Lewisham Life summer 2019

www.lewisham.gov.uk

Summer 2019

A place of your own

How new social housing is changing lives

Barbara Gray Hear from Lewisham’s new Mayoress

Helping hands Meet Lewisham’s green-fingered residents who are using gardens for good Creative ageing Festival kicks off later in the summer

Page 10

Fostering Carers share their stories with us

Page 16

ASK NHS GP Check your symptoms and get the care you need. Your GP says there’s an app for that!

Download this free app to help you get the care you need when you need it.

Follow us on Twitter at: @OneHealthLsham or visit us at www.onehealthlewisham.co.uk/asknhsgp

Summer 2019

Welcome

As I look back on my first year as Mayor, there is a lot to celebrate in how the Council is helping residents live their best lives.

From opening our first new council homes to improving secondary school results to expanding our apprenticeship programme – and there is more to come.

Over the past year I have seen how hard council staff work and how almost a decade of austerity is making their jobs harder. I particularly want to thank our Parks Team. Our parks were recently ranked the best in the city by Parks for London and we have been regenerating Beckenham Place Park, south east London’s largest, which will be home to a new wild swimming lake from July.

I’m also delighted that we are in the running for a Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood award. Read on to find out how to give us your vote.

I want to thank everyone at the Council for their hard work and wish everyone in Lewisham a great summer.

www.lewisham.gov.uk

Contents 4 Community news 12 Growing communities 15 Homeward bound 16 Find a space in your home and your heart 18 Passing the baton 20 House work 22 What’s on 31 Your council

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In this issue of Lewisham Life, you can find out about our green-fingered residents and their community gardens (page 12). We also talk to the outoing and incoming mayoresses (page 18), and two foster carers tell us how it has changed them (page 16). Finally, we hear how social housing has made a difference to a new resident and her family (page 15) and how the Council can help you do up your home (page 20).

www.lewisham.gov.uk the home for all your local information If you cannot contact us online, you can call 020 8314 6000

Useful contacts: Lewisham Homes 0800 028 2028 www.lewishamhomes.org.uk Local health service www.nhs.uk or NHS 111 Police (non-emergency) 0300 123 1212 Thames Water 0845 920 0800 (customer services) 0800 714614 (24-hour leakline) Gas emergencies 0800 111 999

et information about your neighbourhood, what’s on G and how to get involved.

Find activities for you and all the family.

Live in a controlled parking zone? Apply for your permit.

Join your local assembly – go to www.lewisham.gov.uk/ localassemblies for meeting details.

Get local news and information direct to your inbox – subscribe at www.lewisham.gov.uk/signup.

Editor: Michael Geraghty Art Editor: Nancy Yuill Photography: Eleanor Bentall, Catford Food Market, iStockphoto.com, Milly Moreton-Cooper, Alexandra Smart Contributors: Elizabeth Crook, Louis High, Ruth Horsman, Lorrayne Johnson, Milly MoretonCooper, Jerzy Pawlicki, Natasha Shepherd Editorial: 020 8314 7027 Email: lewishamlife@lewisham.gov.uk Advertising: 020 3869 2343 Issue 127 summer 2019. Printed by Sterling Solutions. Lewisham Council does not accept responsibility for goods or services offered by advertisers. Please use your recycling bin when you dispose of this and other magazines.

community news

Coming together to tackle violence Violence, and particularly youth violence, is sadly a reality across London and more needs to be done to tackle it.

That’s why Lewisham Council is taking a public health approach to violence. It’s a strategy that has had success around the world, including in America and Scotland.

It puts the local community at its core, bringing people together to have conversations and find solutions. Everyone has a big role to play in making Lewisham a safer place to live and work, including organisations and community groups in the borough.

Over the next few months there will be opportunities to get involved and contribute to the conversation.

This will help the Council come up with a strategy to deal with the issue. Together we can bring about change and reduce violence.

To find out more about the public health approach to violence reduction, visit www. lewisham.gov.uk/ violencereduction.

Safer Lewisham The Safer Lewisham scheme has won the inaugural award for Best Programme to Reduce Impact of Crime on Small Businesses at the fifth annual Small Business Friendly Borough Awards.

Safer Lewisham is a membership scheme where businesses, the police and the Council work together to reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and other

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Lewisham Life summer 2019

crimes that affect small businesses.

They cover 120 businesses in the borough across the daytime and night-time economy.

The awards are run by London Councils and the London region of the Federation of Small Businesses. They recognise the pivotal role played by London’s boroughs in supporting and promoting small and micro businesses across the capital.

It’s child’s play!

Now summer’s here it’s a great time to think about holding a play street in your neighbourhood.

A play street is a communityor school-led initiative where you close a road for a few hours so children can play and make friends in a car-free environment. It can be a one-off event or a regular activity.

You could apply to hold a play street to celebrate London Car Free Day on 22 September.

For more details, visit www. lewisham.gov.uk/playstreets.

Send us your community news Please send your news to lewishamlife@lewisham.gov.uk.

The last date to be considered for our autumn issue, published at the end of August, is Wednesday 10 July.

We cannot guarantee any submission will be included.

Green parking Lewisham Council is proposing a new greener system of parking permits, which would base the cost of your parking permit on the emissions of your vehicle.

The scheme builds on the introduction of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone and is in line with the Council’s air quality action plan. It would reward less-polluting vehicles with lower charges for their annual residential parking permit. It also recommends a separate surcharge for more-polluting diesel vehicles.

Air pollution is a public health emergency in London, and the Council is committed to improving air quality in the borough.

Government data suggests that

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in 2017, 6.5% of deaths in the borough were caused by air pollution, compared to a national average of 5.1%. Since 2010, 805 deaths in the borough have been caused by air pollution.

Councillor Brenda Dacres, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport said, ‘It’s up to all of us, including public bodies, campaign groups and local residents, to come together to help reduce the levels of toxic air from vehicles, and improve the overall quality of air in our neighbourhoods.’

That’s why the Council wants to hear everyone’s views. To read the policy and complete the consultation, visit www.lewisham. gov.uk/parking-consultation.

Helping those in need People visiting councilrun libraries in Catford, Deptford, Downham and Lewisham can now drop off donations to Lewisham Food Bank, helping them to give emergency supplies to people in crisis.

The donation points have been set up following Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham’s recent visit to the food bank, where he spoke to volunteers and people using the service.

Government welfare reforms and the rollout of Universal Credit mean that food banks are now supporting more people than ever before.

Damien said, ‘Food banks provide a lifeline for people in need, but we must aim for a society where there is no need for them. We will continue to work with the voluntary and community sector to support our most vulnerable residents.’

To find out more about Lewisham Food Bank, including which items they need the most, visit www.lewisham.foodbank. org.uk.

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community news

Good work Prendergast Ladywell School in Crofton Park has received a ‘good’ rating after its latest Ofsted inspection, with the school’s early years provision being rated ‘outstanding’.

In 2017, the school was listed

by Ofsted as one of 130 ‘stuck’ schools in England that had not been rated ‘good’ in the last decade.

Headteacher Niall Hand said, ‘Staff at the school have worked hard to ensure that every lesson, every day, is the best it can be, and that the young people who attend this school are happy and well cared for.’

Highlights from the inspection findings include: staff morale is high pupils are happy at school pupils are well behaved a majority of parents would recommend the school the number of pupils attending the school is rising the improvement in the quality of teaching over the last two years is reflected in pupils’ work.

Students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance perform in Lewisham.

Back the bid!

The Mayor of London has launched the London Borough of Culture awards for 2021 and 2023.

We have a rich and vibrant cultural and creative scene in Lewisham, and that’s why we’re excited to be launching our bid and asking you to support us.

The award brings Londoners of all ages and backgrounds together, placing culture at the heart of local communities.

Two boroughs will receive the award, one for 2021 and one for 2023. They will each get £1.35

million to run an ambitious cultural programme in that year.

Lewisham is home to renowned cultural and creative organisations and community groups, from the fantastic Horniman Museum to the internationally acclaimed Heart n Soul, the transformative Albany theatre to the and stereotypesmashing Entelechy Arts.

This is an exciting opportunity for our borough and we encourage you to back the bid and get involved!

