Your guide to council services
camden.gov.uk | Spring 2020
Inside:
Includes:
springtime planting at the Three Fields Estate
Council tax Volunteering
four-page newsletter for council tenants and leaseholders
Events Recycling
Local history Council contacts
Inside
Tax-Free Childcare Offer
Are you working, including self-employed, and needing a bit of extra help with childcare costs? If so, why not sign up for the national tax-free childcare offer, which enables you to claim up to £2,000 per child, per year? Find out if you are eligible and how to apply now at: childcarechoices.gov.uk
We support Camden’s EU Citizens – they are our family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
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In order to stay living and working in Camden after Brexit you must apply to the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme.
Find out how Brexit will affect businesses, organisations and individual citizens at euexit.campaign.gov.uk
Apply for free at gov.uk/eusettledstatus
If you need support and advice go to camden.gov.uk/brexit
Inside Inside
Volunteering Gospel Oak
Community
What's on 3
Contents Inside Cover story Three Fields Estate
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Now in Camden News
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Housing news Four-page newsletter
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Regulars How to… Day in the life Recycling Working for Camden Focus on… Local history Why don’t you… The long read Useful numbers Listings How to get into… My Camden
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Features Tackling the climate crisis 12 Council tax update and support 2 2-23 Three Fields Estate 26 Published by Camden Council Distribution from 17 March 2020 Cover image: Laura Brierley Newton Printed on paper that is 50% recycled and 50% from sustainable sources. @CamdenCouncil facebook.com/lbcamden camden.gov.uk camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 5717
You can request your copy of the Camden magazine in large print, audio format or in another language by phoning 020 7974 5717. 4
This magazine was designed and produced by Camden Creative Services. We offer a not-for-profit service to organisations and businesses. If you are interested in finding out more about us, please contact ros.daniel@camden.gov.uk
Now in Camden
Landlord licensing scheme
Spring has sprung at Three Fields
Thank you to everyone who got involved in our landlord licensing consultation.
consultation ended on 8 March and we are now in the process of reviewing all of your feedback.
We asked for your thoughts on proposals to renew our additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). HMOs are shared homes, including house and flat shares, student homes, bedsits and some buildings converted into flats.
This is important to us and will help inform our decision whether to renew the additional HMO licensing scheme. We'll publish the results at the end of June.
Over 800 people living and working in Camden and its neighbouring boroughs completed our survey. Our 12-week
To find out more about our licensing scheme and to see how we are improving property standards for people who privately rent, visit camden.gov.uk/ hmolicensing
Fully funded university places with Camden scholarships
Three Fields Estate residents, including children from the local nursery, have been getting into the spring spirit. The nursery staff and children have been busy planting flowers and vegetables in their own garden, in preparation for the coming warmer months. A new tree will also be planted on the estate this spring, one of 100 commemorative trees planted on our council estates to celebrate 100 years of council housing. You can find out more about the borough's tree planting plans on page 6. Join in the spring fun and get involved! Why not join up with a local community garden group, or volunteer to improve tree pits in your street with annual flowers? For more information contact the trees team at treesection@camden.gov.uk To read more about the Three Fields Estate, go to page 26.
