Camden magazine autumn 2019 by Camden Council

Your guide to council services

camden.gov.uk | Autumn 2019

Inside: How Camden is tackling the climate crisis

 Handy council contact details  Local history

Includes: four page newsletter for council tenants and leaseholders

 Local people  Things to do

 Volunteering  Recycling

Inside Are you 60+ and thinking about moving to a smaller home? The Tenant’s Option Fund offers a lump sum to council tenants who downsize and the money can be used however you would like. There are lots of benefits of moving to a smaller property, including lower heat and utility bills and living in a home that is accessible and suitable for your needs. We have dedicated advisers who can support you through the whole process.

The advisers can help by: • meeting with you to give advice on all the different housing options • assisting you with the completion of relevant applications • referring you to other services if required • identifying suitable properties on your behalf • accompanying you to viewings • arranging a survey for removals and a quote for carpets • paying you from our Tenants Options Fund.

Find out more: Amran.Ahmed2@camden.gov.uk  020 7974 2432 Christopher.Brown@camden.gov.uk  020 7974 2431 camden.gov.uk/financial-help-downsizing-home

We support Camden’s EU Citizens – they are our family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

In order to stay living and working in Camden after Brexit you must apply to the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme.

Find out how Brexit will affect businesses, organisations and individual citizens at euexit.campaign.gov.uk

Apply for free at gov.uk/eusettledstatus

If you need support and advice go to camden.gov.uk/brexit

Inside Inside

Take back the power Kentish Town

Local jobs Â©Vipul Sangoi

What's on 3

Contents Inside Cover story Camden tackles the climate crisis

24-25

Now in Camden News and consultations

5-8

Housing news Four page newsletter

15-18

Regulars How to… Day in the life Recycling Working for Camden Focus on… Local history Why don’t you… The long read Useful numbers Listings How to get into… My Camden

9 12 10-11 13 14 19 21 24-25 27 28-29 30 31

Features Profile of a carer Investing £1 billion Future of Princes Circus

20 22 23

Published by Camden Council Distribution from 2 September 2019 Cover image: Justin Thomas Printed on paper that is 50% recycled and 50% from sustainable sources.

You can request your copy of the Camden magazine in large print, audio format or in another language by phoning 020 7974 5717. 4

@CamdenCouncil facebook.com/lbcamden camden.gov.uk camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 5717

Now in Camden

100 trees for 100 years

To mark 100 years of council housing, this year we are planting 100 trees across Camden’s estates. We planted the first at the Bourne Estate in July, where our partners Idverde gave out plants to brighten up gardens and balconies – they’ll be giving out more at the Festival of Council Housing, more details on page 17. If you live in a Camden council home and you would like a tree planted near you, email housingnews@camden.gov.uk You can find out more about the borough’s tree planting plans on page 22, and more about other ways we’re tackling the climate crisis on page 24.

Apprenticeships for all ages Camden Apprenticeships offer the chance to earn while you learn, update your skills, get back into work or make a career change. They are open to anyone aged 16 and above – there’s no upper age limit. People with higher qualifications, including degrees, are also eligible. We have opportunities all year round, both in the Council and with local employers. Roles range from project management, business administration and ICT to jobs in schools and nurseries, advertising agencies and scientific institutions. If you’re a Camden resident, a former Camden secondary school student or a Camden care leaver and looking for your next move, visit our website at camden.gov.uk/apprenticeshipvacancies or contact us at apprenticeships@camden.gov.uk

Exam results A-level students Abel Ayettey (left) Daehurn Kang, of LaSWAP Sixth Form, were among the Camden young people celebrating their exam results last month. Abel has a place at Christ Church College, Oxford University, to study maths after gaining an A* in maths, an A* in further maths, and an A in physics, while Daehurn is off to Imperial College London to study chemistry after getting an A* in chemistry, an A in computer science, A in maths and an A in physics. The percentage of Camden A-level exam entries awarded A* to E in 2019 was 98.1%, which is higher than the national average this year of 97.5%. camden.gov.uk/schools 5

Now in Camden

Apply for a school place All Camden secondary schools are rated either good or outstanding by Ofsted. Find out more about our secondary schools and how to apply for a place for your child at open events starting in September. Come to our Moving On event from 4pm to 6.30pm on Thursday, 19 September at Swiss Cottage Library. Register on our website below, which also has details of the schools’ own open events. The closing date to apply for Year 7 places is 31 October 2019. For children moving from nursery up to reception classes in primary schools, the deadline to apply for a place for your child is 15 January 2020. camden.gov.uk/admissions admissions@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 1625

Camden Rise

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There is a new, easy-to-use website for young people in Camden. It has information on youth clubs, apprenticeships, sixth forms, things to do, and places to go, as well as advice and support on issues like youth safety and health and wellbeing. camdenrise.co.uk

Have your say Council Tax Reduction Scheme We’re proposing changes to our Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working-age households that we think would make it simpler, fairer and more affordable. Before we make any decisions, we want to know what you think so share your views by 15 September in one of three simple ways: 6

camden.gov.uk/ctrs ctrs@camden.gov.uk Request a paper or alternative version of the consultation by phoning 020 7974 4444 If you’re reading this after 15 September, you can still get in touch to find out more or watch the animation that explains our proposed changes at camden.gov.uk/ctrs

Euston Station We want your views on the draft planning brief for the Euston Station area. We plan to share the brief online in late October, and we’ll also hold some events in November. Stay tuned for updates at eustonareaplan.info

Now in Camden

Camden Alive The stories of Camden neighbourhoods are unfolding across the borough, as residents team up with artists to create Camden Alive. During September and October artist Richard William Wheater will be working with students at the Avalon Motorcycle Project, a multi skills project for people aged 13 to 19, to create neon sculptures. On 13 October we’ll be showcasing Camden Alive works at the Bloomsbury Festival. Cromer Street Welcomes the Moon will be a creative family street party, free and open to all. Listen to captivating Bengali music, make your own moon creation, and enjoy dance performances under the Museum of the Moon.

Celebrating Black History Month Throughout October, Black History Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of black people in the UK. Camden is delighted to be celebrating Black History Month again this year with a range of special celebrations. Working alongside Camden’s Black Workers Group, we’ll host an exciting event themed ‘Windrush inspired by the first generation’ which will explore black history in Camden, with performances and music from special guests. We’ll be sharing lots more about the event and Black History Month in Camden over the next few weeks. Visit lovecamden.org or @CamdenCouncil on Twitter.

