COVID-19: cases are rising in Southwark

Posted by tgntra

Dear resident

We monitor the COVID-19 infection rates on a daily basis. Whilst numbers are still low, there have been 49 new cases in Southwark in the last seven days. The number of new cases has nearly doubled in Southwark in the last week and numbers are rising across London.A high proportion of new cases are for people aged 18–34. We also know that most transmission is still amongst family and friends.

Help prevent the spread of the virus and another lockdown

As we look forward to the bank holiday weekend please be careful. If you’re visiting family or going out with friends you must:

keep your distance from other people at all times
wear a face covering in shops and on public transport
wash your hands regularly.

Get tested if you have symptoms

Get a test as soon as possible if you have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new persistent cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste). You must also must self-isolate, as should members of your household and anyone in your support bubble.

Thank you for helping to keep Southwark safe.

Cllr Peter John

Learn how to make your own face covering

Face coverings are now compulsory on all public transport and in shops. Remember some people are exempt from wearing face coverings for health reasons, but if you can wear one, please don’t leave home without it. Find out how to make a face covering.

Please don’t attend unlicensed events

We are working with the police to shut down illegal street parties and unlicensed music events in our parks and open spaces. Such events cause great distress to many of those who live close by. They are also a risk to all involved, when social distancing is not observed. If you think someone is acting illegally, call the police on 101 – or in an emergency 999 – and help keep everyone safe.

Get funding for your Black History Month event

Funding is now available for Black History Month 2020. Things are a little different this year, but if you have a great idea for an online event or one with social distancing you can apply for funding now.

Have you seen the giant mural on Old Kent Road?

Proposition Studios at Surrey Wharf is transforming a corner of Old Kent Road with an amazing, temporary work of art, ahead of redevelopment.

Could you foster a child?

If you have a spare room and have a flexible job, and if you’re energetic and a good listener, you could consider becoming a foster carer. You can also register for a virtual information evening on 16 September at 6pm by emailing fostering@southwark.gov.uk.

Information about schools reopening

We’ll be welcoming all children across the borough back to school in September. When the doors reopen please follow guidance from teachers and be assured that our schools have worked extremely hard to make the learning environment as safe as possible.

Give your views on the new Burgess Skate Park design

We aim to build a skate bowl with an urban games area in Burgess Park next year. It will be free to use and will have space for skateboarding, BMXing, climbing, scooting and parkour. Tell us what you think of the design before 4 October.

Give us your views on the climate emergency

Whether you live, work or visit our borough we want your views ideas about how we tackle the climate emergency together.

Give your views on proposed new council homes

We have lots of plans for much-needed new council homes across the borough. You can have your say on the following proposed schemes now:

www.southwark.gov.uk

Make your own face covering, free film streaming and much more

Posted by tgntra

Dear resident

It was gut-wrenching to see the distress and confusion the downgrading of A-levels caused for so many students in Southwark and across the country. At the same time, I was so proud to see young people speak so eloquently about their dismay at the process.

The overdue decision to revert to teacher grades was welcome, but for many young people challenges remain as they seek their next step into employment, training or university. The council will continue to work with schools to ensure students get the support they need during this difficult time.

Against a backdrop of these unprecedented challenges our young people have performed exceptionally well and achieved some amazing results. They deserve the highest praise and my thanks go to teachers, parents and everyone who has supported them. I also wish GCSE students the very best of luck as they get their results this week.

The A-level results were a reminder of the unrelenting challenge that COVID-19 brings. Please remember the virus hasn’t gone away. If you have symptoms, you must self-isolate and get a test.

Cllr Peter John

Get tested if you have coronavirus symptoms

Learn how to make your own face covering

Join our online resident panel

We have made it easier for more people who live in council homes to get involved in decisions about council housing. One way is to join our online resident panel. This gives you the opportunity to get involved in decisions that affect you and where you live.

New Channel 4 programme ‘Council House Britain’ goes behind the scenes in Southwark

This autumn, a documentary looking at housing in Southwark will be broadcast on Channel 4. The six part series follows Southwark Council officers, and the tenants and leaseholders they work with, in a fly on the wall documentary by the makers of 24 hours in A&E. Officers from housing and pest control feature heavily in the series, all touching on the challenges of helping to manage 55,000 properties in inner London, following years of austerity. Many Southwark tenants and leaseholders also feature, and tell their personal stories about their lives in Southwark, with real passion, humour and emotion.

