Camden Camden this month
Your guide to council services | May 2018 | camden.gov.uk
Foster carers transform lives Could you offer a Camden child a stable and loving home? @camdentalking
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Parent Champions (left to right) Karima, Nora, Christina and Amina are helping other parents find out what services are on offer for families with children aged five and under. Turn to page 19 to read the full story
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camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk
The Camden magazine is distributed free to all homes in Camden to give you information about our services. It costs 15 pence a copy to produce, and is printed on paper that is 50% recycled and 50% from sustainable sources. Cover image: Philip McCorkell
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Published by Camden Council Editorial, advertising and distribution: Communications team, Camden Council, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE 020 7974 5717 Distribution from 15 May 2018
You can request your copy of the Camden magazine in large print, audio format or in another language by phoning 020 7974 5717. 2
Camden this month See the full local government elections results.
Could you become a foster carer for Camden?
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Camden’s new Youth MP has been elected.
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The Summer University programme for ages 13 to 19 returns this July.
Put a spring in your step and celebrate National Walking Month.
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20 Welcome Introduction to the May edition
Features 5
Cover story Foster Care Fortnight
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News Camden elections results HS2 grant applications open Check your blood pressure Community Conversations Camden 2025: social isolation Camden Community Impacts
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Telling Greenwood Stories Bourne Estate official opening Foster Care Fortnight Kingsgate Primary School Early Years Parent Champions Summer University Programme Youth MPs elected Camden Recycling Rewards West End Project Centre opens Clean Air for Camden Changes to parking charges Rubbish and recycling information National Walking Month activities My Camden – Calthorpe Project
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Listings Free and low-cost events
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Get two years’ free membership to a car club We are offering two years’ free car club membership to the first 100 residents in exchange for giving up their parking permits. You’ll have the benefit of access to a car when you really need one without the hassle and cost of owning one. If you own a car,
maybe you’re thinking of trading it in for a newer or electric vehicle following the new Emissions Surcharge (T-Charge) and upcoming Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in April 2019. But why not join a car club instead for free? Camden has the largest network of car clubs in London, including Zipcar and Enterprise Car Club, meaning there is one within five minutes’ walk of most people in the borough. If you would like to try a car club, visit our website below.
camden.gov.uk/camdenaccountparking
Update to our privacy policy To ensure that you are informed about how Camden uses your personal data, we’ve updated our privacy policy. Please look over the new policy, which will be effective starting 25 May 2018. Here is some information you can expect to see in the policy: • Why we process personal data. • Legal grounds for processing personal data. • Who our data protection officer is. • Your data privacy rights and how to exercise them. • How to contact the council about data privacy. There is nothing you need to do right now, but if you would like to find out more you can read our privacy statement or visit our website at any time. camden.gov.uk/privacystatement
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Welcome
to the May edition of Camden magazine ran so smoothly was testament to the way the council team planned for all eventualities and sourced the staff needed to run an effective election. You can see the full results by turning to page six.
6 | Camden elections
13 | C amden Community Impacts
16 | Foster Care Fortnight The first thing you’ll notice in this edition of the Camden magazine is the results from the local election, which took place on Thursday 3 May. As ever, it was an incredibly long day for everyone concerned. I’d like to thank the dedicated residents and council workers who staffed our polling stations, opened postal votes and counted votes cast on the day. The count began shortly after 10pm, when the borough’s polling stations closed, with the final ward results being declared after a recount on Friday afternoon. Most of all, I would like to thank all of the residents who came to have their say on how your community is run. Setting up and running an election is a no easy feat, and the fact that everything
I’m delighted to have been re-elected in my ward, Kentish Town, where I grew up and which I have represented since 2010. I hope to be re-elected as Leader at the Council’s annual general meeting on Wednesday 23 May. I am excited about what the future brings as we start work to deliver the aims set out in our new vision for the borough, Camden 2025, and make sure Camden is a place where no one is left behind. Throughout the largest ever public conversation we held for Camden 2025, we were clear that we wanted to develop a new way of working with our communities to tackle long-standing inequalities and challenges in Camden. I look forward to continuing that work with you on key issues such as building the homes our community desperately needs, tackling loneliness and keeping our borough clean, safe and green. You can read about some of the Camden 2025 work already underway on page 12. We’ve also just announced investment of £1.6 million for the Camden Community Impacts scheme, which aims to work with local and voluntary sector groups to tackle some of our most complex issues. We’ll be focusing on supporting community responses to serious youth violence, rough sleeping, emotional health and wellbeing, and supporting adults with social care needs, such as dementia, in our community. Turn to page 13 for more information.
Our communities are full of the expertise and knowledge to improve the borough, and I believe everyone who lives and works here has a part to play in building a future for Camden which is an alternative to national austerity and isolationism. We are a place where over 100 languages are spoken, and where more than 50,000 EU Citizens live or work. We are united in wanting to keep our vibrant, mixed community thriving, and we will be working together over the coming years to make sure this happens. Looking after our borough’s vulnerable young people is a key focus for Camden. During Foster Care Fortnight, which takes place between 14 and 27 May, we’ll be spreading the word about how fostering can transform the lives of our young people in care. We need stable, loving homes for these children, to help them thrive and enjoy the same life chances as any other young person growing up in our borough. There’s more information on the process of applying to be a foster carer on page 16. I’m inspired by the ideas and energy many young people in Camden have and how they want to help their communities. Our new Youth MP, Athian Akec, and our two Deputy Youth MPs will be working closely with Camden Youth Council and others to make sure the voices of young people are heard as we work together to shape Camden’s future. You can read about these young leaders on page 21. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you to ensure Camden is a fair and safe place, where everyone has a voice.
Councillor Georgia Gould Leader of the Council 5
Elections results
Camden Council elections – results in full Local elections to decide who should lead Camden Council took place on Thursday 3 May. A full list of results, including the number of votes each candidate received, is shown below. A total of 218 candidates stood for election in Camden earlier this month, with residents going to the polls on Thursday 3 May. The count took place throughout Thursday night, into Friday, with hundreds of council staff and temporary workers on hand to sort and count ballot papers. The overall turnout was 37.3%. The total number of seats secured by each political party is as follows: 43 Labour Conservative 7 3 Liberal Democrat Green 1 The number of votes that each candidate received is listed below. Names listed in bold indicate an elected councillor. Three councillors were elected in each ward.