To find out more and pledge your support, visit www.lewisham.gov. uk/backourbid.

A thank you card for volunteers The Lewisham Local Card scheme that gives something back to people who volunteer in the borough is being relaunched.

The card recognises the contribution volunteers make to our communities by giving them discounts in over 360 local

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Lewisham Life summer 2019

businesses. As well as showing appreciation for those who keep the borough’s charities and voluntary organisations running, it also encourages support for independent traders and boosts spending in the local economy.

Thanks to the scheme, more than 5,000 volunteers from over 250 local

charities are already enjoying discounts at a range of local traders – from cafés to clothes shops, and even dentists and solicitors.

The current card expires at the end of June, so if you volunteer locally, sign up for a new one now at www.lewishamlocal.com/card.

www.lewisham.gov.uk

Have your say on renting More people in the borough are living in the private rented sector than ever before. It’s essential their homes are safe, secure and properly maintained.

Lewisham Council is consulting on a borough-wide licensing scheme for all privately rented homes and wants to hear from tenants, landlords, homeowners and business owners.

Introducing the licensing scheme will: improve property standards and security help tenants feel safe and secure in their homes crackdown on rogue landlords protect vulnerable tenants from illegal evictions support landlords to raise their professional standards.

Take part and share your views by 20 August at www.lewisham.gov.uk/renting.

Lewisham schools need YOU! Are you a recent graduate or looking for a change of career? Would you like to do something rewarding that benefits your local community?

Apply now for teacher training starting in September 2019 with the Lewisham Teaching School Alliance Partnership (LTSAP).

Based throughout the borough, their PGCE courses will see you working in dynamic teaching environments while you study, with places available from early years to secondary schools.

Student loans are available if you need help with tuition fees, and in some roles you can get paid while you train.

For more information or to apply, email ltsapcontact @gmail.com.

www.lewisham.gov.uk

You have until 30 June to vote for Brockley at www.ramblers.org. uk/bbwna.

Vote for Brockley!

Brockley is in the running to be crowned Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood 2019 in the Ramblers’ annual competition.

The award celebrates areas where positive steps have been taken to create green, welcoming and walkable neighbourhoods that put people, rather than cars, at their heart.

The leafy Brockley area made the shortlist thanks to its integrated

walking network – which links up a wide variety of green spaces, including four major parks – and a series of conservation projects.

Many of the main walking routes in and around Brockley pass through beautiful parks and past independent shops, bars, pubs and restaurants, and the mix of street art and things to do in the area adds to its community-friendly feel.

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community news

A creative sector London’s first Creative Enterprise Zone, SHAPESLewisham, has launched in Deptford and New Cross.

The area secured over £500,000 to support the borough’s thriving Walk, cycle and artistic sector as part of creative or use public a ground-breaking initiative by transport Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London.

The Creative Enterprise Zone will: support creative businesses Use to approved appliances and fuel Walk, cycle or use public transport

Use approved appliances and fuel Switch to an electric car or hybrid vehicle, or join a car club

Turn off your engine when stationary Switch to an electric car or hybrid vehicle, or join a car club

connect and collaborate with one another Walk, cycle increase to affordable oraccess use public workspaces so creatives can put transport down roots and stay in the community link creative enterprises to the skills, expertise and facilities of the borough’s educational and cultural institutions Walk, cycle provide pathways for children or use public transport

into education and a career in the creative sector.

As part of the initiative, SHAPESLewisham has announced it is opening 85 new affordable artists’ studios at Second Floor Studios in Deptford.

For more information, visit www.shapeslewisham.co.uk, email info@shapeslewisham.co.uk or call 020 8314 9306.

What’s in our air?

Air pollution in London is a public health emergency, but what is in our air that makes it so dangerous and what’s being done about it? to Health an According to Switch the World Organization, air pollution – electric car or such as particulate matter (PM 2.5) and nitrogen dioxide hybrid vehicle, (NO2) – has a major negative impact on our health. This or join a car club includes conditions that affect children’s lungs, like asthma, and an increased risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia.

About half of the air pollution in London comes from road transport. From October 2021, when the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanded to include a large part of the an of nitrogen oxides are Lewisham borough,Switch harmfultolevels electric car or expected to decrease. hybrid vehicle, Improving air quality is one of club Lewisham Council’s highest or join a car priorities. To find out more about what they are doing, visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/airquality.

Support with the EU Settlement Scheme Lewisham Council are passport or national ID card, to be Turn off your engine helping EU, when EEA and Swiss stationary scanned and verified before you can citizens living in the borough to apply. If you bring your documents apply for settled or pre-settled along to Lewisham Council in status in the UK. Catford, they will be able to scan If you want to make an them for you. application, you need some form You don’t need an appointment, of identification, such as your just drop in any weekday from 1 to

e

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Lewisham Life summer 2019

4pm at the Customer Service Centre on the ground floor of Laurence House. The service is free and available to all residents of the borough and council staff.

To find out more about settled status, visit www.gov.uk/settledstatus-eu-citizens-families.

www.lewisham.gov.uk

Summer Reading Challenge blasts off The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge is ‘space chase’, celebrating 50 years since the Apollo space landings.

The annual challenge, which started in 1999, encourages kids to use libraries and get into reading.

Last year, 3,091 4–11-year-olds in the borough took part with 1,599 of them completing the challenge by reading six library books over the summer holidays.

The challenge will be running in every Lewisham library this summer, including community-run branches. They will have special

News in brief Free NHS vaccinations

collections of space-themed books ready and waiting, but kids can read any books they want to take part. There will also be free spacethemed events, such as author visits and craft activities.

Last summer, Lewisham’s libraries issued 81,940 books to children. They’re looking for volunteers to help this summer as some libraries will have over 400 children visiting.

Find out more at www. summerreadingchallenge.org. uk or email katrina.blench@ lewisham.gov.uk if you are interested in volunteering.

A leg-up to start up If you want to start or develop a new business, there’s a new programme that can help you turn your idea into a reality. Lewisham is one of ten boroughs piloting the Start-ups in London Libraries (SiLL) programme.

The programme offers free quarterly workshops, access to business resources, one-on-one information sessions and events, including live screenings from the British Library’s Business & IP Centre.

To sign up for the SiLL programme you need to either: own a business that is not trading www.lewisham.gov.uk

ave been registered at h Companies House for less than 12 months be an aspiring entrepreneur with a business idea you want to develop.

The project is fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the British Library, ten participating London boroughs and generously supported by JP Morgan and Arts Council England.

To find out more about the programme and to book on the next workshop, visit www.lewisham. gov.uk/SiLL.

Are you sure you and your family have had all the vaccinations you’re entitled to on the NHS? If you haven’t, it’s important to make sure you’re protected, particularly if you’re pregnant, have children or are over 70.

If you’re not sure what vaccinations you’ve already had, your GP or practice nurse can let you know. To find out more about NHS vaccinations, visit www.nhs.uk/vaccinations.

No time to waste Last year’s subscriptions for garden waste collections ended on 31 March. If you haven’t renewed yours, do it today to make sure your bin isn’t removed. It’s good for the environment as all the waste is composted and recycled.

The fee for weekly collections between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020 is £80.

To renew your subscription, visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/renew or call 020 8314 9756.

Help us stamp out fraud and corruption The Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Team collect information from a wide range of sources, which they use to investigate criminal, civil and disciplinary offences.

Information collected from residents can help them prevent fraud and money laundering, and verify people’s identity.

If you suspect someone has committed fraud, you can report it by emailing reportfraud@ lewisham.gov.uk or calling 0800 0850119.

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community news

Age against the machine The borough will become a hive of creative activity from 13 September to 6 October as a festival showcasing older people’s talents kicks off. The Festival of Creative Ageing will celebrate the power of the arts in later life and the benefits of creativity.

Everyone is welcome. Most events will be free and take place in theatres, public spaces, community venues, care homes and some unexpected locations! Find out more at www.lewisham.org.uk/ creativeageing.

A healthy start in life Healthy Early Years London (HEYL) is an awards scheme funded by the Mayor of London that supports good practice in children’s health, wellbeing and development in early years settings, such

as nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.

Since the scheme was launched in the borough last year, 48 settings have registered and 28 of them have got their First Steps award and five have got their Bronze award.