For more on this and other Camden Alive projects go to lovecamden.org/camdenalive

Learn something new Enrol in our free adult community learning courses this autumn. You can learn at your own pace in friendly, informal community venues across the borough, and be supported by tutors experienced in teaching learners aged 19 and above. Choose from computing and using tablets, beginner English, family learning, preparing for employment and more. The next enrolment day is on Wednesday 11 September, from 9am to 4pm, at the Richard Cobden Learning Centre, Camden Street, Camden Town, and the Netley Campus, in Stanhope Street, Regent’s Park. camden.gov.uk/adultlearning adultlearning@camden.gov.uk @wearecamdenacl 7

Now in Camden

The Outside Project In 2017 the Outside Project launched the UK’s first homeless shelter and community centre with a mission to help LGBT+ people at risk of homelessness. Having started off with a 12 bed tour bus, with the support of community and grant funding they have been able to provide a professional shelter and community hub since early 2018. We want to ensure that everyone in the borough is safe and has access to a warm bed. Having a centre specifically for members of the LGBT+ community is vital, and as part of our participation in this year’s London Pride, we raised over £1000 for the Outside Project, to ensure that they can continue to do this essential work.

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Money for youth safety We have awarded grants worth £500,000 to Camden schools and community organisations to help keep Camden young people safe.

Apply to the Camden Fund

The money is shared between 12 projects. The projects will include:

Do you have an idea to support your neighbourhood while construction of HS2 is underway? The Camden Fund is seeking applications from communities affected by HS2 for small grassroots projects that unite people around arts, culture and learning. Grants of up to £10,000 will be awarded to the best community-led projects. Your idea might be a community picnic, street festival, cooking course, language and culture exchange, film night or many more. The £3.5 million fund was secured by the Council during the parliamentary stage of the HS2 Act. Grants are awarded by Camden Giving, a local charity dedicated to ending poverty and inequality.

• work to prevent young people being permanently excluded from school

To find out more go to camdengiving.org.uk/thecamdenfund

• targeted outreach work with at-risk groups, including young people involved in gangs • programmes to help young people to develop life and employment skills. You can find out more about the 12 projects at camden.gov.uk/ youthsafetyprojects

Top three things this autumn

Georgia’s Best thing I’ve done recently

I’m looking forward to

I spent an inspiring afternoon in July listening to the conclusions of the Camden Climate Emergency Citizens Assembly where a diverse group of residents from across the borough came together to think about what we can do to save the planet. There was a huge amount of energy, creativity and new ideas from assembly members and Camden’s Young Sustainers who spoke at the event. A powerful community coalition working alongside the council have seen Carbon emissions reduced by almost 40% since 2010 in Camden and I believe that the ambition and commitment of our citizens will help us achieve a zero carbon future.

Black History Month. The first London Caribbean Carnival, a precursor to the Notting Hill Carnival, took place in 1959 in Camden Town Hall. This October we’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of this historic event. We’re working with cultural and community organisations including Camden council’s Black Workers Group to organise celebrations and educational events to mark Black History Month – so do find out what’s happening near you and get involved.

w On my mind right no Brexit. Continuing uncertainty and the possibility of a no deal Brexit are causing huge concern. Camden Council recently passed a motion making clear that we stand with residents calling for the UK to remain in the EU and we will do all we can to stop a no deal Brexit. I want all of our EU citizens to know that they are an important and valued part of our borough and we will always stand up for your rights. To clarify, the status of all existing EU residents will remain the same in a no deal Brexit – if you’re an EU citizen you can go to camden.gov.uk/brexit for support and advice.

Georgia Gould is Leader of Camden Council

How to... Set up a play street for Car Free Day 22 September is Car Free Day and as part of our commitment to make Camden a clean, vibrant and sustainable place, streets across the borough will be closed to celebrate. We’re encouraging you to get involved and hold a play street to mark the occasion. A play street means a road is closed to traffic for a few hours so that children can play freely and adults can socialise. Play Street NW1

Choose when and where you would like to set up your play street.

Tell your neighbours about the play street plan and get their support.

Download and submit the play street application form.

Find some volunteers who will help to supervise the play street.

Once your application has been approved it is sent to a public consultation for the community to sign off.

If approved we will provide road closure signs and you can enjoy your play street all year round!

Play streets are free to set up, simply email playstreets@camden.gov.uk To find out more about our Play Streets visit camden.gov.uk/play-streets 9

Waste less food Food waste accounts for nearly 30% of the rubbish people in Camden throw away. Reducing food waste is better for the environment and can also save a family of four as much as £70 a month. Three steps to reduce food waste:

Reduce: only buy

food you need

Reuse: make the most of your leftovers

• Write a list and stick to it when you shop • Plan your meals in advance • If you’re going away, give your food to a neighbour or use the Olio app. It’s free and can be downloaded from the iOS or Android app store.

• Turn leftover veg into a soup or curry • Ask your friends for recipes, or invite them to cook up a feast with your shared surplus food • If you’re having people over for an event like Rosh Hashanah or Thanksgiving, give your guests doggy bags of leftover food to take home

OLIO

• Put unfinished food like bread or fresh herbs in the freezer to use another time

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Recycle: turn your peelings into power

• Many homes in Camden can recycle unavoidable food waste like banana peels or egg shells • Order your free food waste caddy at camden.gov.uk/foodwaste We’ve recently improved the ordering process to make it a lot easier • Put uneaten food scraps into your food waste caddy. It gets collected weekly and is turned into energy or compost

Six recycled tea bags could produce enough electricity to boil a kettle

Tweet us your top food waste tips @CamdenCouncil and we’ll retweet our favourites 10

Rubbish and recycling

Single-use plastic Plastic has a devastating impact on the environment and we know it’s something Camden residents care about. Here are four tips for reducing your plastic use:

Invest in a reusable water bottle or coffee cup

✘ ✘✘

The average person buys 3 bottles of water a week. Save money and reduce your plastic use with a reusable bottle which you can fill up for free in many places across the borough.

FREE 3

Swap plastic cutlery for metal If you buy lunch out every day, you could get through around 260 plastic forks a year. Instead, keep a set of metal cutlery in your desk drawer or bag.

£54

Give reusable nappies a try for free If you’re a parent living in Camden, you can get a free £54 voucher for reusable nappies which are plastic-free and more cost-effective. camden.gov.uk/nappy-vouchers

Bin the butt Cigarette butts are made of plastic and are the most littered item on the planet. Stubbing them out on the pavement means they get washed down the drain and can end up in the sea. Instead, stub your cigarette out completely then put it in a bin.

