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Cold weather alert – what this means and support available
We’re expecting some really cold weather (as low as -4 locally) over the next couple of days and into next week, with a cold weather alert currently in place for London and England. Keeping warm is really important when it’s cold outside, especially if you or someone you know is older, a young child or has an underlying health condition.
If you need any support with food or a warm place to spend some time, please know we’re here for you – we’ve included information about our friendly and safe ‘warm welcome’ spaces below (as well as details of wider support you can access to help with the cost of living crisis), and you can visit findfood.camden.gov.uk for urgent support with food. If you’re able to, stock up on warm clothes, food and any medication you might need, and don’t forget to check in on your older or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family members to make sure they’re warm, safe and well too.
We’ve included some information on accessing health services below, and the NHS website has some tips on how to stay well and warm. You might also like to check out our thread on Twitter about more ways you can keep warm and well over the next few days.
 Avoid the chill in one of our warm welcome spaces
While staying warm is one of the best things you can do when it’s cold outside, we know the rising cost of living will mean some of us are worried about how to keep our homes and families warm. To help, we’ve opened ‘warm welcome’ spaces in some of our libraries and council buildings and in community spaces, where you can also go to find out about additional support available locally. Everyone is welcome.
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Emergency support available for homeless people in cold weather
We have activated our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) arrangements with temperatures set to drop below freezing overnight for the remainder of the week. This means that anyone who is sleeping on the streets will be offered temporary accommodation to ensure they have somewhere warm and safe to stay.
If you’re worried about someone sleeping rough in Camden, call 020 7846 3535 or notify us using the app. To download the app, go to camdenrts.co.uk or search in the Play Store (Camden StreetSafe) or App Store (Camden Safer Streets).
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The Camden Safety Hub is open!
We’ve recently opened our Safety Hub, a safe and non-judgemental space in Camden Town for anyone who needs help, support, or just a friendly face during a night out. If you’re out on a weekend night and you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable or vulnerable, or you need to charge your phone, grab a water or find a route home, please drop by for support from trained staff and volunteers, as well as our community partners.
The Hub is open on Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm until midnight and is located at 1 Dockray Place, NW1 8QH.
Thanks to our community partners who are helping us run this project, as well as to Labtech, who have donated a space in their building for the Hub.
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 Join Camden’s Evening and Night-Time Citizens’ Assembly
We want evenings and night-time to be a better experience for everyone living, working, visiting, or running a business in Camden. We also want to make it more inclusive, safe and diverse.
If you are aged 16 or over, and are a resident, business owner or working in Camden, we need your help to develop a vision for the future of Camden’s evening and night-time. Register your interest to take part in our Citizens’ Assembly and tell us about your experiences.
The Citizens’ Assembly will happen across 3 days between 9.30am and 4.30pm at an accessible venue in Camden:
- Saturday 18 February 2023
- Saturday 25 February 2023
- Saturday 4 March 2023
To thank participants for taking part in all three days of the Assembly, we are offering cash or a voucher worth £250.
If you have any questions or would like to request a paper version of the registration form, please email nighttime@camden.gov.uk or SMS/WhatsApp/call us on 0791 7435 791.
Registrations will close on Monday 16 January 2023.
You can also share your views and help shape the future of our evening and night economy by completing our survey.
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5 ways to get help and advice with the cost of living crisis
Everyone is likely to need a bit of help this winter. If you’re struggling with the cost of living crisis, you can get help and advice in the following ways:
1. Come along to our cost of living crisis advice bus, which we’re running in collaboration with local organisations – including Citizens Advice Camden and Mary Ward Legal Centre – on:
- 14 Dec 2022, 11am to 3pm - 208 Webheath, Palmerston Rd, NW6 2JU, opposite Kingsgate Resource Centre
- 10 January 2023, 11am to 3pm - Regent’s Park Estate, in front of Kirkfell, Robert Street, NW1 3FB
Everyone is welcome, so come along for a chat. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/winterevents
2. Visit our website or download our booklet to find advice on a range of issues – including debt, accessing all the support you’re entitled to, food, mental health and more.