We’re working with Hult International Business School and Birkbeck, University of London, to help Camden residents of all ages realise their potential through a range of scholarship opportunities, with courses starting this autumn. Birkbeck, University of London in Bloomsbury, is offering two scholarship places to Camden residents for any of their undergraduate courses starting in October. The deadline to apply is 31 May. Meanwhile, Hult International Business School, also in Bloomsbury, is offering Camden residents a fully funded one-year intensive master’s degree, which includes practical work experience. The course starts in September and the deadline to apply is 26 April. camden.gov.uk/scholarships 5
Now in Camden
New leisure offer set to help more residents get active From 1 April, residents will have access to many more deals at Camden leisure centres – like no joining fees, discounted memberships and local programmes to help people get active. It's all part of our new leisure centre contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), which will focus on making physical activity more accessible, with improved leisure facilities and more opportunities for residents across Camden. To find out more about the range of leisure opportunities including gyms, community based activities and great swimming pools, visit better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/camden
600 new trees for Camden
Gower Street, Bloomsbury Street and Tottenham Court Road are changing
This spring Gower Street and Bloomsbury Street will be changing to two-way traffic as part of the West End Project. At the same time, new restrictions will apply to how and when vehicles can drive on Tottenham Court Road. Sections of this road will be open to buses and cyclists only between 8am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. During 6
these times only buses and cyclists will be able to travel the whole length of Tottenham Court Road in either direction. This will mean changes for anyone who makes a journey or delivery in the area. Check our website for full details or sign up to our newsletter at camden.gov.uk/westendproject
Trees are important - they help clean the air we breathe, provide a home to small creatures, shade for people and boost general happiness. To make sure Camden's tree numbers continue to grow, we've set a target to plant at least 400 trees each year - with 50 in new sites. Since April 2019 we've planted an estimated 600 new trees across Camden - exceeding our target. This is in part thanks to the additional 100 trees planted on our council estates to celebrate 100 Years of Council Housing, as well as funding from the Urban Tree Challenge fund. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/trees
Now in Camden Camden’s Health and Care Citizens’ Assembly launches We’ve launched Camden’s first Citizens’ Assembly that focuses on improving healthcare locally. The sessions bring together residents, GPs and hospitals, and provide an opportunity for residents to get involved in shaping the future of health and social care in the borough. The results of these conversations will then feed into our framework to improve care services across Camden. The Assembly follows the success of the UK’s first climate crisis Citizens’ Assembly, which took place in Camden last year. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/ health-and-care-citizens-assembly
Celebrating Camden Alive This spring we’ll be celebrating the projects created as part of Camden Alive, with screenings, installations and performances happening across the borough. Residents and artists have worked together to create new pieces of art, fashion, music and performances – all telling different stories about the lives of Camden residents. We're also developing an augmented reality app called the Camden's People's Museum, where you'll be able to experience these projects and stories online. Find out more at lovecamden.org/ camdenalive
Coronavirus We can all do our bit to stay healthy and safe in Camden. Here are a few ways you can help protect yourself and others. Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Bin the tissue. And to kill the germs, wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel. If you have concerns or questions, don’t go to the GP, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 for advice or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus
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Top three things this spring
Georgia’s Best thing I’ve done recently
I’m looking forward to
This February Camden held its first Youth Safety Week focusing on celebrating Camden’s young people – their talents, their energy, their desire to make the world better. It was an incredible week, but what particularly stood out for me was the Youth Shout Out – a debate by young people about issues important to them. It was incredibly powerful to hear young people respectfully debating sometimes really difficult topics with such insight and passion, and I am so proud of all the young people that live and learn in Camden.
This month we kick off our Health and Care Citizens’ Assembly. The NHS is such an important service to all of us - it's always there when we need it. Our Citizens' Assembly will give our residents a voice in designing a health and care system that keeps us all healthy, and supports people how and when they need it. I'm really excited to see the recommendations that come out of discussions.
w On my mind right no This issue has an important update on council tax and how we spend the money from households in the borough to fund important services - libraries, community activities, leisure centres, youth clubs - as well as funding care for the most vulnerable people in our community. I know that for many people, even a small increase can have an impact on your budget - but your contributions make such a difference to our community. We've also changed our Council Tax Reduction Scheme for those on low incomes, so don't forget to check to see if you are eligible for support to pay your bill.
Georgia Gould is Leader of Camden Council
How to… report fly tipping (dumped rubbish) 1 D ownload the Clean Camden app by searching ‘Clean Camden’ in your app store.
2 I f you see dumped rubbish like a mattress or fridge on the street…
Begin Reports Settings
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3 … take a photo of it and make a note of the address.
4 R eport it via the Clean Camden app or by calling 020 3567 8105.
5 W e’ll get rid of it within 24 hours.
Day in the life
Sam Sam has been visiting the Greenwood Centre almost daily since it first opened last February, and says it’s a place he can go to socialise, catch up on what’s going on in the world, attend classes and make music. The centre is run by disabled people for disabled people, providing a range of services and activities to support independence, inclusion, health and wellbeing.
11am
1pm
I’ve been coming to pilates since the centre opened last year. It really helps me with my mobility issues and motivates me to do other physical activities outside of the centre, like swimming.
