 Get set for fun in the sun with summer in Southwark.
Free Swim and Gym at our leisure centres
Get down to any of our leisure centres and enjoy a free swim in our pools or work out in our gyms (at certain times). Contact your local Southwark leisure centre for when junior gym is available.
>> Find out more about free swim and gym swim sessions
Bag yourself a BMX training session
For budding BMXers there is a jam packed schedule of activities throughout the summer at the Burgess Park BMX track. Balance bikes for young beginners, women only coaching, novice and junior coached sessions. Holiday club sessions will take place throughout August for the young enthusiasts. Booking is essential. Spaces may be limited.
>> Check availability of BMX sessions and book now
Hang out with your friends at a youth centre
Visit our four youth centres where you will be able to take part in a wide range of activities like basketball, football, table tennis, pool, table football, crafts, PSP gaming, gym, off site trips and more.
>> Find out more about our youth centres
Activities for young people
We support organisations to run a wide range of exciting free activities for young people across the borough such as sports coaching, cooking classes, coding clubs, arts, crafts, drama and much more.
>> Check activities for young people and book
Summer holiday clubs for 4 to 16s: book now
If your child gets benefits-related free school meals they can join one of many summer of Food and Fun holiday clubs in Southwark. The clubs run fun activities and healthy and free food will be available.
>> Sign up for a free holiday club from 24 July to 25 August 2023
Join us for a tennis open day in Dulwich Park on 12 August
Discover our state-of-the-art tennis facilities, meet the friendly coaching staff and experience the vibrant tennis community. The event offers activities for all ages and skill levels, including fun drills, mini-games and friendly matches. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this is the perfect opportunity to improve your game, make new tennis connections and enjoy an active day.
>> Check availability of tennis sessions from 1pm to 4pm on 12 August and book
Rotherhithe Festival on 22 July
The annual Rotherhithe Festival is back from 11.30am to 8pm at King George’s Fields, main entrance on Moodkee Street. This year’s line-up features live music acts Bill n Rickey, Robin BiBi and Chris Corcoran, plus free children’s rides, food and drink and a real community festival.
>> Head to the free Rotherhithe Festival on 22 July
Mint Street Music Festival on Saturday 15 July
The festival returns to Mint Street Park from 11am to 7.30pm. Bring your family along to enjoy children's entertainment, music including jazz funk, indie pop and rock, and delicious food.
>> Find out what's on at the Mint Street Music Festival in SE1
Join the Summer Reading Challenge
Children and young people can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge in all Southwark Libraries. Read six library books, collect stickers and rewards along the way.
>> Learn more about the Southwark Libraries reading challenge
Confirm your place on the electoral register so you can vote
We contact all homes in Southwark every year to ensure all eligible residents are registered to vote (our annual canvass).
We will be contacting households in a number of ways, so not all residents will receive communications from us at the same time:
- you may get emails and/or text messages from ‘Southwark Electoral Services’
- you may get communications by post
- we may also contact you by telephone or in person
>> More about annual checks and updates for voters
New: Streets for People projects
We are taking ambitious steps to improve air quality, moving away from favouring cars to free up more space for walking, public transport and cycling. As part of the Streets for People programme, there are a number of free activities this summer for kids and families.
Free cycle training for families, women and girls
Joy Riders are running extra free cycle training for families, women and girls. Bikes and helmets are available, or bring your own.
>> Reserve a spot on a free cycle training session
Earn rewards: walk, cycle and run
Our Better Points Southwark app encourages you to walk, cycle, run or use public transport. It tracks your travel via GPS from your smartphone and rewards you with points which can be converted into vouchers, discounts in shops or charity donations.
>> Download the exercise reward app now for a chance to win an electric folding bike
Free cycle sessions for kids, families and individuals
Cycle Confident are running fun sessions for kids this summer, families and one to one slots are available too. But you will have to be quick, spaces are filling up fast!
