Camden Summer 2023

Your guide to summer

Cost of living support

Summer health and wellbeing advice

Marking 75 years of the NHS and Windrush

...and much more!

The sun is shining and the school holidays are just around the corner - it’s summer in Camden! On pages 5 to 12 of this magazine you’ll find a range of events and activities to keep you, your friends and your family busy throughout the summer holidays.

We know that the cost of living crisis continues to hit our communities hard. You can find out about support available on page 14 and read about local initiatives tackling the cost of living crisis on page 15.

Get the latest information on support, news, service updates, events and more, straight to your inbox.

Wellbeing Café

Neighbourhood Nosh is a group of Primrose Hill residents who deliver freshly cooked meals to local housebound residents and sheltered housing residents. They have recently opened a Wellbeing Café run by volunteers at Primrose Hill Community Association (PHCA).

Local community action

We set up the café last winter to provide a warm space for people to enjoy healthy food and socialise. Every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm, we serve homemade soup, cake, tea, coffee, jacket potatoes and more. We operate on a pay-whatyou-can-afford basis, with all proceeds going back to Neighbourhood Nosh and helping the local community. The café is thriving and people have said they love it here. Come visit, and see what all the fuss is about – everyone is welcome!” Nikki,

Volunteer

Visit the café PHCA, 29 Hopkinsons Place, NW1 8TN. Find out more phca.cc

Stay connected, stay curious

Chris runs the Curious Club, a group for people who identify as LGBTQI+ and love to learn:

There’s so much to explore and discover in Camden. Staying connected and curious is a good way to stay well, and that’s what the Curious Club is all about. We meet monthly and could be doing anything, from walking tours or meeting an artist, to cooking European dumplings! The club brings people together – life is too short not to get to know your community.”

Inspired?

Find out more at wemakecamden.org.uk/curious-club

Chris received support from the We Make Camden Kit to grow the Curious Club. The Kit is funded by the Council and Camden partners, and could help you to bring a community project to life too. Find out more wemakecamden.org.uk/funding

Get set for summer

With the school holidays just around the corner, here’s a checklist to help you stay safe and well this summer:

Make sure your kids’ vaccines are up to date

Measles cases are increasing in London, with some linked to overseas travel. The best way to prevent measles is to have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which every child can have for free at their GP.

Whether you’re staying at home or going away this summer, help to keep your family safe by checking with your GP that your children are vaccinated against measles – and booking an appointment for any vaccines they need.

Find out more about the MMR vaccine nhs.uk/MMR

Plan ahead for hot weather

It’s already been very hot in London this summer. Keep yourself and the people around you safe by planning ahead to avoid the heat and scheduling activities for cooler times of the day. Check on family, friends and neighbours who might need more help: children and babies under 5, people aged over 65 and those with underlying health conditions are at more risk in very hot weather. Find more tips gov.uk/ukhsa/beat-the-heat

Quote: All children need two doses of th MMR vaccine to protect them against diseases including measles, which can be really serious. If you’re not sure if you or your child have had all of your vaccinations, contact your GP practice who can book you in for any vaccines you need.”

Join us at health events across Camden

We have activities all over the borough in July and August to help you and your family keep healthy and well, from wellbeing walks to sports and outdoor activities, to NHS health checks on our health bus –find an event or activity near you on pages 5 to 12

Dr Nitisha Nahata from Hampstead Group Practice

Wellbeing walks

Family fun days

Sport and physical activities for all ages

Free courses and workshops

Art exhibitions and live performances

Community events and festivals

For even more things to see and do this summer, visit wemakecamden.org.uk/summer2023

Summer is here!

The weather is warmer, and the summer holidays are on the horizon, it’s time to get out and about and enjoy everything that Camden has to offer!