After lunch I attend the music groups. We love creating our own original music, which gives me a sense of identity. Making music is a really intuitive way for us as a group to connect, and we make some great music together. I play the keyboard, sing and play a little bit of bass guitar.
12noon I often attend ‘talk time’, where I share my opinions on things happening in the world like politics and hear other opinions – this helps me to feel less anxious. Spending time with the others at the centre is important for my mental health, it lets me check in with people I know – we can chill, talk and have something to eat. I’ve been quite isolated recently and the centre is one of the few places I feel safe.
3pm Towards the end of the day there’s always a sense of accomplishment and purpose after we’ve completed our activities or classes. The conversations can be really funny, this helps me deal with the anxieties that I know may come after I leave.
4pm We often make plans to socialise after leaving the centre, which is really helpful for me when I’m feeling isolated and/or anxious.
To find out more about the Greenwood Centre, head to camden.gov.uk/greenwoodcentre 9
Keeping Camden cle Get involved in taking care of our borough this spring
Spring clean Camden We’re supporting the Great British Spring Clean (20 March to 13 April) – a campaign to create cleaner environments. Get involved in Camden by organising a litter pick with friends or neighbours. We’ll provide you with litter pickers, gloves and bags! Visit camden.gov.uk/cleancamden to find out more and book your kit.
... Did you know You can report dumped rubbish, litter, graffiti and dog poo using our Clean Camden app? Download for free from Google Play or the Apple iTunes store.
The Veolia Recycling Fund for Communities is now open! Do you have an idea for a project that will inspire other residents to reduce their use of plastic or improve the way they recycle? If you do, Veolia is offering grants of up to £2,000, along with support and advice to bring your idea to life. Find out more and apply at veolia.co.uk/london/ recycling-fund-communities
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ean and green Visit Refill Station Camden at Queen’s Crescent Market Refill Station Camden is a stall, made from recycled materials, that sells carefully sourced unpackaged grains, liquids and cleaning products. By buying only what you need and bringing your own reusable containers to refill, you can help reduce plastic and food waste in Camden.
Follow the ‘4 Rs’ to reduce food waste in Camden
To find out more, go to camden.gov.uk/ foodwaste
Orange bags From 1 April, we’ll only be giving orange rubbish bags to residents who live in flats above shops. So, once you’ve run out, you’ll be able to use your own black bags. Residents who live in flats above shops will receive a mix of orange and clear bags (for recycling). This will make it easy for us to maintain the same rubbish and recycling service for residents and business owners living and working on our high streets.
The stall is open every Thursday and Saturday at Queen’s Crescent Market, Kentish Town, NW5 4ED. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/refill-station-camden
In Camden, food waste makes up nearly 30% of the rubbish people throw away. Reducing food waste is kinder to the environment, and will help you save money too.
Recycling and rubbish
For more information, go to camden.gov.uk/orangebags or call 020 3567 3270.
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Reduce: don’t overbuy. Instead, plan your meals in advance and write a shopping list so you only buy what you need. Don’t be tempted by offers you don’t need!
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Reuse: from fruit and vegetables to half-eaten loaves of bread, lots of food can be frozen to eat at a later date.
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Rehome: instead of binning unwanted food, give it to someone who needs it via the free OLIO app. Or donate non-perishable items like tinned beans or fish to your local food bank at camden.foodbank.org.uk
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Recycle: if you have to throw it away, put things like orange peel and egg shells into your food waste caddy, so they can get turned into energy or compost. 11
Environment
Here are some of the projects we are working on with you to tackle the climate crisis.
Lowering air pollution in Camden Our Climate Action Plan This June we'll publish our five-year Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce Camden's carbon footprint. The plan includes projects and activities that address issues of renewable energy, transport, education, green space and many other priorities put forward by our residents. We used feedback from those who took part in our Citizens’ Assembly on the climate crisis, as well as a consultation with local people earlier this year, to create the plan. So a big thank you to everyone who took part. To find out more, head to camden.gov.uk/climateplan
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We've been asking for your thoughts and feedback on creating a Low Emission Neighbourhood in the Camden Town Area to lower air pollution. Our proposed plans include improving and upgrading walking and cycling links, installing a network of electric vehicle charging points, creating more Healthy School Streets, and reviewing a range of parking approaches that will reduce traffic levels. We’ll use your ideas to develop the next stages of the plan. For more information on the Low Emission Neighbourhood and how you can get involved, visit camdentownlen.commonplace.is
ts Healthy School Stree After a successful trial, we’ve made the Acland Burghley Healthy School Street permanent – this means the road will be shut to traffic before and after school, making the roads safer for students, as well as improving the air quality outside the school. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/healthy-school-streets
Local jobs
What does a typical day look like?