>> Sign up for cycle skills sessions
A Greener Southwark
In a Field by a Bridge Festival: 22 to 23 July 2023
This summer Southwark has a new, free festival to inspire sustainable living and celebrate community action in Potters Field Park and St. John’s Churchyard. From live performances to workshops, walks and talks with experts, there's lots to get stuck into over the weekend. The entire programme is free, but you'll need to book in for some of the events.
>> See what’s on, and book your free place at the festival in SE1
New report on our work to tackle climate change
Our yearly report on tackling the climate emergency in Southwark is available now. It includes highlights from the past twelve months, the latest information on emissions as well as an overview of some of the challenges we’re facing.
>> Read the 2023 report on tackling the climate emergency in Southwark
Southwark 2030
Join the Southwark 2030 workshop on 20 July
Over 2,000 people have joined our Southwark 2030 events or taken part online, sharing their ambitions for Southwark. Our next workshop is on Thursday 20 July from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at Canada Water Theatre. We'll share what we’ve heard and check we’ve not missed anything. Participants get a £10 voucher.
>> Join a Southwark 2030 workshop on 20 July in SE16 at 5.30pm
Tell us what you think of our shared ambitions for Southwark
Based on what you told us at this year's workshops, we have come up with eight ambitions for what we want Southwark to look like in 2030. Now we want you to tell us which of these we should prioritise, and your ideas for what this might mean for your neighbourhood.
>> Have your say and complete a short online survey about our shared ambitions for Southwark
Health news
Get free support to quit smoking for good
Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your mental and physical health, and for your finances. If you're 18 years old or older, and you live in Southwark or are registered at a Southwark GP, you can get free support to quit.
>> Get stop smoking support today
Give your views on getting contraception
We want your views to improve access to contraception for residents. This could include:
- contraception from a sexual health clinic
- the free morning after pill from a pharmacy
- coil and implant fittings in a GP surgery
- the C-card condom scheme for young people
>> Complete the survey about contraception by 9 August
Get help to lose weight: free virtual Weight Watchers support
If you're 18 or over you may be eligible for 12 weeks’ free weight loss support. This includes virtual expert coaching, and discounted gym membership. You'll need to have certain body mass index (BMI), and be a resident or be registered with a Southwark GP to apply. Places are limited, so apply today!
>> Find out about free Weight Watchers support
Health roadshows hit Southwark this summer
Look out for our health and wellbeing van visiting events. You'll be able to get a range of advice available at all the free events including:
- Preventing and managing diabetes
- Local cancer screening
- Blood pressure and weight checks
- What your local leisure centre can offer you
>> Visit the health roadshow at the Rotherhithe festival on Saturday 22 July
Free: get active in Southwark’s parks this summer
We're running five health and wellbeing park events this summer starting from 29 July. Come and take part in a taster session, including exercise classes, family sport, BMX (Burgess Park), training on outdoor gyms, hear about local leisure centre opportunities, and find out about healthy lifestyle services in Southwark.
>> Find out about active Southwark fun days in parks
Check your child is protected with a MMR vaccine
Cases are rising among children in south east London. It’s a serious and potentially fatal illness, which can be prevented by vaccination. Make sure your child is up to date with their MMR (measles mumps and rubella) vaccine by checking their red book (child health record). Contact your GP if your child is not up to date.
>> Find out the signs and symptoms of measles, and what to do if you think your child has it
Get over £1,000 in total to buy healthy food and milk for your child
You could be eligible for the Healthy Start scheme if you're aged:
- 18 or over and are pregnant, or have children under four years old and you get certain benefits
- under 18, pregnant and don't get benefits
>> Apply for the healthy food and milk scheme for your child
Help us get £5 million to help reduce health inequalities
If you’re part of a community or voluntary group, your voice is key for our funding bid. We’re applying for funds to make better use of research and evidence to tackle health and social inequalities. Share your views by signing up to a lunch event in Camberwell on 14 July, or an online event on 17 July from 5.30pm to 7pm.
>> Book a place at the health inequalities consultation meeting on 14 July in SE5 or online on 17 July
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