If you are an early years setting or childminder and you are interested in being part of the scheme, visit www.london.gov. uk/healthy-early-years or email mary.gobey@lewisham.gov.uk to find out more.

South London’s first trans and non-binary clinic A new clinic has opened to support transgender and non-binary people in the Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark boroughs.

The clinic, which operates on a walk-in basis at King’s College Hospital, is the first of its kind in south London. Patients can get counselling, hormone injections and advice, STI testing and treatment, cervical screening, sexual assault support, housing support 10

Lewisham Life summer 2019

and more.

It is run by cliniQ, a trans-led sexual health and wellbeing service.

They aim to offer a safe and confidential space for people who may not feel comfortable accessing mainstream services.

This new clinic comes after the launch of Pride in Practice, which supports all primary care services to deliver inclusive healthcare to their LGBTQ+ patients and ensure they

feel safe, respected and supported.

Catherine Mbema, Director of Public Health for Lewisham Council said, ‘In recognising that our transgender and non-binary residents have intersectional and specific needs we can better help them access the services they need.’

The clinic runs every Tuesday from 4 to 7pm at the Caldecot Centre, King’s College Hospital, 15-22 Caldecot Road SE5 9RS. www.lewisham.gov.uk

New councillors for Evelyn and Whitefoot On 2 May, a by-election was held to elect two new councillors following the resignations of Alex Feis-Boyce in Evelyn ward and Janet Daby MP in Whitefoot ward.

Labour candidate Lionel Openshaw was elected in Evelyn ward with 1,681 votes and Kim Powell, also Labour, was elected in Whitefoot ward with 1,314 votes.

Find out how to contact your local councillors on page 31.

Beckenham Place Park transformed The regeneration of Beckenham Place Park is complete. Thanks to a £5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, south east London’s largest park now boasts restored features and new attractions including: a lake for wild swimming a wet woodland area elements of the historic landscape such as pleasure gardens, a courtyard and the driveway up to the Mansion House a new education centre new cycling tracks, accessible walking routes and a skate park.

A new café in the restored stable block will open later in the summer. In the meantime, the café in the Mansion House is still open.

Thanks also goes to Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London who awarded £500,000 to the Council to restore the Georgian lake and plant thousands of trees.

There will be a special event on 20 July for residents and visitors to enjoy the relaunch of this historic park.

To find out more about the regeneration, visit www.lewisham. gov.uk/beckenhamplacepark.

Appy and Follow us on Twit ‘ealthy visit us at www.o Take more control of your health with a new free app, ASK NHS GP. Olivia, the app’s virtual healthcare assistant, asks a series of questions about your symptoms and recommends the most appropriate course of action. This could include: online advice an appointment with a professional a GP call back directions to emergency care.

You can even book GP appointments through the app.

To download the ASK NHS GP app, visit the App Store or Google Play.

People’s Day will return in 2020 Due to government funding cuts, People’s Day festival won’t be taking place in 2019. It will return in 2020 for its 35th year, and will then take place every two years.

You can still expect to enjoy hundreds of international, national and local performances, as well as craft, business and community stalls, plus a great selection of food and drink. Sign up for email updates about the festival at www.lewisham. gov.uk/peoplesday.

www.lewisham.gov.uk

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gardening

We visit two community gardens and two therapeutic gardens grown by the borough’s green-fingered residents

Growing

communities

C

rofton Park railway garden is a neat strip of land next to the train platform with beautiful raised beds and a clean path. It’s a small sanctuary of calm next to the bustling station.

Wild Cat Wilderness in Catford, on the other hand, is like another world. Its six acres of green space sprawl along the banks of the River Ravensbourne, where it’s easy to forget you’re in London at all.

Blooming proud As we are shown around Wild Cat Wilderness by Maria, it’s clear that the word ‘wilderness’ isn’t hyperbole.

It’s vast and impressive, with a maze of paths through thickets and undergrowth, each leading to an outdoor kitchen, bee hive, herb garden or polytunnel.

It seems uncultivated, but Maria clearly knows it like the back of her hand. As we walk, she points things out, picks plants to eat and shows us the work they’ve done. All the volunteers we meet are friendly and each feels a real sense of ownership of the place.

The Crofton Park group is similarly proud of their garden, which they had designed with help from a small grant from the Crofton Park Ward Assembly. They tell us about the positive feedback they’ve had from the community.

People regularly stop by to say how much nicer it has made the area.

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Lewisham Life summer 2019

Crofton Park railway garden is open Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm at Mannock Road, SE4 1EU. To get involved or join the mailing list, visit www.croftonparkrailwaygarden. org.uk.

Wild Cat Wilderness volunteering sessions take place every Thursday, 12 noon–3pm, at 53 River View Park Road, SE6 4PL. To find out how to get involved, visit www.wildcatwilderness.org.

Pitching in Both of these gardens are peaceful and friendly communal spaces where people work together. Not many of the people involved have

much gardening experience, but everyone pitches in where they can and learns together as they go.

The gardens have created the ambitious and hard-working groups of people who really care about the spaces they’re tending to.

Before visiting these spaces, we thought that gardens were grown by communities, but now we see that communities can grow from their gardens. www.lewisham.gov.uk

Gardening therapy Two very different gardens in Lewisham are doing vital work to help people living with mental health conditions.

Sydenham Garden At Sydenham Garden, patients and volunteers tend the garden together. To remove stigma, there is no differentiation between them – everyone is a ‘co-worker’ and wears a name badge. Patients are referred, or can self-refer, and they have access to mental health professionals while they are there.

‘There are loads of reasons why gardening is good for your mental health’, Tom from Sydenham

Gardens tells us. ‘They range from the physiological effects of looking at the colour green, to physical benefits of the bacteria in the soil, as well as the gentle exercise.’

The patients and volunteers grow vegetables and enjoy the products of their hard work over communal lunches. Sharing is one of the NHS’s five steps to mental wellbeing, Tom explains. ‘Helping to create gives you pride, especially if someone buys it or you eat it.

Visit Sydenham Garden at 28a Wynell Road, SE23 2LW from Monday to Friday, 9.30am– 4.30pm. You may not be able to access the garden if a session is happening.

You can sign up to volunteer, or refer yourself as a patient if you have dementia or a mental health condition, at www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk.

Sharing the experience is part of the payback and improves your mental wellbeing.’

St Mary’s therapeutic garden Set in the churchyard of St Mary’s Parish Church, the therapeutic garden has an informal, community feel. It’s a drop-in for anyone feeling troubled or low, and opened after the church group realised it could be useful to patients at the Ladywell mental health unit at Lewisham hospital, on the other side of the wall.

‘We wanted to transform the area and people’s lives,’ Marion explains as she takes us around.

Raised beds sit parallel with old tombs. At the garden’s edge is a thick growth of cow parsley, primroses, snowdrops, bluebells and hollyhocks. Beyond this, the River Ravensbourne burbles and an egret washes itself in the water.

Marion shows us the tomatoes, new potatoes, lettuce, chard and runner beans they’re growing, which go to the local food bank.

‘A lot of people who come aren’t up to much gardening, but it all helps. Some people just walk around and think their thoughts.

After gardening, we always have tea and a natter. Then we do mindfulness. If people are worried or anxious, we talk them through it. Then we sit, listen to the birds and feel the breeze on our faces… it’s just bliss.’

St Mary’s therapeutic garden is open to the public every day at St Mary the Virgin, Lewisham SE13 6LE. Everyone is welcome to join gardening sessions every Tuesday from 1–3pm.

Find out more at www.lewishamparish.com/garden. www.lewisham.gov.uk

Lewisham Life summer 2019

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housing

Homeward bound We meet one Lewisham resident and her family as they move into new social housing in the borough

More work to be done Unfortunately, Desilava’s story is not uncommon.

There is still plenty more to do to tackle the housing crisis. Lewisham Council currently has more than 10,000 families on the housing waiting list, 2,000 in temporary accommodation and 600 in emergency hostels and B&Bs. That’s why it has pledged to deliver 1,000 new social homes over 28 sites across the borough by 2022, with many of them being delivered through pioneering schemes:

Modular building

Desilava’s story

On 22 March, Desilava Ognyanova and her four children picked up the keys to their new home in Lee. Moving is often exciting, but for Desilava and her family it meant more than most. It was their ticket out of cramped temporary accommodation.

