Camden magazine November 2018 by Camden Council

Camden Camden this month

Your guide to council services | November 2018 | camden.gov.uk

Celebrating Black History Month Performances mark the 70th anniversary of Windrush @CamdenCouncil

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Local organisations came together for a treasure-themed family day at the British Library. See page 11

camden.gov.uk

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: Kareen Cox

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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 6 November 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 New council homes for Camden Street.

We plant more than 400 new trees in Camden every year.

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Support for people experiencing relationship abuse.

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Have your say on our draft Transport Strategy.

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21 Welcome

Introduction to the November edition

Tackling youth violence in the borough.

Features 5

Universal Credit 15 Camden’s financial challenge 16 Cover story New homes for Camden Street 18 20 Black History Month celebration event 12 Free flu vaccines for children Support if you’re experiencing domestic abuse 21 Youth Safety Taskforce findings 22 News Rubbish and recycling information 24 Help us support rough sleepers 6 Camden Dementia Action Alliance 26 Transport Strategy consultation 6 Health and Wellbeing Champions 27 HS2 replacement homes 7 My Camden – Ricky Jefferson, Wood that Works 3 1 Town hall refurbishment 8 Camden electoral review 8 Listings Early years parent volunteers 9 Free and low-cost events 28 Foster Carers Awards 10 Festival of Treasures Family Day 11 New Charlie Ratchford Centre 14 Tree planting in Camden 14

Fancy that! Food past its ‘best before’ date could still be good to eat. Look, smell, feel and taste it to judge for yourself. ‘Best before’ dates only tell us when food is at its best. ‘Use by’ dates tell us when food is safe to eat and must be followed. wiseuptowaste.org.uk/fancythat

2565.180 Fancy That Camden mag.indd 1

02/10/2018 13:55

We support Camden’s European citizens 24,000 residents born in an EU state

36,000 EU workers in Camden

Camden’s European citizens can get useful information on democratic rights, and access to speedy document checks for citizenship, along with other guidance about Brexit at camden.gov.uk/europe

Welcome

to the November edition of Camden magazine

A few weeks ago I attended Camden’s Black History month celebration organised by the Camden Black Workers’ Group. I learnt that the first ever indoor carnival took place in St Pancras Town Hall, an idea that eventually led to the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival. Camden has been home to social and political pioneers for generations. Our borough has played a huge role in the tenants’ movement, LGBT+ movement and women’s movement, from the suffragettes to today. In Camden we are custodians of a great radical history that has seen our communities come together to tackle problems and to bring about real social change. It’s in this spirit I write today, as our public services face a further funding crisis. With an uncertain financial future, and more cuts from the government on the horizon, many organisations, including local government, the NHS and police are at tipping point. I am so proud of the many essential public services we provide – but even with our history of careful money management, delivering the £40 million savings needed over the next three years is going to be incredibly difficult. The impact of these sustained and continued cuts from the government is threatening to cause lasting damage to our

communities and the services that residents rely upon. Turn to page 16 to find out more. I know that many of you are worried about the impact of the rollout of Universal Credit in Camden. We’re funding Citizens Advice Camden to provide support to anyone who is concerned about claiming Universal Credit, or is receiving Universal Credit and is in debt. Our Rent Services team will also offer support and advice to council tenants. Read more on pages 15 and the back page of the magazine. Universal Credit is coming to Camden at a time when we are seeing increases in homelessness and rough sleeping. We will be holding a special Council debate on rough sleeping at 7pm on Monday 12 November at the Crowndale Centre, Eversholt Street. All are welcome to come and hear more. The rise in homelessness makes our commitment to building new social housing more important than ever. So it’s good to be able to show you, on page 18, the 14 new council homes we’ve just completed as part of our Community Investment Programme. We also, as part of HS2 Ltd’s commitments to Camden, secured funding to build replacement homes for council tenants and leaseholders whose

former homes will be demolished by construction of the railway. The homes are now complete and residents have moved in – read more on page seven. Youth safety continues to be a huge concern. In September, I was also proud to stand alongside Councillor Abdul Hai and Keir Starmer MP to mark the publication of the recommendations of the Camden Youth Safety Taskforce, which emerged from conversations with young people, schools, community groups, parents, NHS partners and many more. The report is a deep and thoughtful piece of work calling for a wholeCamden public health approach to keeping our young people safe. We are committed to investing £500,000 in making the recommendations a reality. Find out more on page 22. Whether it is our youth safety work or our commitment to building new social housing, we are determined to work with our community to deliver on your priorities. Together we can stand up for what makes Camden special.

Councillor Georgia Gould Leader of the Council 5

News

Help us to support rough sleepers Use the Camden StreetSafe app to let us know if you see someone sleeping rough. The number of rough sleepers arriving in Camden has increased by 40% since 2014. The Camden Safer Streets Team is working hard to get people off the streets and support them so that they can rebuild their lives away from the street. We need your help, especially as winter approaches. The Safer Streets Team relies on information from the public to target new rough sleepers quickly and identify hotspots. Find out more

camdensst.com

If you see someone sleeping rough in Camden, or engaged in street-based activity such as begging or street drinking, please tell the team using the StreetSafe app or by phone or email.

Full Council meeting The next full Council meeting will focus on rough sleeping. Come along on Monday 12 November at 7pm: Council Chamber, Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD

They will acknowledge your report and use the information to send out their teams to the right places. Download the app through the website below or by searching ‘Camden Safer Streets’ on the App Store or Google Play.

streetsafe@cgl.org.uk

020 7833 7970

Give your views on our draft Transport Strategy Our draft Transport Strategy aims to improve transport across the borough. We’re committed to connecting people in Camden with a transport network that supports them to travel in the most healthy, efficient and sustainable way. Transport is essential to our daily lives, helping us to move from place to place, access services and work, as well as see family and friends. As a council we want to create a network that meets the needs of everyone who lives, works and travels in Camden. So, we’ve put together a new strategy outlining our vision and priorities for transport in Camden from 2019 to 2041. Find out more 6

Our priorities include: • increasing walking and cycling • improving public transport in the borough • reducing car ownership and use • improving the quality of our air • making our streets and transport networks safe, accessible and inclusive for all. Now we’d like your input. We want to know what you think of our draft strategy. Complete our online consultation on our website below before Friday 14 December and let us know your views.

camden.gov.uk/transportstrategyconsultation

Tell us what you think about our draft Transport Strategy by Friday 14 December

transport-strategy@camden.gov.uk

News

Residents move into HS2 replacement homes Residents set to lose their homes to High Speed 2 (HS2) are now looking to the future after they moved into replacement flats on Regent’s Park Estate. We secured funding from HS2 Ltd to build replacement homes for every single council tenant and leaseholder in Regent’s Park Estate and Cobourg Street, whose former homes are set to be demolished to make way for the new railway. The new homes are built across nine sites on Regent’s Park Estate, meeting residents’ requests to be rehoused in the immediate area.