Working for Camden: adult social work
What’s the best thing about your job?
Rozeta Kapurani
It’s so rewarding. I love working with people, making sure they’re safe and well. It’s not an easy job, I’m often working with people in crisis, but the supportive team means I never feel like I’m managing things alone.
What do adult social workers do? I work with adults who have disabilities or illnesses, discussing with them how they can get the right support and care to live healthy, independent lives. In Camden we focus on what people can do, not what they can’t do. We work with people to understand what matters to them, supporting them to achieve the things they feel are important.
No two days are the same! Sometimes something completely unexpected happens and your day is taken up with that. I go out for visits a lot of the time, seeing residents in their homes or communities and having conversations with them to build relationships and understand what they need. Other times I’m at my desk, sending emails and making phone calls.
To find out more about the care and support available to adults in Camden, visit camdencarechoices. camden.gov.uk
What’s your favourite place in Camden? The canal, I love going there to clear my head and relax. 13
Focus on
Gospel Oak
K
QUEEN’S CRESCENT LIBRARY
Located in the north of the borough, Gospel Oak is a largely residential area close to Hampstead Heath.
History
Community groups
Gospel Oak gets its name from a tree that stood on the boundary of the parishes of Hampstead and St Pancras until around 1820. It’s thought that gospel readings were made by the tree as part of the traditional beating the bounds ceremony. One of the area’s oldest buildings is the Victorian Grade I listed St Martin’s Church, surrounded by newer residential developments including Cherry Court with its distinctive leaf gate, which was funded through Camden’s Community Investment Programme. London’s lost River Fleet, now underground, runs alongside Fleet Road, crossing under Mansfield Road and continuing along Malden Road.
Queen’s Crescent Community Association offers services including an activities programme for over 60s, and a youth club for eight to 19-year-olds in partnership with GOAL (Gospel Oak Action Link). Find out more at qcca.org.uk and goalyouthclub.net
Library Pop into Queen’s Crescent Library to borrow books, DVDs and more. The library now has new PCs, as well as new tablets, which you can borrow to use in the library. Weekly activities include Rhyme Time (Monday, 11am to 12 noon) and a knitting group (Thursday, 3.30 to 5pm). Email libraries@camden.gov.uk for more information.
The Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation inspires young people through free after school and holiday art courses. Visit vonherkomerfoundation.org to find out more. Gospel Oak Local People Programme supports activities that bring residents together to make a difference to the area. The programme is run by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and funded by the People’s Health Trust @lppgsoak on through the Health Lottery. Follow HealthHope Gospel Oak on Facebook. Twitter or Kentish Town City Farm is a community charity providing educational programmes to schools, therapeutic riding to people with special needs, work experience opportunities for young people and farm related activities for local children and families. Visit ktcityfarm.org.uk for more.
Hidden gems A local secret is Kristin Baybars' magical toyshop. Discover hundreds of thousands of toys in this 'grotto' style shop, hidden behind a doorway opposite Gospel Oak station.
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Housing
Looking after our homes for the people who need them most Our council homes are incredibly valuable and it’s important that they always go to the right people.
A high price to pay for former Camden tenant Earlier this year a suspended jail sentence and an £80,000 fine was given to a former Camden resident convicted of council house fraud. The 40-year-old man, of St Margaret Road, Tottenham, fraudulently
received a council tenancy despite already owning property and then applied to buy his Camden council flat through right to buy, when he again failed to tell the council that he owned three other homes. Our housing investigations team uncovered the fraud and began the prosecution case. In January the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also fined £10,000, and ordered to pay our costs of £4,745 as well as £73,767 in compensation – this how much it would cost us to support a household in temporary accommodation while he was living in our council home. We have over 6,000 families on our housing waiting list in desperate need. The Camden flat that has now been given up will make a real difference to someone on that list.