Belsize Steve Adams, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,201 James Jordan Calmus, 1,067 Labour Party, Phyl Eyres, Green Party Candidate, 223 Sara Katchi, 6
Green Party Candidate, Momota Khatoon, Labour Party, Benjamin Samuel Newman, Liberal Democrat, Luisa Manon Porritt, Liberal Democrat, Kirsty Roberts, Conservative Party Candidate, Leila Roy, Conservative Party Candidate, Nigel Rumble, Independent, Sucharita Sethi, Labour Party, Tom Henry Simon, Liberal Democrat,
238 971 1,127 1,179 1,162 1,170 123 996 1,250
Bloomsbury Shahin Ahmed, Conservative Party Candidate, 334 Aimery De Malet Roquefort, 242 Liberal Democrat, Sabrina Alisha Francis, Labour Party, 983 Adam Douglas Kier Harrison, Labour Party, 1,045 Jane Margaret Headland, Liberal Democrat, 254 Juan Jimenez, Green Party Candidate, 183 Rishi Madlani, Labour Party, 931 Abdul Malique, Conservative Party Candidate, 330 Robert McCracken, Green Party Candidate, 188
Jane-Eva Flora Straughton, Green Party Candidate, Paul Tavares, Conservative Party Candidate, Martin Percival George Wright, Liberal Democrat,
226 365 191
Camden Town with Primrose Hill Pat Callaghan, Labour Party, 1,936 Richard Stephen Cotton, Labour Party, 1,664 Peter Horne, Conservative Party Candidate, 602 Rik Howard, Green Party Candidate, 434 John Lefley, Liberal Democrat, 457 Catherine McQueen, Conservative Party Candidate, 632 Mark Milaszkiewicz, Green Party Candidate, 384 Lawrence Joseph Nicholson, Liberal Democrat, 335 Lazzaro Pietragnoli, Labour Party 1,570 Joel Roberts, Conservative Party Candidate, 573 Anne Maria Wright, Liberal Democrat, 407
Cantelowes Danny Beales, Labour Party, 1,780 Fran Bury, Green Party Candidate, 449
Elections results Robert Fox, Conservative Party Candidate, 270 Christopher William Hattam, 488 Liberal Democrat, Catherine Wakefield Hays, Liberal Democrat, 804 Max Karasinski, Liberal Democrat, 442 Catherine Anee Keshishian, Green Party Candidate, 435 Angela Mason, Labour Party 1,829 Trevor O’Farrell, 301 Green Party Candidate, Ranjit Singh, Labour Party, 1,503 Alexi Susiluoto, Conservative Party Candidate, 240 Ben Tansey, Conservative Party Candidate, 276
Fortune Green Shamim Ahmed, Conservative Party Candidate, 663 Adrian Bridge, Liberal Democrat, 1,209 Sorin Floti, Labour and Co-operative Party, 1,326 Helen Margaret Jack, Green Party Candidate, 378 Axel Kaae, Conservative Party Candidate, 659 Richard Olszewski, Labour and Co-operative Party, 1,353 Flick Rea, Liberal Democrat, 1,496 Lorna Jane Russell, Labour and Co-operative Party, 1,468 Tracey Elizabeth Shackle, Liberal Democrat, 1,138 Phillip Taylor, Conservative Party Candidate, 758
Frognal and Fitzjohns Stephen Cameron, Independent, Richard Dean Chadwick, Labour Party,
122 838
Hampstead Town
Marx De Morais, Independent, 135 Valdir Francisco, Liberal Democrat, 366 Charles Hilary Harris, Green Party Candidate, 234 Anton Humphrey, Green Party Candidate, 163 Shashank Krishna, Liberal Democrat, 358 Gail McAnena Wood, Labour Party 776 Henry Newman, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,631 Andrew Parkinson, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,621 Tara Patten, Independent, 128 Rebecca Elizabeth Shirazi, 846 Labour Party, Gio Spinella, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,595 438 Anne Ward, Liberal Democrat,
Richard Dunham Bourn, Green Party Candidate, 243 Linda Chung, Liberal Democrat, 1,247 Will Coles, Liberal Democrat, 826 Oliver Cooper, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,455 Sue Cullinan, Labour Party, 898 Andrew John Haslem-Jones, Liberal Democrat, 879 Maria Higson, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,400 Sunny Mandich, Labour Party, 811 Michael Wulff Pawlyn, Green Party Candidate, 175 Ramsay Short, Green Party Candidate, 135 James Samuel Slater, Labour Party, 799 Stephen Stark, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,522
Gospel Oak
Haverstock
Will Blair, Conservative Party Candidate, 411 Marcus James Boyland, Labour Party, 1,442 Stephen Crosher, Liberal Democrat, 739 Judy Dixey, Liberal Democrat, 759 Dominic Kendrick, Green Party Candidate, 292 Matthew Jonathan Kirk, Liberal Democrat, 603 Cathleen Mainds, Conservative Party Candidate, 399 Jenny Ann Mulholland, Labour Party, 1,502 Larraine Revah, Labour Party, 1,361 Jane Walby, Green Party Candidate, 412 John Webber, Conservative Party Candidate, 350
Rahoul Bhansali, Conservative Party Candidate, 305 Yannik Sylvian Bultingaire, Liberal Democrat, 383 Daniel John Ellis, Conservative Party Candidate, 354 Tom Ewins, Conservative Party Candidate, 321 Jack Francis Edmund Fleming, Liberal Democrat, 412 Jill Eileen Fraser, Liberal Democrat, 661 Alison Mary Kelly, Labour Party, 1,814 Abdul Quadir, Labour Party, 1,653 Mike Sumner, Green Party Candidate, 317 Mike Turner, Green Party Candidate, 241 Pam Walker, Green Party Candidate, 401 Abi Wood, Labour Party, 1,606 7
Elections results Highgate Sian Berry, Green Party Candidate, 2,073 Constantine Buhayer, Independent, 48 Kirsten De Keyser, Green Party Candidate, 1,387 Helena Djurkovic, Liberal Democrat, 284 Simone Finn, Conservative Party Candidate, 563 John Holmes, Green Party Candidate, 1,197 Oliver Lewis, Labour Party, 1,727 Emily O’Mara, Independent, 83 Jim Ormiston, Conservative Party Candidate, 493 Stephen Raymond Pickthall, Liberal Democrat, 245 Henry William Windle Potts, Liberal Democrat, 248 Maddy Raman, Labour Party, 1,530 Ben Seifert, Conservative Party Candidate, 501 Anna Wright, Labour Party, 1,741
Holborn and Covent Garden Luke Dowding, Green Party Candidate, 419 Alison Frost, Conservative Party Candidate, 544 Julian George Holder Fulbrook, Labour Party, 1,716 Andrew Keep, Conservative Party Candidate, 497 John Mason, Green Party Candidate, 291 Richard Merrin, Conservative Party Candidate, 446 Andrew Naughtie, Liberal Democrat, 312 Awale Mire Olad, Labour Party, 1,604 Sue Vincent, Labour Party, 1,705 Erich Wagner, Liberal Democrat, 216
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Charlotte Berenice Clementine Wattebot O’Brien, Liberal Democrat, 257
Kentish Town Meric Apak, Labour Party, 2,238 Mac Chapwell, Conservative Party Candidate, 345 Darryl Davies, Conservative Party 339 Candidate, Georgia Gould, Labour Party, 2,376 Charley Greenwood, Green Party Candidate, 556 Jenny Headlam-Wells, Labour Party, 2,310 Victor Hjort, Liberal Democrat, 324 Margo Dale Miller, Liberal Democrat, 348 Jill Newbrook, Liberal Democrat, 300 Shreena Patel, Conservative Party Candidate, 261 Kelly Pawlyn, Green Party Candidate, 572 Dee Searle, Green Party Candidate, 568
Kilburn Carmen Mlagros Pilar Alcantara, Green Party Candidate, 230 Douglas Beattie, Labour Party, 1,733 Maryam Eslamdoust, Labour Party, 1,722 Thomas Keir Gardiner, Labour Party, 1,613 Janet Clementine Grauberg, Liberal 385 Democrat, James Robert King, Liberal Democrat, 390 Davi Kothari, Liberal Democrat, 268 Sarah Nicholl, Green Party Candidate, 225 Harry Richardson, Conservative Party Candidate, 457 Sanjoy Sen, Conservative Party Candidate, 416
Matthew Spencer, Green Party Candidate, 239 Georgina Stockley, Conservative Party Candidate, 433
King’s Cross Emma Barker, Green Party Candidate, 377 Robert Jason Connor, Democrats and 62 Veterans Party, Samuel Dyas, Conservative Party 205 Candidate, Robyn Gardner, Conservative Party Candidate, 281 Abdul Hai, Labour Party, 1,130 Nicola Ann Hart, Green Party Candidate, 198 Mark Johnson, Liberal Democrat, 174 Elizabeth Margaret Stanton Jones, Liberal Democrat, 239 Ekaterina Kirk, Liberal Democrat, 171 Adam Lester, Conservative Party Candidate, 242 Les Levidow, Green Party Candidate, 157 Georgie Robertson, Labour Party, 1,180 Jonathan Andrew Simpson, Labour 1,191 Party,
