Camden magazine February 2018

Camden Camden this month

Your guide to council services | February 2018 | camden.gov.uk

Youth MP Election Young people go to the polls

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Beckford Primary School learning mentor Hilary Barnett with pupils Georgia, 10, and Anisah, 11, at STARS Awards. See page 22

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The Camden magazine is distributed free to all homes in Camden to give you information about our services.

It costs 15 pence a copy to produce, and is printed on paper that is 50% recycled and 50% from sustainable sources.

Cover image: Justin Thomas

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Published by Camden Council Editorial, advertising and distribution: Communications team, Camden Council, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE 020 7974 5717 Distribution from 6 February 2018

You can request your copy of the Camden magazine in large print, audio format or in another language by phoning 020 7974 5717.

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Camden this month Our updated digital library is offering thousands of new items See page 8.

Young people can vote in the Youth MP Election in March.

See page 12.

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Families with young children can get healthy eating advice at community venues.

See page 13.

A recent Ofsted inspection rated Camden’s children’s services ‘good’.

See page 11.

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Welcome 5

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News Camden 2025 Rogue landlords database Libraries digital offer improved Youth Safety Taskforce Camden Town Hall refurbishment Ofsted inspection results Families for Life Extended GP opening hours

Take the physical activity needs survey and tell us how we can help you to be fit and healthy.

See page 30.

News

Cover story Youth MP Election

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Introduction from the Leader of the Council

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Parent Champions Community safety conversations Rubbish and recycling Improving air quality Camden Recycling Rewards Chalcots Estate update West End Project Camden Can Innovation Fund Schools sustainable travel Support for EU residents HS2 latest news Maiden Lane latest Community Investment Programme Physical Activity Needs Assessment My Camden – Kentish Town City Farm

14 15 16-17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26-27 30 31

Listings Free and low-cost events

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On Thursday 3 May, Camden will go to the polls for local elections. All British, Commonwealth and European Citizens aged 18 and over can vote, so make sure you register.

If you are not registered to vote, you can do so online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

The deadline for registering is Tuesday 17 April.

camden.gov.uk/elections

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Welcome

to the February edition of Camden magazine

part of our borough to create a community-led vision for Camden.

Thousands of residents have helped draft the plan and develop creative solutions to achieve the goals we’ve identified together.

6 | Camden 2025 latest

9 | Youth Safety Taskforce

The draft plan will be published later this month, so keep an eye out for a special feature in the March edition of Camden magazine, or turn to page six to read what residents have been saying so far.

Don’t worry if you haven’t been able to get involved yet, we’ll continue to have discussions with you over the coming months and years, meaning that everyone will have the chance to take an active role in building our borough’s future.

A common theme that emerged throughout the discussions was making sure that young residents have the opportunity to reach their full potential and make the most of all that Camden has to offer.

11 | Ofsted success I’m excited to be looking ahead to everything that 2018 is set to bring.

We’ll certainly face our fair share of challenges this year, but we are developing plans and taking action to make Camden an even better place to live, work and study. And I’m looking forward to working with you all to make those plans a reality.

Since the summer, we’ve been working with residents from every

That’s why I’m thrilled that an Ofsted inspection carried out last year gave our children’s services an overall rating of ‘good’. And, even better, that many services and the Camden Safeguarding Children Board were all rated ‘outstanding.’ Read more, and find a link to the full report, on page 11.

Another major area of work is doing all we can to reverse the rise in youth crime we have seen in Camden and across London.

Although we still have one of the lowest rates of knife crime in central London, we need to do more to make sure all young people grow up

safely in our borough. We needed to take action, so we launched our new Youth Safety Taskforce. We met for the first time in December, bringing together parents, young people, police, youth services and MPs. Our report will be published in March, delivering workable solutions to the problem. There’s more info on page nine.

We believe we will come up with the best ideas by listening to what young people say,so I’m delighted to hear that nineteen young people are standing for election as Camden’s Youth MP and Deputy Youth MP in March. The Youth MP and two Deputy Youth MPs will represent the interests of Camden’s young people locally and through the UK Youth Parliament.

All 11 to 19-year-olds who live, work or study in the borough will be eligible to vote in the election, which takes place between 19 and 29 March. You can find out more on page 12.

I’ve heard from so many of you about how Camden is special, diverse and somewhere we all want to protect. The residents we met said we are lucky to live in a place where we want to look after each other. Together, we can create our vision for Camden 2025 where no-one is left behind.

Councillor Georgia Gould Leader of the Council 5

Camden 2025

Residents across the borough have helped to shape a new plan for the future of Camden.

You’ve shared your ideas for what Camden should be like in 2025 online, in libraries, and at events we hosted in partnership with community organisations last month. We’ve also held focus groups with partners, and our team of community researchers has spoken to residents across the borough. Dozens of you also came together at the Citizens’ Assembly to talk in depth about how we can work together to make Camden a better place for everyone to live by 2025.

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Residents across Camden attended local events to share ideas about what Camden should be like in 2025

Camden 2025 Your ideas for 2025

Here’s a few examples of what residents have been talking to us about:

What’s really come across through our conversations is that there is great energy and spirit in Camden.

We’ve heard lots of fantastic ideas about what would make Camden a better place to live, and also how local organisations, community groups and residents can work with the council and each other to make this happen.

Hajer Saad, Hampstead: “We need to look at how we can make getting onto the housing ladder more affordable, and how empty properties are dealt with – working out a way with landlords to tackle that problem.”

Anja Unterweger, Euston: “I think we should get schools and citizens involved in maintaining parks, for example doing gardening and planting.”

Phninfodesk suggested on our website: “Supervised weekend clubs for young people involving older people…

These are a great vehicle for building empathy and understanding.”

Maggiemendy agreed with this idea: “It would be great to see a bit more intergenerational work going on.”

What happens next?

Your ideas have helped to shape a plan for the future of Camden that everyone in the borough can work towards together. On 13 February we will publish a draft of this plan.

This will first go to the council’s cabinet members (councillors with responsibility for different areas of the council’s work), and then to the Find out more

William Bilton, Swiss Cottage: “In the future I would like to see more proactive, radical measures to encourage people to be more active.”

Sandybalfour shared this idea on our website: “In addition to cycleways, let’s create pleasant, green walking routes for people to travel the borough on foot. Walking has many benefits… improved health, predictable journey times, pleasure… a culture of social interaction.”

full council for approval on 26 February. The plan will be in two parts which, together, will set out our ambitions and priorities for the borough, and how we as an organisation can help achieve them.

This is just the start of our journey to making Camden a better place for everyone to live by 2025. We’ll need

to work closely together to meet the borough’s challenges, develop creative solutions that build on the strengths of our communities and achieve the goals set out in the plan.

