Community conversation - Lambeth

BIG COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

Lambeth Edition SPONSORED BY

Cook & Partners

Solicitors INSIDE: We want our ‘CHOICE’ p32 Mental health provision and housing allocation in Lambeth p33 Bring back black music p34 Lambeth viewpoints - vox pops p36-37

32 T H E V O I C E NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2013

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

By Mary Isokariari

T

HE REBRANDING of Choice FM, Britain’s first legal black radio station to Capital Xtra and the axing of many of its longstanding DJs has continued to sparked outrage among the community.

With the strapline of ‘Dance, Urban, UK,’ its owners Global Radio have been criticised for breaching the original licensing of Choice FM, which stated that the station had to cater to an African Caribbean audience

with a commitment of 21 hours of ‘specialist’ music each week.

The concern that the rebranded station would lose its distinctive identity was the main topic brought up at The Voice’s Big Community Conversation last Saturday, November 23, at the Lambeth Town Hall.

Voice editor George Ruddock hosted the discussion, joined by a panel of community figures including Chuka Umunna, MP of Streatham, Councillor Edward

voicenewspaper

www.voice-online.co.uk

GIVING A CHOICE TO THE The Voice converses with Lambeth residents about local issues Davie, Chair Lambeth Council Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Committee, Jackie Adusie, CEO of Ekaya Housing, Wilf Sullivan, Race Equalities Officer at the Trade Union Congress, campaigner Lee Jasper, Jacqui Dyer, Co Chair Black Mental Health Commission and local businessman Blacker Dread, owner of Blacker Dread Music Store.

Neil Kenlock, one of the founding partners of Choice explained the lack of advertising revenue was the reason why he sold Choice FM. However, he pointed out the availability of digital DAB, was one of the issues facing local radio.

ACCESS

Lee Jasper, ‘we should have helped Choice FM 10 years ago.’

@thevoicenews

He said: “The government now say we are not going to give out any more licensing you all have to go digital. But only one-third of cars have access to it. For example Colourful Radio, they can’t increase their listeners because no one has the set. So we should go back to analogue until the time comes and they

should give us a proper license right across London.”

With the demise of Choice FM, Jasper believed the black community should start investing in black institutions, such as The Voice Newspaper.

He said: “I think we do need a station that represents us in London we have a diverse community here and that should be represented in radio.”

He added: “It’s been a decade since Capital bought Choice and they have progressively weakened the community black aspects of the radio.”

Jasper highlighted that the black community should have rallied around Choice FM ten years ago.

He said: “When it was sold everyone knew they would rinse it and they would change it and now everyone’s acting surprised. Of course we should take the fight to OfCom, they have the big responsibility of one making sure it’s doing what it originally said it would in the license.”

Labour MP Chuka Umunna will write to Ofcom about contract breach.

Sullivan was concerned more stations would go the same way as Choice FM. He said: “We got to insist that OfCom ensures those frequency broadcast for the black community. Right now they are monitoring the frequen-

cies, but what should happen is an investigation into the complaints made by the community.”

He spoke about a planned protest led by the broadcast union BECTU taking place this Saturday, November 30 outside

Lambeth’s Mental Health

By Deon P Green

WITH A high proportion of black people in Lambeth, south London in mental health institutions, the Council has recently established a Black Mental Health Commission with a prime objective to delve into causes and other issues aimed at preventing others from going into such institutions.

Edward Davie, Chair of the councils health and adult social services scrutiny committee and chair of the commission, told The Voice Big Community Conversation in Brixton on November 23 that of the over 20% of black people in Lambeth, 50% are in mental health institutions and proportionately 65% are forensic or in secure mental health settings.

He noted: “Before I was elected I found out that Shawn Riggs was arrested and he died in Brixton Police Station and he had had a long history of very severe mental ill health. The coroners report found that he had been failed by the local mental health trust and he had been failed by the Metropolitan police.

JUSTICE “I was shocked that in the 21st century in the UK, we are not talking about South Africa in the 70’s or 80’s, a black man was failed by the system and killed by state officials who still have not been brought to justice. So I have been looking into the issues around that and so is my committee.” He added, “I didn’t just want to sort out the police, though I do think we need to do that; I want to look at some of the things that led to that situation because there is as you all know, many, many more black people, particularly black men who end up in the most severe section of the mental health system.”

