Coronavirus: Weekly update From Camden Council
Time and time again during this crisis, we’ve seen the strength of our communities, and one of the things I’m really proud of is how our children and young people have rallied together. We’ve continued to work to support and create opportunities for our young people, to make sure that our borough remains a place where everyone can thrive.
To keep you up to date with changes to council services and support available through the Council and its partners, you’ll find weekly updates here in the Camden New Journal. Visit camden.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest on all council services and information on essential support, including how to access emergency food and financial support. The webpage contains information in different languages and formats. You can also check the rolling news feed at camden.gov.uk/coronavirusnews, Twitter @CamdenCouncil or speak to someone at the Council directly on 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
SIGN UP to the Council’s coronavirus e-newsletter for regular service updates, news and support at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates
As the summer holidays approach, we know that it’s so important our young people have ways to reunite with friends, gain confidence, and feel a sense of achievement. While life is not back to normal yet, there are still safe ways for children to enjoy the summer, even in these unsettling times. Together with our schools and partners, we are putting together an extensive programme of activities and support for families. This includes our fantastic Camden Summer University, as well as activities in local youth centres, and play schemes for younger children. Visit camdenrise.co.uk to find something to support you and your family. We also continue to offer support to families and residents across the borough, so if you need help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. The disruption to school, family, social and cultural life caused by the coronavirus outbreak and the loss and pain it’s caused our community will take time to recover from, but we’re committed to learning from the last few months and rebuilding together. Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council
Summer activities for children and young people Camden Council and its partners are offering exciting activities, as well as continued support, for children and young people during the school summer holidays, including: Camden Summer University Bookings are open for more than 30 free courses in arts, fashion, sport, media, business and life skills for 13 to 19 year olds who live in Camden or attend a local school or youth centre. Camden Summer University runs from 27 July to 28 August, with courses taking place either online or in a faceto-face, socially distanced way. View courses and book places at cmdn.co.uk
Youth centres Camden’s youth centres are due to reopen during the summer and a programme of activities, run by the Council’s youth centres, local sports clubs and voluntary youth and play projects, will be published before the end of term (21 July) on the Camden Rise website at camdenrise.co.uk/things-to-do
Parks and playgrounds Camden’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms have now started to reopen – please follow social distancing guidelines and wash your hands before and after using the spaces. Visit camden.gov.uk/parks for more information.
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
Keep safe in Camden As lockdown eases and you’re out and about more, it’s as important as ever to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep yourself and others safe: • W ash your hands regularly for 20 seconds. Where not possible, use hand sanitiser where it’s available or bring your own. • K eep 2 metres apart from people not in your household or support bubble. If this isn’t possible, such as in small shops, you can reduce this to at least 1 metre for a short time and wear a face covering. • W ear a face covering on public transport and in enclosed spaces with people you don’t normally meet. From 24 July, it will also be mandatory to wear a face covering in shops. Remember, a face covering should cover your nose and mouth. • L ook out for symptoms: a new and persistent cough, high temperature, or loss of smell or taste. For the latest guidance, visit gov.uk/coronavirus. Business owners can find advice at camden.gov.uk/COVID-businesses KEEP CAMDEN SAFE
COVID SYMPTOMS? GET TESTED NOW. nhs.uk/coronavirus
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Play schemes Play centres will welcome children aged four to 12 years old when the school holidays begin. Most providers plan to open from 27 July to 21 August, though places are limited and children with disabilities, those in need and children of critical workers are being given priority. Visit camden.gov.uk/play
Mental health and wellbeing support Kooth offers free, safe and anonymous online wellbeing and mental health support for young people in Camden aged 11 to 18. Sign up now for confidential support through a text-based conversation with a qualified counsellor at kooth.com
CORONAVIRUS
PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS
Calthorpe Community Garden
Making travel safer COVID-19 is changing the way we travel, with more people walking or cycling. To help make it easier and safer to travel, Camden Council is widening pavements, reducing through-traffic on residential streets, improving existing cycle routes and installing new pop-up cycle lanes, including on York Way and Prince of Wales Road. The Council is also expanding cycle storage – there are now 84 cycle hangars available for use across the borough. To find out more and see what else is planned, visit camden.gov.uk/making-travel-safer-in-camden
Council meetings Next Tuesday (21 July) at 7pm, the COVID-19 Oversight Crossparty Panel will meet to discuss Camden Council’s response to the crisis. This session will focus on transport and travel, and crime and community safety. Watch live or as a recording at camden.gov.uk/ councilmeetings You can find dates of upcoming council meetings at camden.gov.uk/democracy To contact your local councillor, visit camden.gov.uk/councillors or call 020 7974 2792.
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
Calthorpe Community Garden is a green oasis in the heart of King’s Cross that has been offering respite and support to residents since the COVID-19 crisis began. As well as providing a quiet space to enjoy nature, Calthorpe runs supported gardening sessions for medically vulnerable and older people, and opens to families at weekends with supervised and socially distanced sports, art and gardening. For those who can’t get to the garden, Calthorpe mails gardening and art supplies, and stays in touch with Zoom meetings and phone calls. Calthorpe has also been distributing weekly food parcels to residents in need. “Thank you for your kindness, it means a great deal to me to have a place to be part of,” said a local resident. Donate to support Calthorpe’s vital work at gofundme.com/ support-calthorpe-community-garden Find out more at calthorpecommunitygarden.org.uk or phone 020 7837 8019.
Everybody needs good neighbours Many of us are still spending more time at home, which means seeing and hearing more of our neighbours. We can all help make things easier for each other by being considerate about the noise we make, and more patient about noise that we perhaps wouldn’t normally hear. Simple things make a big difference – like keeping the TV sound down low and positioning speakers away from walls, avoiding banging doors, and being aware of early morning and late night noise. Please remember that everyone, including staff around the borough, is doing their best in difficult circumstances, so please continue to be kind to those around you. If you have concerns about noise, call 0207 974 4444 or visit camden.gov.uk/noise
Communications survey As part of its response to COVID-19, Camden Council is looking at how it uses digital and print channels – such as email, social media and local publications – to communicate with residents. Answer 10 simple questions to help make sure you receive the information you want, how it suits you. Visit camden.gov.uk/communications or call 020 7974 4444.
CORONAVIRUS
PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS