Camden Spring 2024

Spring has officially sprung in Camden and the Easter school holidays are almost here – make sure to check out our guide to local free and low-cost activities for all ages on pages 10 and 11

In this issue you can find out about support available with the cost of living crisis on pages 4 and 5, as well as inspiring stories and initiatives from our communities throughout.

@WeMakeCamden @CamdenCouncil @LBCamden

#WeMakeCamden camden.gov.uk

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Published by Camden Council

Distribution from 11 March 2024

All content correct at time of print

Cover photograph by Polly Hancock

You

Khadys Dream Local community action

Born and raised in Camden, Kevin was in the criminal justice system from the age of 13. Now aged 26, he delivers crime prevention workshops in schools, colleges and youth groups across the borough through his organisation, Khadys Dream. We spoke to him to find out more:

Young people see social media content that glamourises the criminal lifestyle every day. Our workshops show them the untold reality of committing crime through lived experience. We break down the whole criminal justice system – from stop and search and prison cells, to the court system and life in and outside of prison.

“It’s fundamental to educate young people about the hidden consequences of committing crime. The best way to prevent crime is to educate them from an early age and consistently.

“You can’t shield children and young people from the world, but you can prepare them.”

Find out more at khadysdream.com

Arun and Sylvania founded the Special Cooperative to support their sons and other disabled young people in Kentish Town to build independence and help families to access more affordable food. We spoke to them to find out more:

Arun: “There aren’t many activities for disabled young people once they turn 25 and prices are hitting families hard, so we wanted to do something to address both issues. The co-op reduces families’ food bills and gives them the opportunity to eat things they wouldn’t normally because they might be too expensive.”

Sylvania: “It’s been very fulfilling to see families enjoy being involved, and they’re really hopeful that their young people can be trained to run the co-op themselves and scale it up to offer a delivery service.”

Read more at

Struggling to afford the essentials?

camden.gov.uk/CostOfLiving

020 7974 4444 (option 9)

Get

Sign up for our free Money Advice Service for tailored advice and support with money and debt – and we’ll also check you’re receiving all the help with money you’re eligible for. Register at camden.gov.uk/MoneyAdviceService

We can also check whether you’re eligible for one-off payments, including:

• Our Cost of Living Crisis Fund: camden.gov.uk/COLCFund

• The government-funded Household Support Fund: camden.gov.uk/HSF

• A Discretionary Housing Payment: camden.gov.uk/discretionary-housing-payments

The deadline to apply for the Household Support Fund is 31 March 2024. There is no deadline for the Cost of Living Crisis Fund or Discretionary Housing Payments.

If you have debt, you can also contact the National Debtline for advice on 0808 808 4000

nationaldebtline.org

Help

If you’re a Camden Council tenant: contact Camden’s Home Energy Advice Team and ask about a ‘warm and well’ home visit, or contact them for advice:

EnergyEfficiencyHomeAdvice@ camden.gov.uk

020 7974 4444 (option 9)

If you’re a private renter, homeowner or council tenant: contact Energy Advice London for advice on saving energy and water, or for help accessing financial support:

0808 196 8260

energyadvice.london

Support with food in Camden

If you’re in urgent need of support with food: findfood.camden.gov.uk 020 7974 4444 (option 9) camden.gov.uk/access-food

If you are pregnant or have a child under 4: Get help to buy food and milk via the NHS Healthy Start Scheme: healthystart.nhs.uk 0300 330 7010

At the moment, children registered for free school meals receive additional support with food, including free breakfast clubs and food vouchers in the holidays. If your child is in primary school, they’ll already be receiving free school meals but they must be signed up to the scheme to receive this extra support. If your child is in secondary school, check if they’re eligible and if they are, sign them up today: camden.gov.uk/free-school-meals 020 7974 4444 (option 9)

Help and support with domestic abuse

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse in any form, contact Camden Safety Net: camden.gov.uk/domestic-violence