Stream films free of charge

Library members can stream classic cinema, world cinema, indie film and top documentaries with our new free film streaming service. If you’re not a library member you can become a library member now.

Apply to the EU settlement scheme

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Get funding for your Black History Month event

Have you seen the giant mural on Old Kent Road?

Proposition Studios at Surrey Wharf is transforming a corner of Old Kent Road with an amazing, temporary work of art, ahead of redevelopment.

Could you foster a child?

Sign up for a free roller disco!

Children and young people can register for a free roller disco in SE16 on either 27, 28 or 29 of August.

Give us your views on the climate emergency

Whether you live, work or visit our borough we want your views ideas about how we tackle the climate emergency together.

Influence how cultural diversity is reflected in Southwark

Join an online community and panel debate on Thursday 20 August from 12 noon to 1pm. The event will explore how we can work together to better reflect and celebrate cultural diversity publicly across the borough. Book a free place for the event and submit a question for the panel

www.southwark.gov.uk

Couch to 5k

Posted by tgntra

Hi,

I hope all is well,

I’m contacting you because of a campaign to increase levels of physical activity in Southwark which I feel you might find interesting.

London Sport are leading on a Sport England funded campaign to address the impact of covid-19 on physical activity levels for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and lower socio-economic groups (LSEG). The campaign will focus on promoting the One You Couch to 5k app, using targeted Facebook and Instagram ads from the Get Active channel and through supporting partners to develop locally tailored promotion and offers. The paid advertising campaign is running adverts on Facebook and Instagram across London in areas with high % of the population from BAME audiences. The paid campaign will drive people to a Couch to 5K landing page or direct to the app store to directly download the app.

We are keen to support this campaign by working with partners to identify opportunities to use this campaign to support their efforts to increase physical activity levels for BAME/LSEG residents.

In particular where groups or organisations can use the campaign assets to promote the Couch to 5k running app to their audiences, or examples where you can set up local support for people who are starting Couch to 5k (Facebook groups, local events (as allowed by restrictions), etc.).

London Sport have created a toolkit to support local partners to activate the campaign in their area. It contains details about the campaign and audience, images and videos for partners to use and a template press release.

Download the campaign toolkit here.

If you are interested in helping promote this campaign, please use the toolkit and get in touch to see how we promote this to as many people as possible.

Have a good weekend

Luke Staples – Preston

Sport and Physical Activity Development Coordinator
Environment and Leisure
Parks and Leisure Service

Southwark Council

160 Tooley Street
London, SE1 5LX
Mobile: 07936333035; Phone: 020 7525 2687
Contact me on Linkedin

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/leisure-and-sport

Race to Health – Free Southwark Physical Activity initiative to keep families active over the summer

Posted by tgntra

Hi,

This week we are launching our summer Race to health challenge in partnership with Southwark Libraries as a way of keeping families active during the summer. We would really appreciate if this could be circulated to all groups and cascaded to local families.

Race to Health at home: The grizzly bear who lost his GRRRRR!

3August – 30 August

What is Race to Health?

Race to Health is an award winning online physical activity challenge that helps children and their families to be more physically active at home as part of a team – in this case a library team. Each participant will pick a Southwark library that they will compete for to try and become part of the Southwark Race To Health Champions!

Please click here for more information and instructions on how to register, or alternatively keep reading for more details.

Please adhere to current social distancing guidelines and government advice

How it works

The game theme is following Fred’s journey from the classic book, The grizzly bear who lost his GRRRRR! (by Rob Bidduloph). Each minute of physical activity completed by children and their families will be converted into miles and will contribute to their chosen library teams total. This helps Fred to move around a game map visiting some cool places and making new friends! The wining library will be the one with the highest total active minutes completed and will win receive £250 decathlon vouchers.

