to all.
Every Monday 2pm- 4pm
West Norwood Library
1-5 Norwood High St, SE27 9JX
Every Tuesday 2pm-4pm
Old Laundry, Stockwell
Eastcote St, London SW9 9BY
Every Friday 10am-12pm
Upper Norwood Library Hub
39 Westow Hill, SE19 1TQ
Updates and Fundraising support from Integrate
Lambeth’s commissioned voluntary sector infrastructure provided, Integrate CIC, provide updates on current funding opportunities and 1-2-1 fundraising advice. To receive these updates in your inbox, subscribe to Integrate’s mailing list here: The Integrate Agency CIC – We focus on your growth
You can book 1-2-1 fundraising support from Integrate here: 1-2-1 sessions available every Friday
Book your free fundraising advice slot here: 1:1 Income generation surgery Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Capacity-building support for Voluntary & Community Sector organisations
Lambeth Community Hubs Network provide peer support to Voluntary and Community Sector organisations based in Lambeth.
For details of the kind of support available and how to access it, please see their website: Capacity Building Support – Lambeth Community Hubs Network
Lambeth VCS properties for rent
Council’s VCS Assets strategy is well underway, and we’ll soon be able to release more properties from the VCS portfolio. These will be offered at heavily discounted rents to VCS groups through an open tender process, in partnership with our VCS panel. We’re looking for reliable VCS groups offering great social value to our most challenged residents.
If you’re interested in getting information about upcoming Lambeth properties for rent – VCS or commercial – you must fill in this Vacant Property Expression of Interest Form first. This lets us know what kind of space you’re looking for. As new properties come up for lease, we’ll contact all relevant interested groups with more information and invitations to tender.
It doesn’t matter if these properties aren’t what you’re looking for at the moment, it’s a good idea to fill in the Vacant Property Expression of Interest Form anyway. You can update your details or needs anytime. We’ll stay in touch until you find a property or want your details removed.
Please contact vcstenants@lambeth.gov.uk with any questions, and share the Vacant Property Expression of Interest Form link with any other VCS groups you think might be looking for subsidised properties in Lambeth, now or in the future.
Safeguarding training offer
LSCP training programme announcing the January to June 2025 multiagency training programme is now live. For any enquiries please contact LSCPTraining@lambeth.gov.uk
Keep in Touch
We want our bulletins to reach all community organisations, social enterprises and activists in the wider Brixton area. Please contact us at admin@brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org
- If you want to be added to our mailing list, or to add a colleague or neighbour.
- If you want these bulletins sent to a different e-mail address, so that you see them more quickly or reliably.
- If you have moved away or are no longer interested.
Your Forum Bulletins
If you are doing something around the Brixton area – an event, a new service, or making changes in what you already do – you are welcome to use these bulletins to tell other Forum members. That’s well over 550 on our current list, normally issued via MailChimp. If need be, we can supply it as a Word file or even paper copies.
We aim to circulate around the 10th of each month, but that can slip because we work on a very part-time basis. Play safe and send it