Summer holidays at Castlehaven

Castlehaven Community Association (CCA) is running a free summer programme for children aged 8 to 17 on Mondays to Thursdays from 24 July to 17 August. There will be two sessions: Activ8 Zone (for children aged 8 to 13) and Rebound Zone (for young people aged 11 to 17) with activities such as football, basketball, gardening, African drumming, street dance and more. For more information email selina@ castlehaven.org.uk or call 0743 598 6620

Holiday Activities and food programme

Camden’s Holiday Activities and Food programme will be running again this summer from 24 July to 1 September. Places are free for children and young people aged 5 to 16, who live in Camden and are eligible for free school meals. Find out more and book places: haf.youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

NW5 Project’s Summer Play Scheme

NW5 Project in Kentish Town will be offering a summer play scheme for young people aged 6 to 18 this year from 24 July to 25 August. Places fill up quickly, so book in advance to avoid missing out. For more information and to register, go to nw5project.com

Give it a go festival

Returning to Parliament Hill for its 10th year, the Give it a Go Festival offers families and people of all ages the chance to try a range of activities for free. Activities on offer this year include football, tennis, fencing, exercise classes and more. Come down on Sunday 16 July, 1 to 5pm, there will also be live music on the bandstand, food and drink stalls, as well as arts and craft activities.

Parliament Hill Bandstand, NW5 1QR

CCA

Connect with family and friends in Camden

Visit your local Children’s Centre and Family Hub

Whether you’re expecting a baby or have children under 5, there’s a wide range of free sessions and support available to you at your nearby Family Hub. Come and say hello to our friendly staff, meet other mums, dads, and carers, and have fun with your child.

You can also access:

• Baby feeding groups

• Stay and play sessions

• Free vitamins and sanitary products

• Mental health support

• Welfare rights and employment advice

To find out more: families.camden.gov.uk

familyhubs@camden.gov.uk

0800 389 5789

Quote: “These sessions are very valuable, they really help us new parents with settling into our new roles. It’s also nice to have something to do with our babies outside of home on a weekly basis.”

– Camden parent

Quote: We welcome all parents and carers at our sessions to spend quality time with their children, learn about their child’s development, and share experiences with other local families. It’s a relaxed and supportive space for children to learn and play outside of home, and for parents and carers to access any support they need, when they need it.” –

Jermaine Payne, Stay and Play Manager

Free health checks for over 30s

Access free preventative diabetes checks, health information and advice to help you make positive health and wellbeing choices. Drop by our Mobile Health Bus for a walk-in appointment. For a list of opening times and locations, visit camden.gov.uk/camden-mobilehealth

Sports and physical activities

Whether it’s a wellbeing walk in the fresh air, swimming, or free football sessions, there are lots of ways you can move more this summer.

Sport and physical activities for all

The Camden sport and physical activity team provide a range of fun activities for children and young people over the summer at Talacre Community Sports Centre, Cantelowes Sports Pitch and Kilburn Grange. Activities include gymnastics, trampolining, football, basketball, volleyball, mini-tennis, table tennis. All activities are led by qualified coaches. For more information, go to camden.gov.uk/childrenyoung-people

Kids swim for a quid

At all Camden Better leisure centre pools this summer, children aged 11 to 17 can swim for £1 at Swim for All Sessions before 10am every Saturday and Sunday and before 10am every day during the summer holidays. For more information, terms and

conditions, visit better.org. uk/leisure-centre/london/ camden

Junior Gym

Offering a programme of activities to meet a range of individual health and fitness goals, the junior gym is open to all 11 to 17-year-olds at the following leisure centres:

Kentish Town: Monday to Friday, 3.30 to 5.30pm; Saturday, 1 to 3pm; Sunday, 2 to 4pm

Swiss Cottage: Monday to Friday, 3.30 to 6pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Pancras Square: Weekdays, 3.30 to 5.30pm; weekends, 10am to 2pm

Young women and girls football

Weetabix Wildcats

Wednesdays is noncompetitive football for young women and girls who want to give football a try, have fun and meet new friends. Find a session near you at englandfootball. com/play/youth-football/ weetabix-wildcats

Walking football

Designed to help you get fit or maintain a healthy lifestyle, walking football helps lower blood pressure, gain strength and improve mobility. Players say it’s particularly helpful for anyone looking to get back into football after an injury or illness and can also be a great social activity. Free every Sunday 11 to 12.30pm, Swiss Cottage Pitches at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, (Adelaide Road, NW3 3NF). For more information, go to camden.gov.uk/activitiesolder-people