Children and their families need to log their physical activity minutes on our fun interactive web site which provides tips on how to increase your daily physical activity. Whilst on the website children will be able to track their own activity progress, and compare this to other members of the same library team. Children and families will also be able to customise their own page, collecting medals and points.

Once completed, children will be able to download their own personalised participation certificate and has a digital trophy appear in their trophy cabinet!

How can I take part?

Please email sports@southwark.gov.uk with the below information (copy and paste the table):

It may take up to 24hrs to receive your login pack

Full name of parent/carer to set up login:

Gender:

Preferred email to receive game communications

Chosen Southwark Library to represent:

Family information	Number of males	Number of females
Adults (aged 18yrs+)
Youth (aged 12-17yrs)
Children (aged 0-11yrs)
Registered with a disability or other sensory impairment

For any further information please email sports@southwark.gov.uk

Help us keep Southwark safe, gyms reopen, and family fun this summer

Posted by tgntra

Dear resident

I hope you are enjoying the sunny weather this week, and are continuing to stay safe as more of our favourite places reopen. It’s really important that we all continue to follow advice on how to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19, and a new Keep London Safe campaign has been launched this week to make sure everyone understands how to stay safe and what to do if you have symptoms. The message is simple: if you have symptoms, self-isolate and get tested.

The council has solid plans in place to work with all our communities to help prevent an outbreak, and we need all our residents and businesses to help with this. None of us wants to go back into lockdown, as has happened in other parts of the country, so please continue to:

wash your hands regularly
keep a safe distance from others
wear face coverings in enclosed spaces if you can

And please help spread the word about test and trace – you can find more information below.

Although lockdown encouraged many of us to get outside for our daily exercise, we know that not everyone was able to be as active as they would like. The government has launched a new campaign to help us lose weight if we need to, not least because scientists have found there is a link between obesity and vulnerability to COVID-19. To help residents get active I’m really pleased that our gyms will be reopening this weekend, and we are working hard to get our swimming pools safely reopened later in August. And as ever, there are lots of other fun things for Southwark children and families to do over the summer holidays – find out more below.

Have a lovely weekend, and for those who are celebrating Eid al-Adha, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you Eid Mubarak.

Cllr Peter John

Keep London Safe

This week a London-wide campaign to raise awareness of the COVID-19 testing and contact tracing has been launched.

Keep London Safe is a joint campaign between London Councils, the 32 London boroughs including Southwark, and other partners to raise awareness of how COVID-19 contact tracing works and how and when people should apply for a test.

If you or anyone you know is showing symptoms (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) you should get tested immediately, call 119 or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus.

If NHS test and trace gets in touch to say you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, you must follow their instructions and stay at home for 14 days.

Remember your face covering

Libraries phased reopening

We are carefully reopening our library services across the borough, starting with Nunhead and Canada Water last week.

While our online library events have been hugely popular, helping many of you through the lockdown, we are happy to be inviting people back, in person.

Safety for all remains a priority, so we have introduced a number of new measures and ask that you please order books ahead of your visit, observe social distancing guidelines and follow any advice offered by signs and staff in our libraries.

New Channel 4 programme ‘Council House Britain’ goes behind the scenes in Southwark

Think internships

Being an intern is a great way to start your career. The council offers paid internships for residents aged 16 to 24 years old. Roles last between 6 and 12 weeks and are paid at the London Living Wage (currently £10.75 per hour). You’ll be joining one of London’s top employers and will be a part of one of the most forward-thinking councils in the country. Applications for the current roles close on 16 August 2020.

Apply to the EU settlement scheme

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Food and fun for children this summer

We’ve joined forces with Lambeth Council and Kitchen Social to host an exciting summer programme of food and activities across our communities for 4 to 19-year-olds. Get the online brochure, find our more and sign up.

Online activities for children and young people

Our summer activities have gone virtual this year. Why not explore the exciting array of online activities this summer for young people aged 11 to 19 (and up to 25 with SEN) which are running until Friday 28 August.

Join in the Southwark Summer Race To Health family challenge

A fun, four week online challenge where children and adults join a virtual local library team and try to complete 60 minutes of exercise every day to help your library win the race and win (virtual) medals for yourself. Please click here for more information and instructions on how to register.

