Welcome
A warm welcome to the latest edition of the Camden magazine.
We’ve put together a guide containing all the summer adventures in Camden you could ask for – simply turn to page 7. From family fun, to festivals, sport, art and culture – celebrate in your community how you want to.
Elsewhere in the magazine you can read all about inspiring stories across the borough, keep up to date with essential cost of living support and health and wellbeing information, and explore how we can help each other to stay safe.
Read online for full access
Scan the QR code to read, click through to websites and download this magazine. You can also sign up for the Camden e-newsletter to get the latest news, support and events straight to your inbox.
You can request a copy of this publication in large print, audio format or in another language by calling 020 7974 5717
Scan to access the electronic version camden.gov.uk/magazine
Published by Camden Council
Distribution from 9 July 2024
All content correct at time of print
Cover photograph by Vanessa Berberian
Summer in Camden: our programme of free and low-cost summer activities across the borough This publication was designed and produced by Camden Creative Services. We offer a not-for-profit service to organisations and businesses. If you are interested in finding out more about us, please contact ros.daniel@camden.gov.uk
Disability Oversight Panel and Faith & Belief Awards 16
Your new Youth MPs – and moving on to secondary school
In the
“The
African and Caribbean history of Camden needs to be visible”
Emily Momoh is a Camden resident and We Make Camden Kit grantee, who is creating a lasting legacy of Camden’s Black history. Her vital work ensures the borough’s history reflects the diversity of its communities and is celebrated and remembered for generations to come.
The Camden Black History Community Hub project is uncovering Camden’s Black history because there isn’t much of it in traditional archives.”
“People can drop in archive material, particularly people of the Windrush generation, and then we hand the stories over to Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre so they are recorded as part of history.”
Contact Emily at emily.momoh@camdenbbh.org
Visit Camden Black British History Community Hub, 18 Malden Road, NW5 3HN
What is the We Make Camden Kit? The Kit gives money and support to Camden residents and community groups to kick-start or grow local projects. Visit WeMakeCamden.org.uk/funding for more details on how to apply.
Meet one of our Building Safety Managers
We spoke to Paul Fraser, one of our dedicated Building Safety Managers and ex-London Fire Brigade Officer, about fire safety in residential buildings.
Q How do you keep residents safe?
A I look after the building and fire safety of several high-rise buildings in Camden. I regularly deliver drop-in fire safety sessions and carry out inspections to ensure our buildings meet safety standards.
Q How can residents help?
A Keeping shared areas like hallways and stairwells clear is crucial. Items like buggies or bikes can block escape routes and hinder firefighters in an emergency. I regularly carry out inspections to
remove any fire hazards, so please read your shared areas leaflet and email us if you spot any hazards in your building.
Q With summer well underway, what fire safety measures must residents follow?
A BBQs and fireworks are a fire risk and should never be used indoors or on balconies. Never leave candles, incense, or oil burners unattended or near anything flammable like curtains. Please enjoy your summer safely!
Reach us for more information at buildingsafetymanager@ camden.gov.uk
Get set for summer
With the holidays just around the corner and the weather getting warmer, keep your family safe and well this summer.
Make sure your family’s vaccines are up to date
Measles cases are increasing and there have been outbreaks in schools in Camden. The best protection against the most serious form of measles is two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which every child can have for free at their GP.
Whether you’re going away or staying at home this summer, keep your family safe by making sure you and your children are vaccinated against measles and booking an appointment for any vaccines they need.
Visit camden.gov.uk/measles for free appointments near you.
If you’re pregnant, make sure you’re vaccinated against whooping cough
Whooping cough rates have risen sharply in recent months. Also known as pertussis, whooping cough can sometimes cause serious health problems, especially in babies who are too young to start their vaccinations.
If you’re pregnant, you can protect your baby against whooping cough by getting vaccinated between week 16 and 32 of your pregnancy. This boosts your immunity against whooping cough and passes on protection to your unborn baby. If
you’re not sure if you’ve had the whooping cough vaccine, check with your GP or midwife.
If you have reached week 20 of your pregnancy and aren’t sure if you have had the whooping cough vaccine, contact your GP or midwife.
Find out more on the NHS website nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/whoopingcough-vaccination/
How we stay well
It’s important to look after your mental health as well as your physical health. There are lots of ways, big and small, that you can improve your mental wellbeing – from connecting with other people, getting outside, exercising and moving more, learning something new or getting involved with your community.
Aya and Elizabeth, both 18, tell us about the things that help them improve their mental health.
