Dear resident,

Today, 25 May, marks the first anniversary of the dreadful murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin.

In Southwark we will take a moment to remember George, and all the victims of racism through history. Please join us at 12 noon for a minute’s silence as we stand together against racism, discrimination and inequality.

Last year, following the horrific murder, Southwark Council launched a new programme called Southwark Stands Together. By bringing people together from different backgrounds, we sought to hear and better understand experiences of racism, discrimination and inequality in our community. We hosted listening events that were attended by more than 1,500 people and 1,268 people responded to an online survey that the council shared.

We are now working to take action based on what you told us in the listening events and survey. Whilst there is much still to do, we are making good progress on a range of issues including:

• Working to ensure those with influence in our borough reflect our communities, for example by working to attract more Black professionals onto governing bodies in Southwark schools, and by increasing the number of Black, Asian and ethnic minority colleagues at senior management level in the council.
• Working with all schools in the borough to reduce exclusions and keep children in school, recognising that exclusions disproportionately affect our children from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds
• Helping to build trust between the police and the community, and find solutions to deep-rooted concerns around stop and search. As part of this work, a new Youth Independent Advisory Group has been formed with over 25 members aged 14+, to work together with the police and other organisations to influence policy for people living in the borough
• Identifying statues, street names and any other links with slavery as part of an anti-racist audit, so that our borough can make positive changes to reject these historic links, and instead honour a more diverse range of people for positive reasons

Find out more about our progress in helping to tackle racism and make Southwark an equal borough.

Whilst I am proud of the progress we have made as a community, in this painful but active year, we know that we all need to do much more challenge ourselves to be better, stronger and unequivocally anti-racist in all that we do.

Thank you

Kieron

Vaccine update

• If you’re aged 32 or over, or will be by 1 July 2021, or you’re in another eligible category, you can book your vaccination now.
• If you’re aged 40 or over you can get vaccinated at a pop-up clinic at East Street market on Wednesday 26 May.
• Book a free place for an online event about COVID-19 vaccines, 6pm to 7.30pm on 3 June in Portuguese. Our panel will share information about the vaccine and will try to answer the questions you have. Get COVID-19 vaccine information in various languages
• Remember: one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should give you protection from 3 or 4 weeks after you’ve had it, but you need to have two doses to give you longer lasting protection. When you’re called for your second dose, please make sure you go to your appointment

Get tested for COVID-19 twice a week

As lockdown restrictions ease 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 testing site at London Bridge or Bournemouth Road in Peckham
• Order tests to be delivered to your home
• Pick up a test from your local library
• Get a test at a pharmacy 

Please keep following the rules

The rollout of the vaccine and the impact of the recent restrictions has led to a decline in COVID-19 numbers. However, it is vital that we continue to follow the current guidance. This means:

• washing our hands regularly,
• keeping our distance from others (only mixing outside in groups of up to six or two households)
• wearing a face covering when required (unless you’re exempt).

Check all the current rules

Learn how to do home repairs

Did you know that we have a series of fix it at home online videos to help you complete simple repairs around your home? This includes changing a light bulb, checking your smoke alarm and unblocking your toilet.

Albion Primary school joins in walk to school week

As part of Walk to School week our Road Safety and Sustainable Travel team went to Albion Primary school in Rotherhithe last week. The team joined year three children who practised basic road crossing and how to deal with parked cars, as part of their pedestrian training. Albion Primary does much to promote sustainable travel, they also have a time school street closure outside their school and no less than four bikes sheds in the playground!

Sign up for a free cycling skills course

If you’re new to cycling or want to brush up on your skills then TfL is running an online course. Sign up to improve your cycling skills and get 15% off Halfords own-brand cycle lights, locks or helmets once you complete the course modules.

Tell us where you’d like bike hangars or storage in Southwark

We have an ongoing programme to roll out new rentable bike hangars. We want to know how many people would like access to a bike hangar in their area, and where the most-requested locations are.

Get the TfL app to help you travel safely across London

Plan your journeys across London using the TfL Go app. Get live bus and train times and quieter times to travel, all Tube, London Overground, DLR, TfL Rail and tram lines updates, walking and cycling routes, and accessible routes using the step-free mode.

Get help if you’re struggling with low mood, stress or anxiety

Get support to improve your mental health. If you’re registered with a Southwark GP you can also self-refer for talking therapies to get support for mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.

Get checked for cancer to catch it early

If you’re due for bowel, cervical or breast cancer screening, you’ll get an invitation. But don’t wait to be invited if you’re worried about changes to your body – contact your GP straight away.

Job and career 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.

African literature gifted to Peckham Library

We are delighted to accept and share hundreds of books from the AKO Caine Prize for African Writing. The books are copies of previous submissions for the prize and have been gifted to Peckham Library. There is a wealth of glorious, powerful and exciting African literature and we are happy to bring these stories to the people of Peckham and beyond.

New heritage centre and library open in Southwark

The new Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library officially launched last week. Delivered by the council, in partnership with Lendlease, as part of the regeneration of Elephant and Castle, 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, check out the Story of Southwark and Myth Making exhibitions or simply make use of the free wifi and study space.