Their newly built three-bed flat in the Dacre Park South development is a world away from the dated flat in Tooting they moved from.

Living in south west London meant that the family was miles away from Lewisham, where they had put down roots. There was little space in the flat for the kids to play, learn and grow. Desilava’s son needs regular treatment at Kaleidescope children’s centre in Lewisham, which meant four-hour round trips just to get healthcare and visit the place they call home.

Their new flat will give them certainty about their future. As social tenants, they will get security of tenure, meaning that they don’t have to worry about having to move again.

It also allows them and their neighbours to start building a community, something the Council and Lewisham Homes are encouraging through events where residents can meet and get to know one another. After just a few weeks, Desilava tells us she’s already making friends.

Following the success of PLACE/Ladywell, the Council will deliver more housing using modular technology, where large sections of the building are constructed off-site and put together on-site.

Community-led developments

Future residents are being empowered to build the homes they want through two communityled projects, one in Church Grove in Ladywell and another in Brasted Close in Sydenham.

Meeting the needs of renters

A scheme in Besson Street in New Cross Gate has been designed to provide more genuinely affordable housing at London Living Rents, which is vital for those who don’t qualify for council housing.

How you can get help with housing To find out how Lewisham Council can help you if you are struggling to find a home, or are at risk of losing your home, visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/housing.

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fostering

Find a space in your home and your heart Good foster care can transform children’s lives, but it’s not only the children who find themselves changed by the experience A special bond Eva and Fransis live in the borough of Lewisham and have fostered two girls since 2013.

‘We started our journey to fostering by picking up a leaflet from Lewisham shopping centre and from there our lives have been transformed. It’s the most rewarding and sometimes challenging ‘job’ we’ve ever had.

‘We try to provide love, reassurance, support and comfort.

We want our girls to learn how a normal family feels, and have the chance to develop happy relationships, learn to manage their emotions and develop skills for later life. It’s hard work sometimes, but the results are so positive.

‘The first girl was three-and-ahalf when she came to live with us, and we looked after her for two years. We’re fostering another girl now – she was seven when she arrived and will be 11 soon.

‘Each time it was difficult at the start – for both of us. We knew some things about them, but we

16

Lewisham Life summer 2019

the results are so positive

didn’t know them, and they didn’t know us either. They might have lost their families and the idea of living with a new one in a strange environment is difficult. But we had lots of different training courses, which gave us the knowledge and skills we needed to make them feel at home.

‘Seeing our girls grow from children carrying the world on their shoulders to happy self-confident,

positive and well-rounded young people is the biggest reward. Our first little girl was adopted, and now we are her very proud grandparents. The special bond we have with her will last for all our lives.

‘Our journey began with the thought that we can change a child’s life, but the reality is that fostering our little girls has changed our lives for the better.’

www.lewisham.gov.uk

Finding her passion Faustina Fiawoo lives in Thamesmead with her husband Kofi. They began fostering in Lewisham in 2015, and currently look after three sisters and a baby.

‘Before I came to this country from Ghana, I was a teacher for about 10 years. I’ve also worked in a children’s hospital and in a nursery, so children have always been part of my life.

‘When I found out how fostering works, and the kind of things that happen when parents have children taken away, I thought “this is something that I could do and really add my expertise to”.

‘We don’t have children of our own, so these kids come to our house and they are just ours for the time that they stay with us. I try to use a little bit of my teaching experience. I really want the children to excel in their education. I love helping them do that.

‘We get a lot of support from social workers. If there are any problems, they visit and help us deal with them. Our supervising social worker is an amazing woman, always helpful. There are

You need patience, tolerance and a big heart also other foster carers we can talk to who have experiences they can share. There’s always support around.

‘We’ve had children from lots of different backgrounds – from families who were originally from Jamaica, Sierra Leone and China, as well as the UK, so we have to know how to deal with different cultures. Three of the girls we care for now are from a Chinese family.

I’ve learnt what foods they eat and go online to look up recipes they’d like.

‘You need to accept children of all races, characters and behaviours. You need patience, tolerance and a big heart as some children have gone through traumatic things before they come to you. Each child is different, so they could behave in any kind of way. You have to learn from situations that come your way.

‘When they leave, there’s always a change. For those who go back home, we’re happy when parents see a change in their children’s behaviour – it means you’re doing something right.

‘I’m really passionate about fostering, I just really enjoy it.

You’ve got to have that passion and love for it. It makes it easier.’

Could you foster a child?

Every year, 500 children in the borough need a foster home. Lewisham Council is looking for new foster carers, or carers who already foster children through independent agencies, who can help. As a borough of sanctuary for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, Lewisham also needs foster carers for unaccompanied young people seeking asylum.

To find out more, visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/foster, email fosteringrecruitment@lewisham.gov.uk or call Freephone 0800 015 0129. www.lewisham.gov.uk

Lewisham Life summer 2019

17

life stories

Passing the baton We meet the outgoing and incoming mayoresses to find out a bit about their lives and how they see the role

Tell us about your early life

Liane Segal was Mayoress from 2018 until 2019 ‘I came to England 80 years ago. I was on my own and nobody spoke to me on the train, but someone bought me a drink that I found out later was tea – I’d never seen tea with milk before!

‘I lived with a family in Wigan for two and a half years. My parents arrived just a few days before the outbreak of WWII. We lived in Hertford Heath, but when my stepmother become pregnant we moved to Manchester. After she had the baby, we were evacuated to a holiday resort in south Wales. We lived in a little bungalow in a big field. It was so lovely.

‘My father joined the Pioneer Corps during the war – a unit of the British Army with lots of Jewish refugee soldiers – and then the Commandos. But he was practising parachute jumping one day when he broke his spine and was discharged. They lived in Battersea then, right by the park.

After that we moved to Sydenham and I’ve been in this part of London ever since.’

18

Lewisham Life summer 2019

Barbara Gray became the new Mayoress in April 2019 ‘My parents travelled from Jamaica to London in the 1950s where they met and got married. The first of five children, I was born in Clapham and lived in Brixton until I was five. I grew up amongst a very close and supportive community of Caribbean families. Then we moved into social housing in Tooting when I was 11.

A large part of the role for me is enabling communities to have a voice Liane ‘At 24 I got a job in PR at British Gas and was earning good money, so I moved out. I found a nice flat but the landlord asked if I was British, which I thought was strange. I said, “if you mean am I black then yes, I am”. She said sorry but the other tenants wouldn’t like it. I was shocked. How could this still be happening in the 1980s!

‘I decided to buy my own flat instead. When I had my daughter, I needed a bigger place so I moved to my dream house in Catford. That was in 1988 and I’m still here. I worked for Lewisham Council and sent my daughter to a local school.

Everything just fell into place.’

What’s it like being Mayoress?

Liane ‘I loved it because I love being with people – I need them like other people need air! When I was Mayoress, people would talk to me a lot and I loved hearing what they had to say. I felt I was doing what came naturally.

‘There were so many great moments. I lived through the Holocaust, so I was so grateful to be part of the borough’s commemoration of it.

‘Then the Council held its firstever Chanukah celebration, which was introduced last year by Mayor Damian Egan. Wow was that an event! The atmosphere was electric.

There was a wonderful mixture of different nationalities, creeds and religions. It was one of the most fantastic days of my life and I www.lewisham.gov.uk

Liane Segal (left) and Barbara Gray (right) with Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham

thought, “if only the whole world could see this, we’d never have another war.”’

Barbara ‘A large part of the role for me is enabling communities to have a voice and championing the seldom heard, though I need to get better with social media!

‘I am a 21st-century urban Mayoress born of Caribbean parents – it’s not the traditional image, but that’s the life experience I bring to the role.

‘Race inequality, which I thought I’d left behind in the 1980s, is sadly still an issue in Lewisham and I will be working so more young Black children in Lewisham get an education and a good future.

‘People stop me in the streets and shops and tell me their stories, which is really nice. www.lewisham.gov.uk

Lewisham is special in that we all mix together Barbara ‘One girl I met said to me, “that means I can be Mayoress too one day, or even Mayor!” Being visible in that way is great.’