The forum heard that the prevalence of severe mental ill health in black men is 14 times that than of white men. For the Commission Mr. Davie said, “What I wanted to do is to use the resources of the council and now this new body

Mohamed Hashi, raised nationality issue. called the health and well being board, which brings together the NHS, the people that do our housing, social services; to bring all those resources together and say what can we do as a community of all different colours and all different resources to sort this out, as this cannot go on anymore.”

He highlighted findings from the survey which revealed that while the black community remains huge and contributed significantly to Lambeth 80% felt divorced from the services of the council and other public services and they do not feel connected, represented or listened to.

Pressed on what percentage of those black people in mental institutions really have mental issues or may be deemed to be so, Mr Davie was unable to provide detailed analysis. However, speaking of experiences of others he indicated that sometimes when some black people get overly excited and start being very animated that worries some of the white staff and they start restraining which was instructive.

He noted, “If people are not educated on what’s going on and understand people from

NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2013 T H E V O I C E 33

@thevoicenews

voicenewspaper

COMMUNITY Global Radio in Leicester Square: “We need to let them know we are still here and we are not going away. It’s not a matter of us moaning and not doing anything.”

Umunna highlighted his concerns about the future of Capital XTRA. “The reason why there have been so many pirate stations over the years is because mainstream radio particularly before the growth of online media was not playing the music we like listening to.”

FORUM “That’s why Choice was called Choice because it provided a forum for the music that is created in the community to be promoted and shared with people.”

He gave the audience an insight into the main reasons behind the stations rebranding.

He added: “Global radio explained to me because Choice was loss making and at the time they were not able to get the advertising they wanted, and so for them using the capital brand to make it an attractive and commercial proposition to advertise, and it was the best way to continue with it.”

He said he was going to write to OfCom about the breach of contract and highlight the demise of soca, reggae, gospel, hiphop as well as broadcasting news from the station’s musical agenda.

Karim Abdullah, 28 a youth worker from Brixton said: “The black community don’t have much representing it so it is important to us. If Chuka is supposed to be representing us then he should be taking the fight to OfCom and making sure we have what we need.”

He added: “Pirate radio stations are doing well and the fact that Choice or Captial XTRA is not doing well is what’s aiding pirate stations. If Choice get back its vibrancy and it doesn’t go down the pothole 100 per cent, then what does that mean for the pirate radio stations? We need to be very careful in not alienating the smaller businesses, community organisations and DJs who are doing good work on the pirate radio stations.”

www.voice-online.co.uk

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

Homeless crisis looms in Lambeth

By Nicola Marven

W

OMEN AND mothers are among those suffering the most as a result of the housing situation in Lambeth, panel members heard at The Voice’s Big Community Conversation in Brixton on Saturday, November 23.

Overall a greater proportion (39%) of Lambeth households lives in social housing than other households (18%) across England and there remains a housing shortage in the Borough. However, it is the “Bedroom Tax” which came into effect this April, which is deemed to be most detrimental to vulnerable families.

“Women who have occupied their homes for a significant period of time are now facing the risk of losing their homes due to the bedroom tax,” and the cap on overall benefit entitlement. One audience member complained, “they are being made homeless with their children!”

Since April 1, housing benefit has been provided on the basis of the number of bedrooms needed, meaning that tenants with at least one spare room often receive less money

than actually covers their rent, resulting in a payment shortage, with the additional threat of losing their homes, the benefit cap also goes further to limit the overall amount of benefit awarded, further impacting on the wellbeing of vulnerable families.

Another member of the audience, Solomon Smith, aged 28, told how when he set up his Brixton Soup Kitchen for the Homeless in January, he was surprised at the number of females who came.

“There’s a lot of homeless people in Brixton,” said Solomon, who funds his project himself, “and we have a lot of people once really wealthy, who lost their jobs - but we also have a lot of women that come.”

Jackie Adusei, CEO of Ekaya Housing Association is concerned by the potential long term impact on the people Ekaya supports.