Free fire safety visits If you’d like a free home fire safety visit contact the London Fire Brigade – they can fit new smoke alarms if needed and offer general fire safety advice based on an assessment of your home and communal areas. Book online at london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home 11

Day in the life

Eden Lunghy Eden is a Youth Researcher at The Winch, working on a project called Take Back the Power, which explores serious youth violence. She's a former Camden deputy youth MP, and now studies at the University of Reading, but she comes back to Camden every week to work on the project.

8am

5pm

My mornings start with hitting the snooze button through multiple alarms – 8am, 9am, until finally, I’m up at 10! I usually struggle to eat in the morning, settling on tea and toast before heading off to classes.

Every year The Winch employs a group of 15 to 20 year olds to delve into an issue facing young people. This year it’s serious youth violence – which all the researchers have been affected by or involved in. Throughout the project we’ve shared our stories, written poetry and spoken word pieces, recorded a podcast and held a series of events to showcase our work.

10am I like to walk to campus, it helps wake me up and gives me time to mentally prepare for the day. I’ll then either head to a lecture or go to the library to work through my to-do list.

1pm Thursdays are the best day on campus! Various food vendors come and sell amazing food - I’ll usually pick up some jerk chicken with rice and peas for lunch, before making the journey to London for a Take Back the Power meeting.

We meet at The Winch in Swiss Cottage every Thursday and always start off with a check in to catch up on our week. For the rest of the session we share our research and discuss what our next steps should be.

7pm Sessions are always filled with laughter and deep chats. We finish off with a check out and run through actions to be completed before next week.

To get a copy of Take Back the Power’s call to action, please email tbtp@thewinch.org @TakeBackTPower 12

@TakeBackThePowerLDN

Local jobs

What does your typical day look like? No two days are the same, typically it could range from investigating complaints about disrepair, carrying out dawn raids on suspected unlicensed housing, to preparing prosecution bundles at my desk.

What is your favourite part of the job?

Working in Camden: environmental health officer

The satisfaction I get from helping to make a property safe for the tenants. I also get a lot of satisfaction from ensuring that rogue landlords or agents canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t operate in Camden, by imposing financial penalties or prosecuting them.

How do you hear about unsafe properties?

Adewale Adekoya works with our private sector housing team, to help make sure private tenants in Camden have decent homes. What does an environmental health officer do? The role can cover a range of areas, from housing, to food safety, environmental protection, health and safety, and public health. I work specifically for the private sector housing team in an enforcement role. My main job is to make sure private rental tenants are living in properties that are safe and landlords are following the rules.

If your rental property is in disrepair or unlicensed, contact: hmolicensing@ camden.gov.uk To find out more about working for Camden Council go to camden.gov.uk/ jobs

Some tenants tell us about unsafe properties â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Deregulation Act 2015 prevents landlords from taking retaliatory eviction following a tenantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complaint. We also discover unsafe conditions through proactive Housing in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing inspections. If your rental property is in disrepair or unlicensed, contact: hmolicensing@camden.gov.uk To find out more about working for Camden Council go to camden.gov.uk/jobs 13

Focus on

Kentish Town

LIBRARY THE KOSMOS CENTRE

Located in the north-east of the borough, Kentish Town is a vibrant and diverse area.

History

Library

Kentish Town is home to some beautiful historic buildings, many of which have been immortalised by the Secret Artist, whose detailed drawings can be found on their Twitter page @ secretartistnw5. Next time you’re out and about, look up to admire the striking architecture these pictures showcase – from residential areas like Karl Marx’s old house in Grafton Terrace, to the Gipsy Queen pub in Malden Road.

Kentish Town library is the place to go to borrow books, DVDs, magazines and more. If you’ve got young children, take them along to Rhyme Time, where they can join in with songs, rhymes and actions. Email libraries@camden. gov.uk to find out more.

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In recent history, one of the area’s most interesting Grade II listed buildings was refurbished. Kentish Town Sports Centre, otherwise known as the Prince of Wales Baths, is home to a swimming pool housed in a Victorian building with beautiful high ceilings and huge windows, making it one of the most unique places to take a dip in the borough.

Events In September come along to the Lady Somerset Road Street Party, a community festival organised by residents in the area. Enjoy a homemade shared lunch as well as music, children’s activities, magic, a dog show, and even a Ceilidh – a traditional Gaelic dance. 12 to 9pm on Sunday 15 September. 14

Community groups NW5 Community Play Project is a communityrun charity providing facilities to young people aged 0 to 21 in Kentish Town, offering term-time and school holiday play schemes as well as apprenticeships for local teenagers. nw5communityplayproject@hotmail.com. Kentish Town Neighbourhood Centre is a local charity, hosting a number of classes and events every week. To find out more visit ktcc.org.uk The Kosmos Centre provides services to support BME women and their families, including day trips, advice sessions, and exercise classes. Pop along to their Welcome Café on Mondays to find out more about the support offered - or just for a cup of tea and a chat! Visit kosmoscentre.org.uk to find out more, or call 020 7267 7194.

Housing

Meet the new neighbourhood officers We have now launched our new landlord service. We have changed the way we provide housing management to make it easier for our tenants, leaseholders and other residents to get the support they need. If you’re a Camden tenant you now have a dedicated neighbourhood housing officer who you can contact to get advice and support around housing issues. Your neighbourhood housing officer will also work closely with other services to support you. The role of the neighbourhood officer is to get to know their neighbourhood and the people who live there, and make sure that the right help is given to tenants who need it – whether they need help from the neighbourhood housing officer, other housing staff or local organisations. We are excited about this new way of doing things. When fully launched there will be 10 new neighbourhood teams, each with eight to 10 neighbourhood housing officers and a neighbourhood housing manager. Each neighbourhood housing officer will now have a patch size of 350 homes instead over 800, covering a wide range of housing issues. Once the service is fully launched, you can find out who your new neighbourhood housing officer is from posters in your building, or a letter to your home if you live in a street property.

We spoke to some of the new neighbourhood housing officers to find out what they like the most about their jobs:

Daniel Johnson “What I like most about my job is getting to know the properties I’m responsible for and the people who live in them. Housing is something that affects everyone so to be able to be a small moving part within this vast sector is very exciting.”

Sha Hussain “I get a lot of fulfilment in trying to make sure people live comfortably. I like meeting new people and talking to people every day – we can help make changes to people's lives by working on the front line.”

Louitha Greaves “My favourite part of the job is handing over the keys to a tenant for their new home. We all know that moving is a stressful time and I’m eager to make sure that their first step into their home is an exciting one.”