Regent’s Park Nasim Ali, Labour Party, 1,783 Steven Christofi, Independent, 364 Chantelle De Villiers, Conservative Party Candidate, 451 Alexander Ellis, Conservative Party Candidate, 467 John Alexander Gordon, Liberal Democrat, 234 Margaret Ann Jackson-Roberts, Liberal Democrat, 244 Heather Margaret Johnson, Labour Party, 1,797 Surya Kumaravel, Liberal Democrat, 229 Carole Ricketts, Conservative Party Candidate, 428
Elections results Nadia Shah, Labour Party,
1,803
St Pancras and Somers Town David Allen, Conservative Party Candidate, 295 James Maurice Barker, Liberal Democrat, 192 Doreen Bartlett, Conservative Party Candidate, 295 Oliver Dominic Ronald Butt, UKIP, 103 Christopher Cooke, UKIP, 84 Giles Game, UKIP, 82 Sarah Hoyle, Liberal Democrat, 230 Samata Khatoon, Labour Party, 2 ,611 Robert Lingard, Conservative Party Candidate, 243 Roger Leon Robinson, Labour Party, 2,520 Mark Scantlebury, Green Party Candidate, 264 Kimberley Lauren Stansfield, Liberal Democrat, 251 Tina Swasey, Green Party Candidate, 341 Paul Edward Tomlinson, Labour Party, 2,460
Swiss Cottage Nayra Bello O’Shanahan, Labour Party, 1,605 Scott Jeremy Benson, Liberal Democrat, 456
Kushal Bhimjiani, Liberal Democrat, 448 Leo Cassarani, Labour Party, 1,541 Kate Fairhurst, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,324 Brian Alvery Gascoigne, Green Party Candidate, 250 Lina Hammouda, Independent, 36 Sheila Hayman, Green Party Candidate, 262 Simon Pearson, Labour Party, 1,417 Calvin Po, Independent, 24 Calvin Robinson, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,277 388 Nick Russell, Liberal Democrat, Peter Henry Straker, Independent, 33 Don Williams, Conservative Party Candidate, 1,277
West Hampstead Sedef Akademir, Conservative Party Candidate, 819 David Brescia, Conservative Party 940 Candidate, Roger Simon Fox, Liberal Democrat, 878 Mukul Hira, Liberal Democrat, 723 Nancy Stembile Jirira, Liberal Democrat, 777 Jane Elizabeth Milton, Green Party Candidate, 335 Helena Paul, Green Party Candidate, 290 Nazma Rahman, Labour Party, 1,390
Mohammed Salim, Conservative Party Candidate, 739 David Robert Stansell, Green Party Candidate, 229 Peter Taheri, Labour Party, 1,260 Shiva Tiwari, Labour Party, 1,267 These results mean that the Labour Party has retained overall control of Camden Council. The first statutory meeting of the newly-elected full Council will take place at Camden Town Hall on Wednesday 23 May at 6pm. The Council Leader will be elected for the next four years, and they will appoint their Cabinet Members. The new Mayor of Camden will also officially take up office on this day, succeeding Councillor Richard Cotton as Mayor of Camden for 2018/19. A breakdown of results for each ward is available to view on the council website. You can see how many people turned out to vote in your area, how many ballot papers were rejected and the reasons why they were rejected. camden.gov.uk/elections
Elections fact file • 60 polling stations in 18 wards. • 218 candidates stood in the local elections for 54 seats on Camden Council. • 652 staff (many working multiple roles) in polling stations and counting votes on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon. • 151,153 registered electors eligible to vote in Camden. • 41,862 ballots cast in polling stations and 14,564 postal votes. 9
News
HS2: New funding for community projects Community groups can now apply for grants from a new £3.5 million fund we secured from High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd.
12.30pm at New Horizon Youth Centre, 68 Chalton Street, NW1 1JR, or Tuesday 12 June from 6 to 7.30pm at The St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre, 2 Ossulston Street, NW1 1DF.
The Camden Fund will be awarded to projects that support community cohesion in areas impacted by construction of the high speed railway. To find out more and to apply, visit the Camden Giving website, below.
Community groups can also apply for HS2 Ltd’s Community and Business Funds, available to organisations across the route of the new railway from London to Birmingham. Castlehaven Community Association in Camden Town received over £73,000 to get residents involved in improving the environment, and West Euston Partnership
Anyone thinking of applying can attend one of Camden Giving’s drop in information sessions on Friday 1 June from 11am to
was awarded nearly £75,000 to support a community-led project to improve health and wellbeing. Visit the Groundwork UK website, listed below, for further information.
Find out more camdengiving.org.uk/thecamdenfund groundwork.org.uk/hs2funds
Check your blood pressure Having high blood pressure, also called hypertension, significantly increases your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
May Measurement Month is a global campaign raising awareness of hypertension and the need to check your blood pressure. It is a condition where most people have no symptoms at all – so having a regular test is important. If your blood pressure is over 140/90 you need to see your GP for further advice. The good news is that there are lots of things that you can do to reduce or prevent high blood pressure, including cutting down salt, keeping a healthy weight, being active, reducing alcohol and stopping smoking.
aged 40 to 74, live in Camden and do not have a diagnosed heart condition, one great way to get your blood pressure checked is by arranging an NHS Health Check. It will help you identify possible risks early on and give you personalised advice so you can take action now to reduce your chances of developing serious health problems.”
Dr Jeremy Sandford, a GP at Hampstead Group Practice, told Camden magazine: “If you are Find out more 10
camden-islington.nhshealthchecks.com
020 3282 7886
oneyoucamden.org
News
Working together for a safer Camden Since December last year, we have been holding ‘Community Conversations’ across Camden about community safety. This is because you have told us you do not feel as safe as you once did, and crime and antisocial behaviour is a real concern to you. The idea behind Community Conversations are that they give both residents and businesses the opportunity to share their concerns with the council, police and other agencies. This allows us to plan together what we can all do to make Camden a safer place to live and work. By working together and discussing issues affecting specific areas of the borough we can get a fuller picture of what can be done to improve community safety in Camden, and not assume a one-size-fits-all approach will work in all areas. The outcome of each conversation is a jointly-owned Action Plan, with actions for the council, residents, community partners and local businesses who volunteered to work with us in making our communities better. Examples include tenants and residents associations not being for everyone or not existing in some areas, tackling drug dealing and drug use, addressing the impact of the night-time economy on communities, and rough sleeping. Find out more
So far, we have held Conversations for the Bourne Estate and surrounding areas, King’s Cross, Gospel Oak, Agar Grove, the Peckwater Estate and Somers Town, with more to come. At times, the Community Conversations are able to address immediate issues directly affecting our communities. An example of this was the recent Peckwater Estate event, which was very well attended amid concerns around youth safety, which was one of the main areas for discussions. Many of the local residents who attended spoke passionately about wanting to get involved in joint community safety initiatives in Camden, saying they wanted to take positive action to make their community safer, especially regarding knife crime and youth safety. Feedback from the conversation was shared with our Youth Safety Taskforce, which will be publishing its report in the summer on how we respond to this issue. To find out more, to look at an Action Plan or to find out if there is an upcoming Community Conversation happening in your area, visit the web page below.