Find the move that’s right for you

Wellbeing walks

Help clear your mind, improve your circulation and increase your weekly step count at one of these free wellbeing walks:

Bloomsbury: Enjoy a brisk walk around different parts of Bloomsbury, thanks to Bloomsbury Square and Gardens. No booking required. For a list of locations, dates and times, visit bloomsburysquares. com/2023/02/14/ wellbeing-walks-from-thebloomsbury-squares-newseason/

Hampstead Heath: Heath Hands run health walks every Monday (except bank holidays). Meet at 9.50am for a 10am start - there are short and long walks available. No need to book, just show up at the entrance of Hampstead Heath, opposite Hampstead Heath Overground for the longer walk or at Parliament Hill Café, for the shorter walk. For more information, visit heath-hands.org.uk/ walkinghampsteadheath

Ways to Move

Ways to Move is a resource for healthcare professionals, social prescribers and residents, with information on how to keep and stay active as well as a selection of local activities for older people, people living with

health conditions, disabled people and others who might be recovering from injury or illness. For more information and to find activities and additional resources that might be right for you, go to camden.gov.uk/keepactive-healthy

Free Swimming for Over 60s

Free swimming is available for Camden residents aged 60+, on weekdays 6.30am to 12pm at our Better leisure centres. For details go to better.org.uk/monthlymembership/better-hfsenior

Camden’s outdoor gyms

There are ten Outdoor Gyms in Camden. These are free spaces for everyone aged 14+ to use. For more information and to find one near you, go to camden.gov.uk/ outdoor-gyms

Learn, grow and give back

Plant some seeds in a community garden, learn to sew or to DJ - there are so many free and low cost courses and workshops on offer this summer. Uncover your hidden talents or hone skills you already have.

Camden Summer University

Have fun, learn something new, make new friends and boost your CV by joining Camden’s Summer University. It’s free to enrol if you’re aged 13 to 19 and either live in Camden, go to a local state school or attend a council-run youth centre. The 2023 programme will run from Monday 24 July to Friday 25 August. Courses are available to book at cmdn.co.uk

The canoeing course is a really memorable one for me because I got my canoeing licence and I’m now legally allowed to go canoeing on the Thames if I want to. I haven’t used it yet, but I’m hoping to maybe get out there this summer. I was really bad at canoeing when I started, so I went back each year and have got better and better each time. Up to the point where last year I felt confident enough to take a

lead role helping other students get out safely onto the water.

“Aside from the courses which are great, you make friends with new people. I’ve made friends for life from these courses. Everyone is local and lives in Camden and so because of that you see them around which is so nice.”

J’deanne, past student and mentor, Camden Summer University

this summer

Camden in Bloom

Get involved in making the borough look beautiful in the annual Camden in Bloom gardening competition! You have until the end of August to enter the following categories:

• Best Community Garden – show us what you and other volunteers have grown this year in your shared garden or on your street.

• Camden Young Gardener – for children aged 10 and under.

• Best Mini Garden – for gardeners who have created amazing green displays in limited spaces such as front gardens, hanging baskets, window boxes or on balconies.

This year’s competition is sponsored by idverde, Veolia, and Camden Garden Centre. Winners will be announced in September. For more information, go to camden.gov.uk/camdenin-bloom

Community gardening

You can join the Castlehaven Community Gardening Sessions at Elm Village Allotments (entrance on Barker Drive, NW1 0JW) on Mondays and Wednesdays, 10am to 1pm, no booking required. Please note that there is unfortunately no disabled access to the allotments. castlehaven.org.uk/whats-on/ event/2677

Doing some summer DIY? Drop by Camden’s newest Library of Things

A new Library of Things has recently opened at Kilburn Library (NW6 5UH). Use your local Library of Things to hire useful DIY, household or

gardening tools – perfect for any summer projects you have planned. It’s a great sustainable and costsaving alternative to buying an item you may only need to use once or twice. Find out more and hire items at libraryofthings.co.uk