Ekaya Housing was founded in 1987 and provides housing and support services for predominantly black and ethnic minority women, their families and other groups with similar needs.

Although Ms Adusei agrees with the principles of the

Commission aims at prevention

Audience member Malik Gul.

their cultural perspective then they might react in a wrong way.”

The purpose of the commission is to prevent, particularly black people getting into mental health institutions as a prime objective, along with accessing services to help people when needed.

REFORM Labour MP Chuka Umunna stated that there was the need for reform linking the agencies, adding, “I do believe that mental health system in different agencies are institutionally racist in this country.”

Campaigner Lee Jasper was critical of another commission and the legendary cases in the community. “I have seen recommendations after recommendations, I seen the numbers continue to increase and the number of young black people that are diagnosed. When I was in the Mayor’s office I took the time to visit every secure mental health institutions in London and when I open them I am immediately struck by these solid ranks of young black men and women in the most secure hospitals and it seems like a

Councillor Edward Davie addressed the audience.

slave ship because it was almost entirely black... its institutional racism as it affects diagnosis’, he lamented.

In the audience Malik Gul noted the services provided are not meeting the needs of the people.

“The way the system has been designed is a western euro-centric model that is just not able to deal with communities and a lot of that has to do with targets and the very narrow way that the system has to deliver its out-puts which is not reflective of the needs of the community. The language they speak is about projects and programmes when what is needed is a brand new architecture that brings in the Mosque, community groups and so on as part of a wider community to do early interventions and prevention as well as places where people can process what is happening to them,” Gul said.

Somalian Mohamed Hashi questioned the classification of persons considered black based on the various nationalities and their origin in the Britain, against the most appropriate intervention to match their culture, language, religious and other orientations.

Welfare Reform, which includes the Bedroom tax, she is unhappy with the reduction in financial support, arguing that tenants should be afforded adequate support and time to adjust.

“The rational is positive, but needs to be progressed in a structured way, within say 3-5 years,” Adusei says. “If you’ve lived in your home for a considerable amount of time, a prompted upheaval is likely to trigger negative emotional reactions, especially when placed in an unfamiliar area, having to transfer schools not least being away from families, friends and support networks.

“The Welfare Reform, during austere times, will disproportionally impact on unemployed young mothers”, Jackie argues when they move on from supported housing.

“Teenage parents moving out of supported housing are vulnerable - It’s not rocket science”.

Although many young mothers live in temporary supported accommodation, where Ekaya offers dedicated regular advice and support, both on practical and personal level, the teenage parents are only able to remain in supported housing

Jackie Adusei, CEO of Ekaya Housing Association speak at the Community Conversation.

for a maximum of two years.

The housing benefit changes and the rising price of rent leave little housing options for teenage parents after they leave supported housing remains of concern.

“We are now hearing how young mothers are being housed away from their support networks, with some as far as Clapton on Sea, Surrey and Ashford in Kent. Teenage parents need continued support with limited isolation, thus to provide and foster positive opportunities for them and their child, ” Adusei told the audience With 28,660 waiting on Lambeth’s housing register (5 July 2011), it seems that the women of Lambeth will have to go on waiting for some time.

34 T H E V O I C E NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2013

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

@thevoicenews

voicenewspaper

www.voice-online.co.uk

BRING BACK BLACK MUSIC: COMPLAINTS FALL ON DEAF EARS Music lovers of reggae, gospel, soca, must unite to put back their music of choice back onto the legal airwaves says former Choice FM co-owner Expert opinion of the week

By Neil Kenlock, radio broadcaster, entrepreneur

O

FCOM HAS a duty to monitor Capital Xtra, and it is disappointing that as usual black people have to campaign and complain to enjoy the civil rights that is their natural entitlement.

It is Ofcom’s responsibility

to protect a radio licence, just like English Heritage protects a listed building. You and I know that if you buy a listed building then the condition on the sale is that: It must be preserved and cannot be changed or adapted due to those conditions.

So the terms of the contract whether Global Radio like it or not, has a promise of performance, which is now pending the investigation of OFCOM, appears to have been broken

by Global Radio, regarding the format of Capital Xtra.