020 7974 2526

camdensafetynet@camden.gov.uk

Housing advice

Home is not a safe place for everyone

In an emergency, call 999

Changes to your circumstances

If you receive benefits including Universal Credit, it’s really important that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is aware of any changes to your circumstances so they can make sure you’re receiving enough money. This includes any changes to your rent or service charges, your income, and having a child. Find out more: gov.uk/report-benefitschange-circumstances

• If you’re a council tenant and having problems paying your rent or charges, speak to your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or our rent team for advice: 020 7974 4444 (option 5) camden.gov.uk/your-council-rent

• If you’re a private renter and having problems paying your rent, speak to your landlord. For advice, visit our private renters website: camden.gov.uk/web/private-renters-in-camden

• If you’re a homeowner and having problems paying your mortgage, speak to your mortgage provider – they might be able to help.

Before you speak to your private landlord or mortgage provider, consider seeking free legal advice to help you understand your rights. Find an organisation who can help at camden.gov.uk/CAN

Your guide to Camden’s budget 2024/ 2025

We have just set Camden Council’s budget for the coming year. As explained in our recent letter, your Camden council tax will be increasing by 4.99% to fund vital services. This includes ring-fenced adult social care funding. In addition to this, the Greater London Authority has increased their amount too. At Camden Council, we work hard to make every pound count, so your council tax is going directly into frontline services such as libraries, youth centres, family centres, street cleaning, keeping our community safe and looking after adults and children who need extra support.

Funding your services – 2024/2025

The impact of budget cuts from central government

Since 2010, the government has cut our core funding by 48% in real terms (adjusted for inflation) – that’s the equivalent of £831 per resident. We are making savings of over £220m by 2025 in order to fill this gap and balance our budget, and to ensure we are protecting frontline services at a time when we’re helping more people than ever.

£2m in our Cost of Living Crisis Fund, which provided financial support to 7,267 residents last year

£2.1m in our Family Crisis Fund to help ensure no child goes hungry – including via free breakfast clubs and supermarket vouchers

Investing £69.5m in early years, with Camden’s Children’s Services rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted

£23m to prevent homelessness and support people who have become homeless to regain a full time home

£4m in our local voluntary and community sector. This helps to fund advice on food, debt and loneliness, ‘warm welcome’ spaces, and free events and activities

Core Government funding in 2010 compared to 2024*

*Adjusted for inflation

Investing £26m in rubbish and recycling collections, and keeping our streets clean

The £26m includes an extra £1m invested in street cleansing –including an enhanced service at night

Since 2010, our Community Investment Programme has finished building 1,520 new homes

£31m in our Council Tax Support Scheme – ensuring 16,000 low-income households don’t pay any council tax

We’re taking action on climate change

We’ve upgraded South End Green’s flood protections to help lower flood risk

The new rain gardens at Parliament Hill will collect water and ease pressure on sewers during intense rainfall. Our Street Works team, along with the Greater London Authority and Cadent Gas Camden, helped to save local people 21 days of disruption during the project. The works are part of our programme to prepare the borough for the impacts of extreme weather from the climate crisis. Read more: camden.gov. uk/what-is-the-climate-crisis-?

Supporting local businesses to save energy and money

We’ve launched a new programme to help businesses reduce their energy use and cut carbon emissions. The Camden and Brent Business Climate Challenge provides up to £6,000 of support for energy audits, training and advice on improving energy efficiency. The programme’s part of our Camden Climate Alliance and is in partnership with the Fitzrovia Partnership and Brent Council. Find out more: camdenclimatealliance.org.uk

Energy-saving libraries

We’re giving Highgate Library a green makeover to save energy and help the environment. Work is underway to install heat pumps, double-glazing, solar panels and more, which will save 32 tonnes of carbon emissions yearly. We’ve also upgraded Swiss Cottage Library to save 138 tonnes of carbon per year.