Free digital skills clinic

The London Irish Centre (50-52 Camden Square, NW1 9XB) is running regular sessions to help improve your digital skills. To book, email community@londonirishcentre.org or call 020 7916 2222

Volunteer, make friends and give back to your community

Volunteering is a great way to connect more with your community, and make friends. Voluntary Action Camden connects people and organisations to help them grow and develop together. Find more information and how you can get involved, at vac.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering

Community events

The Caribbean Front Room: Stories from Windrush and Beyond

Step back in time with the Caribbean Front Room installation. A key part of the Caribbean Windrush experience, the installation explores the front room and the crucial role it played in bringing the community together. This event is part of Camden’s celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Windrush. Find out more on page 13

Camden Black British History Community Hub, 18 Malden Road, NW5 3HN lovecamden.org/camden-black-britishhistory-community-hub

Block Party, Drummond and Stanhope Streets

Join us for an unforgettable event filled with cultural activities and the rhythmic beats of South Asian traditions on Saturday 29 July, 12 to 6pm, on Drummond Street, NW1.

Somers Town Festival

Somers Town Festival is turning 21! Celebrate with free live music, art and performance on Saturday 8 July in and around Chalton Street and at the British Library Piazza, 12 to 6pm.

Inverness Street Party and Good Mixer event

Join us on Saturday 26 August for a lively and interactive event that pays homage to the evolution of Hip-Hop across the decades. Experience DJs spinning dedicated sets for each era, alongside captivating live performances, interactive street art, beatboxing, and engaging family activities presented by FUN DMC. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of 50 years of Hip-Hop, including the iconic “5 elements of Hip-Hop,” in a fun and accessible way, for people of all ages. Inverness Street Party, 12 to 7pm; Good Mixer, 7pm until late.

Daytimers Mehfil: An Evening of South Asian Poetry

As part of Camden’s South Asian Heritage Month programme, this evening promises to be a showcase of spoken word, poetry, and music, celebrating south Asian communities from across the UK. Saturday 27 July, 7 to 10pm, Conway Hall (25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL).

Find more community events and activities at wemakecamden.org.uk

Double celebrations in Camden

This summer, Camden marks the 75th anniversary of Windrush and celebrates 75 years of the NHS with a series of special events.

Windrush 75

Camden is proud to be home to a generation of Windrush children; innovators, creatives, artists and musicians who have hugely enriched British life – and the 75th anniversary allows us to honour and celebrate these stories and achievements. The Windrush generation refers to Caribbean people who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971, to help rebuild the country following the Second World War.

NHS 75

To celebrate the NHS and their staff, Camden partnered with Rankin Creatives, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and Outernet to create a photo exhibition of the diverse communities in Camden who have worked or currently work for the NHS.

This summer Camden’s communities have the chance to explore, learn and celebrate the contributions of the Windrush generation in our borough. In June we flew the Windrush Flag at our Town Hall and were joined by hundreds of residents at Camden’s Windrush Celebration Day at Talacre Gardens to enjoy live music, food, arts and sports influenced by the Caribbean. A Caribbean Front Room installation is open until 28

Titled ‘Who Cares for Camden’, the exhibition explores the different forms of care, including who gives care, what it means to care, what motivates people to help others, and how communities can care for the NHS.

The exhibition includes a series of powerful moving photographs alongside voiceovers to explain the history and accomplishments

July and offers the opportunity to understand the crucial role it played in bringing the community together through celebrating shared stories - see more information on page 12

A three-part podcast hosted by Radio 1Xtra broadcaster Swarzy Macaly, explores the history of the Windrush generation, the injustices they faced, and their ongoing struggles for justice.

You can listen to the podcast on lovecamden.org/windrushpodcasts

of the service over the last 75 years.

The exhibition is available to view at Outernet, Tottenham Court Road from 4 to 9 July and at Camden Town Hall from 12 July until 11 August. In the autumn, the exhibition will move to a permanent virtual home on the Camden Peoples Museum and Google Arts & Culture websites.

Struggling with the cost of living crisis?