camden.gov.uk/communityconversations
Camden talking
Community comments on social media. This is a fantastic local resource, it has a range of activities timetabled from hobbies and crafts, keep fit, selfimprovement, or somewhere for your kids to play, all at a very low cost or free. Thank you Abbey for being a key community place. #overheardatabbey @ AbbeyCCnw6 via Twitter
Fantastic afternoon at @ KTCityFarm with my daughter’s class - superb, thank you! @matthewk1976 via Twitter
Path weeded and repaired at nature reserve in #WaterlowPark by our fabulous @ GreenGymCamden #volunteers today! What a wonderful session. #joininfeelgood @GreenGymCamden via Twitter
So proud of our children at the Camden Schools Swimming Gala today. First time we’ve been involved and we loved it. Some great performances. Well done @FleetPrimary via Twitter
How’s your relationship with money? We’ve got helpful advice here every week from bills to budgeting. Wednesdays from 10am. @MaryWardCentre #financialadvice #skills #workshop #lessons #budgeting #bills @QCCA_ltd via Twitter
Join the conversation: facebook.com/lbcamden @camdentalking 11
Feature
Camden 2025: reducing social isolation Camden 2025 is a new vision for Camden, developed with our communities to create a better borough – a place where everyone has a chance to succeed. During conversations to develop Camden 2025, you said that reducing social isolation was one of the top challenges that we should be working on together, across generations, local areas and backgrounds. In a recent survey of local residents, over three quarters of you said that you would be willing to work with others to improve your neighbourhood. As one resident told us, “Change has to start somewhere”.
Social isolation and loneliness Social isolation is when people do not have contact with family, friends or their local community, which can lead to loneliness. Loneliness is a feeling of not being connected to others, which you can feel even if you’re surrounded by people. We know that people who are socially isolated or lonely have about a 30% higher risk of early death – it is as big a killer as obesity or heavy smoking. We often assume that older people are more likely to be lonely, but you told us that anyone can feel alone, including young people and new parents. Camden also has the fourth highest proportion of people living alone in England and Wales at 41%, which can put people at greater risk of loneliness.
Tackling challenges together Working with our communities to tackle long-standing issues is at the heart of our new vision for Camden. We can all play our part in making a difference, no matter how big or small. Residents, organisations and local experts joined us at a recent community workshop on social isolation and loneliness. Held in partnership with art and design school Central Saint Martins, together we discussed ideas and heard about projects already taking place locally. We’re excited to see how these ideas develop, and to continue hosting conversations across the borough about the issues that matter to you. To make a lasting change to any long-standing issue will require all our shared creativity, skills and determination. Get involved Central Saint Martins is leading a project to help residents meet new people and get involved in new activities. The creative project invites local people to be a part of the redesign of Chalton Street Market. Adam Thorpe, Professor in Socially Responsive Design at Central Saint Martins, said: “Our work explores how art and design education can work with others to make a contribution to reduce loneliness in our communities.”
Residents from across Camden told us that we need to work together to reduce social isolation
Find out more 12
camden.gov.uk/camden2025
If you are interested in finding out more about this project, and how to get involved, email c.griffith@csm.arts.ac.uk
News
Investing to tackle issues as a community We’re investing up to £1.6 million and working with local voluntary and community organisations to tackle some of the most complex issues in Camden.
The Camden Community Impacts scheme focuses on youth offending, rough sleeping, emotional health and wellbeing, and supporting people with social care needs in the community. These are long-standing issues that we know can’t be solved by any one organisation, so we’ve been developing ideas with a wide range of partners, including the Camden Community Centres’ Consortium (C4), Age UK Camden, the Roundhouse and New Horizon Youth Centre. The projects we’re funding as a result of these conversations will bring together the skills and creativity of a range of local organisations to develop new ways to tackle these issues.
Rough sleeping: Up to • £70,000 will go towards an engagement project to understand the experiences of people rough sleeping, and give them a voice so that they can be better supported off the streets. • Emotional health and wellbeing: £200,000 towards a partnership to encourage residents to build their personal resilience and independence, linking them to opportunities and activities in their community. • Supporting people in the community: Up to £100,000
The new projects will include:
will go towards a fund the voluntary sector can offer to ideas that break down the barriers older and disabled people face in accessing community facilities. We will announce the organisations that will be working together soon, and keep you updated on the projects. We will continue to involve organisations and residents in conversations about how we can do things differently to make Camden a better borough, as we work towards achieving the ambitions of the Camden 2025 community vision.
Local voluntary and community organisations are coming together to tackle long-standing issues
• Youth offending: £200,000 to support community responses to serious youth violence in Camden, and £200,000 for a pilot demonstrating the role the voluntary sector can take in reducing youth reoffending.
Find out more
camden.gov.uk/vcs 13
Feature
Greenwood Stories Students from Central Saint Martins presented their ideas for the Greenwood Stories project at a special celebration event. Greenwood Stories is an art and design collaboration between Central Saint Martins and users of four adult day centres: New Shoots, Mayford, Peperfield and Highgate. Throughout the project, students studying on the MA Narrative Environments course worked directly with day centre users, their carers and families, reflecting the character of Greenwood’s future users and finding creative multisensory ways of telling their stories. Students presented their designs in front of the Deputy Mayor of Camden, Councillor Jenny Headlam-Wells, which included: • Wall-mounted flexible displays to showcase day centre users’ artwork • A multi-sensory storytelling kit and story wall
Greenwood Stories is an art project involving adult day centre users and students from Central Saint Martins
“What began as a college project soon turned into an opportunity to get to know and understand a wider diversity of communication possibilities.” Francesca Roca, another student, added: “Working at New Shoots, I’ve learned that words are just a way to communicate but not the only way. Dean’s eyes, Desmond’s smile, Rosy hugging, Paul thanking us to have been there: these are all alternative but not less meaningful ways to communicate.”
• Posters and a video raising awareness of the possibilities for communication with people with multiple learning difficulties.
The winning concepts and designs will provide opportunities for users of the new Greenwood Centre to continue telling their stories, providing a space where they can express how they are feeling in exciting and creative ways.
Janila Castaneda, who worked on her project with Mayford Day Centre told Camden magazine:
Emma Pretti, who completed her project with Highgate Day Centre, said: “Working on this social
Find out more 14
cip.camden.gov.uk
design project, I have realised how much little adjustments can improve someone’s life.” These creative spaces aim to benefit adult day service users, and also Greenwood’s staff in how they understand their clients’ needs and the activities they provide them. The Greenwood Centre is a new, purpose-built day centre in Kentish Town for residents with additional needs and their carers. Funded through Camden’s Community Investment Programme, the new centre is due to open this September. It will house support services for people with learning difficulties, autism and mental ill health to promote wellbeing, independent living and a better quality of life.
Feature
Estate is Bourne again The newly rejuvenated Bourne Estate, including 75 new homes paid for by our Community Investment Programme, was unveiled in March.