Amir and Yani Elsamani

136 families have moved into the new blocks, including Amir Elsamani, his wife Yani and their four children, who moved into their new flat in September. Amir said: “Community is very important in your life – you can’t live without people around you. When people asked to stay in the same area, it was also because they have connections to each other, they know each other.

Ravenglass, one of the replacement housing blocks in Regent’s Park Estate

Find out more

“Our neighbours are the same neighbours, most of the people we have seen in the new buildings we have seen before, so that is comforting to us.

“We are in a better place, a bigger place. We had a two-bedroom place with four children so it was too small. We are in a three-bed now so the children are much happier.” Meanwhile we continue to work with HS2 Ltd to mitigate the impact of the scheme on residents living near the construction. This includes making sure that HS2 Ltd upholds over 150 commitments made to the Council during the parliamentary process of the HS2 Act, including noise insulation, ventilation and opportunities for community funding.

camden.gov.uk/hs2 7

News

Town hall refurbishment update Plans for the refurbishment of the town hall are on our website. international event production, catering and entertainment company, which hosts events from large-scale corporate events to weddings.

Thank you to everyone who attended our exhibition on the refurbishment plans last month. It was a great opportunity to speak to you, answer questions and gather your feedback. If you were unable to attend but Find out more

are interested in seeing the plans, please visit our website below to see the exhibition boards from the event. We are currently finalising details of the new tenant for the Camden Centre. Il Bottaccio (IB) is an

The company will provide the local community with access to use the venue 20 days a year so our community groups can continue to use the space for local events, as well as offering discounted rates for charitable hire. Remember: all services have been relocated while the town hall is closed for refurbishment. Visit our website below to find out where to access services.

camden.gov.uk/townhall

Camden electoral review The way the Council is elected is being reviewed as part of a wider review of 25 London boroughs. The Local Government Boundary Commission is reviewing Camden’s electoral arrangements for the first time since 1999. The key areas they will be looking at are: • the total number of councillors • the size, number and names of wards • the number of councillors for each ward. The Commission is currently looking at our recommendations Find out more 8

and will produce a draft proposal at the end of this month. There will then be a 12-week public consultation on these draft proposals, where you can give your views. We will keep you updated and you can visit our elections webpages below to find out more. Any changes as a result of the review will not come into effect until the next local Council elections in May 2022.

camden.gov.uk/elections

lgbce.org.uk

News

Celebrating early years parent volunteers We’ve launched a new volunteering partnership to make sure parents get the help they need. Local mums, dads and other residents give their time to help others – in their communities, and at council-run children’s centres, local health and early learning organisations and charities. These volunteers help with a range of early years, health and family support services for parents and carers with children under five. We celebrated their contribution at the launch of the new Camden Early Years Volunteering Partnership.

Parent volunteers at the partnership launch event with Councillor Angela Mason, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life (third from left)

Parents who attended the event at Harmood Children’s Centre, in Kentish Town, on Friday 28 September, talked about why they started volunteering and heard presentations from other volunteers and organisations. The aim of the volunteers and the new partnership is to ensure parents, especially those on low incomes or with English as their second language, don’t miss out on vital information about early education, childcare and other early years and health services, including mental health support. Find out more

Parent volunteer Safiya (left) with her two-year-old daughter Anna, and Harmood Children’s Centre stay and play worker Lily (far right) with Ayub, 16 months

The partnership includes Camden Early Years Parent Champions, Camden Baby Feeding Team, Camden Blossoms, Home-Start Camden and Islington, Little Village Camden, Camden Learning

camden.gov.uk/camdensurestart

Health and Wellbeing Team and the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families. To find out more and to get involved, visit our website below.

020 7974 8961 9

News

Awards for foster carers The fantastic work of our longest-serving foster carers was celebrated at a special awards ceremony in Camden. be amongst so many people who are so passionate about helping young people and children secure a safe, nurturing environment in foster care. I have been fostering for just over a year. I will take inspiration from these foster carers and would be happy if I can emulate even a shadow of their success. “There is an urgent demand for foster carers and I urge anyone who has an interest in caring for young people in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves to give it a go. We need you, and so do our young people.” Long-serving Camden foster carer Birgetta Lambrechts (left) is commended on stage during the awards event by actor Rudi Dharmalingam (far right) and his wife Nicola

The awards recognised and rewarded foster carers for their dedicated long service of between five and 20 years. One award was presented for 20 years of foster caring, one for 15 years, and three awards for five years of service. Other long-serving foster carers were also commended on the evening. Mauricia John, who received her award for 15 years’ service, said: “It has been an emotional journey. I have faced challenges – resolving them as a family, with positive rewards. I’ve been able Find out more 10

to see many foster children grow up in my care, then leave to live their own lives as adults with great success. So, with great pleasure, I accept this award as testament to this achievement.” Actor Rudi Dharmalingam, who appeared in TV drama Our Girl and who fosters with his wife Nicola, and KISS FM DJ Pandora Christie, who spent time in foster care, were among the guests at the event. Presenting the awards, Rudi said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to

camden.gov.uk/fostering

0800 0281 436

Other guests at the annual event, held on Friday 21 September, included the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Jenny Headlam-Wells, and Councillor Angela Mason, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life. Musical entertainment came from Laurie and Cole, via the Camden Music Trust, while local businesses generously donated free restaurant meals, cinema tickets and gift vouchers to the Camden foster carers who attended. To find out about how you could make a lasting difference to local children’s lives by fostering, visit our website below.

News

Festival of Treasures Over 600 local children enjoyed a treasure-themed day at the British Library, which brought together local organisations to create an event fully accessible to deaf children.