An oasis in the heart of Kings Cross We took a look inside the garden of Sue Heiser, a winner of Camden in Bloom 2017 who also opens her garden to the public through the National Garden Scheme. Sue lives in Tonbridge House, a Camden Council estate built in 1903 by the East End Dwellings Company, which has also won awards for its courtyard garden. Tucked behind the old town hall, right at the centre of Kings Cross, people don’t expect to see residential homes, let alone beautiful gardens.

When she moved in 38 years ago, it was her friends and family who helped her transform the large bare yard into what it is today. Overlooked on all sides by flats, it’s a landscaped urban oasis bursting with colour: climbing roses, fuschia bushes, bedded and potted flowers including geraniums, salvia and rudbeckia and much much more, as well as a vegetable patch and a huge magnolia tree. The National Garden Scheme gives visitors access to over 3,500 private gardens in England and Wales, raising money for nursing charities.

“I love looking at other people's gardens, and friends encouraged me to apply to the National Garden Scheme. To my surprise I was accepted and 110 visitors came to look at my garden – and I raised £927 for charity in the three hours it was open.” Visit ngs.org.uk to visit gardens like Sue’s in London and beyond – and if you have a Camden Council garden that you’re proud of, send us a picture at housingnews@camden. gov.uk or on Twitter @CamdenCouncil

Helping homeless people in Camden Camden’s Cabinet recently approved a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. We are redeveloping our hostels to help some of Camden’s most vulnerable people, buying 58 former Right to Buy properties to use as temporary accommodation for homeless families and working closely with our partners to provide more support and work opportunities for homeless people. Camden Adult Pathways works towards preventing homelessness and tackling street homelessness. This service, provided by housing associations, voluntary organisations and the council, aims to help vulnerable single homeless people raise their aspirations, get into meaningful work or volunteering and most importantly move on from homelessness to independent living. 16

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Peter Harris is one homeless resident, who with help from Housing First, a Camden Adult Pathways service, has been able to move out of temporary accommodation at St Mungo’s into independent accommodation.

“I am so grateful for all the support and advice from the Housing First team, from helping me to manage my bills and correspondence to finding me a place to call home – they never gave up on me, they were always so encouraging and helpful," says Peter. "After coming out of prison I had nowhere to stay, but with the help from my support worker I now have a roof over my head and I am 15 years free from drugs and alcohol.”

Get involved o Phottition e p com

What we can do to help keep you safe?

Celebrate 100 years of council housing by taking part in our photography competition. We’re looking for old and new photos that show what makes your council house home. So whether you took some fantastic snaps over the summer, or you’ve got some old family albums stashed away, we want to see the pictures that tell your story of council housing in Camden. All winners will receive a large framed print of their photograph and have their photo featured in the Camden magazine and the virtual Camden People’s Museum.

Send your entries to housingnews@ camden.gov.uk or post hard copies to Housing News, FREEPOST LBC MAILROOM by Sunday 24 November. Include your name, a contact phone number or email and a caption of under 50 words. Unfortunately we are unable to return hard copies. Find out more and read full terms and conditions at camden.gov.uk/ councilhomes100

Happy 50th birthday Ampthill As council housing turns 100, the Ampthill Estate turns 50. The third and final Ampthill tower, Gillfoot, was completed in 1969. To celebrate, Ampthill is throwing a birthday party – the Festival of Council Housing. Join Ampthill residents for activities for all the family including workshops with the Roundhouse, face painting, smoothie bike, arts and crafts, sports, a bouncy castle, free plants and much more.

Our priority is keeping the people who live in our homes safe. Camden has embarked on a new era of resident safety and we have been working hard to bring our 33,000 homes up to the highest standards of safety. Now we want to know what you think. We are asking Camden tenants and leaseholders to tell us about the safety of your home and your building. Your feedback will help us to make real changes that will keep people living in our council homes safer. Have your say in under 10 minutes at camden.gov.uk/safetyincouncilhomes before midnight on Sunday 22 September 2019.

Festival of Council Housing Ampthill Estate, Hampstead Road, NW1 2LA Saturday 14 September 11am to 5pm

ction of Constru in l, taken il th p m A r 1966 e b m te Sep esy of © Court ocal L n e Camd and Studies e s Centr Archive

The multicoloured roofs of Ampthill in Regents Park are a local landmark that can be seen from as far away as Primrose Hill.

Connecting Camden is a network of projects to make broadband and phone speeds and signal better for Camden’s communities and help tackle digital exclusion. One of them is Digital Rooftops, a project that improves connectivity for our residents, provides digital skills support and brings in muchneeded funding that goes back into looking after your homes.

What is Digital Rooftops? Since 2016, Camden has rented some of our council-owned rooftops to mobile network operators and wireless broadband providers like EE, who install telecoms equipment on the roofs. The sites are carefully chosen (for example, we need to make sure that bats aren’t nesting there) and currently there are 39 roofs in the borough with telecoms equipment – 25 mobile phone and 14 wireless broadband.

What does it mean for residents? Residents benefit from better mobile phone signal and speeds and Digital Rooftops also funds the Connecting Community Spaces project, which provides free wifi in Tenant and Residents' Association (TRA) halls and digital skills training for communities. Connecting Camden will also introduce wireless broadband where it wasn’t previously available and up to 30 minutes of free public wifi at hotspots across the borough.

Digital Rooftops helps to pay for the services that are important to you

The better digital connection a community has, the more people can access education and training, and the better its health, social welfare, wellbeing and local economic growth – a better connection helps communities to thrive.

Mobile operators and wireless broadband providers pay to use our roof space. This brings in money for the council at a time when our budget has been cut, helping to provide important housing services to the whole borough. The money that Digital Rooftops brings in in one year could:  fund 18 neighbourhood housing officers or  replace 294 boilers or  refurbish 180 kitchens.

To find out more about connectivity in Camden, visit camden.gov.uk/connectingcamden 18

Local history

The secret history of Dudley Court St Giles Workhouse building, pictured in the 1970s, from the collections of Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre

Dudley Court, designed by Powell and Moya and opened in 1983, is a Camden Council estate which also houses one of the borough's 23 sheltered housing schemes, providing independent living for over 65s.

Pharmacy at the Endell Military Hospital ©LSE Library

Dudley Court’s residents may be aware that their home is on the site of a hospital – a plaque commemorates the Endell Street Military Hospital which treated 24,000 soldiers during the First World War. It was the only British Army hospital to be staffed entirely by women. What is less well known is that before it was a hospital, it was the site of the St Giles in the Fields Parish Workhouse that housed thousands of London’s poor in

Mike Wilkinson, Dudley Court estate resident: “I was amazed to find out that I lived on the site of a former parish workhouse, which would have been one of Charles Dickens’s inspirations for Oliver Twist. Lionel Bart , who wrote the musical Oliver!, used to come for supper at my flat – he’d have been delighted at the connection.”