Equality Impact Assessments, diversity, institutionalised racism may not be the buzz words in government, but a least we have one Government minister, Stephen Williams MP, Lib Dem Minister for Communities and Local Government he understands how this move by Global Radio is unfair.

Capital Xtra is bound by the same performance promise as

was Choice FM, and that promise remains in place, to serve the marginalised African Caribbean communities. This is part and parcel of boosting our morale, jobs and the local economies for both the south and north London frequencies.

Ofcom must work hard to restore the original promise for both north and south instead of just standing by while the black community loses an important cohesive radio station.

In this situation it is only fair that Ofcom:

The black community, who are now 1.2million in the UK, with a large number living in London were expecting Global Radio to honour their licence conditions and play the agreed content, which includes local

news, reggae, soca, gospel and soul music.

Although technology is advancing and the way audiences consume music is evolving, having an analogue radio station that serves this community is paramount as it produces positive role models in landscape where black people are under-represented, hence the reason we needed a choice in the first place.

This is why I intend to join this Saturday’s rally in Leicester Square between 2-3 PM.

1. Reinstate the original format of: local news, reggae, soca, gospel and soul music 2. Force Global Radio to sell 96.9FM and 107.1 FM or

Neil Kenlock

3. Re-advertise the frequencies, so it can serve the black community as intended.

Is Global Radio too big for Ofcom to act, with ownership of around 60 per cent of British Radio, is this why they are not enforcing regulatory responsibility?

VOICE RECOMMENDS

Phoenix Ground-breaking new theatre company The Big House present their first full length show Phoenix, the blistering new play by Andy Day focusing on the fractured lives of those leaving the care system.

Listings details Venue: Hackney Downs Studios, Amhurst Terrace, London E8 2BT Dates & times: 26 November – 14 December, 7.45pm / matinees 28 November, 7 & 14 December 3pm Tickets: £15 (£5 conc.)

Running time: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes Box Office: http://billetto.co.uk/phoenix

NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2013 T H E V O I C E 35

@thevoicenews

voicenewspaper

www.voice-online.co.uk

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

VOICE CONVERSATION HAD THEM TALKING

T

HE VOICE Community Conversation held at Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton, south London on Saturday, November 23 drew a cross section of people who participated in a lively debate on a number of issues.

These ranged from the recent re-branding of Choice FM radio station, mental health provisions to fair and equal housing allocations in the

borough.

The discussions lasted for two and a half hours and members of the audience heard from a number of speakers including Labour MP for Streatham and Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna, Councillor Edward Davie, Chair of the council’s health and adult social services scrutiny committee, Jackie Adusie, CEO of Ekaya

Housing and Wilf Sullivan, Race and Equalities Officer at the Trade Union Congress. The Conversation was chaired by The Voice’s MD and Editor George Ruddock.

Members of the audience had an opportunity to ask questions to the panel and also interact with the speakers once the serious debate was over.

On this page we show some of the highlights.

1

Photos by Trevor Raymond and Deon Green.

3

2

4

5

1

Adrian Stone, genealogist and former Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Althea Smith were at the Conversation.

2

Mohamed Hashi of New Beginning Youth (left) poses a question at the Voice Community Conversation.

3

Jacqui Dyer, Co Chair of the Lambeth Black Mental Health Commission has a quick discussion with other panel member and record shop owner Blacker Dread.

4

It was all smiles at the end of the Community Conversation as Blacker Dread, Wilf Sullivan, Neil Kenlock and radio DJ Natty B line up for the camera.

5

Members of the panel listen intently to the questions from the audience. From left, Jackie Adusie, Ekaya Housing, Wilf Sullivan, TUC, MP Chuka Umunna and Voice MD George Ruddock.

36 T H E V O I C E NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2013

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

@thevoicenews

voicenewspaper

www.voice-online.co.uk

‘GLOBAL RADIO LISTEN’ - WE WANT OUR CHOICE OF MUSIC SAY LAMBETH COMMUNITY

O

N A bitterly cold, overcast Friday afternoon, Voice reporters took to Brixton, the original home of Choice FM, and found the mood was equally glum amongst the local community who had plenty to say on the name change from Choice FM to Capital Xtra:

GAVIN HOLLIGAN, SONGWRITER & MUSIC PRODUCER

ZITA HOLBOURNE, NATIONAL CO-CHAIR BARAC UK, TUC RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE “We are supposed to be living in a multicultural society where we celebrate our diverse communities but the truth is that racism is increasing every day. The changes to Choice FM are part of that wider attack on race, identity and culture along with the watering down of black history month, the cuts to cultural events and more.