Camden talking

Community comments on social media. Great to hear young people speak so proudly about Camden and our #youthservices at the #youthsafety taskforce report launch @Young_Camden via Twitter

The average Londoner buys a startling 175 bottles of water every year, resulting in substantial amounts of single-use plastic waste. Put your tap on the map and help reduce plastic waste refill.org.uk @RefillLondon @CamdenTownUnltd @EustonTown @kingscrossN1C @HattonGDN @camdenclimate via Twitter

Families took part in activities at the Festival of Treasures event

Year 6 are enthralled by Aga Gojownik, a female tech influencer and champion for future generations of coders, on Ada Lovelace day. #Ada18 #AdaLovelaceDay #STEM #STEAM @TorrianoJuniorS via Twitter

Families worked together to create treasure chests and pop-up treasure cards, explored ancient objects, and discovered stories of heroic sailors and masters of early flight, delivered in British Sign Language. The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Jenny Headlam-Wells, who attended the Festival of Treasures Family Day on Saturday 22 September, said: “The event showed Camden at its best – with volunteers from the borough’s wonderful cultural and scientific institutions involving deaf children and their families in a wide range

of activities and opportunities to make new discoveries.” The family day was a partnership event run by the British Library in collaboration with the Council, Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children and the British Museum. Many of Camden’s museums, galleries, universities and other organisations came together to run activities. To find out what’s going on in the borough this month, turn to the listings on pages 28 and 29 or visit the Love Camden website below.

Want news and events updates about volunteering in Camden delivered straight to your inbox? We have mailing lists for people who want to volunteer and for organisations that involve volunteers. Sign up now: bit.ly/vccmail #volunteer @VCCamden via Twitter

What a fantastic evening courtesy of @camden_giving and @fundingnetwork where we were given an opportunity to pitch for funding alongside three other brilliant charities. We had a blast and a huge thanks to everyone who pledged to all the charities. @C4WSCamden via Twitter

Join the conversation: facebook.com/lbcamden

Find out more

lovecamden.org

@CamdenCouncil 11

News

Celebrating Black History Month Nearly 200 people attended a special event to mark and celebrate Black History Month in Camden. The free event, organised by Camden Black Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Group with support from the Council and UNISON, brought residents and the community together for an action-packed evening of music and performances. The event was held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Windrush migration and inspire the younger generation to learn from the stories of people

invited from the Caribbean to help rebuild the UK after the Second World War. Residents enjoyed performances from musician and producer Dennis Bovell, band Reggae Fraternity UK, and author and creator of the books and television series Rastamouse, Michael de Souza. The event also featured a performance from award-winning comedian Glenda Jaxson, while journalist and musician Alex Pascall OBE spoke about his experiences on first arriving in the UK.

A range of exhibitions, arts and crafts and market stalls for residents to enjoy were also displayed at the Crowndale Centre, where the event was held. Rapper, storyteller and poet Alim Kamara compered the event. He said: Black History Month is a time to ignite, inspire and inform. As someone who travels in to schools to deliver culturally-inspired workshops, I have found that traditional storytelling and positive history presentations captivate and inspire young people, and help to tackle xenophobia.

Compere and performer Alim Kamara welcomed guests to the Black History Month celebration event

Sandra Soteriou (left) from KnotsUK, with Carole Murithi, was among the Camden business owners at the marketplace

News Producer, guitarist and songwriter Dennis Bovell performed at the event

Sese Foster from Reggae Fraternity UK performed her own track Africa and a cover of Bob Marleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Redemption Song

Find out more

Paula Perry, founder of organisation You4Us, shared an interactive presentation on black history

Alex Pascall OBE spoke about his experiences on first arriving in the UK

lovecamden.org 13

News

New homes to support residents In early 2019, construction will start on a new Charlie Ratchford Centre, with 38 new extra-care homes for people who need support to live indepedently. The new homes, which will be located on Crogsland Road in Chalk Farm, will also include a shared garden, ground floor lounge and dining areas where residents can socialise with one another. In addition, the project will include a new base for Camden Carers Service. Allegra Lynch, CEO of Camden Carers Centre said “We are looking forward to moving in to our new offices and making use Find out more

Did you know that we plant at least 400 trees a year in the borough? As well as improving the character of our streets and green spaces, trees help to reduce air and water pollution. There are approximately 28,000 trees on public and council land in Camden, with more on private land. We have introduced a new externally-funded tree planting

Extra-care housing is designed with the needs of older people in mind, offering more independence than care homes. The new homes on Crogsland

Road will have few differences from a standard flat, providing residents with their own space whilst also providing care and support from on-site staff when needed. These new facilities are being funded through our Community Investment Programme.

The new Charlie Ratchford Centre (artist’s impression)

charlieratchfordgtp.co.uk

Planting trees in Camden

Find out more

of the space to encourage carers to make time for themselves, supporting them to maintain their own health and wellbeing.”

coordinator, who will work with building developers and find funding to make sure that more trees are planted on private land. Tree planting takes place between October and March each year. Last year we planted 453 new trees. We select trees that are suitable for each location, and make sure that we have a diversity of species overall. This ensures we have a healthy tree population and enjoy the many benefits trees bring to our environment. Once young trees are established, they are maintained on a three-year cycle to help them flourish.

camden.gov.uk/trees

To find out more about our treeplanting programme, visit our website below, where you can also use an online form to suggest a new site for a tree.

New tree planted in Queen Square in Bloomsbury

Feature

Universal Credit We are committed to supporting residents as the government’s Universal Credit comes to Camden. Universal Credit replaces six benefits for people of working age with a single monthly benefit paid into a bank account. These are: • Housing Benefit • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Income Support • Child Tax Credit • Working Tax Credit. If you are already claiming any of the above benefits, you will continue to receive them until you need to claim a new benefit, your circumstances change or until the government asks you to do so. Universal Credit claims are made and managed online at gov.uk/ universalcredit Some residents in Camden are already able to claim Universal Credit and some residents in West Hampstead and Kilburn (residents with a postcode that begins with NW2 2, NW2 3, NW6 1, NW6 2 or NW6 5) will be able to claim Universal Credit from 21 November. From December, Universal Credit will be fully rolled out across Camden. If you have three or more children, you will not be able to claim

Find out more

Universal Credit until February 2019 but you can still claim any of the six existing benefits. If you live in supported or temporary accommodation, you will need to claim Housing Benefit for your housing costs and Universal Credit for living costs. Speak to your Rent Officer if this affects you. Universal Credit payments Universal Credit payments are made monthly in arrears, so there will be a delay in receiving the first payment. If getting online, budgeting or waiting for your first payment are likely to be a problem, you can ask the Jobcentre for help when you make your claim.

to help if you are worried about managing your money and debts. You can also visit our Universal Credit webpages below for more information. As part of our response to Camden’s financial challenge, we will be asking the government to review Universal Credit and its impact on the vulnerable. You can read more about Camden’s financial challenge on pages 16 and 17.