Dudley Court sheltered scheme today looks onto Oasis Leisure Centre's open air swimming pool

terrible conditions between 1725 and 1914. There were many scandals. In the 1840s while a new infirmary was being built at the workhouse, a burial ground was discovered. There was a public outcry when it was found that inmates were being made to clear the bones of the 2,000 people buried there. The workhouse was so infamous that The Workhouse Cruelty, a popular ballad, was written about the appalling treatment of inmates.

If you want to find about the history of your home or your street, visit the Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre on the second floor of Holborn Library, 32-38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA or email and if you are over 65 and would like to find out more about living in one of our sheltered housing schemes visit camden.gov.uk/ sheltered-housing or call 020 7974 4764 19

Profile

Supporting carers in Camden  Peter has lived in Camden for 40 years and cared full-time for his grown-up daughter, who has mental health needs, for five.

Peter says that he finds strength in being connected to his community. “People have very little idea what being a carer involves and how isolating it is. I shop, cook, run errands, manage money, drive to appointments and much more. “At Camden Carers Service (CCS) I met others facing similar challenges and I now attend social events organised by North London Cares, a charity that brings together older people and volunteers. “I also take advantage of the CCS counselling service and, as a result of a supported self-assessment, I receive help two hours a day to look after my daughter, which has made a great difference.” 20

Are you a carer? In Camden we recognise the crucial role carers play in supporting people to stay well and independent, and want to make sure they feel supported and connected. You might not identify with the word ‘carer’, and that’s OK, but if you are supporting a friend or family member, please know there is help available for you. Camden Carers Service offers free support to any unpaid carer who lives, works or studies in Camden. Visit camdencs.org.uk or call 020 7428 8950 to find out more.

Why don’t you…

become a mentor?

Communities

The Kids Network work in Camden and other London boroughs, to support children aged 8 to 11 through one-to-one mentoring. Mentors help build confidence, resilience and curiosity in young people through a series of fun and positive activities and experiences. Cortni, a Camden resident, has been mentoring 10 year old Sam* for just over three months. Before he met Cortni, Sam says he would spend most weekends at home in Camden. “But with Cortni I can go out and do loads of things like play football, eat ice cream and see things.” Sam says he always looks forward to hanging out with Cortni. So far, his favourite activities have been seeing the latest Avengers film and going on an ice cream making course. Cortni first got involved with mentoring to better connect with her community, and she says her life has become more positive since she started. “I am just so proud of him. He’s so polite, so kind and so fun. I look forward to every session I have with him!"

“I have a new buddy, and as an adult that is so great to have. I would say I’ve become less selfish, more aware of the different lives that are in London and I feel closer to my community. Sam knows everyone in his neighbourhood, so I get to meet so many other people through him.” thekidsnetwork.org.uk/ become-a-mentor If you have any questions, get in touch with Freya on 07533 098102 or f.brocchini@ thekidsnetwork.org.uk *name has been changed

Throughout this year, we’ve been sharing the stories of the people that make Camden the unique and welcoming place it is – and we want to hear from you. Whether you’ve lived in Camden all your life or recently moved here, we want you to share your experiences, memories, hopes, journeys and reflections about your time in the borough. Get in touch with us on Twitter or Facebook using #WeMakeCamden, or read the stories people have shared so far on our website camden.gov. uk/wemakecamden 21

Environment

More trees for Camden  We’re planting trees across the borough. Trees are essential to the environment. They provide shade from the sun in summer, help neighbourhoods to look greener and more welcoming, and also absorb pollutants and release oxygen back into the air. Every financial year Camden plants 400 trees in the borough – 50 of which must be in new locations, rather than being replacement trees. So far 102 trees have been planted since 6 April 2019, and 47 of these are in new locations. The remaining 298 trees will be planted between October 2019 and the end of March 2020 to reach the 400 tree target. Tree officers are always looking for new planting locations, so if spot a space that you think needs a new tree, please let our team know. 22

Help keep our trees happy Young trees need water to help them establish, and watering bags have been installed on a number of trees around the borough. You can help to keep the trees healthy and hydrated by filling the bags with water. Just pour water into the hole in the bag, above the ‘help water me’ sticker. The bag will slowly release the water into the soil over 3-6 hours. For more information on how Camden’s trees are managed, or to contact the team, go to camden.gov.uk/trees

West End Project

A brighter future for Princes Circus Now half way through construction, the West End Project has already delivered a number of exciting transformations. Tottenham Court Road is two way to traffic, with buses and cyclists using the new southbound lane and pedestrians enjoying the widened pavements. On Gower Street work has started with the laying of new stone paving and construction of protected cycle tracks. We’d like to say a big thank you for bearing with us during the construction phase so far. In spring 2020, Gower Street and Bloomsbury Street will also change to two way traffic, and the full traffic restrictions will come into place on Tottenham Court Road.

The next major stage of the project is the work at Princes Circus. This area will be radically changed with the relocation of Shaftesbury Avenue opening up a new public plaza. The plans for the new public space, along with others in the project area, have already won two major design awards and received great feedback from local residents and businesses.

“I am so excited, having seen the new designs. Pedestrianising the road outside my business is going to make a real positive change for the future.”

This will ease the congestion currently seen northbound on Tottenham Court Road.

Sandra Birri, Silva’s Café, Princes Circus 23

The long read

Camden tackles the climate crisis

We’re committed to making sure Camden is a clean, vibrant and sustainable place. We’ve already reduced CO2 emissions in Camden by 37% since 2010, but we want to drive this down further.

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Over the summer, we held a Citizens’ Assembly on the climate crisis, attended by a diverse range of residents from across the borough. Over three sessions, attendees learned more about the climate crisis and discussed how best to address the challenge in Camden. Residents also gave their ideas online with 600 proposals put forward for the assembly to consider. The Citizens’ Assembly members used the ideas and discussions to form a series of recommended actions to tackle the climate crisis in Camden. These will be presented to Camden's councillors in October with a view to helping inform the new Environmental Action Plan.

What is the main cause of the climate crisis? Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases produced from fossil fuel use and other processes are the primary cause of the climate crisis. Across Camden CO2 emissions have reduced by 37% since 2010, but recent evidence suggests they need to fall at a faster rate here and around the world to prevent irreversible damage to the planet.