Do you need help reading your electric meter? r Call our mete g readin e servic
We investigate every right to buy application to make sure that they go to the right people.
Call out fraud We really value our housing, so if you think that someone you know is misusing our homes, speak to your neighbourhood housing officer, email tenancyfraud@camden. gov.uk or call the housing investigations hotline on 020 7974 5848 and our fraud team will investigate and take action (you can give evidence anonymously).
If your electrical meter is in a communal cupboard and you need your meter read, our meter reading service can do it for you. Since launching in November 2018, the service has proved to be very popular with residents and our meter reading officers have dealt with over 1,300 requests. If you need help to read your electrical meter call 020 7974 4444 option 3 then option 5 or email meterreading@camden.gov.uk
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The fastest internet is coming soon to Camden's estates A better digital connection gives a community more access to education and training, and improves health, social welfare, wellbeing and local economic growth – a better connection helps communities to thrive.
Only 7.2% of the borough has access to full fibre, which is the fastest type of broadband. In a move to improve this we have partnered with fibre operators to deliver full fibre broadband to our estates. As well as giving our estate residents access to the fastest home broadband, residents across the borough will benefit from: Job opportunities in the rollout programme
Apprenticeship places in providers' apprenticeship schemes
Three years of digital skills support for Camden communities
When works start on our estates, we will work closely with the fibre operators to make sure that their contractors cause as little disruption as possible for residents. To find out more about our programmes to improve connectivity and reduce digital exclusion in Camden, visit camden.gov.uk/connectingcamden
A low cost broadband tariff for residents on low incomes
A free fibre line for all of our TRA and community halls
To find out about apprenticeships visit camden.gov.uk/ apprenticeships or to find out about training and other opportunities for young people aged 25 and under visit camdenrise.co.uk
Housing
Save money and help the environment with your Camden Account We’ve been fitting heat meters at some of our blocks where we supply heating and hot water. A heat meter allows us to accurately measure and charge you based on how much heating and hot water you use. Soon some blocks will be able to see how much energy they're using on their Camden Account. If you can see the energy you’re using, it makes it easier for you to:
1 see patterns of usage 2 make changes to use less 3 s ave money and reduce your impact on the environment.
Some estates will already be able to see their usage – to check if you can see yours: isit your Camden Account at 1 V camden.gov.uk/camdenaccount
2 Click on Housing in My Resident account 3 Click on Energy usage 4 S ee how much energy you use. Most people will use more energy in autumn and winter than in the spring and summer onitor your energy use to save 5 M money and help the environment. If your block isn’t up yet, we will write to you to let you know once it is.
To register for a Camden Account visit camden.gov.uk/camdenaccount
tips to keep everyone safe Since the last Camden Magazine was delivered there have been 90 preventable fires across Camden. Follow our tips to keep you and the people around you safe.
Never remove your door closer Many front doors in Camden are fitted with door closers. Door closers are there to automatically shut front doors so that in the event of a fire, it is contained in the place that it starts. Never remove your door closer as this will put the rest of your building at risk if there is a fire in your flat because it will spread throughout the building. If you’re worried about being locked out of your flat, think about leaving a spare pair of keys with your neighbour. Find out more about safety in your home at camden.gov.uk/safertogether
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Get Involved
Coming soon – the new caretaking service The new caretaking service is rolling out to estates and some street properties in Camden from 6 April 2020, and will be provided directly by the Council. More than 1,000 of you took part in our consultation last year and told us that you wanted your estates to be cleaner and your caretakers to be more visible. We listened to you and the newly launched service will include highly trained caretakers who will be focused on providing a more responsive service and keeping
you safe. The first change you will see is that your caretakers will be keeping the areas outside your buildings clean as well as cleaning inside blocks. Veolia will no longer be carrying out the external cleaning. It's going to take some time for us to fully roll out the new, improved service but we will be talking to you and your TRAs about how it’s going. Tell us what’s important on your estate or block to help shape the service moving forward – email your comments or ideas to caretaking@camden.gov.uk
Safety in council homes Last year more than 3,500 tenants and leaseholders shared their views about safety in council homes. You told us that fire safety is a concern and that having more information about it would help you to feel safer. To sign up for email updates about fire safety visit camden.gov.uk/safetysignup Over the next few months we will work with tenants and leaseholders to create a Safer Together charter, our commitment to what we are going to do to make your homes fire safe by 2025. If you would like to get involved in creating the Safer Together charter email safetyincouncilhomes@ camden.gov.uk You also told us that apart from fire and building safety there are other areas that
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you’re concerned about that make you feel unsafe including security, antisocial behaviour and crime. We have shared the survey with our community safety team and our resident-led engagement panel on resident security will be looking in detail at your responses this year.