Information and support We understand that many residents are concerned about the impact of Universal Credit. We are funding Citizens Advice Camden to provide support to residents affected by the changes. If you are a council tenant, you will also be able to get advice to help you manage from our Rent Services team. On the back page of the magazine, you can find more information about the support available, from advice before you make your claim

Universal Credit will be rolled out across Camden in December

camden.gov.uk/universalcredit

Feature

Camden’s financial challenge We’re asking the government to urgently review its funding for local services. We are proud to provide essential services to our communities. We want to protect what makes Camden the great place it is, where people care about where they live and those around them.

Central government cuts 250

But we’re facing a huge financial challenge.

200

£ millions

Due to funding cuts from central government and rising costs: Since 2010 we’ve had to reduce our budget by £169 million. We now need to save £40 million from our annual budget over the next three years.

Since 2010 government funding for Camden services has been cut by 49%.

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10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19

Financial year

An uncertain future for Camden Across the country, public services such as the NHS, police and organisations tackling issues including household poverty are at tipping point. As a council the government have cut 49% of our core funding since 2010 and by 2022 we estimate we will have a further £35 to 40 million less per year. This is on top of the £169 million we’ve already saved. 16

The combination of these cuts and spending pressures, such as increasing demand and the rising cost of living, means we cannot continue to make savings without vital services being impacted. We have done what we can to plug the gap, but there are just no easy choices left. In December we will publish proposals for how we plan to make these necessary savings.

Feature

Standing up for public services In December, the government will be consulting on local government funding for the financial year ahead before final decisions are made.

Camden has a history of communities coming together for real social change.

Our response to the consultation will ask the government to: • Urgently invest the £40 million needed to maintain our current service levels

Better funding is needed to support the public services our citizens rely on. Together with our public sector and community partners, we want to send this clear message to the government.

• Guarantee no more cuts to local council funding • Properly fund our services for adults and children that are under pressure from our growing and ageing population • Boost funding for all state schools to ensure they have the budgets they need • Provide funding to help us reduce council tax for our poorest citizens • Urgently review Universal Credit and its impact on the vulnerable.

Find out more

camden.gov.uk/financialchallenge

We know from hearing from thousands of residents as we created Camden 2025, our new community vision, that you have clear ambitions for and concerns about Camden’s future. This is a difficult time, but we are committed to protecting essential public services and standing up for our communities.

@CamdenCouncil

facebook.com/lbcamden

Feature

Peter Brayshaw’s family with Councillor Danny Beales, Cabinet Member for Investing in Communities

Council homes for Camden Street Residents have now moved into 14 new council homes, following the redevelopment of Plender Street and Camden Street. Mrs Baxter, who moved into one of the homes at Brayshaw House said: “My new flat is really beautiful and just right for me. Before, I was on the third floor and I’m 75 so it was difficult getting around. I’m now on the first and there’s a lift to get up. I’ve downsized from a three-bedroom place to a two-bedroom and it’s just much easier for me to take 18

care of. I’ve got a nice balcony I can sit out on too.” The new council flats, named after former St Pancras and Somers Town councillor Peter Brayshaw, were officially opened last month, and Councillor Danny Beales was joined by members of the Brayshaw family for the event. The homes are the final part of

a larger redevelopment project that includes the new St Pancras Community Centre, which opened in summer 2016. The centre has become a hive of activity for all ages, offering stay and plays for young parents, knitting and singing groups for the elderly, and evening classes for those looking to learn a new language or skill. In addition to the new

Feature community centre, the project has also delivered new sports pitches at Richard Cobden School, new shops, and homes for sale on Plender Street. The rejuvenation of Camden Street and Plender Street has only been possible through our Community Investment Programme. How it works The Community Investment Programme is our model to plug gaps in funding so that we can build new council homes, schools and community facilities. To plug these funding gaps, we sell newly built homes and underused assets. The sale of the newly built homes on Plender Street helped pay for the 14 new council homes on Camden Street, the new sports pitches at Richard Cobden School and the new St Pancras Community Centre. On each Community Investment Programme development, we work closely with residents from design to delivery. This collaborative approach is vital to make sure that we prioritise the needs of our communities, for example, building St Pancras Community Centre at the same time as homes for sale. Plender Street and Camden Street make up just one of many larger schemes across the borough. The Community Investment Programme pays for smaller improvements all over Camden, including new classrooms in local schools, Find out more

Graham Cobb (left), with Terry Quinan and Don Preddy from St Pancras Community Association outside the new community centre

Better Homes repairs on older estates, and refurbishments for tenants’ and residents’ association halls. Appreciating in value Now that construction is complete, the value of investment into Camden Street and Plender Street can really start to grow. Since opening, St Pancras Community Centre has become a cherished local resource. Graham Cobb, Director of St Pancras Community Association, said: “We’ve increased footfall three or four times over the last three years and opened up whole new programmes. Feedback has been very positive. People like the space and the services they get.” “We’ve also been able to attract commercial business that we’d never have got in our old building and this has helped to make us

more sustainable. We’re now generating £130,000 a year from business activities, which compares to just £30,000 in our old building. That’s all new money for local community services at a time when grants are drying up fast. “I very much doubt St Pancras Community Association would still exist if we hadn’t got the new building when we did.” Likewise, families moving into homes at Brayshaw House are able to start new chapters in their lives, with a wealth of opportunities in employment, education and their local community. Mrs Baxter said: “I’ve known the area my whole life and I think the new block will make a difference locally. I think every new block makes a difference and helps to improve the area.”

camden.gov.uk/cip 19

Feature

Free flu vaccines for children Doctors in Camden strongly recommend that local parents vaccinate their children against flu this autumn. Children in reception class and school years one to five will receive it at school – all parents need to do is sign the consent form provided by their school. Vaccination won’t just benefit your child. Dr Ritchie said: “Children tend to be super-spreaders of flu so if they get it, they are likely to infect more vulnerable family members such as elderly grandparents. Vaccination helps protect your wider family and community. “If your child is eligible for the vaccine, my advice is don’t put it off. It’s free because they need it.”