37%

Local jobs

Our actions to tackle the climate crisis During the Citizens’ Assembly, members were asked to design a new set of proposals to tackle the climate crisis. Some of the recommended actions that will be put forward to full Council for consideration in October include:

• Planting more trees and creating more allotments.

zero carbon

• Making all new homes zero carbon.

• Enabling electric transport with infrastructure and incentives. • Mobilising existing community groups to work on tackling the climate crisis. • Greening the Council’s operations. • Doing more to enable electric transport.

You can read a full list of the actions on our website camden.gov.uk/climate-crisis

Around 10%

of CO2 emissions in Camden come from road transport.

Timeline APR19

Camden declares a climate emergency and commits to hold a Citizens’ Assembly to develop ideas on how to tackle it.

JUNE 19

JULY 19

600 community proposals are put forward for the assembly on how to address the climate crisis. Schools and businesses also contribute to the process.

JULY 19

The Citizens’ Assembly takes place to discuss ideas, review expert evidence and present proposals to help reduce CO2 emissions in Camden.

OCT 19

Citizens’ Assembly members will present their proposals to councillors at a full Council debate.

2019/ 2020

Working with our communities to deliver early action.

Around 65% of CO2 emissions in Camden come from buildings such as businesses, institutions and schools.

Follow Camden’s fight against the climate crisis at camden.gov.uk/climate-crisis 25

Councillors’ allowances 2018/19 In accordance with the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) Regulations 2003, notice is hereby given that the London Borough of Camden, during the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019, made total payments to each of the following councillors as set out. Payments were made in accordance with the published Members’ Allowances Scheme for the same period. Payments to Councillors 2018/19 Councillor Adams SA Ali N Apak M Baillie S Beales D Beattie D Bello O’Shanahan N Berry S Boyland MJ Bucknell JM Callaghan P Cassarani L Cooper OH Cotton R Currie T Eslamdoust M Francis S Freeman RJ Fulbrook JG Gardiner T Gimson S Gould GA Hai A Harrison AD Hayward SL Headlam-Wells J Higson M Johnson HM Jones PD Kelly A Khatoon S Lewis O Leyland C Madlani R Marshall A Mason AM Mennear KA Mulholland JA Newman HJ Olad A Olszewski R

Payments to Councillors 2018/19

Special ReBasic Allowance sponsibility Allowances 8,975.42 9,849.00 9,849.00 16,275.00 900.18 9,849.00 16,275.00 9,849.00 4,652.98

Travel and Subsistence Allowance* -

Cycle Carers’ Total paid to Allowance Allowance Councillor

Councillor

182.76 -

8,975.42 9,849.00 26,306.76 900.18 26,124.00 14,501.98

8,975.42

145.00

9,120.42

9,849.00 9,849.00 900.18 9,849.00 8,975.42 9,849.00 9,849.00 900.18 9,849.00 9,849.00 900.18 9,849.00 9,849.00 900.18 9,849.00 9,849.00 9,849.00 900.18

16,275.00 14,743.90 2,362.50 2,181.17 787.65 5,426.04 29,292.96 16,275.00 16,275.00 -

9,849.00 9,849.00 900.18 26,124.00 8,975.42 24,592.90 12,211.50 900.18 12,030.17 10,636.65 900.18 9,849.00 15,275.04 900.18 39,141.96 26,124.00 26,124.00 900.18

9,849.00

14,192.14

8,975.42 9,849.00 900.18 9,849.00 9,849.00 9,849.00 900.18 9,849.00 900.18 9,849.00 900.18 9,849.00 8,975.42 9,849.00 9,849.00

5,426.04 5,426.04 5,426.04 5,426.04 5,426.04 16,275.00 5,426.04 16,275.00

182.76 -

Parkinson A Pearson S Pietragnoli L Pober A Porritt LM Quadir A Rahman N Rea FM Revah LP Robertson GB Robinson RL Rosenberg P Roy L Russell L Shah N Simon TH Simpson JA Singh R Spinella G Stark S Taheri P Tiwari S Tomlinson P Vincent S Williams DW Wood A Wright AF Yarde J Total for Councillors 532,245.00 290,910.90



24,041.14 8,975.42 15,275.04 900.18 15,275.04 15,275.04 15,275.04 900.18 15,275.04 900.18 26,124.00 900.18 10,031.76 8,975.42 15,275.04 26,124.00

Special ReBasic Allowance sponsibility Allowances 8,975.42 4,652.98 8,975.42 9,849.00 10,848.00 900.18 8,975.42 9,849.00 5,426.04 8,975.42 9,849.00 9,849.00 8,975.42 9,849.00 900.18 900.18 495.93 9,849.00 9,849.00 16,275.00 8,975.42 9,849.00 16,275.00 8,975.42 9,849.00 7,015.48 9,849.00 4,652.98 8,975.42 8,975.42 9,849.00 9,849.00 900.18 495.93 9,849.00 4,652.98 8,975.42 900.18 -

Travel and Subsistence Allowance* -

Cycle Carers’ Total paid to Allowance Allowance Councillor 144.00 16.70 182.76 -

13,628.40 9,119.42 20,697.00 916.88 8,975.42 15,275.04 8,975.42 9,849.00 9,849.00 8,975.42 9,849.00 900.18 1,396.11 9,849.00 26,124.00 8,975.42 26,124.00 8,975.42 16,864.48 14,501.98 8,975.42 8,975.42 10,031.76 9,849.00 1,396.11 14,501.98 8,975.42 900.18

708.98

145.00

824,009.88

Payments to Independent Persons and the Independent Member of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee

1,058.04 1,058.04 969.87

Travel and Subsistence Allowance -

3,085.95

708.98

145.00

827,095.83

Independent Basic Special RePerson/ sponsibility Allowance Member Allowances Redfern MA Terry SD Wells D Total for Independent Persons/ Members Total for all Allowances

532,245.00 293,996.85

Total Paid to Cycle Carers’ Independent Allowance Allowance Person/ Member 1,058.04 1,058.04 969.87

*In the interests of transparency, it is disclosed that while no travel or subsistence allowances claims were made in line with the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2018/19, the Council arranged travel on a small number of occasions for councillors to attend meetings as representatives of the authority.