Local history
The history of Camden's streets Camden’s streets are full of history – here’s the stories behind a few of their names.
SAFFRON HILL EC1 This street between Farringdon Road and Hatton Garden was part of the medieval Ely Palace’s gardens. Saffron Hill follows the line of a path that ran by where saffron was grown. Saffron had many uses, including disguising the taste of rancid meat, dyeing and medicine. In Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, Saffron Hill is close to Fagin’s den.
MANDELA STREET NW1
Lady Caroline Drummond, a greatgranddaughter of Charles FitzRoy, the 2nd Duke of Grafton. This family owned land around Euston and many streets locally are named after them.
TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD W1 No connection to the north London area, this road was a medieval market route from Oxford Street to Tottenham Court. Tottenham Court was the manor house of the manor of Totehele, and stood close to where Tolmers Square is today.
The anti-apartheid movement had its headquarters in this Camden Town street in the 1980s. Today, look up and you’ll see a mural of Nelson Mandela on the side of a former warehouse building.
WOLLSTONECRAFT STREET N1C
ABBEY ROAD NW6 One of the world’s most famous roads thanks to The Beatles – the iconic zebra crossing is over the border in Westminster – this was once a track leading to Kilburn Priory. The priory, also known as an abbey, was a monastery originally established by a small community of nuns around 1130. The priory also gave its name to the Kilburn area.
DRUMMOND STREET NW1 Today famous for its Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants, this street was named in the 19th century after
Named after the 18th century writer and women’s rights activist Mary Wollstonecraft, this street was the first to be named in the redeveloped King’s Cross area. Wollstonecraft lived in Somers Town, and has a gravestone in St Pancras Old Churchyard. Wollstonecraft died soon after giving birth to Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein.
Discover your area’s history – visit Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre at Holborn Library at camden.gov.uk/localstudies Photos courtesy of Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre
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Profile
Youth Safety – Disrupting the cycle One year into receiving funding for their youth safety program – Prevent, Support, Disrupt – Acland Burghley staff and students are working together to tackle youth violence. “We definitely believe working with young people is part of the solution. Schools want to be held accountable for the safety of our young people,” Hiri Arunagiri, lead practitioner for personal development, said. Hiri is part of Acland Burghley’s dedicated youth safety team, established using the £25,000 in funding the school received from the Camden Youth Safety Fund. “I would say that at every level of the school you have someone involved,” she said. “From the head teacher, who sits on the Youth Safety Task Force, to the attendance officer, who will say, ‘I’ve 20
seen a decline in attendance, should we be worried, what can we do?’ “I think the relationship is key. Building as many relationships as possible with different young people, understanding what makes them tick, knowing who they are.… I think the most important thing is seeing past the behaviour that they might display. “We want them to feel this is a community in which they can be in, find out who they are, their aspirations… hopefully steering them away from some of the difficult choices life can bring.”
Hiri said the change at the school and among the students has been noticeable. “Students have been really vocal in coming forward and talking about what it is that they want to learn about. I also think the fact that we haven't shied away from talking about it [youth violence] is important, because this affects our young people.”
The Camden Youth Safety Fund awarded £500,000 worth of grants to projects aimed at keeping young people in Camden safe. To find out more, go to camden.gov.uk/youth-safety-taskforce
Why don’t you…
volunteer?