Keir Starmer MP and his predecessor Frank Dobson officially unveiled Dobson Court
Keir Starmer, MP for Holborn and St Pancras, helped unveil the new homes and community facilities alongside his predecessor Frank Dobson. Mr Dobson, who served the area as an MP between 1979 and 2015, was invited to speak after residents chose to name one of the new blocks after him. At the event, Mr Dobson reflected on the challenges facing the council in the 1970s and Camden’s history as a builder of council housing. He said: “There was a massive shortage of homes that local people could afford, leaving many private tenants living in
Find out more
overcrowded conditions. “The council’s first answer was a massive and successful flat-building programme. The council was quick to identify any opportunity to build or buy, and between 1973 and 1977 bought up no fewer than 6,816 homes.” Through our Community Investment Programme, we’re building new council homes despite cuts to our budget by the government, tackling the challenges presented by the housing crisis. The new estate, which has just been shortlisted by the London
LABC Building Excellence Awards 2018 in the Best Social or Affordable New Housing Development category, includes 75 new homes, of which 34 are much needed council homes and 10 are let out at Camden Living Rents. These are genuinely affordable new homes aimed at helping middle earners to be able to afford to live in the borough. The regeneration of the estate also includes a brand new Tenants and Residents’ Association (TRA) hall and better homes refurbishments across the historic estate. How we pay for new homes We build homes for sale to help pay for new council homes. It costs us on average £400,000 to build a new council home in Camden and any government grants we receive only contribute towards a small portion of this cost. This means we must raise nearly all the cost of a new council home we build. The Community Investment Programme looks to fill these national funding gaps through building homes for sale, and selling our underused buildings and other assets. We’re then able to reinvest this into your community as new council homes, schools and community facilities.
cip.camden.gov.uk 15
Feature
How foster care transforms lives
Foster carer Feven Indrias, who joined Camden’s service last year
Foster Care Fortnight, from 14 to 27 May, helps to raise awareness of fostering and how it transforms lives.
Could you foster?
Fostering is looking after a child who cannot live with their parents. The child will be living in your home for a period of time, which can range from a few days to several months or, in some cases, several years.
A foster carer can be single, married or in a relationship. You don’t have to own your own home and there is no upper age limit, as long as you are fit and healthy enough to care for a child.
There are many reasons why a child is fostered, ranging from an illness in the family, a breakdown in family relations and exposure to abuse or neglect. 16
In Camden we need people who can offer stability, consistency and a warm and loving home to our children and young people.
A spare room is preferable – as children over the age of two will need their own space – but not a necessity, as we do take on a small number of baby carers each year.
A great deal of support and training comes from the council’s fostering team – including a dedicated supervising social worker. We pay our foster carers a weekly allowance for each child or young person placed with them, plus a generous professional fee for the foster carer. And, if you live in the borough of Camden, you are exempt from paying council tax. As a Camden carer, you will also have the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications in foster care.
Feature Camden foster carer Feven Indrias (pictured, left) became an approved carer for babies and children aged under two in March last year. Feven’s first short-term placement was twins, but she has twin daughters of her own and experience of working as a nursery assistant so took it in her stride. She’s just received an extremely positive first-year review with her supervising social worker, and is eager to look after more babies and young children for short periods before they can be moved onto to long-term and permanent
placements by our fostering and adoption team. Feven, who is 36, said: “I love it. I wish I’d started doing it years ago. My aunties fostered so I grew up with fostering and it was them who recommended it to me.” Support Foster Care Fortnight Foster care transforms lives, not just of the young people who are fostered, but also those of foster carers and their families. You can help support Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from 14 to 27 May. An estimated 7,180 new foster families are needed in the UK over the next 12 months.
Our fostering team will be hosting special information sessions across the borough during these two weeks, so keep an eye on our Facebook page and Twitter feed for dates and locations. Join in the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtags #FCF18, #ProudtoFoster or #ProudtoSupportFostering. You can also contact us directly (see below) for more information or come along to one of our regular information evenings on the first Thursday of each month, from 5 to 6.30pm, at the Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD.
The process Register your interest
Receive a home visit
Training in ‘skills to foster’
Full assessment
Attend panel to be approved as a Camden foster carer
Find out more
camden.gov.uk/fostering
Could you provide a loving home for Camden’s children in care?
fostering@camden.gov.uk
0800 028 1436 17
Feature
Paying tribute to Kingsgate Primary – in paint Pupils picked up their paintbrushes and got creative ahead of a special assembly marking the official opening of their new school building. Parents came along to Kingsgate Primary for the opening assembly, enjoying songs performed by the school choir and a poetry reading reflecting on the new facilities. Pupils also had the chance to get creative and paint pictures of their new school, presenting their colourful artworks and prompting discussion between guests and pupils about their favourite aspects of the new building. Funded through the Community Investment Programme, the expanded primary school offers improved facilities and up to 420 new primary places in the north west of the borough where demand has been highest. Headteacher, Liz Hayward, welcomed the children to the new school building at the start of the autumn term. She said: “The new building and the playground are Find out more 18
Kingsgate Primary School pupils painted pictures of their brand new school
lovely. The learning environment is spacious, bright and calm. Teachers can already see a hugely positive impact on the way children learn.” Parents of children who attend the school were also pleased with the spacious new learning environment. Jullika, who has a child in year one, said: “I like everything about the building, from the bathrooms to the classrooms. I am happy that my son attends this school, he wants to be here seven days a week. The staff are really polite, no matter the weather they always greet us in the morning with a big smile on their faces making us feel welcomed.” Romana, another parent said: “I like how spacious it is, I have a fouryear-old and a seven-year-old son who both attend the school and they always tell me how much they love their new playground” Further investment The new school is part of a number of improvements planned for the
cip.camden.gov.uk
Liddell Place area. The next phase of work at Liddell Place includes: • A new public open space with greenery and benches • A new walking route through to Maygrove Peace Park • New housing, including affordable homes • Flexible business workspaces, helping to create jobs and employment opportunities for local people. We’re also making improvements at Kingsgate Primary Upper School in Kilburn, including an expansion to the school hall and a new dedicated library space. All this is possible through the Community Investment Programme, our plan to raise over £1 billion through the sale of newly built homes so that we can reinvest in council homes, local schools and community facilities.
Feature
Parents help spread the word about services for under-fives
Parent Champions (left to right) Ashley, Rukshana and Karima, pictured at Regent’s Park Children’s Centre
Volunteer parents are helping pre-school children to get the best start by spreading the word about local services for under-fives. Some parents of children under five struggle to find out about all the services and benefits on offer for them, ranging from free early education places to stay and play drop-ins. That’s where our volunteer early years Parent Champions come in. They give a few hours a week to talk to other parents about the local services available to families, including those on offer at the council’s children’s centres. The aim is to ensure parents, especially those on low incomes or with English as their second language, don’t miss out on vital information about childcare and other early years services, especially free early education places for two, three and four-year-olds.
Find out more
Parent Champions are trained and supported through a national Family and Childcare Trust programme, which is run locally by the council’s early years service. The programme also builds the confidence and job skills of the parents who take part, and several have already gone on to further training and paid work. Parent Champion Ashley, who has two children, including one aged four, said: “It helped me find out about all the things that children’s centres provide, as well as meeting new people and having something to put on my CV.”
By sharing their own experiences of using high quality early years services, Parent Champions can build trust with other parents and encourage them to make the best of the help available to them and their children. Camden’s children’s centres offer a range of advice and support services, as well as health visiting, stay and play drop-ins and free nursery places as part of our Camden Sure Start early years services.
Karima, who has been a Parent Champion for more than a year, said she hoped the volunteering experience would help her to find paid work in childcare.
camden.gov.uk/camdensurestart
020 7974 8961
facebook.com/camdenchildrenscentres 19
Feature
Camden Summer University is back!
Summer University students enjoyed a photography course at the British Museum
Young people can choose from more than 70 free courses in arts, sport and life skills at top local venues, as Camden Summer University returns.
apprenticeship or university.
You can enrol from Monday 18 June onwards if you’re aged 13 to 19 and live in Camden, go to a local state school or attend a council-run youth centre.
• Photography, journalism and fashion
Camden Summer University, which runs from 26 July to 24 August, means you can stay safe, have fun, learn something new, make new friends and gain accreditations to put on your CV for work, an
• Motorcycle mechanics and offroad riding.