What’s the best thing about Lewisham?

Barbara ‘Lewisham was always described to me as a collection of villages, and it’s true. If you come to Catford, it’s got one feel, and if you go to Sydenham, Ladywell or Blackheath, it’s got another.

‘I love its diversity of race and age and the fact that people live together, not just side by side but as a community.

‘Lewisham is unique in having a growing Caribbean population when it’s shrinking everywhere else.

It also has amongst the highest proportion of LGBT people in London. It’s a place where you can just come and be yourself. Diversity is the key and we need to make sure we don’t lose it to gentrification.’

Liane ‘I feel the same way. Lewisham is special in that we all mix together.

You just feel great walking down the street.

‘People want to mix, to improve themselves. It’s so easy in Lewisham because it’s all there – you’ve only got to look and you’ll find it, or it will find you.’

Lewisham Life summer 2019

19

grants and loans

House work Did you know the Council offers grants and loans to help you improve your property?

Lewisham Council wants everyone in the borough to have a place they can call home – somewhere safe, stable and in good condition.

If you’re a tenant, landlord or homeowner and you need work doing on your home, you might be eligible to apply for grants and interest-free loans from the Council.

‘A huge difference’

Home improvements don’t just improve your home – they can really improve your wellbeing and quality of life as well. Three residents who’ve taken the Council up on the offer tell us about their experiences.

Rebecca Jones

Rebecca, who lives in Lewisham, had major work done on her kitchen. She tells us, ‘I’m really happy with it. The Housing Assistance Team was really helpful and the builders were flexible and sensitive to our needs. They would only start work when my son, George, left for college, and stop when he returned. The improvements we made to our home are making a huge difference to our lives.’

Rosina Chidbridge

Rosina used a Disabled Facilities Grant to have her bath converted to an accessible shower at her home in Lee. She said, ‘the service was excellent and it made my life so much better. I would definitely recommend it.’

Esther Shanahan

After using a Disabled Facilities Grant to have an automated door fitted at her home in Ladywell, Esther told us how hassle free it was. ‘I was very politely kept informed at all stages and I was visited after the work was finished to ensure all was well – excellent service.’

What the grants are for You can use one of the grants or loans to: l d o repairs l h elp with moving costs (if you are disabled and would like to move somewhere more suitable) l m ake your home more accessible if you are disabled.

If you are a tenant, your landlord could improve the standard of your home.

Some of the grants and loans are means tested or only available to some people.

Free gas safety checks Faulty gas appliances can be dangerous to your health, so it’s important they are tested regularly and you know how to recognise faulty appliances.

The Council offers free gas safety checks for residents who are over 60, vulnerable or unemployed.

How to apply If you want to apply for a grant or loan, or get a free gas safety check, email housingassistance@lewisham.gov.uk or call 020 8314 6622 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm).

To find out more about the grants and loans, including who is eligible, visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/housinggrants.

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summer events

what’s on Your essential guide to all the festivals, films, feasts and fun days out that are going on in the borough over the summer

Festivals and markets 29 June

Bellingham Festival Meet your neighbours at Bellingham’s annual community festival and enjoy music, food and fun for all.

12 noon–4pm, Bellingham Green, Randlesdown Road, SE6 3JB. Free. Email bellinghamcommunity festival@gmail.com.

If you have a community event you want to appear in the next issue, email lewishamlife@lewisham.gov.uk. Free listings are published at the editor’s discretion.

Our autumn issue will include events happening in September, October and November. The submission deadline is 28 July 2019.

Beckenham Place Park Flower Show

29 June Quaggy Carnival Join the procession and dance to the music at the Quaggy Centre’s annual carnival.

1–5pm, Quaggy Children’s Centre, Orchard Hill, SE13 7QZ. Free. Visit www. quaggydevelopmenttrust.org/ quaggy-carnival.

30 June Beckenham Place Park Flower Show Feast your eyes on produce from our borough’s keenest gardeners, from sweet smelling roses to jumbo veg.

12 noon–7pm, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham Hill Road, BR3 5BS. Free. Visit www.beckenhamplace.org.

6 July Vinyl Bites Expand your vinyl collection at this pop-up record shop in Blackheath.

1–4.15pm, The Studio, 22

11 Blackheath Village, SE3 9LA. Free. Visit www.age-exchange.org.uk or call 020 8318 9105.

7 July Blythe Hill Fields Festival Come along for an eclectic mix of music, family events, lots of stalls to browse and fabulous food and drink.

12 noon–5pm, Blythe Hill Fields, SE23 1SP. Free. Visit www.blythehillfields.org.uk or email festival@blythehillfields. org.uk.

Lewisham Life summer 2019

13 July Moonshot Community Fun Day Bring the family along for a day of games, music, food and raffles.

12 noon–6pm, Moonshot Community Centre, Angus Street, SE14 6LU. Free. Visit www.iriedancetheatre.org, email info@iriedancetheatre. org or call 020 8691 6099.

14 July Food and craft fayre Join cooking workshops, get

tips from nutritionists, meet local growers and producers and sample an array of exciting street food and premium drinks.

10am–5pm, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham Hill Road, BR3 5BS. Free. Visit www.beckenhamplace.org or email david@eventsinspire. net.

14 July Catford Vegan Festival Pick up some plant-based treats from some of London’s www.lewisham.gov.uk

Sign up to get listings by email at www.lewisha m. gov.uk/signu p.

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10am–5pm, Catford Broadway, SE6 4SN. Free.

Visit www.catfordfoodmarket. com or email nikky@ catfordfoodmarket.com.

Fridays and Saturdays Street Feast Grab a drink, taste the variety and creativity of the street food then dance the night away at the 1,000-capacity Model Market.

5pm–1am, 196 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, SE13 6LS. £3 after 7pm.

Visit www.streetfeast.com/ market/model-market.

Saturdays Deptford Bites Bring some flavour to your weekend with this weekly street food market in Deptford.

10am–4pm, Deptford Market Yard, SE8 4BX. Free.

Visit www. deptfordmarketyard.com. www.lewisham.gov.uk

Last Sunday of the month Catford Food Market Sweet or savoury, hot or cold, enjoy some of the finest food stalls south east London has to offer.

10am–4pm, Catford Broadway, SE6 4SN. Free.

Visit www.catfordfoodmarket. com.

Entertainment 22 June

Reggae Mini Festival: Midsummer/Windrush Day Special An all-day, multi-media, outdoor and indoor reggae show featuring the great Neville King on the wheels of steel.

2pm–2am, The Fox and Firkin, 316 Lewisham High Streer, SE13 6JZ. £3 after 9pm. Visit www.foxfirkin.com or call 020 8690 0969.

23 June

Wildflower Walk Discover diverse plant communities on this guided walk through Sydenham’s urban secondary and ancient woodland.

2–3.30pm, Sydenham Hill Wood (inside the gate on Crescent Wood Road), SE26 6SB. Free.

Visit www.wildlondon.org.uk or email rdowse@wildlondon. org.uk.

27 June The Comedy Broth The hottest up and comers on the comedy circuit take to the stage with all proceeds going to charity.

7–11.30pm, Deptford Cinema, 39 Deptford Broadway, SE8 4PQ. £5.

Visit www.deptfordcinema. org or email info@ deptfordcinema.org.

Blackheath Choir’s Summer Concert Performances of Goodall’s Eternal Light, Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and Parry’s I Was Glad.

7.30pm, St. Margaret’s Church, Brandram Road, Lee, SE13 5BT. £13 in advance, £16 on the door. Text 07921 295430, email tickets@ blackheathchoir.org.uk or visit www.blackheathchoir.org.uk.

2–27 July One Giant Leap In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Arrows & Traps Theatre bring their critically acclaimed style to a brandnew comedy set in the backstreets of a Hollywood lot.

7.30pm, Brockley Jack, 408–410 Brockley Road, SE4 2DH. £16, £13 (concessions).

Visit www.brockleyjack.co.uk, email admin@brockleyjack. co.uk or call 0333 666 3366.

4 July A Medley of Musicals Enjoy a range of musical theatre favourites in concert featuring crowd-pleasers from South Pacific, My Fair Lady,

Lewisham Life summer 2019

23

summer events The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and many more.