We’re here for you

If you’re struggling to afford the essentials, or need support with food, mental health or finding a job, help is available:

Free school meals could save you over £500 a year

If you have a school-aged child, check if they’re eligible for free school meals. They could:

give your child access to other support, like free breakfast clubs and activities save you money

help you access food vouchers in the holidays

If your child is eligible but you prefer to make them a packed lunch, please still sign them up because their school will receive vital funding worth at least £985 a year to pay for things like more inclassroom support and after-school activities – and it will help your child access other support. For all these reasons, signing up will remain important from September when all primary school children will get free school meals funded by the Mayor of London.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/free-school-meals 020 7974 5771

Tax Credits – move to Universal Credit

If you’re single and receive child tax credit, working tax credits and no other benefits, the government will soon write to you and tell you to move to Universal Credit. If you receive a letter, you have 3 months to apply. It’s really important that you meet this deadline, otherwise your tax credits will stop and you may lose out on money.

For free advice, get in touch with Citizens Advice Camden 0800 144 8444 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm). For more information gov.uk/universal-credit

Cost of living community response

Our £300,000 Cost of Living Crisis Community Response Fund has provided funding to over 90 community-led projects supporting Camden residents with the rising cost of living – including the Coram’s Fields youth gym and the warm space activities at Henna Asian Women’s Group. Find out more below about the great work they’re doing.

Supporting women’s wellbeing

Momota, Bushra and Sajida work at the charity Henna Asian Women’s Group. We spoke to them to find out how its services are making a difference to women during the cost of living crisis:

Coram’s Fields Youth Gym

Naz Deen is the Head of Youth and Sport and Dershe Shah is the Life and Careers Coach at Coram’s Fields. Some of the young people who attend or work there had the idea to start a free gym especially for young people, which opened earlier in the year. We spoke to them to find out more:

During a stressful time, Coram’s Fields is providing a safe haven for young people to chat, get support or mentoring and help finding a job or qualifications. Our new gym is free to use, with qualified personal trainers (PTs) on site so you can keep fit in a fun and safe way.” - Naz

“Some young people are training to be PTs so it makes sense that they can then work here – the gym is an amazing addition to what we already have. If you’re 19 or under, come along or get in touch to find out more.” - Dershe

coramsfields.org

wemakecamden.org.uk/corams-fields

@coramsfields_charity

93 Guilford St, WC1N 1DN

We’ve had group members tell us that they can’t afford to put their kettle on or heat food. You can see how stressed some of them are. Our activities help ease that pressure, improving wellbeing and reducing loneliness. We have professional tutors and counsellors, knitting, games and coffee mornings, exercise classes, a befriending service and we are providing free meals and toiletry packs. The women who come here leave with a smile on their face because it’s somewhere safe to de-stress.”

Find out more henna.org.uk

Meet the Housing Team

Quote: As a Housing Officer I spend a lot of time meeting and speaking to tenants, and making sure that their needs are met. While this job can sometimes be challenging, I enjoy being able to help and make a difference in the lives of our council tenants.”

Tom Mullins, Neighbourhood Housing Officer

Coming to an estate near you

Tom and the rest of our housing team will be visiting estates across Camden this summer. Keep an eye out for our housing team’s pop-up stall, we’ll be there to answer questions and provide information for all your housing needs.

Quick and easy repairs with our new videos

If you’re a council tenant, our Housing Repairs Team is responsible for bigger repair jobs in your home, but we need your help to take responsibility for the smaller

jobs around the house. Some of these – like bleeding your radiators – should be done regularly, and others only need to be done when something breaks or needs replacing, such as changing lightbulbs or unblocking a sink.

If you feel confident carrying out simple jobs like these, you’ll be able to fix the problem quickly, without having to get in touch with our Repairs Team. This will help free the team up

to tackle larger repairs and help us provide a better service. We’ve produced some video guides to show you how you can take care of these smaller repairs around your home. Videos are available in English, as well as five other community languages and BSL. Go to camden.gov.uk/ home-repair-videos to watch the videos and to find out more.

We know this is a really challenging time as we continue to face a cost of living crisis. Please have a look at page 14 to find out how we can support you.