What’s on

Free, adult swim sessions are coming back

We’re excited to restart our free swimming lessons for residents aged over 16 years, this September. Being active is a great way to prevent illness and boost mental wellbeing. Sign up now to secure your place and come and learn to swim in a friendly, supportive environment, at your own pace.

Some Bitesize festival fun is heading to Southwark Park

Come down to Bermondsey Bitesize on Saturday 14 August, 12noon to 6pm to enjoy a traditional funfair, family activities and good food. Live music on the bandstand is headlined by reggae band Indika, led by Bermondsey’s own Phillip Poleon. Free entry via Jamaica Road, all ages welcome.

Let a magical orb take you on an outdoor sonic adventure

Go on a tour of London Bridge, guided by sound alone. £5 per ticket/orb, book for an individual or up to a group of four people per orb. Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Friday 13 August to Sunday 15 August 2021, various times.

Get your BMX skills up to an Olympic level in Burgess Park

If you were inspired by Kye Whyte’s silver medal in the BMX racing, then book a session at the track in Peckham where he trained. BMX Track London offers experienced coaching, equipment hire and bookable sessions for riders of all abilities.

*Please enjoy events safely, and remember hands, face and space.*

>> Check out all our summer listings 

What’s on for children, young people and families

Free ‘Create and Play’ session in Burgess Park tomorrow

Children aged six to 16 years are invited to our ‘Summer of Play’ pop up event in Chumleigh Gardens, Burgess Park on Saturday 14 August. Children can try six different fun and creative activities run by artists and a gardener, both in the morning and afternoon.

Time to go adventuring

Enjoy the exciting outdoors at Mint Street, Peckham Rye and Ellen Brown Adventure Playgrounds. The free summer programme runs until Friday 27 August and is open to all children aged 8 to 15 years.

Babies invited to rhyme time

Babies love to listen to the words of rhymes and dance and move to the rhythm. Come along with your baby and enjoy popular nursery rhymes on Thursday 19 August, 11am to 11.30am. For ages 0 to 4. It’s free, but booking is essential.

Six cricketers go into the cage, one will emerge victorious

Cage Cricket is dynamic, visual, high-octane entertainment. Sessions run until 29 August for those aged 12 to 16 years.

>> Check out all our summer listings for children and young people

COVID-19 updates

Everyone aged 16 or over can now get vaccinated

If you’re 16 or 17, the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine. You’ll be invited to a local NHS service such as a GP surgery.

Everyone else can get a COVID-19 vaccine in south east London – no need to book

There are lots of ways to get vaccinated, including at regular walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Guy’s and St Thomas’, and King’s College hospitals, plus other places across south east London. Check the individual COVID-19 clinics for full details and to see who offers free Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca vaccines. You don’t need to book, or provide proof of address, immigration status, or an NHS number.

Get tested for COVID-19 twice a week for free

It’s important we continue to get tested regularly, even if we’ve been vaccinated. If you don’t have symptoms there are different ways to get tested in Southwark:

• Visit a COVID-19 testing site at London Bridge or Bournemouth Road in Peckham
• Order tests to be delivered to your home
• Pick up a test from a local library
• Get a test at a pharmacy

Talk to us about life after COVID-19

Come and talk to a member of the team at our Camberwell Green Fair stall on Saturday 14 August between 10am and 4pm or complete our Life after Covid survey online by this Sunday, 15 August.

Host a community event to discuss life after COVID-19

We have support and funding for you to bring together a group in your community to discuss ideas and gather opinions about life after Covid in Southwark. Host an event with your neighbours, faith group, community group or Tenant and Residents Association.

Closure of the Burgess Park car park

The Burgess Park car park in Albany Road is closed for parking whilst it is being used as a COVID-19 testing facility. If you have COVID-19 symptoms you can book an appointment at a testing site in the borough.

Other updates…

Job, career and education support for 16 to 25 year olds

We’re linking young people with jobs, training, career support and educational opportunities to help them achieve a bright future. Sign up now to get jobs, training and education opportunities by email.

40% off e-cargo bikes

Local businesses are eligible for a government grant of 40% off the cost of a new e-cargo bike. These bikes can help to make our roads safer, and will make your business greener, cleaner and more sustainable as well.

Welcome to Southwark’s new Youth Parliamentarians

Last week we announced the election of 46 candidates including Southwark’s first ever Youth Leader, Awele Benokwu, and Deputy Youth Leader, Dreaon McDonald Simms. Young people elected candidates from across the borough and voted on the most important issues they wanted addressed: Black Lives Matter, knife crime and mental health.

Support for parents during a child protection conference with children’s services

If you’re having a child protection conference or similar meeting, you can ask for support from a trained parent advocate. You can also use your experiences with children’s services to provide peer support to other parents as an advocate.

Visit the new Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library

This brand new facility combines a heritage centre for the whole borough with a local library for Walworth. Drop-in to borrow one of 20,000 books, take a look at the Story of Southwark and Myth Making exhibitions or simply make use of the free Wi-Fi and study space.