Aya, 17
Elizabeth, 17
To look after my mental health, I take long walks and go to the gym. It allows me to relax on my own and unravel my thoughts with a steady mind. I also like to go out with my close friends and family, which gives me a chance to talk about how I feel with them. Sharing a problem is halving the problem.”
Taking care of my mental health is important to make sure I can go about my daily life with minimal stress, and I’m able to do the things I love much more often that way.
I often talk to my mum about how I’m feeling. I also do my best to spend time with my friends, because they make me feel really positive and I like to be surrounded by positive energy.”
If you’re feeling down, anxious or worried:
Speak to your GP if you’re concerned about your mental health
Get in touch with iCope icope.nhs.uk 020 3317 6670
Find local support camden.gov.uk/mentalhealth
Visit the Good Thinking website for support in different languages good-thinking.uk
Mental health support for young people
Young people can find a range of mental health information and support camdenrise.co.uk/ emotional-wellbeing
Struggling to afford the essentials? Help is available
camden.gov.uk/CostOfLiving 020 7974 4444
Register for our Money Advice Service for tailored advice with money worries and debt. We’ll check you’re receiving all the help with money you’re eligible for – including our Cost of Living Crisis Fund and the government-funded Household Support Fund. Visit camden.gov.uk/MoneyAdviceService
Check you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to using our free Better Off Calculator camden.gov.uk/BetterOff
Disability benefits
If you or your child are disabled, have a longterm physical or mental health condition that impacts your or their day-to-day life, or have caring or mobility needs, there are three benefits you can apply for:
• If you’re 66 or over: apply for Attendance Allowance worth £72 to £108 per week 0800 731 0122
• If you’re 16 or over: apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) worth £28 to £184 per week 0800 917 2222
• If you have a disabled child under the age of 16: apply for Disability Living Allowance for children worth £28 to £184 a week 0800 121 4600
Moving to Universal Credit – look out for a letter
If you receive tax credits or any other legacy benefits, the government will soon write to you and tell you to move to Universal Credit.
You will then have three months to apply. You must meet this deadline –otherwise your benefits will stop. Don’t apply before you receive the letter.
When you receive the letter, there are three ways to apply:
1. Visit gov.uk/uc
2. Call the Universal Credit helpline 0800 169 0328
3. Call the Citizens Advice helpline 0800 144 8444
Register your child for free school meals and save over £500 a year
If you receive certain benefits, including Universal Credit, your child is eligible for free school meals and other support – including free breakfast clubs and food vouchers. To receive this support, they must be signed up to the scheme camden.gov.uk/free-school-meals 020 7974 4444 or 020 7974 5771 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9am to 3pm –during term time).
Summer in Camden
Family fun days
Nature and outdoor fun
Sports and physical activities for all ages
Art exhibitions and live performances
Free courses and workshops
Community events and culture
Your guide to free and low-cost things to do and see this summer in Camden
Play, learn and explore
Whether it’s exploring cool exhibitions, diving into play adventures, perfecting filmmaking skills, or enjoying a good book, there’s opportunities for young people of all ages to get creative and have fun.
Stay and Play sessions
Throughout the summer
If you have a child under five, come along to our free Stay and Play drop-ins at Children’s Centres and Family Hubs across Camden. Bond, learn, and grow together, connect with other families and enjoy songs and rhymes, messy play – indoors and outdoors.
Various Family Hubs across Camden families.camden.gov.uk/ support-for-parents/ activity-groups
Camden Schools Art Biennale Exhibition
Thursday 11 to Wednesday 17 July, 11am to 6pm Explore hundreds of artworks in this free week-long exhibition showcasing art developed by every school in Camden. You can also take part in a range of free events and activities that are open to all.
Lethaby Gallery at Central Saint Martins, N1C 4A arts.ac.uk/colleges/ central-saint-martins/ whats-on-at-csm/lethabygallery
Summer Reading Challenge
Saturday 13 July to Saturday 14 September
Children aged 11 and under can join this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge by reading
six books, audiobooks, or comics. With stickers, prizes, and certificates, it’s a fun way to keep reading skills sharp.
All Camden libraries camden.gov.uk/libraries
Camden Summer University
Thursday 25 July to Friday 23 August
Aged 13 to 19 and live or study in Camden? Choose from nearly 70 free courses in creative arts; music and drama; photography, filmmaking and media; sport and outdoor adventure; fashion and beauty; cooking and baking and work, study and life skills. Courses are available to book online.
