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I spend a lot of time out and about talking with people in our borough and I hear how much repairs to council homes matter.
That’s why we run Repairs Action Days, where a council repairs team visits one of our estates and spends a day meeting residents face-to-face. It’s a chance to get things fixed on the spot or ask general advice or questions.
So far, we’ve done 55 action days across the borough, carrying out over 1,500 repairs. We’ve fixed toilets and taps, replaced light switches and plug sockets, repaired floors and replastered walls.
Our dedicated Damp and Mould Team also plays a key role on these days, doing inspections, mould washes, treatments, and more.
One of our recent Repairs Action Days was at the Doddington Estate in Walworth – you can see more in our video and also find out the dates for upcoming Repairs Action Days.
A communal repairs officer joins the action days to address building issues, including communal windows, doors, and more extensive repairs. We’re investing £250million over three years in vital work to give our council homes a new lease of life.
We know that for our thousands of tenants getting repairs done quickly and easily is very important.
Many of you have been asking for more Repairs Action Days – and our teams will keep visiting our estates to sort out the repairs that make a real difference to people’s lives.
Cllr Kieron Williams
Leader of Southwark Council
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Ways to improve your wellbeing |
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 Five Ways To Wellbeing
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Each day, there are little steps we can take to boost our mental health and wellbeing. This month we’ve launched a new campaign – five ways to wellbeing – based around simple ways that have been proven to help: connect, take notice, be active, give and keep learning.
Connect
Connections with other people can boost our wellbeing – whether it’s taking part in community events or new activities
Take notice
Paying attention to present moment, the world around us and what we're feeling can improve your mental wellbeing. Spending time noticing what you can see and hear can help you feel better:
Be active
Being physically active by moving more and more often, and getting outdoors if possible can boost our mood. Get inspired and find something to suit you, whether that's:
Give
It can feel incredibly rewarding giving something back by helping in our community. There are plenty of ways to volunteer locally, for example you can:
Keep learning
Learning new skills can be fun and help us all to feel more confident. Why not try learning something new. Many of these are free:
Look out for more suggestions of ways to wellbeing over the coming months!
More health updates
If you're pregnant or have children aged under the age of five (until 31 August), you may be eligible for vouchers if you get Universal Credit, Healthy Start, are on a low income or have no recourse to public funds (NRPF) for example as a refugee or asylum seeker.
It’s worth checking at least six to eight weeks before you travel that you’re up to date with routine NHS vaccines and any additional ones you might need. You can also book Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus vaccinations for free through a Southwark GP.
If you're over 45 and either live in or are registered with a GP in Southwark you could be eligible for support to lose weight. Learn how to make long-lasting changes to your health, get more active and improve your mood.
Look after your wellbeing with a blood pressure check, advice on being a healthy weight, diabetes, cancer screening, alcohol consumption, stop smoking and mental health. Upcoming dates include:
- 12 May, Albrighton Community Centre, SE22
- 14 May, Time and Talents at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, SE16
- 29 May, Thomas Carlton Centre, SE15
- 30 May, Salud y bienestar Comunidad Latina, SE17
Download the app and get the help you need with free Nicotine Replacement Therapy/vape, digital tools and 24/7 support. Search 'Smoke Free' in your app store.
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 Young child playing with chalk on the street
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To start summer the right way we’re celebrating on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June. Residents, communities and businesses can temporarily close their streets to traffic to host a Play Street. We want all of Southwark to come together to enjoy their streets that weekend! As part of this we’re encouraging residents to temporarily close their street to traffic to host a Play Street. Apply by Sunday 25 May.
The OneHub Youth Festival is the place to be for all young people of Southwark looking to have a blast. Join us for live performances, interactive workshops, and delicious food. Meet new friends, showcase your talents, and make memories that will last a lifetime - grab your free ticket today!
May is Foster Care Fortnight, which is a chance to recognise the power of relationships and how our incredible community of foster carers have transformed the lives of children and young people. If you’d like to attend our in-person celebrations or help a child in need, Southwark provides flexible placements, a generous financial package, council tax relief, and clinical support with a 24/7 helpline. There’s never been a better time to foster.
Head to the square on Sunday 1 June, 6 July, 3 August and 7 September - 2pm to 5pm. Come along and enjoy some free jazz from a different collective of musicians each month.
Every October we celebrate Black History Month across the borough. If you have an idea for an event apply for a grant by 4 June 2025.
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 Cycling in Southwark
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We want to hear from anyone who cycles in Southwark - including students, residents, employees and parents. We want to understand your experience of cycling and cycle parking facilities at key sites within Southwark. By completing the survey, you could win one of three £50 Sainsburys vouchers. Simply complete the survey and provide your email address at the end to be in with a chance to win.
With the number of children with special educational needs increasing, we wish to use unused space at nearby Bellenden Primary School. Let us know your views by 26 May 2025!
The Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension (BLUE) would deliver much needed improvements – like having a train every 2 minutes! Pledge your support now and help us tell the government it’s time to #BackTheBakerloo
Do you live or work around the Old Kent Road? We want your input on how developments can best benefit the local area. Join other members of the community on our Old Kent Road Community Review Panel. The Panel meets every month to discuss planning proposals in the area and advise the council on how developments can meet the needs of the local community.
Let us know what services and activities the new centre should offer. Drop in at the following events and give your views:
- 14 May 2025, 11am to 3pm, Kingswood Arts, SE21
- 29 May, 11am to 3pm, Appleby Blue, SE16
Refreshments provided, carers are welcome. Or complete the survey online before 30 May.
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 International compost week, Garden waste
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To celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, we’re giving away up to 10 compost bins to Southwark residents or schools. Enter by Saturday 10 May to be in with a chance of winning!
Don’t put clothes and textiles in your bin where they will sadly go to waste! Simply recycle them at your local textile recycling bank. Recycling and reusing clothes is good for the environment, saving water, energy and materials. Find your local textile recycling bank - Bring it, don’t bin it!
Southwark Scholarship Scheme is accepting applications for the academic year 2025-26 to support talented ambitious young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education. You must be a Southwark resident, have a combined household income of less than £28,000 per annum and enter higher education this year for the first time. Please refer to the full list of requirements and start the online application by the submission deadline on 1 June 2025.
Did you know you can recycle anything with a plug, battery or cable at your local Waste Electrical Bank? Don't place them in your household bins as they can cause fires! Search ‘recycle your electricals’ to find your nearest recycling point.
Sadly, phone snatching happens across London and we’re working with the police to try to stamp it out. You can help protect yourself by avoiding looking at your device while you’re walking or waiting at a bus stop, especially near busy roads or in poorly lit areas. If your phone is snatched, report the crime to the police as soon as you can by calling 101 or 999 in emergencies. You can also report it on the Crimestoppers website.
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 The Mayor of Southwark laying a wreath for VE Day at Camberwell Green
Yesterday (Thursday 8 May) saw the 80th anniversary of the end of Word War 2. Across Southwark and the rest of the country we honoured all those who served and made such enormous sacrifices.
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