We are committed to continuing these important discussions with you over the coming years, so that everyone can continue to be a part of building our future.

camden.gov.uk/camden2025 7

News

Read up on rogue landlords Camden is one of the first boroughs to sign up to the Mayor of London’s landlord database scheme.

It is hoped that this will act as a deterrent to rogue landlords, encouraging them to uphold a higher standard of conditions for their tenants.

You can now check up on unscrupulous landlords and letting agents online. The first scheme of its kind in the UK, the landlord database will make records of prosecutions and fines publicly available to prospective renters.

As well as viewing records of previous prosecutions, tenants can report bad practice and unsafe conditions in their homes using a reporting tool on the site.

Find out more

This new initiative is in addition to Camden’s existing Houses

in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing scheme that requires landlords to be fully licensed to rent out shared properties.

Camden is committed to supporting residents and working with landlords, ensuring those in the private rented sector get the best deal possible. To access the Mayor of London’s landlord database simply visit the website listed below.

london.gov.uk/rogue-landlord-checker

Digital library gets an upgrade Camden’s digital library has recently been improved, and now offers instant access to thousands of e-books, audiobooks, e-magazines and more.

Eager readers, comic book fans and academics conducting research will be pleased to hear that Camden’s digital library has recently been improved, offering access to thousands of new titles.

Whether you’re looking for the latest political biography, fancy chuckling over your favourite comics or want to read an international newspaper, you’ll find what you need with a simple tap, click or scroll of your electronic device.

If you already have a Camden library card, simply register online and create an account. You can download the RB Digital app or Find out more 8

Overdrive app to your tablet or smartphone. It’s free of charge, and means you can access library materials whenever and wherever you need them.

free access to our reference collection, which includes many subscription-only databases such as the Times Digital Archives, Who’s Who and Ancestry Library.

If you’re not registered, you can join at any Camden library by showing proof of your name and address or join online.

The larger and more varied collection now includes more than 3,500 e-books, 1,500 audiobooks, 130 magazines including The Economist, New Scientist and Match of the Day, 17,000 comics and graphic novels and 7,000 international newspapers and journals. Students can even enjoy

camden.gov.uk/digital-library

The digital library now offers even more

News

Taskforce heeds call to keep young people safe Community leaders and residents heard about the tragic consequences of knife crime at the launch of the Camden Youth Safety Taskforce.

Cohesion, co-chairs the taskforce with Holborn and St Pancras MP, Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer said: “This was a great launch with powerful voices from victims, former offenders, support teams, the police and cross-party politicians.”

Council Leader, Cllr Georgia Gould, at the taskforce launch with youth worker Abdikadir Ahmed and Aydarus Ahmed (right)

The council-led taskforce, which is supported by the police and other local partners, has been established in response to the recent rise in knife crime locally and across London.

people, voluntary youth services, other support services and local politicians, all of whom were at the inaugural event held on 15 December.

Speaking at the launch, Aydarus Ahmed, whose son and nephew were both fatally stabbed within four years of each other, said: “We need to open our hearts to support our younger generation not to repeat history.”

Camden has seen an eight per cent rise in knife crime with injuries in the last year, with young people sometimes the victims. The taskforce, which is due to report its initial findings next month (March), will look at the causes and help find solutions to the problem.

The taskforce is working with parents and carers, young

Councillor Abdul Hai, Cabinet Member for Young People and

Find out more

Detective Superintendent Caroline Haines, the senior Metropolitan Police lead for knife crime in Camden and Islington, added: “We are absolutely committed to the Youth Safety Taskforce, and welcome the opportunity of working together with our community and partners to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep the young people of Camden safe and confident.”

Taskforce co-chairs Keir Starmer MP (left) and Cllr Abdul Hai

camden.gov.uk/youthsafetytaskforce 9

News

A temporary home for our town hall services As part of the town hall renewal, announced in 2016, some of our council services will temporarily move to the Crowndale Centre.

With renovation work set to begin this summer, we will be relocating some of our teams so that we can continue to provide a service to residents and hold council meetings without disruption while construction work takes place.

The proposed improvements at the town hall will include a new wedding suite, along with refurbished spaces for registering births, deaths and marriages.

Private businesses from Camden’s tech and life science sectors will be able to rent office spaces, while

the basement will become a hub space to support our growing, innovative local businesses.

The renewal will also aim to bring us into the improved digital era, equipping the council chamber with state-of-the-art webcasting and broadcasting facilities, as well as electronic voting for the first time.

Which services will move?

Councillors’ offices, committee rooms and the council chamber will temporarily move to the Crowndale

Centre in Eversholt Street, together with the Mayor’s parlour and, office and democratic services staff offices. Part of the Registrars’ service, births and deaths registration, will also relocate.

The wedding suite will move to Tavistock House, Bloomsbury in the summer – more information will be announced to residents and local businesses in the coming months. Weddings will continue to be held in licensed premises with an approved registrar.

The Camden Centre will be let privately to generate additional income and is now being advertised to potential occupants.

The Crowndale Centre Work at the Crowndale Centre, located near Mornington Crescent, began in December 2017.

Modifications will be made to parts of the building to accommodate councillors, services, residents and staff members.

When will the move take place?

The move to the Crowndale Centre will take place this summer.

Services will move back to the town hall in 2021.

Find out more 10

camden.gov.uk/townhall

News Children’s services end the year on a ‘good’ note We’re celebrating a successful inspection of Camden’s children’s services. from health services to schools making it possible for us to provide innovative, integrated support for our children and young people.

And our early intervention approach of engaging with families earlier, so we can help when things start to go wrong, was also praised. Giving the right support at the right time, and working together to get things back on track, where possible, effectively reduces the need for statutory involvement for many families.

Our children’s services have been rated ‘good’

In September, Ofsted carried out an intensive four-week inspection of our children’s services. They looked at our early help offer (how we support families), our adoption and fostering services, our social work practice, how we look after children in our care and the work of the Camden Safeguarding Children Board (CSCB).

Their final report, published in November, gave our children’s services an overall rating of ‘good’. This demonstrates that children in Camden are effectively safeguarded. Our adoption service, our leadership, management and governance and the CSCB were all rated as ‘outstanding’.

Find out more

CSCB is ‘outstanding’ The CSCB is one of just seven local safeguarding boards in England to receive an outstanding rating. The board is made up of representatives from statutory, voluntary and community organisations, including the council. Its purpose is to agree how we work together to safeguard children and promote their wellbeing, and making sure we do this effectively. Find out more at cscb-new.co.uk The report highlighted many things, including our successful strategic partnerships, with organisations

camden.gov.uk/childrensafeguarding

Councillor Angela Mason, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life, said: “Our bold approach of putting the experiences of children and young people at the heart of everything we do and working with them to improve services through forums including the Young Inspectors programme and the Children in Care Council, was rightly highlighted by the inspectors.