Locations across Camden cmdn.co.uk
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
Thursday 25 July to Friday 30 August
The Camden HAF programme offers a range of free activities and nutritious meals in a safe environment. The scheme is for children aged five to 16 who are eligible for benefitsrelated free school meals. Book your place online.
HAF hubs across Camden haf.youngcamden foundation.org.uk
Holiday play schemes
Thursday 25 July to Friday 30 August
Play centres across the borough provide holiday play schemes for children aged four to 12 years old. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, day trips, gardening, and much more. All centres welcome children with additional needs and are happy to speak with parents or professionals to help arrange the right provision.
Locations across Camden camden.gov.uk/play
Sports and physical activities holiday programme
Thursday 25 July to Friday 30 August
Looking for fun and active ways for children to spend the holidays? Take part in free or low-cost activities including swimming for £1, multi-sports sessions, Girls Get Moving, mini-gymnastics, football coaching and more. Visit the website for more information.
Locations across Camden camden.gov.uk/sportschildren-young-people
Summer youth programmes
Thursday 25 July to Friday 30 August
Youth centres and voluntary sector youth projects across the borough are running a range of exciting free and lowcost activities from arts and sports to day trips, and more. Visit the website for more information.
Locations across Camden camdenrise.co.uk/youthclubs-and-projects
Sports and Leisure Sports and leisure
There are plenty of ways to boost your wellbeing and make unforgettable memories this summer. Explore Camden’s beautiful parks and green spaces, hire an ice-cream maker and enjoy homemade treats, or try out a new sport. There’s endless fun to be had right on your doorstep this summer.
Camden parks and green spaces
Escape the hustle of the city and discover Camden’s natural wonders. With over 76 parks and 300 green spaces, our borough is a green oasis, perfect for every outdoor activity.
Here are some things you can do in our outdoor spaces:
Have a picnic and enjoy your favourite foods among the greenery.
Walk, jog or cycle and explore scenic trails. Take your furry friends for a walk in dog-friendly areas (and make sure you clean up after them!).
Utilise sports courts for tennis, basketball, green gyms and football.
Find a quiet spot to read, meditate or try some yoga.
Use designated areas for a BBQ with friends and family. Groups of 20+ people will need to get permission. Apply at events@camden. gov.uk. Don’t forget to dispose of rubbish properly. Find out more about our BBQ guidelines at camden.gov.uk/ barbeques-in-camdenparks
Try out some birdwatching and look out for wildlife in nature reserves.
Let the kids have fun in our playgrounds.
Find your nearest park at camden.gov.uk/parksopen-spaces
Hidden gems
Talacre Gardens
5 Talacre Road, NW5 3PH
Tucked away in Kentish Town, Talacre Gardens is a peaceful retreat for a leisurely stroll. Families can enjoy the playground and multi-use games area for basketball and football. Pack a picnic and unwind in this charming green space.
Cantelowes Gardens
Camden Road, NW5 2AP
Open from 8am to dusk. Cantelowes Gardens offers open lawns, recreational facilities, and wellmaintained sports courts for tennis and basketball. It’s also great for dog walking, providing plenty of open space. The skatepark is popular with kids and teens.
Sustainable living workshops
July to September
Get tips on how to live a greener lifestyle. Join Castlehaven Community Association for free workshops, talks, and screenings on sustainable living, food growing, upcycling, and energy usage.
Clarence Hall, NW1 8RN castlehaven.org.uk
Summer fun with Library of Things
Rent items from the Library of Things for a sustainable and budget-friendly summer. Perfect for fun outdoor gatherings, you can hire an ice cream maker, party kits, or projectors for movie nights.
Kilburn (NW6 5UH) and Kentish Town (NW5 2AA) libraryofthings.co.uk
Give it a Go Festival
Sunday 14 July, 1pm to 4pm
Try out new sports and community activities for free at the Give it a Go Festival, featuring a range of activities for all ages and abilities. Ranging from rugby to tennis,
athletics to gym sessions, and even the classic egg and spoon race! Open to everyone.
Parliament Hill Fields, NW5 1QR cityoflondon.gov.uk/ events/give-it-a-go
Free Swimming for over 60s
Weekdays between 6.30am and midday
Swimming is available for Camden residents aged 60+ at our Better leisure centres. Simply sign up for a Better Pay and Play membership, priced at £6.30 per year. For details go online.
Leisure centres across Camden better.org.uk
Dance classes
Enjoy Zumba Gold, ballet, ballroom, flamenco, line dancing, and more. These low-cost and free classes cater to all skill levels.