Children aged two to nine can receive a free flu vaccine

A free vaccine is now offered by the NHS to children aged two to nine. Children are at increased risk from the virus – with under-fives more likely to be hospitalised due to flu than any other age group. Dr Kevan Ritchie, a GP at the Bloomsbury Surgery, said: “Flu can be terrible for little children, who experience the same symptoms as adults – including a fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat. Find out more 20

“Some children can develop a very high fever, or complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia, and may need hospital treatment. “The good news is that the NHS provides a free vaccine that helps to protect your child from flu. For most children, this comes in the form of a quick and easy nasal spray – not an injection.” Parents of children aged two or three can arrange the vaccination for their children by contacting their GP surgery.

nhs.uk/fluvaccine

Am I eligible for the free flu vaccination? As well as children aged two to nine, people who can receive the vaccine from their GP or pharmacist include: • pregnant women • those aged 65 or older • adults with underlying health conditions like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart or kidney or liver disease, or who have had a stroke. Visit the website below for the full list.

Feature

Know you’re not alone He won’t even let me see my family now. It’s been so long since I’ve had someone to talk to. I feel so alone.

KNOW you’re not alone Everyone deserves to feel safe in their relationship with their partner and with family – if you don’t, there is support available. Sunday 25 November is White Ribbon Day, a worldwide campaign by men and boys to raise awareness about male violence against women and girls, along with promoting healthy relationships and gender equality. The day also marks the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. With one in four women and one in six men experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime, it can happen to anyone – regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation or culture. Abuse doesn’t just have to be physical – it can also include Find out more 020 7974 2526

verbal, psychological, emotional, financial or sexual abuse. This can take place face-to-face, or by phone, text on social media. If a partner or another family member acts in a way that makes you feel scared, isolated or insecure, or you’re physically hurt, this is not normal. Support is available Camden Safety Net is our dedicated support service. Call or email to talk to someone in our team in confidence about any concerns you have about your relationship. Our trained advisors will offer impartial advice and talk you through the options

camden.gov.uk/know

whiteribbon.org.uk

available and find a way forward that’s right for you. You can show your support for the campaign against domestic violence on White Ribbon Day by wearing a white ribbon, available from the campaign’s website below. You can also share a link to the Camden Safety Net website below on social media using #WhiteRibbonDay and #KnowYoureNotAlone

camdensafetynet@camden.gov.uk

Feature

Youth Safety Taskforce calls for whole community response

Camden Youth Council members at the launch event, including Youth MP Athian Akec (centre), and Deputy Youth MPs Asma Maloumi (fourth from left) and Jessie Wernick (second from right)

We are investing £500,000 to help the Council, partners and community to act upon the key recommendations of the Youth Safety Taskforce. The co-chairs of the taskforce – Councillor Abdul Hai, Cabinet Member for Young People and Cohesion, and Holborn and St Pancras MP Keir Starmer – presented the report at St Luke’s Church, Kentish Town. The audience included individuals and organisations who have played a vital role in helping the taskforce since it was set up last year. The event on 20 September included an announcement from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Georgia Gould, of 22

£500,000 to help the Council, our partners and the community act upon some of the report’s key findings. This council funding will be spent over two years. The taskforce set out to examine the underlying causes of an increase in youth violence in the borough over the last two years and identify what more should be done to keep Camden’s young people safe. Taskforce members spoke to young people, parents and residents, health professionals, the

police, other public sector partners and the voluntary sector, as well as studying detailed research to learn from what has worked elsewhere.

Key findings of the taskforce report Drugs market A well-established and profitsdriven illegal drugs market is linked with an increase in violence. Exploitation and vulnerability Children, mainly boys, are being exploited by older criminals in

Feature Recommendations As well as the findings and actions outlined above, the report has 17 recommendations to promote youth safety under five themes of prevent, identify, support, disrupt and enforce. The report calls for a Camdenwide, whole community approach to tackle youth violence. This involves young people, parents, residents, schools, businesses, community and voluntary groups, the Council, the police and all other local partners working together to keep our young people safe. Aydarus Ahmed, who lost three family members to youth violence, spoke at the taskforce launch

the illicit drugs trade. The most vulnerable children and young people are often at greatest risk, so the taskforce recommends enforcement focusing on those ‘at the top’ who are exploiting children to make money. Professionals who work with young people say early childhood trauma contributes to later involvement in youth violence. Education, employment and opportunities Lack of opportunities and the desire to make money are key contributing factors to children and young people becoming involved in youth violence. Being in education, training or employment, including regular attendance at school or college, makes it far less likely they will become involved in crime or gangs. Continued investment by the Council and voluntary sector partners in youth services and Find out more

positive activities for young people are also key to prevention.

Read the report To read the full taskforce report, visit our website below. If you would like to get involved in making Camden safer for our young people, please contact us using the email address below.

Fear factor Some young people say the wish to defend themselves outweighs the fear of being arrested for carrying a knife. While the report estimates that only 0.15% of young people aged 10 to 17 in Camden carry knives, young people say they believe the actual scale of knife carrying is higher. Relationship with the police General distrust of the police is widespread among the young people who the taskforce engaged with, and the vast majority of young people spoken to feel that ‘stop and search’ tactics unfairly target young black men. Yet parents and the majority of older residents want more visible police patrols and community police officers.

camden.gov.uk/youthsafetytaskforce

Camden Youth MP Athian Akec opened the taskforce launch event

youthsafety@camden.gov.uk 23

Feature

Sort and clean your recycling This month we’re highlighting how to make sure that your recycling helps towards a cleaner and greener Camden. Check it can be recycled Around 85% of an average rubbish bin in Camden can be recycled. Our collection crews are not able to collect bins that contain items that cannot be recycled, so make sure you check what you put in.

YOU CAN RECYCLE:

YOU CANNOT RECYCLE:

Mixed paper and cardboard Tins, cans and foil Glass containers Mixed plastic Cartons Tetra Pak.

Paper or card stained with food, grease, paint or dirt Paint tins Pyrex cookware, drinking glasses, vases and mirrors Takeaway coffee cups made from a mixture of plastic and paper Black bags and nappies.

For a full list of items that can be recycled visit our website: camden.gov.uk/recyclingandrubbish

Dirty recycling is rubbish Dirty, greasy and food-stained recycling runs the risk of the whole recycling truck being rejected.