“I am delighted that the excellent work our staff, leadership team and our partners carry out across Camden on a daily basis has been recognised. The time that is given to building relationships with children and their families, to understand what they need and how we can help them are key in making sure we achieve the best outcome for every child and their family.”

You can read the Ofsted report in full, by following the link below.

reports.ofsted.gov.uk 11

News

Young people vote for their new Youth MP Young people across Camden go to the polls next month to decide who will represent them.

All 11 to 19-year-olds who live in Camden, go to a local school or college or work in the borough can vote in our Youth MP Election from 19 to 29 March.

Esther Joy Boadu, the outgoing Camden Youth MP

The candidates are aged 13 to 19.

You can find out who they are and how to vote by visiting the website below – or look out for details in your school or youth centre.

The Youth MP, and two Deputy Youth MPs, who have a two-year term, are the voice for Camden’s young people, putting forward their interests in local decisionmaking, as well as nationally through the UK Youth Parliament.

They work closely with Camden Youth Council, helping to organise or speak at events such as Shout Out, as well as campaigning on issues of importance to young people locally and nationally.

Outgoing Youth MP Esther Joy Boadu said: “It has been a great opportunity.”

Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council, added: “Our Youth MP and Deputy Youth MPs have played a powerful role in representing young voices and helping to shape our policies.”

Find out more 12

The candidates Nineteen candidates from most of Camden’s secondary schools, as well as from Westminster Kingsway College, are standing in the Camden Youth MP Election.

Check our website below for the full list of candidates who will appear on the ballot papers for next month’s election.

At the first meeting for candidates on 16 January, the outgoing Deputy Youth MP Saba Asif said: “You can change

camden.gov.uk/youthcouncil

lives by empowering young people. If you’re elected, you can become an active member of the community and a champion for disadvantaged young people.

You’ll meet so many people and there’s a lot of fun events to attend, too.”

All candidates will be invited to speak at a hustings event at Camden Town Hall on 13 March, before the election begins on 19 March.

News

Healthy eating for families Fun and free healthy eating and cooking sessions are on offer for families with children aged two to 11.

The Families for Life sessions, run by the council’s health and wellbeing team, take place at community venues in Camden over four to six weeks and include: • healthy eating • getting active as a family, and • learning to cook and eat healthy meals together.

Visit the website or phone the number below to book onto one of the following sessions: • Family Kitchen – a six-week programme for families with children aged five to 11, starting 19 February at St Pancras

Community Centre, 67 Plender St, NW1 0LB, from 4 to 5.30pm • Families for Life Early Years – a four-week programme for families with children aged two to four, starting 8 March at the St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre, 2 Ossulston St, NW1 1DF, from 10 to 11.30am.

We also run free ‘Starting Solids’ and ‘Next Steps’ sessions for families with a baby under the age of one. These take place at children’s centres across Camden.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/cyphealthyeating facebook.com/camdenchildrenscentres

Anastasia (centre) and her nan Shemsie joined a recent Families for Life session at Regent’s Park Children’s Centre, led by early years teacher Maria (right)

020 7974 6736

Book an evening or weekend GP appointment Patients and residents can now book an evening or weekend NHS GP appointment at one of four local locations, through a new Camden GP Hub service.

Camden GP Hub appointments are available Monday to Friday, 6.30 to 8pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 8pm, for Camden residents and people registered with a Camden GP. Booking is easy. Simply phone the number below between 8am and 8pm; seven days a week, contact your own GP surgery or visit the website listed below.

Find out more

Appointments take place at: • Somers Town Medical Centre, NW1 • Swiss Cottage Surgery, NW3 • Caversham Group Practice, NW5 • Brondesbury Medical Centre, NW6.

Dr Ammara Hughes, a GP at The Bloomsbury Surgery, said: “This is a great service which makes it easier for you to see a GP at

camdengphubs.co.uk

A GP consultation

a convenient time and location.

I recommend that you save the booking number, 020 7391 9979, in your phone, so it’s handy next time you need an appointment.”

020 7391 9979 (8am to 8pm, seven days a week) 13

Feature

Parent learning champions Parents who attend a free ‘learning champions’ course are gaining skills to help with their children’s homework and support their progress at school.

Primary schools put forward suitable candidates for the Parent Champions programme, which runs at the Richard Cobden Learning Centre.

The course was developed by our adult and community learning service with Camden Learning, a new council and schools-led notfor-profit company.

Parent champion Elaine, a carer for two grandchildren, said: “If they say they are struggling with something, I say you can’t do that ‘yet’.”

Parent Champions Elaine (left) and Natalie

A group of 18 Parent Champions attended the 11-week course last term, which aims to stop their children from falling behind at school and also encourages the parents to take up further training and employment opportunities.

Another free course is running this term.

The weekly classes improve parents’ understanding of how children learn, as well as giving them the skills and confidence to encourage their children to persevere with homework and Find out more 14

achieve at school. As Parent Champions, it is also hoped they will take up further opportunities and encourage others in their community to follow their example.

Parents on the course hear about ‘growth mindset’, which challenges the assumption that clever people are simply born intelligent. Research shows that parental support for learning has a bigger influence on children’s educational achievement than school alone up to the age of 13.

camdenlearning.org.uk

camden.gov.uk/adultlearning

Natalie, who has three young children including two at primary school, said: “I have gained confidence and found different ways to help my children with their learning. The two at school are doing really well with their homework now.”

Stacey added: “This is a really worthwhile way to help parents so their kids don’t fall behind at school.”

The council’s adult community learning service also runs a Parent Academy, on which the Parent Champion programme is based, at eight local primary schools.

To find out more, contact your child’s school, or visit the web pages below.

Feature

Working to keep our communities safe We know from our work on developing the new plan for Camden that community safety is a priority for residents. © lazyllama / Shutterstock.com

on our estates and at street properties.

The team have been carrying out high visibility foot patrols since early January with all patrol officers now wearing Body Worn Videos (BWV). Patrol vehicles have also been fitted with dashboard cameras, to capture incidences of anti-social behaviour.

We’ve been working closely with the police and other partners to help make Camden safer

Understandably, people want to feel safe in their communities, on their way to work and in the workplace itself. Read on to find out what we are doing to achieve this, and how you can get involved.

Joined by officers from across the council, and colleagues from the police, residents and business owners took part in round table discussions that will shape action plans to help tackle the issues head on.

Join the conversation Over the last few months we have held a number of community conversations, hosted by Councillor Nadia Shah, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities.

We’ve talked with local residents and businesses about the concerns they have, how these concerns are affecting their communities and how we can work together to tackle them.