3. Head down to your nearest ‘warm welcome’ space where you can relax and meet up with others in a safe and warm space, and get advice with the cost of living crisis. Find a 'warm welcome' space near you.
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4. Read Camden's ‘Guide to winter’ (cover pictured) which will be coming through your letterbox very soon. You can also pick one up from your local library or read it online.
5. If you’d prefer to speak to someone:
- Call us on 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
- Call Citizens Advice Camden on 0808 278 7835
- Get in touch with one of the organisations in Camden Advice Network. Find their details at camden.gov.uk/CAN
For more information on ways to heat your home, help with energy bills or to access financial support, grants and benefits you might be eligible for, visit our Cost of Living Support Hub
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£40 winter supermarket vouchers for families
We’ll post supermarket vouchers in mid-December to families living in Camden with children aged up to 18 who are receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax support. Any families whose children attend Camden schools and are eligible for free school meals will also receive vouchers. Families will be sent £40 per child and those with more than one child will receive multiple vouchers. The vouchers can be used in a variety of supermarkets.
Please note that postal strikes may delay delivery – if you have not received the vouchers by 21 December 2022, please call us on 020 7974 4444 (option 9). An additional £15 supermarket voucher per child will be sent in February 2023.
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Accessing health services and advice
Our local health services and partners are here to help you stay well through winter. If you’re unwell you can get help and advice from:
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A pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor. Find a pharmacy near you.
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Your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP over the phone or online, or go in for an appointment in person if they think you need to.
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NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. If it’s a life threatening emergency, always call 999.
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 Boost your immunity with a free flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster
Viruses like flu and COVID-19 spread more quickly in winter. Protect yourself and your loved ones ahead of the holidays by getting your COVID-19 booster and free flu vaccination, if eligible. You can book appointments online or by calling 119. Walk-in appointments are also available at participating pharmacies or onboard our vaccine bus. Find a location near you.
Our vaccine bus offers walk-in appointments for COVID-19 boosters, first and second doses, as well as free flu vaccinations to those eligible. It’s quick and easy, simply drop by Thursday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm at one of the upcoming stops:
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Saturday 10 December - Chalton Street Market, NW1 1JH
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Friday 16 December - opposite Kingsgate Resource Centre, Palmerston Road, NW6 2JU
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Saturday 17 December - opposite UCL's School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX
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Thursday 22 and Friday 23 December - in front of Kirkfell Estate, Robert Street, NW1 3FB
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Estate parking changes – share your views
Our current system means it’s difficult to control parking on estates, resulting in inconsiderate and dangerous parking, that blocks roads and footways, and can disrupt essential and emergency services. We’ve also heard that permit holders are finding it increasingly difficult to find a space to park.
You can have your say on our proposed changes before 19 December.
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Bookings open for free activities during the winter school holidays
The Camden Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) winter programme will run from 19 to 30 December and is open for children and young people aged five to 16 who are eligible for free school meals.
Co-ordinated locally by the Young Camden Foundation, the programme offers free, fun activities and nutritional education – from learning to make healthy meals, to creative activities, including photography, drama, arts and crafts, and sports such as football and basketball.
Most HAF programmes will run between 10am and 2pm during the school holiday period.
Camden HAF providers are also ready to make arrangements for children with special educational needs and disabilities to take part in their programmes.
If you have any questions, please email info@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk
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Chalton Street Festive Market
Join us for some special festive market stalls at Chalton Street Market in Somers Town. You can buy homemade gifts, food and other great items on the market.
🎁 Friday 16 December, 10am to 4pm
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How to contact us
To stay updated and to find out more information on services and support, you can:
Do you know someone who might want to receive this e-newsletter? Forward them this email and they can sign up to our mailing list via this link.
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