Dear resident

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

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. You can find out more about when to wear a face covering and how to make one, on the Government’s website.

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

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.

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.