Why not follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ our Facebook page, to find out if there is an event planned in your area, and join the conversation?

Find out more

New responsive security patrol In direct response to concerns from residents living on our estates and across the borough, we are enhancing the council’s Housing Patrol service to provide security

camden.gov.uk/communitysafety

We are also introducing the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme for the council’s Housing Patrol and Community Presence officers, which means they will have additional powers. This will allow the council’s patrol services to work more closely with the police creating a safer, more secure environment for residents, businesses and visitors to Camden, by helping reduce local crime and anti-social behaviour.

Being part of the scheme would give patrol officers more powers, including detaining people suspected of a crime for up to 30 minutes, until the police arrive, and issuing fixed penalty notices.

In the meantime, if you have concerns in your local area, you can contact the team via the contact details below.

communitysafety@camden.gov.uk 15

Feature

Keeping Camden clean We’re committed to keeping Camden’s streets clean, and are tackling those who illegally present their waste, but we need your help...

Project Purple The project sees a team of six dedicated Education and Enforcement officers carry out regular patrols to tackle illegallypresented business rubbish and other ‘enviro crimes’ such as littering, dumped rubbish and bins being left for collection incorrectly.

The officers are visiting areas across the borough, helping to keep Camden’s streets clean and issuing fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for any offences found.

Help us keep it clean One quick and easy way you can help keep Camden clean is to download the free Clean Camden app to your smartphone. Use the app to report environmental issues, such as dumped rubbish and graffiti, directly to Camden Council and Veolia to get them resolved.

Download the app from the Google Play, iTunes or Microsoft app store.

Spring Clean Clean Camden is an ongoing campaign to crack down on littering, dog fouling and dumped rubbish. We’ll be getting involved in the Great British Spring Clean from 2 to 4 March – if you’d like to help, visit our website for more information, camden.gov.uk/ cleancamden.

Find out more 16

Get rid of bulky items correctly As well as getting up to scratch on your recycling this year, make sure you know what items shouldn’t be included in your normal rubbish collection:

x x x x

Furniture Carpets, rugs, tiles Large bulky items

x x x

DIY materials Soft furnishings Electronic goods

Textiles

Instead, here’s some information on the services that can help you dispose of them correctly: Bright sparks – free doorstep collection of reusable furniture – includes wardrobes, chests of drawers, dining tables and chairs, beds, armchairs, sofas and rugs. Visit brightsparksonline.com Large item collection services – we offer a large item collection service for furniture or white goods including fridges and dishwashers.

For a small fee, we’ll come and collect the items from your property for you. Phone 020 3567 8105 to book your special collection. You can also take your white goods to Regis Road Reuse and Recycle Centre.

camden.gov.uk/rubbishandrecycling

Feature

New Year’s recycling resolutions With the New Year just begun, how many of you set your New Year’s resolutions around becoming a better recycler? Here are key facts to help you on the way to becoming a recycling champion in 2018.

Did you know you can recycle the following items?

Recycle right

✓

The most common household items that you can recycle are:

Aerosol cans Hairspray, deodorant, cleaning products

These are the most common items wrongly placed in the recycling bin. Please make sure you check before you recycle.

x x x

Black bin bags Food

Textiles

For a full list of items you can and can't recycle visit our website.

Find out more

✓

Tin cans Pet food, soup and tuna cans

✓

Paper and card Junk mail, newspapers, shoe boxes

Bins on streets Keeping your bins on the street after they have been collected not only makes our communities look untidy, but causes obstructions for people trying to use the pavements.

When putting your waste out for collection, it’s really important that containers and bins aren’t stored on public footpaths - they must be returned to your property within 24 hours of collection.

and rubbish bags cause to getting around in their everyday life.

Bins left on streets are extremely dangerous for our more vulnerable residents, including those who are visually impaired or disabled.

Members from Visually Impaired in Camden (VIC) spoke to us about the obstruction that bins

We’re working alongside Veolia and their crews to make sure bins are returned to properties after they have been collected. You can find out more about presentation and collection of your rubbish on our website.

Mary Hynes of Dartmouth Park, Vice Chair of VIC and Trustee of Camden Disability Action, spoke to us about the difficulties she faces being visually impaired and bins being left on streets. She said: “It’s a nightmare, permanently having to navigate around bins. Going to the shops for daily groceries becomes very hard work.”

camden.gov.uk/rubbishandrecycling 17

Feature

We’re taking action to tackle London’s poor air quality.

Exposure to poor air quality has a significant impact on public health and accounts for around 9,400 premature deaths in London every year. Pollution from road traffic, particularly diesel fumes, is the largest cause of poor air quality and is responsible for 50% of air pollution in Camden.

We recognise that improving air quality is vitally important in providing a better environment for people of all ages who live, work and visit the borough. Last month, we held a special debate at a full council meeting to agree the actions we can take together with our community to help improve Camden’s air quality.

Following this, we launched a new campaign for cleaner air in our playgrounds, streets and businesses. We’ll be focusing on air quality throughout February, and you can visit our website and social media channels to find out more.

Find out more 18

Clean air in our schools Air pollution can be particularly damaging to children’s health, as they are more susceptible to the harmful toxins in polluted air. Research has even shown that children are exposed to poorer air quality inside a car than if they were walking or cycling. We want to make sure we’re taking collective action to protect the air our children breathe.

That’s why we’re going to be working together with schools to take action on air quality throughout 2018. We’ll be asking parents to take a lead by walking children to school, rather than going by car. We’ll also be promoting School Travel Plans to inspire people to think differently about travel and its impact on our health – turn to page 22 to find out more.

camden.gov.uk/airquality

Help us clear the air You can also help to tackle and avoid toxic air by making changes to the way you travel around Camden. This includes: • taking a quieter, less polluted route when you walk to school or shops; • using one of Camden’s new cycle lanes to safely travel around the borough by bicycle; and • joining a car club and saving on the costs of running your own vehicle.

Don’t idle your engine Running your vehicle’s engine while it is stationary creates pollution hotspots. So make sure you switch the engine off if you’re waiting in your vehicle or are stuck in a traffic jam. We’re introducing new powers to give fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to those idling their engines, and you can help by spreading the word to friends and family.

@CamdenTalking #CleanAirCamden

Feature

Food waste challenge Camden Recycling Rewards is free to join and the benefits include offers at more than 90 Camden businesses and the chance to win a £30 voucher each month if you’re the top recycler in your area.

Kentish Town resident, Mark Martines, set up a composting scheme at his block of flats

We’re offering Camden Recycling Rewards members a new challenge – to reduce the amount of food they throw away.

The average UK household throws away £60-worth of food every month, a figure that shocks a lot of people. Our Food Waste Challenge is a free programme that will guide you through ways you can cut your food waste and save money.