If you require any further information, please contact Olivia Mensah, Member Support Manager, by phone on 020 7974 6409, email at olivia.mensah@camden.gov.uk, or by post at Member Support, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London, WC1H 9JE. 26

Useful contacts For press … then … options, first call 020 7974 4444 then dial the numbers below. Advice and guidance Welfare rights advice 020 7974 3826/020 7974 1926 camden.gov.uk/advice-moneybenefits-debt Freedom of information 020 7974 7857/020 7974 2269 camden.gov.uk/freedom-informationrequest

Benefits and financial support Benefits press 3 then 2 camden.gov.uk/housing-benefit Credit control 020 7974 6959 Local social fund 020 3324 0383 A government scheme to help people on low incomes meet their expenses

Building and planning Planning press 4 then 3 then 2 camden.gov.uk/planning-applications Building control press 4 then 3 then 3 camden.gov.uk/building-control

Business Licensing press 4 then 3 then 1 camden.gov.uk/licensing Business rates 020 7974 6460 camden.gov.uk/business-rates

Children and families Family information and school services press 2 then 3 camden.gov.uk/family-informationearly-years camden.gov.uk/schools Camden school and nursery admissions School admissions 020 7974 1625 camden.gov.uk/admissions

Complaints Complaints unit 020 7974 5644 camden.gov.uk/complaints

Contacting councillors Member support 020 7974 2792 camden.gov.uk/contact-membersupport

Births, deaths, marriages Registrar service press 6 then say ‘registrars’ camden.gov.uk/births-deathsmarriages-citizenship Coroners court 020 7974 4545 camden.gov.uk/coroners-service

Environment

Vehicle clamped or removed press 5 then 3 camden.gov.uk/vehicle-removalsclamps Parking permits and suspensions press 5 then 4 then 3 camden.gov.uk/parking-permits camden.gov.uk/parking-baysuspensions

Green Camden helpline 0800 801 738 camden.gov.uk/green-camden Free advice on reducing your environmental impact

Recycling and rubbish

Health

Safety

WISH 020 7974 3012 camden.gov.uk/wish-plus Make a referral to a range of warmth, income, safety and health services

Housing Repairs press 3 then 1 camden.gov.uk/housing-repairs General housing repairs for Camden tenants and leaseholders Housing advice press 3 then 3 camden.gov.uk/housing Advice on housing including information for the homeless and those at risk Rents press 3 then 4 camden.gov.uk/your-council-rent Tenancy queries press 3 then 5 camden.gov.uk/council-tenant-rightsresponsibilities Information for Camden tenants, including how to order or replace keys and fobs

Making a payment Payments press 1 then 1 camden.gov.uk/pay Including parking fines, residential and travel payments Council tax press 4 then 1 camden.gov.uk/howtopaycounciltax

Parking Estate parking press 3 then 5 camden.gov.uk/parking-on-councilestates

Homes – 020 3567 8105 camden.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish Businesses – 020 3567 5320 Camden Safety Net 020 7974 2526 camden.gov.uk/contact-camdensafety-net Support on domestic abuse and sexual violence Safer streets team 020 7833 7970 camdenrts.co.uk Report rough sleepers and those involved in street activity to help us support them

Social care Adult social care press 2 then 1 camden.gov.uk/safeguarding-adults Children’s social care press 2 then 2 camden.gov.uk/safeguarding-children

Travel Blue badges, Freedom passes, accessible travel solutions and Taxicard press 2 then 4 camden.gov.uk/blue-badge camden.gov.uk/subsidised-travelsupport camden.gov.uk/other-concessionarytravel-schemes camden.gov.uk/taxicard

Volunteering and skills Adult community learning 020 7974 2148 camden.gov.uk/about-adultcommunity-learning Voluntary Action Camden 020 7284 6550 vac.org.uk

Contact Camden is available 8am to 6pm for council enquiries, and operates an emergency out of hours service on the same number. 27

What’s on

West Euston Partnership Cloud 9 Community Festival Thursday 19 September, 12 to 6pm A free and family-friendly celebration of community cohesion, local spaces and services, healthy lifestyles and improving the environment. Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, NW1 3FE and Regent’s Place Plaza, 338 Euston Road, NW1 3BG westeustonpartnership.org.uk sharon@westeuston.org

Klezmer in the park: The London Mix

Parly Party Street Theatre and Film Festival

Sunday 8 September, 12.30 to 6.30pm An afternoon of live music at Regent’s Park bandstand. Regent’s Park bandstand, NW1 4NR jmi.org.uk jewishmusic@jmi.org.uk

Sunday 15 September Film and theatre event with live performance, outdoor cinema experience, tea stall and food. Haddo House, Highgate Road/Gordon House Road, NW5 1PX facebook.com/parlyparty 07754 816145

Image-ine Wednesdays 11, 18 and 25 September, 6.30 to 8.30pm A three week photography workshop for 16-24 year olds exploring emotional wellbeing through taking photos – it’s requested that all three sessions are attended. Kentish Town Health Centre, 2 Bartholomew Road, NW5 2BX freespaceproject.org info@freespaceproject.org

Bartholomew Villas Summer Street Party Saturday 14 September, 12 to 4pm Organised by Bartholomew Residents Association, this fun neighbourhood street party is for residents, families and friends, with everyone bringing food to share. Bartholomew Villas, NW5 gill.walt@lshtm.ac.uk 020 7485 5288



Primarily, Primary Colours Sunday 22 September, 11am to 12.30pm Children of all ages can come and learn about the basic properties of colour, inspired by the work of a Hampstead artist. Advanced booking recommended. Burgh House & Hampstead Museum, New End Square, NW3 1LT burghhouse.org.uk 020 7431 0144

Camden and Islington Volunteering Fair Wednesday 9 October, 12 to 2pm Whatever your experience or time to spare, there are lots of opportunities to give back to your community in Camden – drop in to meet the local organisations recruiting volunteers.

Voluntary Action Islington, 200A Pentonville Road, N1 9JP volunteercentrecamden.org.uk 020 7424 9990

Camden Youth Action Showcase Thursday 24 October, 2.30 to 6pm A celebration of the difference young people are making to their communities across Camden. London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, NW1 9XB fya.org.uk

Camden Green Gym Various dates, 10.45am to 2pm Try a new way to get moving and give back by volunteering in local green spaces – no experience necessary. Locations across the borough. Upcoming sessions include: Thursday 3 October Celebrate 60 years of practical conservation volunteering with TCV. Regent’s Park, NW1 4NR Tuesday 12 November Learn the traditional techniques of midlands style hedge laying. Maygrove Peace Park, NW6 2BA tcv.org.uk/camden 077 6842 1881

What’s on

Apotheosis

©Vipul Sang

Friday 15 November A classical Indian dance performance hosted by Akademi and the British Museum, in response to the South Asian Collection on permanent display in the Hotung Gallery. British Museum, Hotung Gallery, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG akademi.co.uk 020 7691 3210 ©Vipul Sango