“The decision to change the name and remit of the station with no consultation with listeners is disrespectful and irresponsible.

“Choice FM received its licence on the basis that it would cater for partic-

Zita Holbourne

ular audiences and includes a range of music genres catering for black communities.”

“Ever since I can remember, Choice FM has been a regular radio station for me and my family. It created a fantastic listening backdrop for us while we did our everyday lives.

“As black communities continue to deal with the struggle for acceptance here in the UK, music is one of the few things that has provided a sense of hope, and given us a genuine outlet for authentic expression.

“It appears that the sudden changes made at Choice FM have been made without these important considerations in mind.

“It sends out a disrespectful signal, one that implies that black people have no relevance in London culture, and that music of black heritage is no longer welcomed.

“This is deeply concerning when we consider the amount of positive contributions to London that black communities have made since the Windrush generation up till now.

“If we truly stand for equal opportu-

Patrick Berry (left) and Neil Kenlock

nities and social inclusion, then this blatant undermining of black British Londoners must not go

uncorrected.

“We must be given a voice, and we must be given a platform to use it.”

Paul Case Study Paul’s experience as a foster carer “I didn’t choose to be a foster carer, it chose me. Two friends were already foster carers with FosterCare UK, caring for two boys, and I had witnessed their journey as they developed. I felt that as I’d already brought up my own two children on my own, I could do it again. I have always had a passion and desire to help young people.

“It was a really good decision, though there have been many challenges along the way of course. Even though you have a lifetime of skills and experience from raising your own children, you can never be fully prepared for the challenges the young people in care come with. But, there are always the highs that remind you of why you do it.

When my foster son first came to me he wouldn’t speak, even to say ‘morning’ or ‘thank you’.

But, through little steps we turned this around, now he says ‘morning’ twice and has conversations! It took a long time, but it’s a huge step forward.

Sometimes you feel like you’re not helping, especially when you’ve had a particularly negative experience, but then you notice a small change and you’re reminded of how far you’ve both come. You know you’re making a difference. I’d recommend it to anyone.”

What does it take to be a foster carer?

“You need empathy so you can understand what they’ve been through, how they’re feeling and how you can help a child deal with the situation. It takes a lot of patience, resilience and caring. You also need to know when to give a child their space – sometimes they push you away so you need to give them time to come to you.”

Name: Age: Status: Location: Total time fostering: Foster children: Birth children:

Paul 54 years old Single, full time London 1 year One son, for nine months Two daughters

How important is it to be honest about the ups and the downs to potential foster carers?

“It’s so important to know. It’s not just about discussing the rewards, you need to know about the hard times as well to ensure you have all the details necessary to make a fully informed decision.”

Why FosterCare UK? “I spoke to friends who were foster carers with FosterCare UK and they told me about the support they receive when compared with others’ experiences from competing agencies. It gave me a lot of confidence in their ability.”

Get in touch if you feel fostering could be for you and your family?

Telephone: 0844 800 1941 Email: enquiries@fostercareuk.co.uk OR fostering@fostercareuk.co.uk

*.%3.'145.3&,3.)(

'145.3&,3.+)(

-1/2,06 ! "$#

NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2013 T H E V O I C E 37

@thevoicenews JOY, GOSPEL ARTISTE AND BRIXTON RESIDENT

voicenewspaper

www.voice-online.co.uk

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

Global Radio’s promise of performance in question, as Ofcom investigates

need a local, legal radio station, not just pirate radio stations.”

“I think that it is an outrage that Choice has gone, it does not really surprise me, I don’t know if the community was consulted. I thought that it was serving the local community. It’s time for us to come together and form an alternative.”