If you’re already a Camden Recycling Rewards member, visit camden.gov.uk/ recyclingrewards to find out more and sign up to the challenge.

If you’re not already a recycling rewards member and are interested in reducing food waste at home, why not sign up now?

Find out more

Go further Even if you’ve cut your food waste right down, there will always be things you just can’t eat, such as vegetable peelings and egg shells.

If you have a garden, why not compost them? Mark Martines from Kentish Town is a Camden Recycling Rewards member who has set up compost bins in the garden of the flats where he lives and composts all his fruit and vegetable food waste.

Mark told the Camden magazine: “We got some funding to set the garden up about seven or eight years ago. We put in a wormery first, then after that compost bins and raised beds. About 10 families who live in the block put their compostable waste in the bins, and I’m hoping more will in the future.

There are three bins; we rotate them, and once the worms have done their work and the compost is ready, we use it in the garden.”

If you’d like to start composting, we offer subsidised composters from £5 plus delivery. There’s more information at camden.gov. uk/composting

camden.gov.uk/recyclingrewards 19

Feature

Replacement cladding is chosen Last month cabinet members chose solid aluminium panels as the replacement cladding for the Chalcots Estate. of the two remaining replacements, along with feedback from residents about which they preferred and why. After weighing up the options, cabinet members selected solid aluminium cladding panels for the exterior of all five blocks.

Cladding has been removed from the Chalcots Estate

Following the evacuation of the Chalcots Estate in June, Camden took the decision to remove the potentially dangerous cladding from all five tower blocks. This was a huge technical operation, with three different contractors working to get the cladding off the buildings simultaneously.

In January, these works were finished, leaving the towers with their original concrete exterior.

for the estate. Four options for the building’s exteriors were highlighted, and residents were invited to a special engagement event where they could meet the technical teams and feedback about options. The feedback gathered at the event, online and at a follow-up drop-in helped compile a report for cabinet members in December, narrowing the cladding options from four to two.

While these works were underway, architects and technical teams took to finding safe cladding solutions

At a meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday 24 January, councillors considered the technical aspects

Find out more 20

camden.gov.uk/chalcotsestate

The new panels will have a similar appearance to the previous cladding system. However, they meet the government’s safety standards and are made from solid aluminium, which will not burn. The new cladding system will also use rockwool insulation, which does not burn either, improving safety and minimising the risk of serious fires at the Chalcots.

Following the cabinet decision, planning applications were submitted and the procurement process is due to start this month. While we await planning permission, a sample of the replacement cladding system will be sent for independent combustibility testing, ensuring the solid aluminium panels meet the standards expected. We aim to start work to fit the new cladding to the Chalcots in the summer.

Feature

West End Project The West End Project (WEP) is set to transform the Tottenham Court Road area in one of the most ambitious and exciting public realm projects in its history.

Beginning in late February/ early March, the project aims to bring positive change and improvements to the area in preparation for the opening of a new Crossrail station.

It will bring a wealth of benefits for residents and visitors, making the area safer, greener and more attractive for everyone to enjoy. We’ll do this by creating new public and green spaces to give residents the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. The introduction of new road layouts will mean bus routes will be faster and cycling will be safer.

The changes will also help to reduce traffic congestion and its impact on air quality, which is one of the council’s key priorities.

WEP will also help to attract, sustain and boost business making sure the West End is a primary visitor destination

Find out more

and a better place to live and do business.

Schedule of works Eurovia will carry out the works on behalf of the council, which are expected to last until late 2019. The first phase will last approximately three months, during which time works will be carried out in two sections of Tottenham Court Road and one section of Gower Street.

Work will include new kerb lines and pavements and the removal of street clutter. To keep disruption to a minimum, it’s proposed that the contractor will carry out the work on one side of the road before moving across to the opposite side.

Access to shops and offices will be maintained at all times during opening hours. Find the latest updates about the project on our website below.

camden.gov.uk/westendproject

Improvement areas We’ll create new open public spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. These will be located at the existing junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and High Holborn, adjacent to the Shaftesbury Theatre and in Alfred Place.

You can find out more about the project, read the latest news and sign up to the WEP newsletter via our website, details below.

The project will create new segregated cycle lanes along the entire length of Gower Street and Bloomsbury Street

Tottenham Court Road will be transformed into a pedestrian and cycle friendly street

westendproject@camden.gov.uk 21

Feature Innovation fund deadline extended – don’t miss out The deadline to express your interest in applying for the Camden Can Innovation Fund has been extended to 13 February.

Find out more

The fund will provide grants of up to £25,000 to groups or organisations that have come up with innovative ways to tackle the issues that lead to obesity in Camden.

We’re looking for ideas that are practical and will have a positive impact on the local community.

They must: • be new, not just improvements • be projects that can be put into action

• have the potential to make a long term impact.

We want to hear from all interested groups, institutions and businesses. We are happy to look at expressions of interest from individuals, but we will attempt to match you with a local voluntary or community organisation that has the skills, and resources, to support your application and idea.

camden.gov.uk/camdencan

Awards for travel to school STARS We support active and safe travel to school, as part of a London-wide programme to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

We hosted Transport for London’s (TfL) north regional STARS (Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible, Safe) schools celebration event at the Camden Centre in November.

STARS encourages children, parents and teachers to use sustainable and safe ways of travelling to school, nursery or college by walking, cycling or using public transport, instead of the car.

Participating schools are judged on their success in promoting Find out more 22

tfl.gov.uk/stars

active travel to school with Bronze, Silver and Gold awards, depending on the number of activities they do that relate to sustainable travel.

offering free initiatives such as Bikeability and pedestrian skills training.

There are currently 22 Camden schools with Bronze, Silver or Gold STARS awards for their achievements on active travel.

We’re encouraging more schools to sign up as part of our campaign to improve air quality across the borough (see more on page 18).

As a STARS school, you can expect to see a reduction in the number of trips made by car to your school. Gold schools must demonstrate a shift of at least six per cent away from cars or at least 90% of pupils travelling to their school by other means.

We’ll support local schools to achieve STARS accreditations by schooltravelplans@camden.gov.uk

Beckford Primary School pupils Georgia, 10, and Anisah, 11, with their Bronze STARS Award

020 7974 5537

Feature

Protecting our European Citizens’ rights Camden citizens’ status will be unchanged while the United Kingdom remains in the European Union (EU).

Camden Council has welcomed a recent government and European Union agreement that ensures there is no change to the status of EU citizens and their families who are living in Camden while the UK remains in the EU. The agreement also provides guidance regarding rights to remain after the UK leaves the EU. People who, by 29 March 2019, have been continuously and lawfully living here for five years will be able to apply to stay indefinitely by getting ‘settled status.’ That means they will be free to live here, access public services and, eventually, apply for British citizenship.