Cycle skills for children and adults Various dates and times (children’s sessions held in October half term) Sessions to improve cycle skills, both for beginners and more advanced cyclists. Haverstock School, 24 Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, NW3 2BQ camden.gov.uk/cycleskills 020 7974 1451

Vinyasa Yoga for Women Every Wednesday, 6.30 to 7.30pm Increase your strength, flexibility and energy, as well as reducing stress and relaxing. Equipment provided. £5 per session. West Hampstead Women’s Centre, 26-30 Cotleigh Road, NW6 2NP whwc.org.uk 020 7328 7389

BSL Family Workshops Fourth Tuesday of the month, 11am to 1pm Monthly family illustration workshops for 5-10 year olds inspired by the exhibitions. Delivered in both British Sign Language and spoken English – both hearing and deaf families welcome. £5 adult and child ticket. House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square, Kings Cross, N1C 4BH houseofillustration.org.uk 020 3696 2020

Men’s cooking

Over 60s Club

Fortnightly Tuesdays, 11am to 2pm Learn to cook a new recipe together, with guaranteed laughter and a delicious lunch. Everything is provided – get in touch beforehand with any dietary requirements. Abbey Community Centre, 222c Belsize Road, NW6 4DJ northlondoncares.org.uk 020 7118 3838

Every Monday, 9.30am to 12pm A Monday morning club with refreshments, bingo, talks and advice and support. 20p per session. Hampstead Community Centre, 78 Hampstead High Street, NW3 1RE hampsteadcommunitycentre.co.uk 020 7794 8313

North London Stories (podcast club)

Incite Poetry

First Saturday of the month, 1 to 3.30pm Get together for an afternoon of storytelling, and if you’re feeling brave record them too! Castlehaven Community Centre, 23 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8RU northlondoncares.org.uk 020 7118 3838

Ageing better in Camden Every Thursday, 10am to 12pm Creative workshops for women over 60, including gardening, singing, creative writing, storytelling, art, exercise and more, as well as regular outings. Henna Asian Women’s Group, Abbey Community Centre, 222c Belsize Road, NW6 4DJ info@hennaorg.co.uk 020 7372 9860

Third Monday of every month, 8.30 to 10.30pm A monthly LGBTQ+ poetry and spoken word open mic evening by forum+. 1 Phoenix Street, WC2H 8BU forumplus.org.uk 020 7388 5720

Lunchtime piano recitals Third Tuesday of every month, 1.15 to 2pm A relaxing lunchtime piano recital in Lauderdale House’s Long Gallery. Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG lauderdalehouse.org.uk 020 8348 8716 Want to have your event listed in the winter Camden magazine? Email camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk 29

How to get into...

Boccia

Designed for older adults, this indoor sport was originally designed to be played by athletes with physical disabilities. The game is played while seated, with players taking it in turns to throw light leather balls as close as they can to a white target ball.



There are four boccia teams in Camden that play in a monthly league which tours around the borough. The teams are attached to community centres – Castlehaven, Third Age Project, Abbey Community Centre and Origin/ We Are Ageing Better, with each group taking it in turns to host.

Moving more has huge benefits for our mental and physical wellbeing and there are fun activities for all ages and abilities across Camden. Find activities, resources and tips on how to move more at wecanmove.co.uk

Where to play boccia

Camden Origin

The Camden Origin boccia group meets every Tuesday 10.3012pm at Basil Jellicoe Hall, Drummond Crescent, NW1 1LE. It’s free to join and open to anyone over 60 living in Camden. For more information call Jess on 020 7209 9333 or email jess@weareageingbetter.org.uk

Third Age Project Workshops run from 2 to 4pm every Friday in Cumberland Market, NW1 3RH. For more information contact Tony Bloor on 020 7383 4922 or email info@thirdageproject.org.uk

Castlehaven Community Centre 23 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8RU. For more information call 020 7485 3386 or email info@castlehaven.org.uk

Abbey Community Centre Boccia is a fun, social, low intensity sport – so why not give it a try? 30

222c Belsize Road, NW6 4DJ. For information call 020 7624 8378 or email reception@abbeycc-kilburn.org. uk

Graham Cobb is Director of St Pancras Community Association



My Camden

What’s your Camden connection?

What’s your favourite Camden place?

I’ve managed several community projects in Camden, including Sidings Community Centre in Kilburn and the Maiden Lane Community Centre, and I’ve been at St Pancras Community Association (SPCA) since 2014. Altogether it adds up to about fifteen years working for and with Camden’s fantastic people.

I’m biased, but surely it’s obvious – the area around Mornington Crescent is where the community centre and SPCA are based, so that has to be tops. It also has the wonderful Working Men’s College, which is not just for men and you don’t have to be working. They have some fantastic courses – I’ve been doing art history for years – and you can also learn more practical things, like modern languages or computer skills.

At SPCA, we concentrate on giving young families a good start in life, developing healthy lifestyles, keeping older people active and connected, and building community pride. We have nursery and baby group sessions, exercise for people who might not otherwise lead healthy lifestyles, and singing for people over 60.

How can people get involved?

St Pancras Community Centre was built and paid for through Camden’s Community Investment Programme.

We’re always on the lookout for volunteers and many people find volunteering leads to social contacts, paid employment, new skills or just feeling good about the world. At the moment, we want volunteers to help with our older people’s lunches and games, and in the future we’ll need volunteers to help with our Fitness For All programme, and as trustees on our management board.

To find out more about the programme visit camden.gov.uk/ cip, to read more about St Pancras Community Association visit spca.org.uk

What’s your favourite Camden memory? Last year, July 7, sitting outside a cafe on Mornington Crescent, I watched thousands of people singing, dancing and mingling on the streets of Camden as they celebrated the Pride march, England’s men’s football World Cup quarter final victory and SPCA’s fantastic annual community festival. It highlighted exactly what makes Camden so special: the variety of people and communities living harmoniously within its borders. 31

L L A O T OPEN • Earn from £19,804 per year with a Camden Council apprenticeship. • Returning to work after a break? Want to change your career? Just starting out? Whatever your situation, we want to hear from you. We have opportunities all year round, both in the Council and with local employers. Roles include project management, business administration, childcare, ICT and more. If you are a Camden resident, a former Camden secondary school student or a Camden care leaver, visit our website: camden.gov.uk/apprenticeship-vacancies You can also email apprenticeships@camden.gov.uk or call 020 7974 6474 for more information. Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 plus and there is no upper age limit. Those with higher qualifications, including degrees, are also eligible. camden.gov.uk/apprenticeships