Covid-19 related resources for parents

If you’re a parent or carer get advice on talking with children about COVID-19, healthy eating, managing emotions, behaviour and conflict, and the benefit of setting routines for your family during COVID-19.

Mental wellbeing advice for young people

Young people aged 13–25 can get free and confidential mental wellbeing advice and support from a new service called The Nest. Support is available online and on the phone.

Make sure you are registered to vote

The annual canvass has started and Southwark residents are being reminded not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date.

The annual canvass ensures that the electoral register is kept up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. They would then be able take part in any future elections. Simply fill out the forms that are being delivered to every household in the borough – or go online to complete them. You can also apply for a postal vote just in case you can’t make it to your local polling station on voting day.

www.southwark.gov.uk

Race to Health – Free Southwark Physical Activity initiative to keep families active over the summer

Posted by tgntra

Hi,

Race to Health at home: The grizzly bear who lost his GRRRRR!

3August – 30 August

What is Race to Health?

Please click here for more information and instructions on how to register, or alternatively keep reading for more details.

Please adhere to current social distancing guidelines and government advice.

How it works

Once completed, children will be able to download their own personalised participation certificate and has a digital trophy appear in their trophy cabinet!

How can I take part?

Please email sports@southwark.gov.uk with the below information (copy and paste the table):

It may take up to 24hrs to receive your login pack

Full name of parent/carer to set up login:

Gender:

Preferred email to receive game communications

Chosen Southwark Library to represent:

Family information	Number of males	Number of females
Adults (aged 18yrs+)
Youth (aged 12-17yrs)
Children (aged 0-11yrs)
Registered with a disability or other sensory impairment

R2H flier.docx v2
For any further information please email sports@southwark.gov.uk

Support the shopping centre traders!

Posted by tgntra

Dear Friend

Just a quick email saying that tomorrow (Friday 24 July) Latin Elephant are launching a social media campaign around #MyElephantMasks, as they become compulsory.

Latin Elephant have produced 100 of their own masks and will be distributing them at the Shopping Centre, 11am, to send a positive message from a strong united community, fighting Covid and redevelopment.

All are welcome to join us!

Also, please help us and promote using Twitter hashtags; keep your eye out for these hashtags from tomorrow:

#MyElephantMasks
#BuyLocal
#BuyElephant

Regards
Jerry

Complete Southwark Council’s survey about racial inequality and injustice

Posted by tgntra

Dear resident,

Work on our Southwark Stands Together programme, to tackle racial inequality and injustice, is continuing. I want to thank everyone who has already participated in this work, shared powerful stories and offered important ideas about how we address inequalities together.We are currently focusing on a listening exercise with our communities which will help us to:

understand what needs to change
identify solutions to address entrenched, persistent racism and injustice
understand how Southwark can stand together to deliver a fairer and more equal society

There are a number of ways you can currently take part in the listening exercise:

We will also be consulting in non-digital ways over the coming weeks and will share more details of this soon.

We hope people are starting to enjoy the relaxation of some of the COVID-19 restrictions, and are supporting our many great shops, pubs and restaurants as they reopen. Please remember to follow health and social distancing advice and also be considerate of people living nearby.

Best wishes

Cllr Peter John

Get tested if you have coronavirus symptoms

Get a test as soon as possible if you have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new persistent cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste). A testing centre will be at Belair Park on 5 and 6 July. If you have symptoms you must also must self-isolate, as should members of your household and anyone in your support bubble.

Make your own face covering

Face coverings are now compulsory on all public transport and will become compulsory in shops later this month. Find out how to make your own face covering at home and remember the key is to cover both the mouth and nose.Click to edit this placeholder text.

Eat Out to Help Out – registration open

Restaurants and other establishments serving food can now register for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Businesses participating in the scheme can download promotional material.

Apply to the EU settlement scheme

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Food and fun for children this summer!

We’ve joined forces with Lambeth Council and Kitchen Social to host an exciting summer programme of food and activities across our communities for 4–19-year-olds. Get the online brochure, find our more and sign up.

Online activities for children this summer

The Southwark Youth Service is delivering a host of online activities this summer for young people aged 11 to 19 (and up to 25 with SEN) from Monday 27 July to Friday 28 August.