People who arrive by 29 March 2019, but won’t have been living here lawfully for five years when we leave the EU, will be able to apply to stay until they have reached the five-year threshold. They can then also apply for settled status.

Family members who are living with, or join, EU citizens in the UK by 29 March 2019 will also be able Find out more

to apply for settled status, usually after five years in the UK. Close family members such as spouses, civil and unmarried partners, dependent children and grandchildren and dependent parents and grandparents will be able to join EU citizens after exit, where the family relationship already existed on 29 March 2019.

Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities, told Camden magazine: “Since the referendum, Camden Council and our public sector and business partners have been lobbying the government to ensure that the rights of EU citizens living here are protected.

“It is pleasing that Camden’s voice has been heard and agreement is now in place to protect our residents’ rights during Brexit.

We will continue to speak up on behalf of our communities and businesses regarding what’s best for Camden, both during and post-Brexit.”

We support Camden’s European citizens 24,000 residents born in an EU state

36,000 EU workers in Camden Camden’s European citizens can get useful information on democratic rights, access to speedy document checks for citizenship, along with other guidance about Brexit at camden.gov.uk/europe

camden.gov.uk/europe 23

Feature

Keeping you up to speed on HS2 Works to construct the High Speed 2 (HS2) railway are well underway in the Euston area.

Last month, HS2 Ltd closed the west (Melton Street) side of Euston Square Gardens for the duration of construction

We continue to work to ensure HS2 Ltd meets its commitments, and looks for further ways to reduce the impact on Camden. Here is some of what’s coming up:

New funding

Compensation

In 2018 we’re launching a fund for community projects in impacted areas using £3.5 million secured from HS2 Ltd. We also recently received £2.4 million from HS2 Ltd’s Road Safety Fund, and will work with residents and key organisations on safety schemes.

At the time of writing, we were still pushing the government and HS2 Ltd to release details of their new construction compensation scheme. The government agreed to develop this after the council and residents took the issue to the House of Lords Select Committee.

Open space and construction skills centre

Euston

The council recently approved plans for the temporary use of the vacant Maria Fidelis School site on North Gower Street during construction. This includes creating temporary open space, as well as a Euston construction skills centre to help residents develop the skills needed to access local job opportunities. The new construction skills centre is expected to open in 2020 to replace the current King’s Cross centre.

We are still urging the government to give full guarantees on timescales and funding for the comprehensive redevelopment of Euston, integrating plans for HS2, Network Rail, Crossrail 2 and London Underground stations. Later this year you’ll have a chance to give your views on our draft Planning Brief, which will provide guidance for development around Euston station and tracks to maximise opportunities for homes and jobs.

Replacement homes Over 200 homes in the Euston area are earmarked for demolition by HS2 Ltd. This year council tenants and resident leaseholders will move into replacement homes we’re building on the Regent’s Park Estate.

Find out more 24

camden.gov.uk/hs2

Contacting HS2 If you have a question about HS2 construction, phone their 24 hour freephone helpline on 08081 434 434 or visit their website for more information: hs2ineuston.commonplace.is

Feature

Moving in and moving forward at Maiden Lane Our Community Investment Programme has delivered 273 new homes on the Maiden Lane Estate. privately. By providing these homes at more affordable rents, our aim is that Maiden Lane can retain its diverse community and continue to be an estate for everyone.

As well as the new homes, the development offers new low-cost business space and improved open spaces. The landscaping has proved a hit, with families already enjoying the new green spaces and play areas.

There are 273 new homes on the Maiden Lane Estate

Construction on the Maiden Lane Estate is complete and residents have started moving into their new homes. The new homes are a combination of council homes, affordable rent and homes for sale.

Brian Hayes, who has lived in the area for 12 years, moved into one of the new homes on the iconic estate in December. While the new homes were under construction, Brian and his partner welcomed a daughter into their family. To help meet the needs of his newly expanded family, Brian’s new flat came with an additional bedroom.

Brian told Camden magazine: “It’s Find out more

amazing in comparison to the flat I had before; my baby daughter will have her own room. It’s a godsend. Looking at the new flats, I was absolutely gobsmacked.

They’re really nice and it will make a nice family home. It’s great what the council have delivered.”

The new development also offers 52 homes with affordable rents through our company, Camden Living. These homes are significantly below market rent but above social rents. They aim to support middle earners such as nurses, teachers and many others who struggle to afford to rent

Investing in our communities Originally built between 1976 and 1983, Maiden Lane remains an interesting example of postwar council housing with its own community centre and business space.

Camden’s Community Investment Programme (CIP) hopes to carry the spirit of these council housing projects into the 21st century, using funds generated through the sale of land and private homes to build even more new affordable homes and community facilities.

Overall, CIP will build more than 3,000 homes, improve 48 schools and children’s centres and invest in much-needed community facilities to preserve Camden’s unique social mix and equip the borough for the future.

camden.gov.uk/cip 25

Feature

The Greenwood Centre is taking shape Opening later this year, the Greenwood Centre will house Camden’s first Centre for Independent Living, giving users an active role in the services offered.

Funded and built through our Community Investment Programme, the Greenwood Centre will house modern and accessible facilities for adults with disabilities or mental health issues. The centre will provide residents who have additional needs with the choice, control and opportunities to live independently and enjoy active lives.

Brand new facilities will include sensory rooms with light, touch and sound features, arts and music rooms and access to apprenticeship and work experience opportunities. There are also plans for a community café run by people with disabilities and new homes for specialist Camden services supporting residents with a range of care needs.

One of the specialist services moving to the Greenwood Centre is the Highgate Centre.

This is a community-based day service for adult residents that offers workshops and activities 26

(CDA) who will run the new Centre for Independent Living based at the Greenwood Centre.

Ossie Stuart, Chair of CDA, will be running the new Centre for Independent Living

promoting mental wellbeing and physical health. These services are a lifeline to many of our most vulnerable residents.

The improved facilities at the Greenwood Centre will help them continue to deliver services to those who need them.

Rafael Soza, who uses the Highgate Centre, said: “I feel liberated when I come here. It’s a chance to escape and a place where I feel secure.” Reflecting on the Highgate Centre’s new home at the Greenwood Centre, Rafael continued: “I know it will be very modern – which will be nice and I hope I will be able to run my photography class at the new centre like I do now. I want to be involved in the new centre to give peer support and for structure which will keep my mental health in check.”

We also spoke with Ossie Stuart, Chair of Camden Disability Action

What is Camden Disability Action?

Ossie said: “CDA is a user-led organisation, run and controlled by disabled people. It seeks to provide a voice for all disabled people in Camden and to enhance the independence of all its members and those who it works with.”