Various locations in Camden camden.gov.uk/danceclasses-for-older-people
Outdoor Qigong 60+
Every Friday, 11am to 12pm until 9 August
People aged 60 and over can experience the rejuvenating benefits of Qigong (pronounced “chi gong”), an ancient Chinese practice combining simple movements to energise the body, mind, and spirit. It improves movement, posture, and mental health. Sign up for a free Holborn Community Association membership at the session to take part.
Brunswick Square Gardens, WC1N 1AX holborncommunity.co.uk
Community events and culture
From cinema evenings to lively community festivals, whether you’re a film enthusiast, a foodie, or simply looking for some local fun, Camden’s summer calendar is packed with exciting events for everyone.
Castlehaven community cinema
Every first Thursday of the month, 6pm to 9pm
Watch a diverse selection of free films from around the world, all showcased on a state-of-the-art cinema screen.
Clarence Hall, NW1 8RN castlehaven.org.uk
Everyman Screen on the Canal open-air film festival
Monday 1 July to Sunday 18 August
Enjoy over 150 films, including blockbusters, family favourites, and cult classics, from canal-side seating. All screenings are subtitled and you don’t need a ticket – arrive early to secure your spot.
Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4DQ
kingscross.co.uk/event/ screen-on-the-canal
Camden New Town Community Festival
Saturday 20 July, 3.30pm to 7.30pm and Sunday 21 July, 12pm to 7pm
An annual event since 1998, enjoy live music, colourful stalls, and cultural delights, all celebrating the diversity and achievements of our community.
Camden Square Gardens, NW1 lovecamden.org
Regent’s Roots Festival
Saturday 3 August, 1pm to 6pm
Experience a free fun-filled day of creativity at the
Regent’s Roots community arts festival, with circus shows and theatre performances, interactive workshops, and delicious food.
Regent’s Park Estate (streets surrounding Old Diorama Arts Centre), NW1 3FE olddiorama.com/ regents-roots
Inverness Street Bloc Party: Celebrating 30 years of UK House and Garage
Saturday 24 August, 12pm to 7pm
Curated by BBC 1xtra Heartless Crew, enjoy a family fun day out, full of live performances, DJs, and more.
Inverness Street, Camden Town, NW1 lovecamden.org
Fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour crackdown
We’re taking action to keep communities clean and safe
We’ve launched a community safety enforcement team to target fly-tipping, littering and anti-social behaviour.
The officers will be patrolling Camden’s streets to help keep communities safe. They will also join forces with our environment enforcement officers to catch fly-tipping and littering offenders.
We know the impact fly-tipping, littering and antisocial behaviour have on residents. That’s why our officers will be working together to take action against offenders.
Anyone caught fly-tipping or littering faces fines or prosecution. We hope people will do the right thing by disposing of their waste responsibly, and work with us to help keep Camden clean and safe.
The team will investigate known hotspots for dumped waste, and we’ll be running our nighttime enforcement service to catch offenders.
The crackdown is part of our planned campaign to remind offenders that there are no excuses for fly-tipping and littering.
Support for rough sleepers
The team will also be supporting people sleeping rough and working with local organisations that specialise in street homelessness.
The team will be supporting some of the borough’s most vulnerable by offering support to people sleeping rough.
How to help
Report litter and dumped waste:
Love Clean Streets app 020 3567 8105
Rough sleeping: 0808 800 0005
streetsafe@cgl.org.uk
RTS app
Do I need planning permission?
Are you thinking about making some home improvements or alterations and are wondering if you might need planning permission?
We have recently launched an online tool that allows you to check. All you need to do is enter your postcode to get started: camden.gov.uk/find-out-if-you-need-planning-permission
Come and join us!
If you are a Deaf or disabled person and live in Camden, we want to hear from you about your experiences and how Camden could be more accessible and inclusive.
having “seen and unseen disabilities”. She said: “Wherever there is a gap in the services at Camden Council affecting disabled people’s lives, it becomes an effective avenue to air it and make the council know. In return, it improves the quality of services given out by the council.”
Camden’s Disability Oversight Panel meetings are held three times a year. The panel run themed discussions on accessibility issues and opportunities, and we would like more Deaf or disabled residents, carers, older people and people with mental health needs to take part.
Ranjan, who attends the panel, has lived in Camden for 42 years and describes herself as
Ranjan says: “By joining I felt a sense of belonging. It has been a real support to disabled people who attend the meetings.”