Washing your recycling is quick, easy and key to making sure it ends up at our recycling centre.

I tems can be rinsed after you’ve done your washing up – no extra water is needed and it doesn’t take long.

Rinse out, film off, tops on If in doubt of what to do with your items before putting them into your recycling bin, remember: 1. Rinse them out.

2. Take any film wrapping off.

3. You can keep the tops on.

Feature

Recycle your plastic Reducing, reusing and recycling plastic prevents it from ending up in our rivers and oceans, in landfill or from being incinerated. Plastics are also sorted by different types.

When we collect your plastic, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taken to a recycling centre in north London where different materials are separated out: plastics, paper and card, glass and metals.

Plastic bottles are mostly sent to facilities in the UK where they are remade into new bottles. Other mixed plastics are sent to facilities in the UK and overseas to be turned into different, new products.

Recycling your plastic milk bottles Did you know that recycled plastic from your milk carton can be back on the shelf within one month?

Plastic milk bottle bought from local shop

New bottles are taken back to local shop

Did you know? Find out more

Bottle put in recycling bin at home

Pellets transported to packaging plant to be turned back into milk bottles and returned to local shops

Collected and taken to recycling centre

Milk bottles shredded into flakes, then turned into plastic pellets

Plastics sorted and separated out

Plastic bottles make up 10% of the waste in the Thames. camden.gov.uk/rubbishandrecycling

020 3567 8105 25

Feature

Making Camden a dementia-friendly borough Camden Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) is committed to making the borough a better place for people with dementia and their carers. Swiss Cottage, to mark World Alzheimer’s Day. The aim of the day was to increase understanding of the challenges for local people affected by dementia in accessing activities, support, local services, public transport and businesses. They discussed what the alliance should focus on to most improve the quality of life for people with dementia.

Camden Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) members, supporters and guests at the World Alzheimer’s Day event with DAA Chair, Councillor Alison Kelly (far right), Councillor Patricia Callaghan (far left), and DAA Co-ordinator Priya Satish (centre, left)

The DAA now has nearly 50 member organisations since launching in 2016, ranging from the Council, Camden Carers Service and the British Library to the Kentish Town branch of the Co-op supermarket and the Jewish Museum. Alliance members commit to sending their staff on dementia awareness training, making their venues and activities more accessible to people with dementia and their carers, and helping to spread the word about the work of the DAA. Well over 100 people from member Find out more 26

organisations have become ‘Dementia Friends’ after attending training – helping to increase understanding and awareness. Among the regular activities organised by DAA members are dementia-friendly singalongs at Kentish Town City Farm, run jointly with Songhaven, and the Dance Well programme run by Akademi South Asian dance company in community venues, care homes and local hospitals. Members of Camden DAA came together for an open day and barbecue in the garden of Compton Lodge Care Home,

dementiaaction.org.uk/london

DAA members Bluebird Care Camden and Hampstead, and Compton Lodge Care Home contributed to the cost of the event and helped organise it with DAA Co-ordinator Priya Satish. Councillor Alison Kelly, Chair of Camden DAA, was among the guests, along with Councillor Patricia Callaghan, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Tackling Health Inequality and Promoting Independence. Membership of the DAA is open to any group, organisation or business in the borough that is committed to making a real difference to the lives of people affected by dementia. Visit the website below or contact them via the email address to find out more and sign up. To find out about events in Camden this month, including at dementia-friendly venues, turn to the listings on pages 28 and 29.

priya.satish@alzheimers.org.uk

Feature

Health and wellbeing in the community Our Health and Wellbeing Champions help residents to lead more active and healthy lives.

Andrea Balacua (left), one of our Health and Wellbeing Champions, supports people to get more active

The Champions, based at Camden’s leisure centres but reaching out to the heart of our communities, are working to improve physical activity, healthy eating and mental wellbeing in the borough. Working closely with residents to understand their needs, the Champions help to build people’s confidence and self-esteem through offering free, tailored advice and support for individuals or groups to get more active. Andrea Balacua, a Health and Wellbeing Champion at Pancras Square Leisure, said: “Since becoming a Health and Wellbeing Champion, it’s been great to see how I can help people in Camden to be more active. “Most recently I’ve supported women from the Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre into swimming, a group of ladies from Somers Town into walking netball, and a variety of people into leisure centre memberships based on the types of activities they’ve wanted to do. I made sure they took out the right membership at the best price for them.” Find out more

Rina Begum from Somers Town had been attending a women-only swim session at Pancras Square Leisure but wanted to swim more often. Andrea introduced Rina to other local women-only swim sessions and helped to find the best membership option to keep the sessions at a low cost. Rina said: “I had been swimming at Pancras Square Leisure for about eight months without knowing there were other sessions I could go to, and that if I took out a membership I would be able to go to any of Camden’s leisure centres. I find it hard to read in English so I wouldn’t have been able to find out any of the information myself. Andrea was so helpful, she told me about the other sessions and helped me with signing up so that I

can now go swimming three times a week.” The Health and Wellbeing Champions service is available to all Camden residents. Contact your local Champion by email or pop into your local centre for more information. Contact your Health and Wellbeing Champion Pancras Square Leisure – andrea.balauca@gll.org Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre – justyna.bakula@gll.org Kentish Town Sports Centre – atiqur.rahman@gll.org Oasis Sports Centre – bhumika.pandit@gll.org

better.org.uk/camden 27

Listings Arts and culture Ladies of quality and distinction: Wikithon Saturday 17 November, 1 to 4pm Join a Wikipedia edit-a-thon to help bring the overlooked stories of women in the Foundling Hospital story to the fore. Booking essential. The Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ foundlingmuseum.org.uk 020 7841 3600 Lunchtime concert Tuesday 20 November, 1.15 to 2pm Enjoy classical music performed live by Lauderdale House’s resident musician, pianist Stephen Hose. Drop-in. Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, N6 5HG lauderdalehouse.org.uk 020 8348 8716 Swiss Cottage Gallery presents: Katarina Hruskova Wednesday 21 November to Saturday 19 January, Mondays to Thursdays 10am to 8pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 5pm Exhibition from the Slovak artist, exploring space, borders, voice and language. Part of the Camden Vox programme, which takes inspiration from the women’s suffrage movement and 100 years since the first women were given the right to vote. Swiss Cottage Gallery, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA lovecamden.org/camden-voxexhibitions Hampstead School of Art at Wac Arts Atrium Gallery Friday 23 November to Thursday 24 January, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6.30 to 8.30pm Hampstead School of Art will exhibit work from its autumn term as part of the Wac Arts 40th birthday celebrations. Wac Arts, 213 Haverstock Hill, NW3 4QP wacarts.co.uk hayley.butler@wacarts.co.uk