What will the Centre for Independent Living do?

“The Centre for Independent Living will provide the borough’s disabled people with a major opportunity to increase their choice and control over the services run by organisations that support them.

More than that, it can become a major arena for inclusion, employment and innovation where disabled people create new and better services and opportunities together. Yet, this can only happen if there is a step change in the way disabled people and their families think about themselves and work together.”

What is your vision for the Centre for Independent Living?

“We know that all disabled people in Camden share the same concerns regardless of whether they are, for example, from the deaf community, have learning

Feature disabilities, are the parents of people with learning disabilities or have mental health issues.

We all want good, reliable and safe services to support us and our families. We all want those services to enhance our quality of life and match our ambitions.

We want to be treated like the full citizens of Camden we really are, and be listened to and to be

taken seriously at all times. The Centre for Independent Living’s goal is to give all disabled people in Camden a stake in achieving these ambitions.

That CDA shares these ambitions as well makes it best placed to ensure that the Centre for Independent Living is successful and achieves this goal.”

Cllr Danny Beales (right) joined service users and support staff for a look at how the Greenwood Centre is taking shape

Camden talking

Community comments on social media.

Happy New Year from #Kentishtown Community Centre. Check out our spruced up website and new booking system: ktcc.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you soon :) @KentishTownCC via Twitter

Over the past 2 months we’ve reached 573 wonderful #Camden older neighbours through door knocking and community events.

We can’t wait to get started in #Islington! #WinterWellbeing @NorthLDNCares via Twitter

Have you heard about the new Camden GP Hubs? They offer evening & weekend #NHS GP appointments to #Camden residents & others with a Camden GP camdengphubs.co.uk @camden_ccg via Twitter

Camden’s Community Investment Programme Building

3,050

homes including 1,100 council homes

Investing £117 million into 48 schools and children’s centres

Providing 9,000 square metres of improved community facilities – the equivalent of 35 tennis courts

Thinking about #volunteering?

Age UK Camden have a diverse range of roles and ways that you can get involved in your local community - helping older people #NewYearsResolutions #charity @AgeUKCamden via Twitter

If you live in Camden and Islington and want to talk to someone about depression contact @IcopeNHS for free, confidential advice. @C&I NHS via Twitter

Join the conversation: facebook.com/lbcamden

Find out more

camden.gov.uk/cip

@camdentalking 27

Listings Family Lucky button orchestra Make your own musical instrument to take home and play. Ages 5 to 10 Wednesday 14 February, 10.30am to 12pm, 1 to 2.30pm, 3 to 4.30pm Animal dramatics Make a mask and bring your animal to life using role play. Age 7+ Thursday 15 February, 10.30am to 12pm, 1 to 2.30pm, 3 to 4.30pm The Lost Gardens Make a dream garden and decorate a plant pot to grow seeds at home Drop in. Age 5+ Friday 16 February, 11am to 1pm, 2 to 4pm Foundling Museum 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ foundlingmuseum.org.uk enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk 020 7841 3600 Family day: sound poems Create a group sound poem Sunday 18 February, 2 to 4pm Keats House, 10 Keats Grove NW3 2RR cityoflondon.gov.uk/keats keatshouse@cityoflondon.gov.uk 020 7332 3868 Green screen Greeks Become an ancient Greek athlete and compete against your family. Age 7+ Saturday 24 February, 11am to 4pm Great Court, British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org tickets@britishmuseum.org 020 7323 8181

Under 5s Rhyme time Songs, rhymes and movement with games, books and toys 30-minute sessions, ages 2 to pre-school See your local Camden library for days and times camden.gov.uk/libraries 020 7974 4444 28

All activities are free unless otherwise specified Little feet: explore your senses See, hear, smell and touch. For under-fives and parents and carers.

Booking essential Friday 9 February 10.30 to 11.30am, 12.30 to 13.30pm British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org tickets@britishmuseum.org 020 7323 8181 Family workshop: Debutots Story and drama session. For six month to five year olds. Booking essential Sunday 11 February, 10.30 to 11.15am Jewish Museum London 129-131 Albert Street NW1 7NB jewishmuseum.org.uk admin@jewishmuseum.org.uk 020 7284 7384

Children and young people Mobile poetry Create your own poem mobile. Book a session on the day. Age 5+ Tuesday 13 February, 10.30am to 12pm, 1 to 2.30pm, 3 to 4.30pm Foundling Museum 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ foundlingmuseum.org.uk enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk 020 7841 3600 Digital workshop: colour the collection Learn about the Museum’s famous objects and use tablets to colour your own Sunday 11 February, 11am to 4pm Build Roman Britain in Minecraft First come, first served. Age 7+ Saturday 17 February, 11am to 4pm Samsung Centre, British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org tickets@britishmuseum.org 020 7323 8181

Get active Women’s Iyengar Yoga Class All ages and abilities welcome Every Wednesday General: 10 to 11am Beginners: 11.15am to 12pm Women’s open level yoga class Every Monday, 10 to 11am West Hampstead Women’s Centre 26-30 Cotleigh Road NW6 2NP whwc.org.uk info@whwc.org.uk 020 7328 7389 Men’s keep fit class Every Thursday, 11am to 12pm Cumberland market Regents Park Estate, NW1 Open to all table-tennis Fridays, 2 to 4pm Queen’s Crescent Community Gospel Oak NW5 4QE camden.gov.uk/active active@camden.gov.uk

Walks Walks for older people Local walks with Kilburn Older Voices Exchange (KOVE) Wednesday 14 February, 1.30pm Meet at Belsize Park station Haverstock Hill NW3 2AL Wednesday 28 February, 1.30pm Meet at entrance to Kenwood House Hampstead Lane NW3 7JR kove.org.uk mel.wright@kove.org.uk 07539 390 786 Camden health walks Friendly walks led by qualified walk leaders. See website for more walks in Camden Hampstead Heath Short amble or longer walk Mondays, 9.50am to 12pm Meet at Hampstead Heath Overground South End Road NW3

Listings Parliament Hill: leisurely Mondays, 9.50 to 11am Meet at Parliament Hill Cafe walkingforhealth.org.uk

Green gym Willow Coppicing Tuesday 13 February, 10.45am to 2pm Camden Green Gym Waterlow Park N19 5JF tcv.org.uk/camden gg-camden@tcv.org.uk 07768 710 359 Hedge laying workshop Thursday 8 and Thursday 15 February 10.45am to 2pm Camden Green Gym Regent’s Park NW1 4NR tcv.org.uk/camden gg-camden@tcv.org.uk 07768 421 811 Woodland Habitat Management Sunday 18 February, 10.45am to 2pm Belsize and Adelaide Green Gym Russell Nurseries, Belsize Wood NW3 2AL belsizeadelaidegg@gmail.com Orchard Management Friday 23 February, 10.45am to 2pm West Hampstead Green Gym Minster Road NW2 3SE tcv.org.uk/camden westhampsteadgg@gmail.com 07740 899 689