Find out more 20
There will be more than 70 courses on offer, hosted by some of London’s biggest names, including: • Film-making and animation • Painting, pottery and baking
• Drama, dance and music • Tampolining and football
Camden Deputy Youth MP Asma Maloumi, 14, said: “I had the opportunity to take part in
camden.gov.uk/summeruniversity
Camden Summer University’s wide range of activities last year. It’s a refreshing way to learn life skills and try out new hobbies. If you think you might spend the summer holiday indoors, Camden Summer University is seriously the choice for you.” Popular courses fill up fast, so don’t miss out. View courses on the website below from 4 June and book your places from 18 June onwards. Camden Summer University is brought to you by our youth service in partnership with local venues and organisations.
020 7619 3903
Feature
Meet our new Youth MP
Deputy Youth MP Asma Maloumi (left), Youth MP Athian Akec (centre) and Deputy Youth MP Jessie Wernick (right), pictured on the roof terrace at 5 Pancras Square, King’s Cross, after the election results were announced.
Hampstead School student Athian Akec, 15, is Camden’s new Youth MP. Athian, who polled 914 votes out of 5,008 votes cast in schools and youth centres across the borough, told Camden magazine: “It is an honour and a privilege to represent the young people of Camden.” Our new Deputy Youth MPs are Jessie Wernick, 15, of UCL Academy, who received 863 votes, and Asma Maloumi, 14, Find out more
of Parliament Hill School, who received 787 votes.
electorate voted during the ballot in March.
The results were announced by the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Richard Cotton, on 5 April at our offices in Pancras Square, King’s Cross, with many of the 15 candidates who stood in the election there to hear who had won.
The Youth MP, and two Deputy Youth MPs, who have a two-year term, are the voice for Camden’s young people, putting forward their interests in local decisionmaking, as well as representing the views and interests of local young people at regional and national level through the UK Youth Parliament.
All 11 to 19-year-olds who live in Camden, go to a local school or college or work in the borough were eligible to vote in their school or youth centre. About 30% of the
They will work closely with Camden Youth Council, which other candidates in the election were also invited to join.
camden.gov.uk/youthcouncil 21
Feature
Support a local charity A big thank you to Camden residents for using all the opportunities to recycle in the borough. If you’re a member of Camden Recycling Rewards, your efforts to recycle more and waste less helps us donate £10,000 to local charities each year. Twice a year, the scheme splits £5,000 between the charities that are donated the most ‘green points’ by Camden Recycling Rewards members. These points are earned by taking part in waste and recycling challenges, such as remembering to recycle your food waste.
Last November, Camden Recycling Rewards members nominated five new local charities for 2017/18, and we’ll present the next round of cheques to the charities later this month. Read on for further information about the charities, and how they help Camden residents.
Eleanor, Castlehaven Community Association
Mind in Camden Mind in Camden supports people of all ages struggling with mental distress. Rowena Dean, resources director, said: “We see about 100 people a week at our centre on Camden Road. We offer a wellbeing service, community involvement project, cultural advocacy project for minority groups and specialist hearing voices projects – one for young people, one working in prisons and one working with refugees and asylum seekers. We’re Camden Climate Change Alliance members and have reduced our carbon footprint by 24.5% in the last five years.” Jenny Tilley, resources assistant, added: “We’re keen to recycle and reduce our waste. We encourage our staff, volunteers and members to sign up to Camden Recycling Rewards.”
Castlehaven Community Association Eleanor Botwright, chief executive of Castlehaven Community Association, said: “Castlehaven is a local community organisation that offers Camden residents a wide variety of activities for everyone from under-fives to over-90s. The programme offers activities for over-60s, afterschool clubs, family workshops and a youth project. You’ll find our full diary on our website at castlehaven.org.uk. We are very central, easyto-access and all residents are very welcome. “Environmentally we compost everything we can, use biodegradable products when possible, and have converted to energy-efficient lighting and equipment. This year Castlehaven is very proud to have been awarded a Camden Climate Change Alliance ‘Going green’ carbon certification.” 22
Rowena, Visakan and Jenny, Mind in Camden
Feature What is Camden Recycling Rewards? Camden Recycling Rewards is our incentive scheme that encourages you to recycle more. It’s free to join and is open to everyone who lives in the borough. As well as supporting local charities, you could win vouchers and get discounts at more than 90 local businesses. If you’re not already a member, why not sign up today? camden.gov.uk/recyclingrewards
Cancer Research Camden Karim Hussein manages Camden’s Cancer Research charity shop on Camden High Street. Karim said: “We’re very pleased to have been chosen as a Camden Recycling Rewards charity. As a charity shop, we’re all about reusing things donated to us. This stops them going to landfill. Most clothes we’re given get sold on – we clean things up and may make small repairs. We have regular customers: we put new items out at 10am and 2pm, and some people come round twice daily to have a look. Any clothes we absolutely can’t sell go for recycling. None are wasted.”
Karim , Cancer Research Camden
Find out more
Penni, Little Village Camden
Little Village Camden Volunteer, Penni Glengarry, said: “We’re based at Somers Town Community Association and are like a food bank for baby equipment. Professionals refer parents who need support to us. We give things for children up to the age of five, such as: clothes, toys, sterilisers, cots and buggies. We’ve helped more than 550 families since January 2017. Everything we give has been donated by someone – people in Camden are incredibly generous. We only accept things that are great quality and in good condition, the sort of things you’d give to a fussy friend.”
NW5 Community Play Project Sharley Peet-Newitt, play and development manager, told Camden magazine: “Our play hut was built by local residents in 1972. We now offer play opportunities to children and young people of all ages, working in and around the Peckwater estate. Locally, we collect children daily from schools to attend our after school club, offer free junior club sessions, organise a summer festival and much more. At the moment we’re developing a garden. We reuse everything we can in craft sessions, and recycle as well – lots of Camden Recycling Rewards members use our facilities.” Sharley, NW5 Community Play Project
camden.gov.uk/recyclingrewards 23
Feature
Visit the
West End Project Information Centre
West End Project
The Building Centre Store Street London WC1E 7BT
Information Centre
Opening hours: Mondays, 1 to 6pm Fridays, 8am to 1pm
Discover more about the exciting changes taking place in Camden’s West End by dropping in to our new visitor centre. brand new pedestrian crossing to make getting across New Oxford Street safer and easier. All of these works are in preparation for the next stage of the project, which starts in June. First we’ll be working in three areas on Tottenham Court Road, working on underground utilities, widening sections of pavement and laying new granite slabs.
Come and find out more about the project at the Building Centre on Store Street
The exciting transformation of Camden’s West End is now well underway. We have been working hard removing street clutter, working on traffic lights and digging test holes. We have also surveyed over 100 basements so far to make sure our work doesn’t affect any neighbouring properties. Find out more 24
However, there are so many it will take us until October to visit all the basements in the area. You might also have seen our work around New Oxford Street. Here we are taking up the old paving and laying new granite slabs in the stretch between Tottenham Court Road and Dyott Street. We are also putting in a
camden.gov.uk/westendproject
While these changes are exciting, we realise they can also be unsettling. If you have any concerns about disruption, want to know more about when work will be taking place near you or are just curious about what the area will look like once completed, you can visit our new dedicated information centre. Based in the Building Centre on Store Street, we are open twice a week for you to drop in to see the plans for the area and talk through any questions you might have. If you want to come and see us but can’t make it to us on those days, please do get in touch with us to make an appointment.
westendproject@camden.gov.uk
0845 3308 743
Feature
Our campaign to improve Camden’s air quality continues, and we still need your support. Back in February we launched Clean Air for Camden, our campaign to tackle air pollution and improve the air that we breathe for everyone. As part of this, we were the first borough in London – and the country – to adopt new pollution limits established by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This means we’re committed to driving down the harmful levels of pollutants in our borough. To do this, we put together a series of actions we’ll take alongside our communities to reduce air pollution.