7.30pm, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ. £5.

Visit www.blackheathhalls. com, email boxoffice@ blackheathhalls.com or call 020 8463 0100.

5 July Oboe and piano recital from Kathryn Workman Come and listen to Conservatoire oboe and piano tutor Kathryn Workman perform in a free and non-ticketed concert.

1.30pm, St Laurence Catford, 37 Bromley Road, London SE6 2TS. Free. www.conservatoire.org.uk.

7 July Women’s World Cup final and pub quiz Join a gathering for women and non-binary people to watch the final of the Women’s World Cup then put your footballing knowledge to the test in a pub quiz.

Football starts at 4pm, quiz at 7pm, St Paul’s House, Deptford Market Yard, SE8 4BX. Free. Visit www. againsttherunofplay.club.

12 July Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet Get your groove on to some

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Email lisa.wilson @lewisham.gov.uk for rates/viewings.

One Giant Leap

70s and 80s disco, with prizes for the best dressed.

7.30pm–12 midnight, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham Hill Road, BR3 5BS. Free. Visit www. haventstoppeddancingyet. co.uk, email info@ haventstoppeddancingyet. co.uk or call 07967 163247.

12 July Lewisham Choral Society concert LCS presents music by two celebrated British composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams and the contemporary Bob Chilcott.

7.30pm, Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts, South Eden Park Road, BR3 3BP. £12, £10 (concessions), £5 (18 and under). Visit www. lewishamchoralsociety.org.uk.

13 July Deptford AnimaDocs A jam-packed day of short

films, programmes, features, presentations and talks about contemporary animated documentaries.

12 noon–11pm, Deptford Cinema, 39 Deptford Broadway, SE8 4PQ. Price TBC (on 1 June). Visit www.deptfordcinema.org or email info@deptfordcinema. org.

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13 July The Icarus Club Acoustic Summer Concert With a close eye on highquality music, and a nocovers policy, the Icarus Club has welcomed over 1,000 acoustic musicians in its 16year history.

7.30–11.00pm, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham Hill

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Road, BR3 5BS. £12. Visit www.beckenhamplace.org or email info@icarusclub.co.uk.

13 July Kelly Convey – Telephone Voice The ‘Chatham-girl-done good’ brings us a preview of her debut Edinburgh Fringe hour which travels back in time to her errant teenage years, through her high-flying twenties as an executive, right up to the life-changing decision to become a comedian in her thirties.

8pm, The Broadway Theatre, Rushey Green, SE6 4RU. £10.

Visit www.broadwaytheatre. org.uk or call 020 8690 0002.

13 July La La Land plus live piano performance Bring the songs from this multiple Oscar winner to life with a live piano performance before the screening.

7.30pm, St Margaret’s Church, Lee Terrace, London, SE13 5DL. From £7 (adult), £3.50 (children under 16).

Visit www.collectivecinema. co.uk or email info@ collectivecinema.co.uk.

talented vocal students from Trinity Laban and committed local amateur performers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

7pm (16, 17, 19 July) and 2.30pm (21 July), Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ. £19, £17 (concessions), £6 (under-12s). Visit www. blackheathhalls.com, email boxoffice@blackheathhalls. com or call 020 8463 0100.

17 July Cocktail Follow the story of a college student by day, bartender by night in this 80s classic starring Tom Cruise.

8pm, The Rivoli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY. £10. Visit www.croftonparkpictures.com.

18 July Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Join Marilyn Monroe onboard a cruise ship to France for this musical picture featuring ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’.

8pm, The Rivoli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY. £10. Visit www.croftonparkpictures.com.

14 July

19 July

Concert Carousel The wonderful Conservatoire students perform in three end-of-term concerts.

3pm, 4pm and 5pm, Studio 1, The Conservatoire, 19–21 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ. Free. Visit www.conservatoire.org.uk, email info@conservatoire.org. uk or call 020 8852 0234.

Jaws Rewatch one of the most celebrated Spielberg films in a 1950s-style ballroom.

8pm, The Rivoli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY. £10. Visit www.croftonparkpictures.com.

16, 17, 19 and 21 July Blackheath Halls Opera 2019: Offenbach’s La belle Hélène A performance bringing together a cast of worldclass professional singers, www.lewisham.gov.uk

19 July The Truth About The Yardies A night of comedy featuring Slim, Kane Brown, Will E, Shabba, ABS, Kayliegh and Junior Booker.

7.30pm, The Broadway Theatre, Rushey Green,

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summer events The Green Ship

SE6 4RU. £17.50–£32.50.

Visit www.broadwaytheatre. org.uk or call 020 8690 0002.

17 August The Phantom of the Opera with a live organ performance One of the greatest silent movies of all time will be brought to life with a live church organ performance of the famous overture before the screening.

7.30pm, St Margaret’s Church, Lee Terrace, London SE13 5DL. From £7 (adult), £3.50 (children under 16).

Visit www.collectivecinema. co.uk or email info@ collectivecinema.co.uk.

Every Thursday from 4 July South London Music Sessions Enjoy live music and DJs along with spectacular views across London at these weekly gigs on the Horniman Bandstand.

5.30–9.30pm, The Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ. Free. Visit www.horniman. ac.uk or call 020 8699 1872.

Children and families

or email rdowse@wildlondon. org.uk.

The Green Ship Quentin Blake’s beautiful children’s book is brought to the stage for the first time.

11.30am and 2.30pm, the Albany, Douglas Way, SE8 4AG. £7. Visit www.thealbany. org.uk or call 020 8692 4446.

6 July

23 June

5 July Bat Walk Go on a guided walk of Sydenham Hill Wood to discover bats, tawny owls and hedgehogs.

9–11pm, Sydenham Hill Wood (inside the gate on Crescent Wood Road). Free.

Visit www.wildlondon.org.uk

Get children’s activities by email Sign up free of charge and we’ll send you details of family activities, events for children, things to do in the school holidays and more.

Register at www.lewisham.gov.uk/ childrensignup 26

Lewisham Life summer 2019

Family mindfulness Join Nicola Harvey, author of Mindful Little Yogis, for a fun and engaging family mindfulness workshop.

11.30am–12.45pm, Moon Lane Books, 300 Stanstead Road, SE23 1DE. £10 for one child and one parent, £15 for two children and one parent. Visit www. moonlaneink.co.uk, email info@moonlaneink.co.uk or call 020 3489 7030.

24 July Wonderful Woodland Come and learn about woodland wildlife through a collection of fun interactive activities and games.

11am–12.30pm, New Cross Gate Cutting, Vesta Road Entrance, SE4 2NR. Free.

Visit www.wildlondon.org.uk or email greatnorthwood@ wildlondon.org.uk.

25 July London National Park City Festival: Bug Day A family-friendly day to celebrate the amazing invertebrates that are so vital to our world, as part

of London National Park City Week.

Drop in 11am–2pm, Sydenham Hill Wood (in the large glade along the old railway track). Free. Visit www.wildlondon.org.uk or email rdowse@wildlondon. org.uk.

28 July Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave Dance outside with your family to the greatest rave music in the beautiful Horniman Gardens surrounded by flowers, bubbles, balloons and explosions of colour.

2–6pm, The Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ. £15 (adult), £12.50 (child), free (pre-walking infant). Visit www.horniman.ac.uk or call 020 8699 1872.

7 August Fiery Footsteps 1666: Children’s Dance Workshop Fun dances from the time of the Great Fire of London for children aged 7–12 accompanied by an adult.

2.15–3.15 pm and 3.30– 4.30pm, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham Hill Road, www.lewisham.gov.uk

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summer events BR3 5BS. £10. Visit www.beckenhamplace.org or email lizegkb@aol.com.

27 August A World of Stories Some of the best storytellers in London will whisk you to faraway places and different times with stories inspired by the Horniman’s exhibitions and festivals.

11–11.45am, 3.15–4pm, 12.15–1pm, 2–2.45pm, The Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ. Free. Visit www. horniman.ac.uk or call 020 8699 1872.

their creative side at a fun colouring-in session.

10.30–11am, Downham Library, 7–9 Moorside Road, BR1 5EP. Free.