The next meeting of the Disability Oversight Panel is on Monday 28 October 2024. To join the mailing list and to find out more, email DisabilityOversightPanel@camden.gov.uk
Faith & Belief Community Awards
Earlier this year, Camden’s Interfaith Network held the borough’s first ever Faith & Belief Awards ceremony, in partnership with The Faith & Belief Forum.
The awards, held at Camden Town Hall, were an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the tremendous contributions of our local voluntary, community and faith organisations in Camden. Our partner organisations play an important role in bringing communities together, tackling a range of social issues and improving the lives of residents.
Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society won the ‘Tackling Poverty’ category. They provide essential support to families in the Somers Town area through their social supermarket and re-use centre. This includes providing access to surplus food, pre-loved clothing and other essentials.
Farrah Rainfly from the society said: “I hope in the future people won’t need our help and will be thriving in our vibrant, diverse and innovative borough.”
Find out more about all our winners for the Faith & Belief Community Awards at camden.gov.uk/ CamdenInterFaithNetwork
Below: Camden’s Mayor and Interfaith Network Chairs thank Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society.
In Camden we call it out!
We want Camden to be a safe place for everyone, but sadly, we know too many women and girls don’t feel safe when they’re out and about on our streets.
Women and girls should be able to walk our streets without fear or intimidation and not have to change their behaviour to feel safe. That’s why our campaign ‘In Camden we call it out’ is a rallying call for everyone to safely challenge and intervene when they witness sexual harassment and any type of inappropriate behaviour. By working together, we can all help make Camden safe for women and girls.
Sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour on the street can include the following:
• Sexual assault
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering or kissing
• Sexually suggestive comments or jokes that offend or intimidate
• Catcalling
• Wolf-whistling
• Intrusive staring of a sexual nature
• Upskirting (taking pictures under someone’s clothes)
• Stalking
This page details how to report an incident you witness or experience, and how we can all safely challenge sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/tackling-sexual-harassment
Reporting sexual harassment to the Police and other organisations
If you’ve witnessed or been the victim of a crime, please report it to the Police.
• In an emergency always call 999
• Call 101 if it isn’t an emergency.
• If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the Police’s textphone service at 18000 or text them on 999 if you’ve preregistered with the emergency SMS service.
• If you want to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
• Alternatively, you can also contact other organisations. Visit our website for more information.
How you can help
• If you witness sexual harassment or any type of inappropriate behaviour on the street, you can take action to help.
• Tell the perpetrator to stop, or tell them “It’s not OK”.
• Distract the person being targeted with a question: “Are you OK?” or “What’s the time?”
• Sometimes it may not be safe to challenge someone’s behaviour. Always put your own safety first. You can walk away and still help by calling the Police or by reporting online met.police.uk
• Start a conversation with your friends and family about sexual harassment. Encourage others to Call it out!
Meet our new Youth MP and Deputy Youth MPs
Zarin Bakhshzaad has been elected as Camden’s new Youth MP in a borough-wide election held in schools and youth centres.
Zarin, 17, a former La Sainte Union Catholic School student who is now studying for her A-levels at South Hampstead High School Sixth Form, received an impressive 20 per cent of nearly 5,000 votes.
Meanwhile, Niesha Akyeampong, 14, and Harvey O’Brien, 13, have been elected as the borough’s new Deputy Youth MPs. Niesha is a student at Maria Fidelis
Catholic School and Harvey attends Acland Burghley School.
They will be the voice for Camden young people for two years, putting forward their interests in local decision-making, as well as representing the views and interests of local young people at regional and national level.
Moving on to secondary school in Camden
Camden’s secondary schools are high achieving and ambitious for all students, with GCSE results that are consistently above the national average.
Like Camden, our schools are vibrant and diverse, offering a tremendous range of opportunities to help prepare students for successful futures, including valuable partnerships with world-class businesses, academic institutions and cultural organisations.
Our secondary schools are committed to creative and vocational learning, with our unique Camden STEAM offer (science, technology, engineering,
Zarin said: “Thank you so much – it is an honour to have this position and I promise to do my utmost to represent the young people of Camden.”
Find out more at camdenrise.co.uk/getinvolved
arts and maths). Every Camden school offers a supportive approach to pupil wellbeing, including pastoral teams to ensure that children feel safe, happy and ready to learn.
Applications for Year 7 places for September 2025 open on 1 September 2024 and parents need to apply by 31 October 2024.
Find out more, including when Camden schools’ open events are taking place, at camden.gov.uk/admissions