Over 50s Tea Dance Put on your dancing shoes and cha cha cha back into an age of elegance Saturday 24 February, 2 to 5pm Henderson Court day centre 102 Fitzjohn’s Avenue NW3 6NS ageuk.org.uk/camden hcourt@ageukcamden.org.uk 020 7974 2004

Over 50s line dancing Every Friday, 1.30 to 3.30pm £1 per person Kingsgate Community Centre 107 Kingsgate Road NW6 2JH kingsgatecommunitycentre.org.uk info@kingsgatecc.org.uk 020 7328 9480 Lunch club for over 60s Join friends and make news ones with a home-cooked meal. Book a day in advance. £5 per person Monday to Friday, 12.30 to 1.30pm Marchmont Community Centre 64 Marchmont Street WC1N 1AB kcbna.org.uk diane.fisher@kcbna.org.uk 020 7278 5635

Community events Women’s cancer support group Peer-led support group with outside speakers. All patients, relatives and friends welcome First and third Tuesday of the month Irish women’s social support group Open to all Irish women of birth and descent Every Thursday, 10am to 12pm Women’s gardening group Learn gardening skills and make new friends Every Tuesday, 10am to 12pm West Hampstead Women’s Centre 26-30 Cotleigh Road NW6 2NP whwc.org.uk info@whwc.org.uk 020 7328 7389 Adult workshops: intro to urban food growing All equipment provided, just turn up in comfortable clothes and shoes Thursday 15 February, 1 to 3pm Age 16+

The Castlehaven Community Horticulture Hub Corner of Hartland Road & Hawley Road, NW1 8DB castlehaven.org.uk info@castlehaven.org.uk 020 7485 3386

Exhibitions and performances Cook’s Camden Illustrated historical talk about the council housing built by Sydney Cook Tuesday 6 March, 7.15pm (doors at 6.45pm) Exhibition from 5 February to 27 April Camden Local Studies & Archives Centre, 2nd Floor, Holborn Library 32-38 Theobalds Road WC1X 8PA camden.gov.uk/history localstudies@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 6342 Tribal Forest to Urban Jungle Exhibition of photographs from Central India 12 January to 24 March Brunei Gallery, SOAS Thornhaugh Street WC1H 0XG soas.ac.uk/gallery gallery@soas.ac.uk 020 7898 4046 Afternoon poems: love Experience the poetry of love Sunday 11 February, 2 to 3pm Keats House, 10 Keats Grove NW3 2RR cityoflondon.gov.uk/keats keatshouse@cityoflondon.gov.uk 020 7332 3868 Sleep Across the Animal Kingdom Free talk. Booking essential Wednesday 28 February, 6.30pm Grant Museum of Zoology Rockefeller Building, UCL 21 University Street WC1E 6DE ucl.ac.uk/museums/zoology zoology.museum@ucl.ac.uk

Event details may change. Check with the organiser before you attend.

Want to have your event listed here? Email camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk to make a request.

Space is limited and we prioritise free and low-cost community events.

29

Feature

Helping you be active in Camden Take part in our survey and tell us what we can do to help you to be fit and healthy.

Being physically active is one of the best things you can do to help improve your health. Regular exercise gives a huge boost to your self-esteem, mood, sleep quality, energy levels and can help you maintain a healthy weight.

However, over a third of people living in Camden aren’t reaching the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week. To help reverse this trend, we want to know your thoughts on Camden’s places and spaces for physical activity, opportunities for active travel (walking and cycling), our leisure centres, as well as sport and physical activity projects.

We hope to understand the reasons that may stop you from being physically active, and how we could help change this. We Find out more 30

also want to hear about what encourages and sustains physical activity, and how we can best support people to stay active.

Following this research, we will develop a new strategy to support physical activity across Camden.

Your input is essential, and will help us make sure that everyone who lives, works or studies in Camden has the opportunity to be active.

Whatever your age, there’s strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and even happier life.

Research has shown that regular exercise can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.

camden.gov.uk/PANA

To keep healthy, adults should try to be active every day and aim to achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week through a variety of activities, such as walking, dancing, taking the stairs, carrying shopping, playing sports and more.

You can take the survey online, via the link listed below, until 28 February. You can also pick up a paper copy of the survey at Camden libraries and leisure centres.

Take our survey and win an iPad!

Submit your views through the online survey at camden.gov. uk/PANA. The survey will be open until 28 February. One lucky resident will be chosen at random to win an iPad 32GB.

My Camden Thomas Brennan is a full-time volunteer at Kentish Town City Farm, a community charity helping city people to connect with animals, nature and the environment.

What’s your Camden connection?

came across the farm. I wrote an email, came in for a chat and I’ve been here ever since.

I live in Kilburn and my first job was at a butcher on Kilburn High Road.

I’ve volunteered at Kentish Town City Farm for two and a half years.

Every day I feed the animals, muck them out, get fresh water and put down their beds. I like everything about the job.

It’s great when you get on well with everyone you work with.

Tell us about your work It’s been my ambition to work with animals since I was a child. I used to visit my Dad’s family on their farm in Ireland and once helped to deliver a calf.

On the last day of a back-to-work scheme I was looking up work with animals on do-it.org and

Tell us about the farm It brings goodness to the whole community.

People who don’t come from the countryside can learn about farm animals and get close to them.

We have a pensioners’ garden, horse-riding for

people with disabilities, special events all year.

On May Day we always have an amazing turnout – people love dancing around the maypole and I help on the barbecue.

You can see what events are coming up next on our website.

Favourite animal?

If I had to choose, it would be the goats. One of our nanny goats was unfriendly at first but now she’s learned to trust me and when I put my hand out she rubs her head against my arm. My second favourite would be Shirley the cow.

Most memorable thing to happen to you in Camden?

Seeing a kid goat being born is something you never forget. I’ve also seen baby chickens and ducklings hatching, as well as newborn lambs.

Favourite place in Camden?

It has to be here. You’re working outdoors with the animals all day. What more could anyone want?

Do you know someone who has strong community connections in Camden that we should profile?

Email camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk to tell us more.

Find out more

ktcityfarm.org.uk

info@ktcityfarm.org.uk

020 7916 5421 31

CHILDREN ARE MORE

VULNERABLE TO HARMFUL EFFECTS FROM AIR POLLUTION

MAKE A DIFFERENCE WALK OR CYCLE camden.gov.uk/airquality #CleanAirCamden