Mental wellbeing advice for young people

Young people aged 13–25 can get free and confidential mental wellbeing advice and support from a new service called The Nest. Support is available online and on the phone.

COVID-19-related resources for parents

Watch out for rogue traders

Rogue traders are active in Southwark. Don’t be a scam victim – just say no to any doorstep traders who call on you.

Watch Twelfth Night, free of charge

Southwark Playhouse’s new streaming service means you can watch shows and plays, free of charge, until the theatre can open its doors again. Performances currently include Shakespeare’s Twelfth night.

Stream films, free of charge

Get involved in decisions about housing and estates

We have made it easier for more people who live in council homes to get involved in decisions about council housing. These changes are part of our commitment to make homes and estates in Southwark great places to live.

Join our online resident panel. This gives you the opportunity to get involved in decisions that affect you and where you live, even if you can’t come to meetings.

Lambeth and Southwark’s ‘Summer of Food and Fun’

Posted by tgntra

DBG0177-Kitchen-Social-Design-AW-Digital-Version (1)

Update on lockdown changes in Southwark

Posted by tgntra

Dear resident,

This weekend sees the start of the next phase of lockdown changes. Updates below detail what is changing in Southwark and how you can play your part in keeping yourself and others safe. However, the virus hasn’t gone away. Please stay at home when you can and always observe social distancing. If you go somewhere and it’s crowded, go home.Southwark Stands Together update

Previously, I shared with you our plans to tackle injustice and racial inequality experienced by Black and Minority Ethnic communities. Our Southwark Stands Together initiative, which is being led Cllr Situ, Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning, has now started.

As part of the work we are carrying out a listening exercise with communities across the borough. We want to hear from everyone and particularly residents from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Register your interest in joining one of our online listening events – we still have some places left and we will accommodate as many people as we can.

Best wishes

Cllr Peter John

Get tested if you have coronavirus symptoms

Update on lockdown changes

Update on playgrounds, sports courts and outdoor gyms

In line with government guidance we are beginning to open our playgrounds and sports courts from 4 July with outdoor gyms to follow next week. Please use these facilities responsibly – keep your distance from others and wash your hands before and after use. If they are crowded please come back another time.

Update on shops, cafes and pubs

We are working with businesses to help them reopen safely, in line with government guidance. Businesses will be working hard to make things safe for customers, please help them and others by:

Keeping your distance from other customers
Respecting local residents
Using the toilets provided

Temporary closure of Rye Lane in Peckham

From 6 July we will temporarily close Rye Lane to all vehicle traffic. The closure will help people to maintain social distancing and will help to ensure the safety of shoppers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Please tell us if you have an idea to make social distancing and safe travel easier.

Make your own face covering

Face coverings are now compulsory on all public transport and should be considered in busy shops and enclosed public spaces. Find out how to make your own face covering at home and remember the key is to cover both the mouth and nose.

Are you worried about domestic abuse?

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, you can leave home to seek help or support. Nationally, there is advice and support available but you should call 999 if you are in immediate danger. Locally, the Solace Advocacy and Support Service is also available to women and men in Southwark aged 16 or over.

Give your views on the climate emergency

Whether you live, work or visit our borough we want your views ideas about how we tackle the climate emergency together.

Apply to the EU settlement scheme

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Mental wellbeing advice for young people

Young people aged 13–25 can get free and confidential mental wellbeing advice and support from a new service called The Nest. Support is available online and on the phone.

Say thank you to the NHS

We’re calling on Southwark to say #ThankYouTogether at 5pm on Sunday 5 July in a celebration to mark the NHS 72nd birthday.

Watch theatre performances, free of charge

Southwark Playhouse’s new streaming service means you can watch shows and plays, free of charge, until the theatre can open its doors again. Performances currently include Wasted, a rock musical about the Brontë sisters.

Thank you for using our parks responsibly

We’re doing our best to keep Southwark’s parks and open spaces clean and safe. Help us by following a few simple rules that will make them places everyone can enjoy this summer:

Take your litter home
Pay attention to signs
Use toilets provided
No BBQs
Remember social distancing