Find out more
We’ve also introduced fines to discourage drivers from engine idling and highlight the harmful effects exhaust emissions have on our health. Join our campaign We’re continuing to take steps towards improving our air quality. You can work with us by visiting our website, where you’ll find actions for your street, school and workplace. Don’t forget to sign our online pledge and help us to show the rest of London that together Camden is committed to improving the air that we all breathe.
camden.gov.uk/airquality
Changes to parking charges We are proposing to amend paidfor parking charges, including Find out more
This includes working with schools to encourage more sustainable methods of transport, and reducing traffic around the school gates.
Take steps towards tacking pollution • Take a quieter, less polluted route when you walk to school or shops. • Use one of Camden’s new cycle lanes to safely travel around the borough by bicycle. • Join a car club and save on the costs of running your own vehicle. • Don’t engine idle. It creates pollution hotspots and increases the amount of toxic air we breathe. Make sure you switch the engine off if you’re waiting in your vehicle.
@CamdenTalking #CleanAirCamden
an additional surcharge for diesel vehicles, this summer. We anticipate that this will help us to improve the air quality and contribute to addressing the health impact of vehicle emissions by
discouraging inessential car use and encouraging more sustainable modes of transport, such as walking, cycling and using public transport.
camden.gov.uk/parking 25
Feature
Help make Camden cleaner and greener Reducing the amount of rubbish we produce and recycling more is an easy way we can all play a part in making our borough cleaner and greener.
Paper and card
Paper and card, metal tins and cans, glass and plastic are some of the most common materials found in our homes. Recycling these items helps us to reduce our impact on the environment and stops unnecessary waste going to landfill.
Metals
Glass
Plastic
Your mixed recycling will be collected every week from your green bin, bag or box. Find out your collection day on our website. Remember M ake sure you only put recyclable materials in your recycling container. Putting in items that can’t be recycled means the whole lot could be contaminated and can no longer be recycled. If in doubt, check our website.
A lways give items a quick rinse if needed. Leftover food or liquid can also cause contamination, as can dirty or oily items. You can put your recycling in your container loose or in an untied carrier bag – but not a black bin liner.
Paper and card Paper and card makes up an average of 21% of a rubbish bag in Camden. Almost all paper and card can be recycled, including:
Newspapers, magazines, l eaflets and flyers
Envelopes – including those with a plastic window
Gift wrap and brown paper We can’t recycle paper or card that is stained with food, grease, paint or dirt. For example, we can’t recycle greasy pizza boxes.
26
Top tip
H elp to reduce waste and stop junk mail coming into your home by getting a letterbox sticker. Contact Royal Mail or ask your local electoral office to take you off their Open Register.
Feature Metal tins and cans Many products come in cans made from aluminium or steel. Both of these materials can be recycled after we have finished with them to make new cans or other products. You can recycle items including:
R ecycling aluminium uses around 5% of the energy needed to make it from the raw material. The metal can be recycled time and time again, so get into the habit of recycling your cans.
Drinks cans and food tins Empty aerosols Foil – including aluminium foil used for cooking and takeaway containers Paint tins cannot be recycled.
Glass bottles and jars Recycling glass turns it into a raw material that can be reused. This saves energy and lowers harmful emissions. Glass you can recycle includes:
Bottles of any colour – e.g. wine, beer, spirits
Jars (including lids) – e.g. sauces, jam, baby food
Y ou can recycle lightbulbs at Regis Road Recycling and Reuse Centre.
Top tip
Non-food bottles, including perfume and aftershave Pyrex cookware, drinking glasses, vases and mirrors are not suitable for recycling. If they’re in good condition, why not donate them to charity so they can be reused?
Plastic containers and bottles
Did you know? It takes an estimated one million years for a glass bottle to decompose in a landfill.
Plastic is having an enormous impact on our planet. An estimated 79% of the plastic ever created has ended up as waste, in landfills and our oceans, for example. Plastic you can recycle includes: P ots, tubs, punnets and trays – remove film lids first as these cannot be recycled Bottles (including lids), e.g. shampoo and household products Plastic bags Takeaway coffee cups, which are made from a mixture of plastic and paper, cannot be recycled.
These are just some of the items you can recycle. For a full list, go to our website.
I f you use a reusable cup you can not only reduce waste but save money. Many outlets offer a discount if you bring your own cup.
Top tip
Don’t have a recycling container?
Food waste
Visit our website and order one online.
Don’t forget, you can also recycle your food waste, which is collected weekly.
Find out more
camden.gov.uk/recyclingandrubbish
uk.occamden@veolia.com
020 3567 8105 27
Listings Family events Green screen Greeks Become an ancient Greek athlete and compete against your family. 7+ Saturday 19 May, 11am to 4pm Great Court Design your own app Design an app to help your family explore the Museum. Sign up on the day. 7+ Sunday 20 May 11am to 12pm, 1 to 2pm, 3 to 4pm Samsung Centre Make a mosaic mask Design a mosaic mask inspired by the Aztec gods. Print to take home and wear Sunday 27 May, 11am to 4pm Samsung Centre British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org info@britishmuseum.org 020 7323 8299 Drawings of Discovery: Penguins to Polar Bears Wednesday 30 May 11am to 12.30pm, 1.30 to 3pm Family art workshop. First come, first served. For ages 5 to 11 British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB bl.uk/events boxoffice@bl.uk 019 3754 6546
Under 5s Little feet: animal sounds Become a little explorer on a sonic animal adventure. Saturday 26 May 11 to 11.30am, 12 to 12.30pm, 1 to 1.30pm, 2 to 2.30pm, 3 to 3.30pm Room 1, British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org info@britishmuseum.org 020 7323 8299 28
All activities are free unless otherwise specified Under-fives drop in (term-time) Every Wednesday, 1 to 3pm £1.50 per session Kingsgate Community Centre 107 Kingsgate Road NW6 2JH kingsgatecommunitycentre. org.uk info@kingsgatecc.org.uk 020 7328 9480
Children and young people LGBT Youth Club Meet other LGBT+ people under 18 Every Wednesday, 6.30 to 9pm mosaicyouth.org.uk info@mosaicyouth.org.uk 0755 0124 393 The Hive A place for 16 to 24 year olds to get help and support, from your personal life to your career. Or just pop in to chill. The Hive Camden 18 Harben Parade, Finchley Road The Hive Camden 020 3198 0520
Get active JustRun clubs 5K, 10K or just OK, it’s not how far you run that matters, it’s that you lace up, step out and just go running. After your first three runs you’ll get an exclusive goody bag and a Just Run t-shirt. For every 10 stamps we’ll give you £10 to spend in-store or online runnersneed.com/run-club.html 020 7267 7525 Distance: 8km Wednesdays, 7pm Runners Need, 34 Parkway NW1 7AH Distance: 20 minute hill session Fridays, 7am Primrose Hill Hampstead Heath NW5 1QR
Night of the 10,000m Personal Bests Saturday 19 May, 1pm Free European Athletics Event with junior, men’s and women’s track events Bring the family to the Heath and enjoy top class athletics for free Parliament Hill Athletics Track Hampstead Heath NW5 1QR nightofthe10kpbs.com