CLIVE- BUSINESS OWNER OF REFILL EATERIES

DEVON, LOCAL WORKER, BRIXTON RICHARD, BRIXTON CHEF “It is a big disrespect everything that the black community has is being attacked little by little. It is time that we as a people stand up and fight for our community. We need legal voices; we

“It’s terrible that reggae has been taken off commercial radio, Choice FM provided a need and they have got it wrong by removing Reggae, Gospel, Soca from the local airwaves.

I used to love listening to the local news in order to find out what is going on in the community. It’s all about money.”

As a local business owner i want to listen to a local radio station, i want to hear local news.

BRENTON HINDS SHOPWORKER - BRIXTON “I listened to Choice and the music policy was very good, it is a shame that it has gone. I can not relate to the music being played by this new station Capital Xtrawhy has reggae, gospel, soca and soulful R&B gone from the station?”

CHOICE FM CHARACTER OF SERVICE - SET OUT BELOW: CHOICE FM IS A MUSIC, NEWS AND INFORMATION SERVICE PRIMARILY FOR LISTENERS OF AFRICAN CARIBBEAN ORIGIN IN THE NORTH LONDON AREA BUT WITH CROSS-OVER APPEAL TO OTHER LISTENERS WHO APPRECIATE URBAN CONTEMPORARY BLACK MUSIC. Choice FM Format Detail Speech is an important part of the content but will not usually rise above 30% of the output. It will highlight community news with other information of relevance and interest to the target audience. News bulletins containing local news will be run at least during peak time. National news will feature at other times.

Music will be predominantly of black origin, consisting of a mix of Soul, Soul-influenced Currents, Reggae, Ragga and R&B and may include a proportion of Gospel, Rap and Caribbean music. Currents (from the top 40) should never account for more than 50 per cent of the music output.

Specialist music programmes which complement the main music streams must be aired for at least 21 hours per week and include reggae, gospel and soca; house/garage must not exceed 8 hours per week.

CHOICE BACK IN THE DAY: Managing Director Patrick Berry (centre) with DJs George Kay (left) and Daddy Ernie.

Lib Dem Minister takes on Global over changes to Choice FM Stephen Williams MP, Lib Dem Minister for Communities and Local Government, has written to Ofcom to ask if Global are in breach of the station’s licence conditions by changing the format of Britain’s first licensed black radio station, Choice FM. Stephen acted after he heard reports that Global had unilaterally changed the station’s name from Choice FM to Capital Xtra and dropped the specialist black

music which their licence requires them to broadcast. The black community’s leading newspaper, the Voice, has received a staggering number of phone calls protesting about this change.

Stephen, MP for Bristol West – the home of the legendary St Paul’s carnival – wrote to Ofcom as soon as he found out about the change. Commenting on Monday, he said: “As the MP for a diverse and thriving

community in Bristol and recently appointed Lib Dem Communities Minister, I was appalled to hear about the changes to Choice FM. I wrote immediately to Ofcom to ask if Global are in breach of their licensing conditions in changing the content of Britain’s first ever licensed black radio station.

“I am doing all I can to challenge what seems to be a breach of Choice FM’s licensing conditions.”

Cook & Partners

Solicitors

Who we are and what we do

We are a team of lawyers experienced in both England and Jamaica and at home in either jurisdiction.

We specialise in helping people in the UK who have property-related legal business in the Caribbean.

As well as our office in London we have a base in Kingston, better to serve customers in both countries.

i i i i

Buying and Selling Land Registration Making a Will Inheritance and Probate

i Surveys and Valuations i Realtors (Estate Agents) i Family Land i Property Management i Birth/Marriage/Death documentation

If you would like to email us an outline of your problem, we will try to respond within 48 hours, Monday to Friday.

WE ALSO OFFER:

COMPLETELY FREE

advice on any matter relating to Caribbean property law up to 45 minutes per visit.

CALL OR EMAIL US TO ARRANGE THIS: we may need to see documents you have, or copies of them, before we can help.

241 Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon Surrey, CR0 6RD, UK

Tel: 020 8655 4466 Fax: 020 8656 7755 lawyers@itjamaica.com www.cookpartners.com

Authorised and regulated by Solicitors Regulation Authority no 45440