Call 020 8314 9705.

Thursdays Early years help and advice Do you need help or advice on any aspect of childcare or the free early years entitlement? Come and talk to us at our brand-new weekly drop-in sessions for parents and carers.

2–4pm, Catford Library, Catford Road, SE6 4RU. Free.

Email fis@lewisham.gov.uk.

Tuesdays

Fridays

Multiplication rules!

A simple, visual and tactile way of learning times tables and division with Penny Topsom, author of the book Multiplication Rules!

3.45–4.45pm, Moon Lane Books, 300 Stanstead Road, SE23 1DE. £3. Visit www. moonlaneink.co.uk, email info@moonlaneink.co.uk or call 020 3489 7030.

French rhyme time French songs and rhymes for under-5s.

9.30–10.30am, The Reminiscence Centre, 11 Blackheath Village, SE3 9LA. Free. Call 020 8318 9105.

Wednesdays Colouring club Help your child develop

Third Saturday of the month Kids’ origami Make beautiful animals and other shapes from paper.

2–3pm, Forest Hill Library, Dartmouth Road, SE23 3HZ. Free. Call 020 8244 0634.

Illustrations © Adam Stower for The Reading Agency

Summer Reading Challenge 2019 The Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year during the summer holidays. Sign up at your local library, then read six library books of your choice to complete the challenge. There are exclusive rewards to collect along the way, and it’s free to take part! Find out more at www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.

28

Lewisham Life summer 2019

The Squidz Club

Young people 28 June

The Squidz Club Heart n Soul’s club night for young people with learning disabilities aged 10–25 and their friends and family returns to the Albany!

7–11pm. the Albany, Douglas Way, SE8 4AG. £7.

Visit www.thealbany.org.uk or call 020 8692 4446.

30 August Post-GCSE results clearing day support Got your results and still looking for a sixth form, college, apprenticeship or traineeship? Come and find out what’s available.

10am–3pm, Rooms 1 and 2, Civic Suite, Catford Road, SE6 4RU. Free. For more information or to register your interest, email mishayla. morgan@lewisham.gov.uk or call 020 8314 7549.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays Free climbing wall sessions Scale to new heights on one of TNG’s two climbing walls.

6–7pm, TNG Youth & Community Centre, 111 Wells Park Rd, Sydenham, SE26 6AD. Free. Visit www. youthfirst.org.uk, email deniz. amoah@youthfirst.org.uk or call 07875091098.

Classes, talks and exhibitions 23 June

Summer solstice day-long yoga retreat Join Sophie and Krista for this mini yoga retreat and leave glowing from the inside out.

10.30am–4.30pm, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham Hill Road, BR3 5BS. £60. Visit www.thestudiose6.com, email info@thestudiose6.com or call 07961 440 762.

23–30 June Local connections: borough boundaries exhibition A free exhibition, part of London Festival of Architecture, showing eight community-led housing projects in the borough.

11am–5pm, PLACE/Ladywell, 261 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6AY. Free. Visit www. londonfestivalofarchitecture. org.

29 June Women’s World Cup screening plus discussion on feminism in football Panel discussion on feminist practices making a change in football, followed by a screening of two Women’s World Cup quarter finals.

Discussion starts at 12.30pm, www.lewisham.gov.uk

matches at 2pm and 5.30pm, St Paul’s House, Deptford Market Yard, SE8 4BX. Free. Visit www. againsttherunofplay.club.

2 July Back to Nature: natural and low-intervention wine tasting Tantalise the taste buds with a selection of ‘natural’ wines that are made with as little intervention as possible.

7.30–9.30pm, Bottle Bar and Shop, 2 Catford Broadway, SE6 4SP. £30. Visit www. bottlebarandshop.com.

4 July Adult Learning Lewisham open day See their facilities, talk to specialists, take part in tasters and demonstrations and enrol for courses from September.

2–8pm, Granville Park Centre, 100 Granville Park, SE13 7DU. Free. Visit www.lewisham.gov. uk/adultlearning.

Wednesdays Women’s football training Come and train with South East Parakeets FC, all ages and abilities welcome. LGBT+ inclusive.

7pm, Downham Playing Fields, Downham Way, Bromley BR1 5ES. £3

per session. Visit www. parakeetsfc.co.uk or email parakeetsfc@gmail.com.

Thursdays Free digital skills Get help with the online forms you need to fill out to access local services and benefits.

11am–12 noon and 1–3pm, Manor House community library, 34 Old Road, SE13 5SY. Free. Call 020 8463 0420 or email manorhouselibrary@ lewisham.gov.uk.

Adult craft club Meet to chat and work on your latest individual or collective projects.

6–7pm, Manor House community library, 34 Old Road, SE13 5SY. Free.

Call 020 8463 0420 or email manorhouselibrary@ lewisham.gov.uk.

Fridays National Careers Service Get help from a careers adviser with all aspects of job searching and career development, including CV writing.

9am–1pm and 2–5pm, Downham Library, 7–9 Moorside Road, BR1 5EP. Free (booking compulsory).

Call 020 8314 9705.

Reading group Meet up with your fellow bookworms at this monthly book club for adults.

10.30am–12 noon, Lewisham Library, 199–201 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LG. Free.

Call 020 8314 8430.

Experience tranquillity at a 45-minute outdoor yoga class, suitable for all levels and abilities.

9.30am and 10.30am, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham Hill Road, BR3 5BS. Free. Email lucy. mitchell@lewisham.gov.uk or call 020 8314 7017.

Various dates

23 July and 6 August

Lewisham libraries health talks Come and get impartial, unbiased information about your health concerns.

7pm, Lewisham Library, 199–201 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LG. Free.

Call 020 8314 8430.

Tea dances Come and spend a magical summer’s afternoon in the friendly atmosphere of a Blackheath Halls tea dance where you get a chance to dance in our Great Hall.

1.30pm, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ. £7.

Visit www.blackheathhalls. com, email boxoffice@ blackheathhalls.com or call 020 8463 0100.

First Saturday of the month

Older people June 28

Free lunchtime concert Tap your feet along to a lunchtime concert given by students of Trinity Laban.

12 noon–1pm, The Studio, 11 Blackheath Village, SE3 9LA. Free. Visit www.age-exchange.org.uk or call 020 8318 9105.

17 July #Sixty All voices are welcome to an afternoon of fun, friendly singing in a relaxed atmosphere. No previous singing or musical experience required, everything will be taught by ear.

2pm, upstairs at the Sydenham Centre, 44A Sydenham Road, SE26 5QX. Free. Visit www. sydenhamarts.co.uk/ whats-on, email admin@ sydenhamarts.co.uk or call 020 8778 6463.

23 July Over-60s yoga with a view (outdoors) www.lewisham.gov.uk

7–9 and 14–16 August Cruise ship experience at home Experience the world without leaving Catford at a dementia-friendly cruise ship experience.

11am–3pm, St. Andrew’s Church, Sandhurst Road, Catford SE6 1XD. Free.

To book a place, contact Lesley Allen on 07729 785 843 or email lesleyaallen@ btopenworld.com.

Mondays and Wednesdays Livesey Bridge Club Meet new friends over the card table – you can bring a partner or play with one of the stewards.

7–10pm, Sydenham community library, Sydenham Road, London SE26 5SE. £6. Email liveseybridgeclub@hotmail. com or call Paul on 07807 912339 or Barbara on 07979 057862.

Lewisham Life summer 2019

29

summer events Tuesdays Seated exercise A gentle exercise session to help keep you in shape.

11am–12 noon, Sydenham community library, Sydenham Road, SE26 5SE. £1. Email sydenhamlibrary@lewisham. gov.uk or call 020 8778 1753.

Wednesdays Broadway Blazers Join this workshop for over55s with two hours of drama, dance and singing based on the very best Broadway and West End musicals, including shows such as Phantom of the Opera, 42nd Street, Les Miserables and Wicked.

1–3pm, The Broadway Theatre, Rushey Green, SE6 4RU. £6. Visit www. broadwaytheatre.org.uk or call 020 8690 0002.

Elders Moonshot Lions Domino Club Try your hand at dominoes and social and educational activities for elders and the local community.