Walks Guided Canal History Walk Explore the living history of Regent’s London Canal Museum. Leaving at 3pm from the museum and ends at Camden Town 4.30pm. Book online Over 16s: £7.50 Concessions: £6 London Canal Museum 12-13 New Wharf Road N1 9RT canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/ Flora of the Health: Heath & Hampstead Society monthly guided walk Sunday 3 June, 2.30pm No need to book. £5 suggested donation. Meet at Burgh House, New End Square Hampstead NW3 1LT heathandhampstead.org.uk 07941 528 034
Green gym Outdoor Classroom building Tuesday 22 May, 10.45am to 2pm St Andrew’s Gardens WC1X 8JT Meet at the entrance on Gray’s Inn Road Invasive plants management Thursday 24 May, 10.45am to 2pm Thursday 31 May, 10.45am to 2pm Regent’s Park Meet at The Hub Cafe NW1 4RU
Listings Foraging Workshop Tuesday 29 May, 10.45am to 2pm Ingestre Woods Meet at the Community Centre NW5 1UX Habitat Management Thursday 31 May, 10.45am to 2pm Camden Green Gym Regent’s Park Meet at The Hub Cafe NW1 4RU Orchard Management Friday 25 May, 10.45am to 2pm West Hampstead Green Gym Jane Evans Nature Reserve Minster Road westhampsteadgg@gmail.com 07740 899 689 tcv.org.uk/camden gg-camden@tcv.org.uk 07768 710 359
Over 50s Keep Fit Every Monday (term-time), 11 to 11:45am and 12 to 12:45pm £1 per person Line Dancing Every Friday (term-time), 1.30 to 3.30pm £2 per person Art Every Thursday (term-time), 9.30am to 11.30am Kingsgate Community Centre 107 Kingsgate Road NW6 2JH kingsgatecommunitycentre. org.uk info@kingsgatecc.org.uk 020 7328 9480
CHAPS: for men over 50 Free activity and social group for men over 50 to share skills and interests. Includes walking groups, IT drop-ins, cooking classes, barbershop and more. Abbey Community Centre 222C Belsize Road NW6 4DJ abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk Contact Gavin via chaps@abbeycckilburn.org.uk or 0750 593 3617
Community events Women’s institute welcoming new members First Tuesday of every month, 7pm Friendly local WI group, ‘the Ladies of the Lock’. Education and creative meetings for women of all ages Crossroads Women’s Centre 25 Wolsey Mews NW5 2DX ladiesofthelockwi@gmail.com IT support Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 1 to 5pm Free assistance with mobile phones, tablets and computers. Kingsgate Community Centre 107 Kingsgate Road NW6 2JH kingsgatecommunitycentre.org. uk info@kingsgatecc.org.uk 020 7328 9480 Songhaven: dementia-friendly concert series Join special guest musicians for concerts in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. Friday 25 May, 10.30am October Gallery 24 Old Gloucester Street WC1N 3AL Includes art gallery tour and morning tea. Free, but advance booking required
Saturday 26 May, 3.30pm Free (suggested donation, £5). Lumen Church and Café 88 Tavistock Place WC1H 9RS 40 minute concert followed by afternoon tea. songhaven.co.uk songhaven@songhaven.co.uk 020 7278 1887 Tuesday 29 May, 2pm Kentish Town City Farm 1 Cressfield Close NW5 4BN 40 minute concert followed by afternoon tea. £3. Book by email or phone. abc@ktcityfarm.org.uk 0741 9820 503
Exhibitions and performances Teeth 17 May to 16 September Exhibition tracing the evolution of our relationship with our teeth and what they say about us wellcomecollection.org 020 7611 2222 Free lunchtime concerts 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 1.15pm 15 May: classical concert 5 June: chamber ensemble 19 June: piano recital lauderdalehouse.org.uk enquiries@lauderdale.org.uk 020 8348 8716 Family Takeover Sundays until 24 June, 2 to 4.30pm Free, creative and fun family activities led by Family Artist-in-Residence. For all ages. Camden Arts Centre Arkwright Road NW3 6DG camdenartscentre.org info@camdenartscentre.org 020 7472 5500
Event details may change. Check with the organiser before you attend.
Want to have your event listed here? Email camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk to make a request. Space is limited and we prioritise free and low-cost community events. 29
Feature
Put your best foot forward
Camden Health Kick joins forces with Walking for Health - a new women only walk on Hampstead Heath every Tuesday
Make your life more walkable this May. As we head into National Walking Month 2018, it’s a great time to put that spring into your step and see where you can fit in some walking every day. Walking is the most popular way the nation keeps active. It’s free, easy and simple to do. Just 30 minutes walking a day can have huge health benefits, including: • Increased mobility, strength and balance, reducing the risk of falls • Improved heart health and blood pressure • Increased happiness and wellbeing
Find out more 30
• A great way to relax, get to know Camden better, meet new people and help the environment. Ten minute bouts of brisk walking are enough to gain these benefits and achieve your 30 minutes a day. Easy ways to build your steps up could include getting off the bus or tube a stop earlier, heading out for a lunchtime walk to clear your head or taking the stairs rather than the lift. Keeping track of your steps doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Active 10 is a free app from Public Health England that tracks your walking and shows you when to increase your pace to benefit your health. You can download it from the One You Camden website, listed below.
camden.gov.uk/walking
oneyoucamden.org
Walk to School Week May also marks national Walk to School Week. Why not join thousands of families across the UK by ditching the car and building physical activity into the family day? You can pledge to take part between 21 and 25 May by heading to the Living Streets website, below. When you sign the pledge you’ll receive tips to make the walk to school more fun, and enjoy exclusive access to a new walk to school handbook for parents and carers. For more information on Camden’s plans, and support to make the most of Walk to School Week, email mike.mortlock@camden.gov.uk
livingstreets.org.uk
My Camden Rudolph Champagnie is a volunteer at the Calthorpe Project, a half hectare community garden in King’s Cross.
Rudolph Champagnie , the Calthorpe Project
What’s your Camden connection? My name is Rudolph Champagnie, known simply as Rudi. I have lived in Camden for over 25 years. I chose to live here after my military service in the army.
Tell us about your work or volunteering in Camden I have been a volunteer at the Calthorpe Project on Gray’s Inn Road for many years. It was, and still is, a safe place for me when I left the army as I was suffering from a mental health issue called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When I found the community gardens, I had been living an isolated life in my flat for many Find out more
years. I now have many friends there who are my angels in my time of need and I call the Calthorpe Project my second home. It helps me to feel safe and connected to others. Over the years I’ve tended my own allotment, taught young people to use the lawn mower and helped our Bengali women gardeners with trellising for their vegetables. I help at festivals, talk to visitors and I was interviewed by the BBC to launch the Chelsea Fringe. I am now on the board of trustees, helping to make decisions about the future of our garden.
Favourite place(s) in Camden and why?
the development of King’s Cross. I have seen the changes over the years and it is good for me and others who love living in this part of Camden.
What makes Camden special? What makes Camden special is all its people. Without the residents and people who work and visit the area, it would be like anywhere else. Camden is really special.
Most memorable thing to happen to you in Camden? I met Tony Blair as Prime Minister when he visited my estate.
Needless to say my favourite place in Camden is Calthorpe Community Gardens. I also love
calthorpeproject.org.uk
info@calthorpeproject.org.uk
020 7837 8019 31
Camden’s Careline Telecare is a local emergency response service that connects you to our trained staff, round-the-clock, so you are always just a push of a button away from getting help.
“
Careline gives me the confidence to stay in my own home. Kathy, 92
Helping you keep your independence camden.gov.uk/careline 020 7974 1491 (option 4)
”