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This week I wanted to take a moment to celebrate one of the things that makes Southwark so special.
As Leader of the council I’ve had the privilege of seeing more of our borough than most. I’ve met an incredible range of businesses; visited world-leading hospitals and inspiring charities; seen amazing research at our universities; met local Olympians on our cycling and athletics tracks and enjoyed a host of amazing art, shows and music.
It is no exaggeration to say few places in the world come close to having all of this. So how did we come to have it all here?
For me there is one answer. The incredible diversity of the people of our borough. For 2,000 years – since the Romans built their first settlement here – our community has welcomed people from across the globe. You can see the results wherever you look. The incredible creativity and innovation you get when you bring together so many different ideas and skills.
That’s why we have some of the world’s best hospitals, universities and businesses. It’s also why we have one of the fastest-growing local economies in the country. Generating £1 out of every £100 in the UK, and with over 60,000 more jobs here in Southwark today than there were a decade ago.
That prosperity benefits us all. It funds our wonderful parks, brilliant schools, new council homes and local community groups.
But more importantly still, it is our community’s rich diversity that makes Southwark such a vibrant, inspiring and fun place to live.
So today I want to celebrate everyone who has helped to make our borough the amazing place it is. From those first Romans who made their home here two millennia ago, to everyone living and working here today.
Cllr Kieron Williams
Leader of Southwark Council
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Connect with others this mental health week |
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 Connect: Five Ways To Wellbeing
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Connecting with others is one of the five ways to wellbeing. It’s important to find time to reach out to loved ones, colleagues and others in your community. This mental health week why not take a bit of time and prioritise yours.
South East London Mind provide a friendly, safe and confidential telephone befriending service. If you or someone you know aged 18+ feel lonely, and are in need of someone to chat with, get in touch.
There are plenty of local groups you can join for people of all ages, and all abilities. They include Nordic walking, walks that take in wildlife, and a walking and photography group for men aged 55+.
Southwark youth centres provide a range of activities for children and teenagers like sports, games, media and workshops.
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 Herbs from around the world
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The global food festival returns from 11am to 7pm. Expect more than 80 stalls, four bars, free family fun, community activities, arts and crafts and a free community lunch.
The OneHub Youth Festival is the place to be for young people in Southwark. 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!
Come and shop for vintage clothing, antiques, jewellery, books, magazines and records at the flea market in Vinegar Yard, SE1. It is a short walk from London Bridge Station and opens 11am to 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays.
Book a private room at Peckham Levels from £8 per hour. Pick from 80,000+ songs, grab dinner from one of the food traders, a cocktail, locally brewed beer or soft drink and get belting out those tunes.
An annual celebration of Norway’s national day, 17 Mai. The event welcomes anyone with a connection to Norway or the Norwegian community in the UK to a day filled with games and entertainment, traditional parades, and delicious food for the whole family to enjoy. Saturday 17 May from 11am at Southwark Park.
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 Friends enjoying the shade of a tree during sunny weather
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Sun exposure is a major cause of skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the UK. Top sun safety tips:
- make use of the shade between 11am and 3pm
- wear clothes that protect you from the sun
- use sunscreen (SPF 30+) and reapply it every two hours
It's important to top up your protection, as immunity fades over time. You're eligible if you:
- live in a care home for older people
- are over 75 years and over
- are aged six months to 74 and have a weakened immune system
There are key things you can do before pregnancy that’ll help the future health of your child. If you do one thing, take a daily folic acid tablet two to three months before stopping contraception, which will help protect your baby.
Why not get a free health check at a local roadshow or health hub? You can get a blood pressure check, advice on being a healthy weight, diabetes, cancer screening, alcohol consumption, stop smoking and mental health. Upcoming dates include:
- 28 May, Time and Talents at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, SE16
- 29 May, Thomas Calton Centre, SE15
- 30 May, Salud y bienestar Comunidad Latina, SE17
- 2 June, Albrighton Community Centre SE22
- 5 June, Ladies of Virtue Outreach CIC, SE15
Planning a summer holiday, a Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage? Large gatherings can be more risky as it’s easier for viruses to spread. It's important to check you’re up to date with all routine NHS vaccinations and any additional ones before travelling overseas.
The BetterPoints Southwark app rewards you for making healthy choices. By walking or wheeling every day you can boost your mental health, plus earn extra points and win daily prizes this month. You can turn points into vouchers, shop discounts or charity donations.
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 Foster Care Fortnight
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Foster care fortnight will run between 12 and 25 May. This year’s theme is ‘the power of relationships’ and celebrates our incredible community of foster carers who have transformed the lives of children and young people. We are running events throughout the fortnight.
Our next green investment round launches soon. In both of our previous raises, we hit our target early – don't miss out this time! Sign up for a reminder now.
In April over 200 residents used one of our three Library of Things sites for the first time. You can join them and rent items like drills, carpet cleaners and sound systems for as little as £1.50 per day. East Dulwich and Elephant and Castle opened recently (in addition to Canada Water) so now is the time to make your first booking.
Family Link carers look after children with disabilities, so the child’s parents can take a break. Carers provide short breaks in their own homes for as little as two days per month. Some carers look after children just during the day and others offer overnight stays. Carers get training, support, a financial allowance, and supervision from a qualified social worker.
We’re working to create an age-friendly borough where our older residents have the choice to live in their own community, as independently as possible for as long as possible. We want to hear from you – whether you're an older resident, family member, or care provider about how we can create an age-friendly borough. This will help us to understand what is needed now and in the future.
Discover what we're doing to make Southwark safer for everyone. We'll be sending out our next Safer Southwark newsletter soon, featuring news and information about community safety in the borough, so sign up now to stay up to date.
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Watch: How to use a Library of Things |
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 Watch: how to use a Library of Things
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