All activities are free unless otherwise specified. Camden Commissions: Hannah Collins Until Monday 3 December, Mondays to Thursdays 10am to 8pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 5pm A series of posters from Turner Prizenominated London artist on themes of equality, place, power and identity. Part of the Camden Vox programme. Swiss Cottage Library (atrium), 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA lovecamden.org/camden-voxexhibitions

Caterpillar Music Sunday 11 November, 10.30 to 11.15am (18 months to five years), 11.30am to 12.15pm (under-threes) Interactive, fun music and movement sessions with captivating puppets, instruments, singing dancing and bubbles. Booking essential. Jewish Museum, Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street, NW1 7NB jewishmuseum.org.uk admin@jewishmuseum.org.uk 020 7284 7384

Beyond Timbuktu: preserving the manuscripts of Djenne, Mali To January 2019 – check website for opening times Display of manuscripts from this centre of Islamic learning, located on the banks of the Niger Delta. British Library (Second Floor Gallery), 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB bl.uk 01937 546 546

Family cook and eat on a budget Wednesday 14 November, 3.45 to 5.45pm Learn how to make delicious meals and save money. For parents or carers with their children. Drop-in. Castlehaven Community Association, The Haven, 23 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8RU castlehaven.org.uk info@castlehaven.org.uk

Journeys Drawn: illustrations from the refugee crisis To 31 March 2019, Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 6pm An exhibition telling refugee stories, both observed and experienced first-hand. Adult £8.25 (admits to three exhibitions), £5.50 concession and £4.40 child House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square, N1C 4BH houseofillustration.org.uk 020 3696 2020

Keats House Family Day: To Autumn Sunday 18 November, 2 to 4pm Create a beautifully-illustrated shape poem or collage inspired by the season. Drop-in. Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, NW3 2RR cityoflondon.gov.uk/keats 020 7332 3868

Families Maths on Toast: free family fun – with maths Second Saturday of every month, 2 to 5pm Drop in for children aged five to 12 and their grown-ups. Every session is different – colour, create and enjoy a challenge. Pancras Square Library, 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG mathsontoast.org.uk 020 7613 8389

Little Feet: help run the British Museum Friday 23 November, 10.30am to 12 noon There’s always lots of work to do at the British Museum, from selling tickets to catching pests. Play, move and join in with all sorts of museum jobs at this drop-in workshop for under-fives and their parents and carers. British Museum (Clore Centre for Education), Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org 020 7323 8000

Listings Community Family support volunteer training Wednesday 21 November, then every Tuesday and Thursday until Thursday 13 December, 9.45am to 2.30pm Volunteer to give young families ongoing support and friendship. Once the eight training sessions are complete, you will visit a family once a week. Home-Start Camden and Islington, Family and Youth Resource Centre, 7 Dowdney Close, NW5 2BP homestartcamden.org.uk 020 7424 1603 Hampstead Village Christmas Fair Sunday 2 December, 12 noon to 5pm Family-friendly afternoon, with food, drink and craft stalls, performances, Santa’s Grotto and more. Hampstead High Street, NW3 hampsteadvillagelondon.com/ christmas Healthy Minds Community Programme Various dates and times Mind in Camden runs a programme open to residents over 18 who would like to try out new activities to improve their mood, including walks, yoga and boxing, as well as nutrition and creative writing workshops. There are different types of support available to help you achieve your goals. mindincamden.org.uk/services/ healthy-minds-2 020 7241 8996

Disability athletics with Highgate Harriers Thursdays 4.30 to 5.30pm Athletics training for anyone with a disability, whatever that disability may be. anthony_sport@hotmail.com Dancing classes Saturdays, 12 noon to 1.40pm Learn Spanish, Portuguese and Latino dancing – no previous experience needed. £4 – pay on the door. Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road, NW3 3NR elsaperez@virginmedia.com 020 8769 3619 Monthly health walk Wednesday 21 November, 9.45 to 11.45am Join a friendly health walk in Regent’s Park, get fitter and feel refreshed. Meet at West Euston Partnership, 29 to 31 Hampstead Road, NW1 3JA westeustonpartnership.org/ events chuks@westeuston.org 020 7388 7932 ext 1202 TCV Camden Green Gym Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10.45am to 2pm Projects include practical habitat conservation and planting new gardens and trees. Wear outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes. Locations across Camden. tcv.org.uk/camden 07768 710 359 or 07768 421 881

Get active

Older people

Gentle yoga for people aged 60+ Wednesdays, 3 to 4pm Great for improving mobility, a trained teacher will ensure everyone can enjoy yoga safely. All abilities welcome. Kentish Town City Farm, 1 Cressfield Close, NW5 4BN ktcityfarm.org.uk 07419 820 503

Walk via Portland Place to Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Wednesday 14 November, 1.30pm Gentle walk for older people, organised by Kilburn Older Voices Exchange. Meet at Great Portland Street station. Booking essential. kove.org.uk 07973 845 285 (Peter) Songhaven dementia-friendly concert Saturday 17 November, 3.30pm Professional concert with tunes from the operatic stage, classic musicals and popular songs from the past. 40-minute concert followed by tea and cake. Suggested donation £5. Lumen church and cafe, 88 Tavistock Place, WC1H 9RS songhaven.co.uk songhaven@songhaven.co.uk Walk around Fitzrovia Wednesday 28 November, 1.30pm Gentle walk for older people, organised by Kilburn Older Voices Exchange. Meet at Warren Street station. No booking required. kove.org.uk 07973 845 285 (Peter) Winter Wellbeing event for over 65s Friday 30 November, 2 to 4pm Meet new people over some winterthemed refreshments and wellbeingfocused activities – all part of North London Cares’ free Winter Wellbeing programme to keep over-65s warm, active, healthy and connected over winter. Highgate Newtown Community Centre, 25 Bertram Street, N19 5DQ northlondoncares.org.uk 020 7118 3838 roxanne.rustem@northlondoncares. org.uk

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

Councillors’ allowances 2017/18 In accordance with the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) Regulations 2003, notice is hereby given that the London Borough of Camden, during the financial period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018, 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 Councillor

