Free courses and workshops
Art exhibitions
Summer in Camden 2023
Sports and physical activities
Community events and festivals
The summer holidays are here and there are plenty of exciting activities for all ages to keep you, your family and friends busy, and opportunities to meet new people. You can find a selection of these on the inside covers of this edition of the Camden New Journal.
Find the full list of summer activities near you from Camden Council and its partners at
wemakecamden.org.uk/summer2023
Wellbeing walks
Camden Council’s guide to summer 2023 has been delivered to every household in the borough over the past few weeks. It features summer activities alongside interviews with local organisations, information on support, and much more. You can also read it online at camden.gov.uk/camden-magazine
Many of us are continuing to struggle with the rising cost of living. Find out about the range of support available from the council and its partners on the back page –including stories that bring to life what local community groups are doing to help other residents.
#CamdenSummer2023
@WeMakeCamden
@CamdenCouncil
@LBCamden
For the latest news from Camden Council, sign up to the Camden e-newsletter at camden.gov.uk/newsletter
Sports and physical activities for all ages
Holiday Activities and Food programme
This programme provides free activities with a healthy meal. Places are free for children and young people aged 5 to 16 who live in Camden and are eligible for free school meals. haf. youngcamdenfoundation. org.uk
Sports and physical activities for children and young people
The Camden sport and physical activities team provide 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 and table tennis, all led by qualified coaches. camden.gov.uk/childrenyoung-people
Kids Swim for a Quid Children aged under 16 can swim for £1 at Swim for All Sessions before 10am every day at Camden’s Better leisure centres during the summer holidays. better.org.uk/ leisure-centre/london/ camden
Walking football
Improve strength, fitness and mobility and help lower blood pressure with walking football – a standard game of football where you walk instead of run. Free with a prepaid Better membership every Sunday 11am to 12.30pm at Swiss Cottage Pitches (Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, Adelaide Road, NW3 3NF). camden.gov.uk/ activities-older-people
Wellbeing walks
Help clear your mind, improve your circulation and increase your step count with free weekly wellbeing walks at a number of locations across the borough. Find a walk near you at camden.gov.uk/ wellbeing-walks-in-camden or call 020 7974 4444
Camden’s outdoor gyms
There are 10 outdoor gyms in Camden. These are free spaces for everyone aged 14 and over to use. camden.gov.uk/ outdoor-gyms
Learn, grow and give back this summer
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 runs from 24 July to 25 August. cmdn.co.uk
“Aside from the courses, which are great, I’ve made friends for life. Everyone is local and lives in Camden, and so you see them around, which is so nice.”
J’deanne, past student and mentor, Camden Summer University
Camden in Bloom
Get involved in the annual Camden in Bloom garden competition! You have until the end of August to enter the following categories:
• Best Community Garden
• Camden Young Gardener
• Best Mini Garden Winners will be announced in September.
camden.gov.uk/camdenin-bloom
Photo: CCACommunity festivals and culture
Celebrating Windrush 75 in Camden
This summer, join us to explore and celebrate the contributions of the Windrush generation in our borough at the Caribbean Front Room installation. It is open until Thursday 10 August and offers the opportunity to understand the crucial role the front room played in bringing the community together by celebrating shared stories.
Camden Black British History Community Hub, 18 Malden Road, NW5 3HN lovecamden.org/camden-black-british-history-community-hub
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.
Listen at lovecamden.org/windrush-podcasts
Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month
Enjoy a programme of events in Camden to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month (18 July to 17 August), including music and dance performances, creative workshops, poetry, film and more.
lovecamden.org
Cost of living community response
Coram’s Fields Youth Gym
Inverness Street Party
On Saturday 26 August, come along to this event that pays homage to the evolution of hip-hop across the decades – with DJ sets, live performances, street art, beatboxing, and family activities presented by FUN DMC.
Inverness Street, NW1, 12 noon to 7pm
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.
The ‘Who Cares for Camden?’ exhibition is at Camden Town Hall on Judd Street, WC1H 9JE, until Friday 11 August. You can also view it online at lovecamden. org/who-cares-forcamden-onlineexhibition
The council’s £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 Baby Café at the Bourne Estate.
Baby Café at the Bourne Estate
Naz Deen is the Head of Youth and Sport at Coram’s Fields. Some of the young people who attend or work there had the idea to start a free gym for young people, which opened earlier in the year.
“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 on site so you can keep fit in a fun and safe way.”
93 Guilford Street, WC1N 1DN coramsfields.org wemakecamden.org.uk/corams-fields @coramsfields_charity
Mel set up the Baby Café on the Bourne Estate to provide a space for parents and carers to have a much-needed rest and make friends while their children play. You can visit the café every Friday from 10am to 12.30pm.
“Some parents who come here are struggling and it’s good for them to offload and be looked after. Many are comfortable enough to share their experiences as they know they’re in a safe space.”
Allen Hall, Dobson Court, Portpool Lane, EC1N 7AA (on the Bourne Estate)
wemakecamden.org.uk/baby-cafe
Struggling with the cost of living crisis?
The council is here for you
Electricity Bill GasBill
If you’re struggling to afford the essentials, or need support with food, mental health or finding a job, help is available camden.gov.uk/costofliving 020 7974 4444 (option 9) Visit your local ‘warm welcome’ space camden.gov.uk/warmwelcome Visit
Free school meals could save you over £500 a year
If your child is eligible for free school meals, it could save you money, give your child access to other support – like free breakfast clubs and activities – and help you access food vouchers in the holidays.
If you prefer to make them a packed lunch, please still sign them up, because their school will receive vital funding to pay for things like more in-classroom support and afterschool activities.
Find out more and apply camden.gov.uk/free-school-meals 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
£100 to help with school uniform and clothing costs
Do you have a child in Year 6 who is moving into Year 7 in September and do they currently receive free school meals? If yes, the council will be giving you £100 to help with the cost of their school uniforms and school clothing. The council will soon write to you to let you know how to receive the money, so please look out for a letter in the post. If you have a child in this year group who you think is eligible for free school meals but is not receiving them, sign them up by following the instructions above. If eligible and when signed up, they may also be able to claim this support from September.
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. You will then 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, call Citizens Advice Camden 0800 144 8444. For more information, visit gov.uk/universal-credit
Make sure your children’s vaccines are up to date
Measles cases are increasing in London. The best protection against the most severe forms of measles, which can be very serious, is two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which every child can get for free at their GP. You can check what vaccinations your kids have had by looking in their baby records (in their Red Book).
If your child hasn’t had both doses of the MMR vaccine, or you’re not sure if they have, contact your GP to check and to book a vaccination appointment if needed.
Find out more at nhs.uk/childvaccines
Estate Action Days
Whether you’re expecting a baby or have children under 5, free support is available at your nearby Children’s Centre and Family Hub. Join friendly parent and carer group sessions, or get oneto-one support for your family, including mental health support, help with baby feeding, benefits and employment advice, arranging affordable childcare, and tips to support your child’s development. You can also join free stay and play drop-in sessions, or activities for dads and male carers.
To find your local centre visit families.camden.gov.uk or call 0800 389 5789
The council is planning to visit over 40 estates and 4,000 street properties to speak to council tenants about how housing services can be improved while also providing practical advice and support.
At 12 of Camden’s largest estates, the council will be holding Estate Action Days where the council’s teams will be on hand to help and advise
with minor repairs in your home, give advice on tenancy matters and cost of living support, and offer free advice to stay well. There will also be lots of fun activities and you’ll be able to share your ideas on how to improve your estate.
For more information visit camden.gov.uk/estateaction-days
your local Children’s Centre and Family Hub