Since 2009, we reduced our carbon emissions by 63%. Read more: camden. gov.uk/carbon-reduction-programme

Support for greener communities

Our Camden Climate Fund offers homeowners and businesses grants between £5,000 and £10,000 for insulation, low carbon heating and other energy efficiency upgrades. Community groups and charities can apply for up to £25,000 for solar panels and other renewable energy projects. Apply now: camden.gov.uk/camden-climate-fund

Staying mentally and physically well this spring

Move more feel good and

Building exercise and movement into your routine with Active for Life

There are so many benefits to moving more, especially as we get older. Even in small amounts, physical activity can reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease and cancer. It also helps you to feel good, have fun and meet other people.

As part of our new Active for Life campaign, the council and our sports and community partners are promoting the wide range of free and low-cost ways for over 60s in Camden to get active, with taster sessions to try new activities.

From walking groups, visiting a local park or gardening sessions, to kayaking, ballroom dancing, swimming or team sports, you can find something in Camden that works for you – and if you’ve ever wondered what pickleball is, now is the time to find out!

Join Active for Life and try something new today

If you join Active for Life you’ll receive a weekly e-newsletter and regular texts with information on low-cost local activities, motivation and support to help you to be active now and in the future.

The first 500 Camden residents aged over 60 to sign up will receive a free one-day pass to use at any of Camden’s Better leisure centres.

Since I’ve started chair based exercise, my life has improved and now I move freely. I’ve got arthritis but I’m handling it well with all the exercises. You get to socialise, inspire yourself and feel good. I enjoy every bit – the exercises and meeting new people – that gives me joy.”

Lucy, Kentish Town

Lucy goes to chair-based exercise at Queen’s Crescent Community Association, 45 Ashdown Crescent, Belsize Park, NW5 4QE. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am to 11am, free.

Is your child fully vaccinated against measles?

Measles cases are increasing

Measles cases are increasing in London and across the country. More outbreaks are likely, so we are asking that parents and carers check that their children are fully vaccinated against measles.

What is measles?

Measles is more than just a rash. It’s a very contagious disease which can lead to serious health complications, such as ear infections and pneumonia. In some rare cases it can lead to long term disability or death. Measles can make unvaccinated adults seriously ill, especially if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.

MMR is safe and effective

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the only protection against the most severe forms of measles. It is safe, effective and always free on the NHS – and it’s never too late to catch up.

All children need 2 doses of the MMR vaccine at age:

1 year (first dose)

3 years and 4 months (second dose)

Check your child’s vaccines are up to date by looking in their Red Book

Check if your child is up to date on their measles vaccinations by looking in their Red Book or vaccine record. If you’re not sure, and to book a free vaccine appointment, contact your GP.

If your child is in primary school, you can book a free vaccine appointment with the School Aged Immunisation Service.

Call 020 3317 5076 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and visit camden.gov.uk/measles

It’s really important that parents check their children’s vaccination status to help keep kids safe and well, and to stop measles spreading in our schools and nurseries.

“Bring your child’s Red Book to their vaccination appointment and ask the nurse any questions you have about the MMR or other vaccines – we’re here to help you and your family.”

Patricia Stephens, Immunisation Specialist Nurse

Easter school holiday activities for children and young people

Holiday Activities and Food programme

Camden’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Easter programme runs from 2 to 12 April and is open for children and young people aged 5 to 16 who live in Camden and are eligible for free school meals.

The programme offers free, fun activities and nutritional education – from learning to make healthy meals, to creative activities, including photography, drama, arts and crafts, and sports such as football and basketball. A free hot meal is included as part of each day’s activities. The Camden HAF programme is co-ordinated by Young Camden Foundation on behalf of the council, with funding from the Department for Education.