Basic Allowances

Payments to Councillors

and Cycle Special Responsi- Travel Carers’ Total Paid to bility Allowances SubsisAllowance Allowance Members tence

Member

Basic Allowances

and Cycle Special Responsi- Travel Carers’ Total Paid to bility Allowances SubsisAllowance Allowance Members tence

Ali N

9,849.00

Mulholland J

3,857.53

30.46

3,887.99

Apak M

9,849.00

16,275.00

182.76

26,306.76

Olad A

9,849.00

5,426.04

15,275.04

Baillie S

9,849.00

Olszewski R

9,849.00

14,875.13

24,724.13

Beales D

9,849.00

11,001.20

20,850.20

Pietragnoli L

9,849.00

9,448.26

19,297.26

Beattie D A

9,849.00

Pober A

9,849.00

182.76

10,031.76

Berry S

9,849.00

Quadir A

9,849.00

4,725.91

14,574.91

Blackwell TW

4,514.13

7,459.38

73.30

12,046.81

Boyland M

Rea F M

9,849.00

Revah L P

9,849.00

2,100.00

11,949.00

8,922.35

Robinson R L 9,849.00

1,399.74

11,248.74

Bucknell J M 9,849.00

9,849.00

Callaghan PA

9,849.00

16,275.00

26,124.00

Rosenberg PR

Cooper O H

9,849.00

500.62

10,349.62

9,849.00

Roy L

9,849.00

5,426.04

15,275.04

Russell L J

9,849.00

Cotton R S

9,849.00

14,384.68

24,233.68

Shah N

9,849.00

16,275.00

26,124.00

Currie T W

9,849.00

Simpson J A

9,849.00

16,275.00

26,124.00

Eslamdoust M

9,849.00

5,426.04

15,275.04

Francis S

9,849.00

Spinella G

9,849.00

2,470.31

12,319.31

Stark S

9,849.00

Tomlinson PE

9,849.00

182.76

10,031.76

9,849.00

2,494.23

12,343.23

Freeman R J 9,849.00

9,849.00

Fulbrook J G 9,849.00

9,849.00

Vincent S

Gardiner T

5,426.04

15,275.04

Williams D W 9,849.00

9,849.00

5,426.04

15,275.04

Gimson S

9,849.00

Wood A

9,849.00

Gould G A

9,849.00

27,613.22

37,462.22

Yarde J A

9,849.00

Hai A

9,849.00

Total for Councillors

529,442.01

289,108.10

148.85

578.74

819,277.70

16,275.00

26,124.00

Harrison A D 9,849.00

8,363.54

18,212.54

Hayward S L 9,849.00

3,779.74

13,628.74

Headlam-Wells J

2,115.49

75.55

12,040.04

Payments to Independent Persons and Committee Members

Johnson H M 9,849.00

5,426.04

15,275.04

Jones P D

9,849.00

7,459.38

17,308.38

Kelly A

9,849.00

5,426.04

15,275.04

Redfern M A -

1,058.04

Total Paid to Independent Persons and Committee Members 1,058.04

Terry S D

1,058.04

Wells D

9,849.00

Khatoon S

9,849.00

4,725.91

14,574.91

Lewis O

9,849.00

4,725.91

14,574.91

Leyland C

9,849.00

13,804.69

23,653.69

Madlani R

9,849.00

5,426.04

15,275.04

Marshall A Mason A M

9,849.00 9,849.00

16,275.00

9,849.00 26,124.00

4,602.44

14,451.44

Mennear K A 9,849.00

Independent Persons and Basic Committee Allowances Members

Special Responsibility Allowances

Travel and Subsistence

Cycle Allowance

Carers’ Allowance

1,058.04

Total for Independent Persons and Committee Members

3,174.12

Total for all Allowances

292,282.22

148.85

578.74

822,451.82

529,442.01

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. 30

My Camden Ricky Jefferson is Director of Wood that Works, which runs carpentry workshops at Highgate Newtown Community Centre. What’s your Camden connection? I moved to the borough about 26 years ago. I now work and live in Highgate.

Tell us about your work in Camden At Wood that Works, we teach carpentry to children and young people aged five and over, including children with disabilities, and we’re expanding to offer adult evening classes. We also work with Camden Youth Offending Service to give young people the opportunity to give back to their community, and have links with schools and colleges. Wood that Works was started for the community, by the community, and it’s gone from strength to strength – we now teach over 100 people each week. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing people’s faces when they have

Ricky Jefferson

made something by themselves. We only use recycled wood – it’s great to see people making objects to treasure from it.

What makes Camden special?

Favourite place in Camden and why?

Most memorable thing to happen to you in Camden?

I may be biased, but my favourite has to be the carpentry workshops I run at Highgate Newtown Community Centre. My favourite open space in the borough has to be Hampstead Heath, where I enjoy walking my dogs.

It’s a multicultural area, full of good community spirit.

When we launched Wood that Works, local companies Bliss on a Bike and Ceramic Circle donated ice lollies and food – it was great to see businesses giving back to help get the project off the ground.

If you could change one thing about the borough, what would it be? There would be more free activities for children.

Hampstead Heath

Do you know someone who has strong community connections in Camden that we should profile? Email camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk to tell us more. Find out more

highgatenewtown.org.uk/project/wood-that-works

woodthatworks@hotmail.com 31

Support with Universal Credit Universal Credit is coming to Camden, replacing some existing benefits for new claimants – turn to page 15 to find out more. To find out whether you can claim, and to make a claim, visit gov.uk/universalcredit

Help with getting online Visit your local Jobcentre or call their Freephone helpline on 0800 328 5644. They will help you create your online account and talk you through how to claim. If you would like to develop your digital skills, Camden Adult Community Learning offers a range of free courses: • 020 7974 2148 • camden.gov.uk/adultlearning Camden’s libraries provide free wifi – check your local library for opening hours.

Support with managing your money If you are on Universal Credit and in debt, or worried about moving to Universal Credit and need advice, contact Citizens Advice Camden: • 0300 330 1157 • Drop in advice available: 141a Robert Street, NW1 3QT or 2 Prince of Wales Road, NW5 3LQ – see opening hours at camdencabservice.org.uk

Support for council tenants If you are a council tenant and worried about paying your rent, contact the Council’s Rent Services team on 020 7974 4444.

camden.gov.uk/universalcredit