6–9pm, Moonshot Community Centre, Angus Street, SE14 6LU. Visit www.moonshotcentre. org or call 020 8691 6099.

Thursdays A Stitch in Time Come along to this social knitting club for all ages and stages.

2–4pm, The Studio, 11 Blackheath Village, SE3 9LA. Free. Visit www.age-exchange.org.uk or call 020 8318 9105.

First Sunday of the month Sundays at Sunfields All older people and

Opening Summer 2019 Introducing this wonderful collection of one-bedroom self-contained apartments for rent to people over 55.

We have carers onsite 24/7 to meet your care needs and promote social activity and independent living.

• • • • • • •

Lounge Bar and kitchen Activity room/cinema Multi-purpose room Assisted bathroom Therapy room 4x communal garden spaces

LINDEN COURT For more information please go to seasonhomes.co.uk or email info@seasonhomes.co.uk or call 020 7428 1144.

Steele Road, Lewisham, London, SE13 6BS S E A S O N H O M E S . C O . U K

carers are welcome for lunch and fun activities, including reminiscence, arts and music.

1–4pm, Sunfields Methodist Church, 95 Old Dover Road, Blackheath, SE3 8SJ. Free.

Visit www.age-exchange. org.uk, email hello@ageexchange.org.uk or call 020 8318 9105.

Weekdays Learn my way: IT support Join our supported sessions for older people who want to learn how to get online and become more confident using computers.

10am–12 noon, Downham Library, 7–9 Moorside Road, BR1 5EP. Free.

Call 020 8314 9705.

your council Your ward councillors’ contact details For councillors’ surgery dates and times, visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/councillors or call 020 8314 6000 and ask for ‘operator’.

Lewisham’s directly elected Mayor, Damien Egan, represents the whole borough.

Contact him at damien.egan@lewisham.gov.uk or on 020 8314 6193.

Bellingham

Downham

Lee Green

Sydenham

cllr_alan.hall@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_andre.bourne@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_octavia.holland@lewisham. gov.uk

cllr_chris.best@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Alan Hall (Lab) & 020 3441 7620

Cllr Andre Bourne (Lab) & 020 8314 9929

Cllr Sue Hordijenko (Lab) & 020 8314 8089

Cllr Coral Howard (Lab) & 020 8314 3600

Cllr Jacq Paschoud (Lab) & 020 8291 5729

Cllr Olurotimi Ogunbadewa (Lab) & 020 8314 7892

cllrsue.hordijenko@lewisham.gov.uk cllr_jacq.paschoud@lewisham.gov.uk

Blackheath

cllr_coral.howard@lewisham.gov.uk cllr_olurotimi.ogunbadewa@ lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Octavia Holland (Lab) & 020 8314 6686 Cllr Jim Mallory (Lab) & 020 8314 6964

cllr_jim.mallory@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr James Rathbone (Lab) & 020 8314 7524

cllr_james.rathbone@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Kevin Bonavia (Lab) & 020 8314 3721

Evelyn

Lewisham Central

Cllr Juliet Campbell (Lab) & 020 8314 9386

cllr_caroline.kalu@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_patrick.codd@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_kevin.bonavia@lewisham.gov.uk cllr_juliet.campbell@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Amanda De Ryk (Lab) & 020 8314 3789

cllr_amanda.deryk@lewisham.gov.uk

Brockley

Cllr Obajimi Adefiranye (Lab) & 020 8314 7053

cllr_obajimi.adefiranye@lewisham. gov.uk

Cllr Sophie McGeevor (Lab) & 020 8314 3496

cllr_sophie.mcgeevor@lewisham. gov.uk

Cllr Stephen Penfold (Lab) & 020 8314 8817

cllr_stephen.penfold@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Caroline Kalu (Lab) & 020 8314 9387

Cllr Silvana Kelleher (Lab) & 020 8314 3430

cllr_silvana.kelleher@lewisham. gov.uk

Cllr Lionel Openshaw (Lab) & 020 8314 6382

cllr_lionel.openshaw@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Patrick Codd (Lab) & 020 8314 9095

Cllr Aisling Gallagher (Lab) & 020 8314 8043

cllr_aisling.gallagher@lewisham. gov.uk

Cllr Joani Reid (Lab) & 020 8314 9963

cllr_joani.reid@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Sophie Davis (Lab) & 020 8314 3493

cllr_sophie.davis@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Leo Gibbons (Lab) & 020 8314 6916

cllr_leo.gibbons@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Suzannah Clarke (Lab) & 020 8314 6944 Cllr Colin Elliott (Lab) & 020 8314 9878

cllr_colin.elliott@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Eva Stamirowski (Lab) & 07392 860305

Cllr Hilary Moore (Lab) & 020 8314 7886

Crofton Park

Ladywell

cllr_tauseef.anwar@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_bill.brown@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_hilary.moore@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Bill Brown (Lab) & 020 8314 9821

Cllr Chris Barnham (Lab) & 020 8314 9896

Cllr Carl Handley (Lab) & 020 8314 6525

Cllr Pauline Morrison (Lab) & 020 8244 5315

Cllr Liz Johnston-Franklin (Lab) & 020 8314 7985

cllr_pauline.morrison@lewisham.gov.uk www.lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Paul Bell (Lab) & 020 8314 7047

cllr_paul.bell@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Joan Millbank (Lab) & 020 8314 6929

cllr_joan.millbank@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Luke Sorba (Lab) & 020 8314 9984

cllr_luke.sorba@lewisham.gov.uk

Whitefoot

Cllr Kim Powell (Lab) & 020 8314 2051

Cllr Joe Dromey (Lab) & 07736 667917

cllr_joe.dromey@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Paul Maslin (Lab) & 020 8852 1530

cllr_carl.handley@lewisham.gov.uk cllr_liz.johnston-franklin@lewisham. gov.uk

cllr_mark.ingleby@lewisham.gov.uk cllr_kim.powell@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Jonathan Slater (Lab) & 020 8314 9981

cllr_jonathan.slater@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_paul.maslin@lewisham.gov.uk

john.paschoud@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_chris.barnham@lewisham.gov.uk

Telegraph Hill

cllr_brenda.dacres@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Brenda Dacres (Lab) & 020 8314 9872

cllr_suzannah.clarke@lewisham. gov.uk

Cllr Tauseef Anwar (Lab) & 020 8314 9930

cllr_liam.curran@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_peter.bernards@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Peter Bernards (Lab) & 020 8314 9927

cllr_abdeslam.amrani@lewisham. gov.uk

cllr_eva.stamirowski@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Liam Curran (Lab) & 020 8314 6937

Cllr Mark Ingleby (Lab) & 020 8698 8562

Perry Vale

cllr_alan.smith@lewisham.gov.uk

cllr_tom.copley@lewisham.gov.uk

New Cross

Grove Park

Cllr Alan Smith (Lab) & 020 8697 5505

Cllr Tom Copley (Lab) & 020 8314 8224

Forest Hill

Catford South

Cllr Abdeslam Amrani (Lab) & 020 3489 6110

Cllr Chris Best (Lab) & 020 8676 9516

Cllr John Paschoud (Lab) & 020 8314 3437 Cllr Sakina Sheikh (Lab) & 020 8314 7963

cllr_sakina.sheikh@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Susan Wise (Lab) & 020 3489 2790

cllr_susan.wise@lewisham.gov.uk

Rushey Green

Cllr Louise Krupski (Lab) & 020 8314 8983

cllr_louise.krupski@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr John Muldoon (Lab) & 020 3489 4640

cllr_john.muldoon@lewisham. gov.uk

Cllr James-J Walsh (Lab) & 020 8314 9948

cllr_james-j.walsh@lewisham.gov.uk

Members of parliament Vicky Foxcroft MP Lewisham Deptford & 020 8469 4638

vicky.foxcroft.mp@parliament.uk

www.vickyfoxcroft.org.uk Janet Daby MP Lewisham East & 020 8461 4733 janet.daby.mp@parliament.uk www.janetdaby.org Ellie Reeves MP Lewisham West and Penge & 020 7219 2668

ellie.reeves.mp@parliament.uk

www.elliereeves.com Len Duvall AM London Assembly Member for Greenwich and Lewisham & 020 7983 4350 len.duvall@london.gov.uk

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