Find out more and book your places: haf.youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Play schemes

Find low-cost holiday play schemes for children aged 4 to 12, offering a range of arts, crafts, sports, games and trips, near you: camden.gov.uk/play

Sport and physical activities

The Camden sport and physical activity team, and the council’s leisure contractor Better, offer a range of fun free and lowcost activities over the holiday at locations across the borough, including local leisure centres, Cantelowes Sports Pitch and Kilburn Grange Park. Find out more: camden.gov.uk/sports-children-young-people better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/camden

For the latest youth programmes and other activities for children and young people, visit camdenrise.co.uk/things-to-do

Free and low cost activities

Volunteer at your local park

Spring is always a great time of year to visit your local park and perhaps volunteer your time to help improve the environment. Last year, thousands of bulbs were planted across our parks by volunteers. If you’re interested in gardening, you could volunteer and help make our parks look beautiful. Or, you could take part in the Great British Spring Clean from 15 to 31 March and help keep your local park clean and tidy. Get together with friends and family and organise a litter pick and we can help with equipment to make the session run smoothly. To volunteer to take part in planting bulbs or for equipment for litter picking, email us at parks@camden.gov.uk

Family fun this spring at Camden Market

Come and enjoy a range of events, activities and arts and crafts to celebrate Easter and the arrival of spring. There will be pop-up events taking place across Camden Market and Hawley Wharf in March and April. For information visit camdenmarket.com

Dance classes for over 60s

There are lots of dance classes in Camden that are free or low cost for adults aged 60 and over –explore all classes and get involved at camden.gov.uk/ active-for-life

Join our Windrush celebrations in June

Camden is home to a generation of Windrush children, including innovators, creatives, artists, musicians and disruptors. This will be the second year running of our cornerstone Homecoming Celebration, a family event showcasing Camden’s Caribbean heritage and communities. For more information, visit lovecamden.org

Zumba Gold with Tissy

Latin-inspired workouts, tailored for those with less mobility or anyone who wants to improve cardiovascular health at Abbey Community Centre, 172 Belsize Road, NW6 4BJ. Wednesdays, 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Booking essential. 020 7624 8378 or email reception@abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk

Silver Swans – Over 60s Ballet

All welcome at over 60s ballet accredited by the Royal Academy of Dance at Kentish Town Community Centre, 17 Busby Place, NW5 2SP. Fortnightly on Fridays at 1.15pm. Call 020 7482 3212 or visit ktcc.org.uk

New blue heritage plaques in Camden

Alongside the Nubian Jak Community Trust, we’ve recently unveiled two blue heritage plaques celebrating human rights campaigner Claudia Jones and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

This is part of our ongoing work to shine a light on pioneering individuals from communities that have historically been underrepresented, and to make our public spaces reflect and celebrate the diversity of Camden’s communities.

Claudia Jones

In December 2023, we unveiled a plaque honouring Claudia Jones outside her home on Lisburne Road, where she lived for the last two years of her life.

Claudia Jones worked tirelessly in support of Caribbean communities in London, setting up Britain’s first Black newspaper, anti-racism campaigns and organising Britain’s first Caribbean Carnival. The Carnival was held in Camden Town Hall in 1959 and it was the predecessor of the Notting Hill Carnival that still thrives today!

Martin Luther King Jr.

In January 2024, we unveiled the UK’s first blue heritage plaque honouring Martin Luther King Jr. at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, where he preached in London for the first time in 1961.

This is the first plaque honouring Martin Luther King Jr. in the UK and the first commemorative plaque to be installed on a place of worship.

Celebrating Camden’s LGBT+ History

LGBT+ History Month is celebrated every February in the UK. It’s an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the achievements of our LGBT+ communities, past and present.

Camden boasts a strong tradition of advocacy and diversity. This year, we highlight notable venues across Camden’s rich LGBT+ timeline:

The Black Cap

Though centuries old, this historic pub operated as a drag bar from 1964, at a time when homosexuality was illegal in the UK.

The Black Cap was famous for its cabaret and drag performances. It launched many artistic careers – most notably Lily Savage’s (drag persona of Paul O’Grady) in 1978.

Camden Lesbian Centre

Camden Council granted use of 54-56 Phoenix Road for England’s first lesbian centre, operating from 1986 to the early 90s. It hosted Camden Black Lesbian Group as well as lesbian disability group Gemma.

Queer Britain

The first and only dedicated LGBT+ museum in the UK opened in 2022 in Camden. The museum is located on the ground floor of 2 Granary Square, offering enlightening exhibitions and free admission.

Gay’s the Word

The oldest LGBT+ bookstore in the UK came along in 1979. An information resource for the community, it also hosted musical evenings. Despite facing hate crime, vandalism and several near closures, the bookshop still stands proudly in Bloomsbury as a pillar in the community.

Reporting hate crime

In Camden, our diversity is one of our key strengths. We’re at our strongest when we stand together, united against hate.

Please know we’re here for you. You can safely and confidentially report a hate crime through the council, police or an organisation that you trust:

• Tell MAMA is a support service that monitors and measures Islamophobia. You can report to them at tellmamauk.org or call 0800 456 1226

• Community Security Trust protects Jewish people from anti-Semitism and discrimination. You can report to them at cst.org.uk/report-incident or call 0800 032 3263

• You can call the council on 020 7974 4444 or phone the Police on 101

• In an emergency, always call 999

To see other ways you can report hate crime, the full list of partners we work with and available support, please visit camden.gov.uk/hate-crime

Could you foster?

Ollie and Katie’s story

Fostering is providing a safe and secure home for vulnerable babies, children and young people who are unable to be at home with their own families. Sometimes this is for a few nights and sometimes for a few years.

Local couple Katie Stileman, 33, and Ollie Lansdowne, 31, have been fostering with the council for the last three years.

Katie said: “We decided to foster before trying for biological children – often people do it later in life. We mainly foster teenagers. We have worked with teenagers before through a church youth group and love that age group. Teenagers are fun and make you laugh, even with the inevitable frustrations.”

Ollie said: “The number one thing you need to do as a foster carer is to provide a safe place for the child or young person. We want these young people to gain the ability to trust adults and that’s something that lasts, not only with us, but into the future with other people.”

Find out more: camden.gov.uk/fostering fostering@camden.gov.uk

0800 028 1436

Camden’s night Safety Bus

Camden’s Safety Bus

If you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable or vulnerable, have experienced harassment, or just need some general help – we can provide the required support on our Safety Bus or at our Hub. This could be anything from reporting an incident or helping you to get home safely, to having a chat or providing a hot drink.

Staff are also trained to signpost anyone who might need help or assistance from the police or medical professionals.

Out and about in Camden and need help?

Come along to our Safety Bus parked on Parkway or visit our Safety Hub on Dockray Place.

The bus is parked on Parkway every Saturday between 9pm and 2.30am. You can also get help from the hub on Dockray Place, during the same hours on both Fridays and Saturdays.

Camden Safety Bus

Parkway, NW1 7PQ

Saturdays, 9pm to 2.30am

Camden Safety Hub

Hawley Wharf, 1 Dockray Place, NW1 8QH

Fridays and Saturdays, 9pm to 2.30am

The Camden Safety Bus and the Safety Hub are part of a programme of ongoing work to improve safety at night, with a particular focus on making the borough as safe as possible for women and girls.

You can also find out more about this initiative at camden.gov.uk/camden-safety-hub or by calling 07946 578608

You now need photo ID to vote

We want everyone in Camden to be able to exercise their democratic right to vote in upcoming elections. You now need photo ID to vote in person.

Accepted forms of photo ID include:

UK, EEA, and Commonwealth passports

Driving licences and provisional licences issued in the UK or EEA

Biometric residence permits

UK Blue Badges Travel Pass

Some travel passes

Proof of Age cards (PASS)

You must bring the original document – copies or electronic versions cannot be accepted. You can use expired ID as long as you still look like the photo.

Check the full list of accepted ID at gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need

If you don’t have accepted photo ID or you don’t look like your photo, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

Make sure you’re registered to vote

Check your eligibility, register to vote and update your details: gov.uk/register-to-vote

More election changes

You can now apply for a postal vote online – you’ll need to provide your National Insurance number. See more details: camden.gov.uk/postal-voting

Apply for a proxy vote

You can now apply online for some types of proxy vote – you’ll need ID verification. There are also limits to the number of people you can be a proxy for. Find out more: gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote

Need support?

Get in touch with our elections team: 020 7974 4444.