Communities
Ibrahim volunteers at the Somali Youth Development Resource Centre (SYDRC) in King’s Cross, alongside studying at Westminster Kingsway College. How did you get into volunteering? I started coming to the centre's youth club when I was 12. After finishing my GCSEs, I volunteered at the centre for a few short periods. Now I come one afternoon every week. I help out with the multisports session for children, and on the front desk, welcoming people, signing them in and taking calls. Why do you volunteer? I’m gaining loads of experience that will help me in the future. Volunteering has already helped me to get some part-time jobs. It also fits in with my schedule – I’m studying Business at college. One day I’d like to be the CEO of a company.
I also just like being useful and doing all the little bits that help the centre run. I’ve made friends here. It’s a great place that supports young people in so many ways, helping them to make the right choices. Why should other people think about volunteering? You can get so much out of volunteering. It’s a good way to gain experience that you can put on your CV. It’s also good for building confidence and for meeting new people.
Find out more about volunteering in Camden at volunteercentrecamden. org.uk/volunteering and the Somali Youth Development Resource Centre at sydrc.org
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Local Council jobs tax
Our big investment in Camden The last few years have been tough – we’ve seen our council funding from Government halved since 2010 and we’ve faced a range of new challenges from knife crime to an escalating climate crisis. We are committed to investing in you, our residents, no matter what your situation, to ensure everybody gets the support they need and no one gets left behind. This means making long-term investments like
building new and more spacious council homes for families, right through to day-to-day spending to support your children and keep everyday services running – like our libraries and leisure centres.
To help do this, we are raising council tax by 3.99% this year. Council tax makes up just 14% of our budget, but it is still essential for our finances. You can read about what we’re spending it on here.
Introducing Council Tax Support Our new Council Tax Support scheme helps our residents who are out of work or on low incomes pay their council tax. It means that 10,000 of our most in-need working age residents won’t have to pay council tax this year and provides extra support for households with children and/ or those living with a disability. It also provides greater certainty for those on irregular incomes.
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My circumstances have changed and I think I'm being asked to pay too much
I need advice to manage my money
Where can my adult child or I get support to find work
If you meet the criteria to receive Council Tax Support, you should have received a letter from us explaining how much you need to pay, along with a leaflet to explain the changes and how they will affect you. We have based the amount you need to pay on the information we already hold. If you think this is out of date, please let us know.
Tell us about any changes in your income or family make up by completing a change of circumstances form on our website camden.gov.uk/benefits or by calling us on 020 7974 4444 Money Advice Service moneyadviceservice.org.uk Citizens Advice Camden camdencabservice.org.uk
0800 138 1677 0300 330 1157
To find out more about jobs, training and apprenticeships, go to camden.gov.uk/employment-support Find out more about apprenticeships in Camden at camden.gov.uk/apprenticeships
For help understanding Council Tax Support, go to camden.gov.uk/benefits or call us on 020 7974 4444. For a more detailed breakdown of how we’ll spend our 2020/21 budget, go to camden.gov.uk/counciltax. To speak to someone about your council tax call 020 7974 6470, or for council tax arrears call 020 7974 6414. 22
Council tax
What your money is spent on How £1 of your council tax is spent Regeneration, planning and economic development Looking after our environment
4p
Community spending – including libraries, supporting our voluntary sector and keeping residents safe
3p
6p Caring for our adult residents – including those living with dementia and mental health issues
28p 7p
Housing and homelessness support
Collecting recycling and rubbish, keeping our streets clean
Services for under 5s and young people
Supporting our vulnerable families
8p
9p
13p
10p
12p
Other spending
Support for frontline services
Your 2020 council tax will help pay for services like these:
Early years We know how important it is to give children the best start in life so we’re investing £40.9 million in our Early Years Service. This includes funding to make sure three and four-yearolds from low-income families can access 30 hours of free early education.
Libraries We’re investing £1.5 million to make sure our much-loved libraries remain open and continue to thrive with the latest digital technology.
Youth safety We want every young person to be safe on the streets of Camden. We’re investing in more youth workers and spending £270,000 in a Safer Camden Network with a new team who will seek to tackle violent crime, community safety and drug activity in the borough.
Employment We're spending £5 million between 2019 and 2022 to help residents get into fulfilling work and to reduce in-work poverty. See pages 24-25 for more information.
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The long read
Working towards good In the last decade Camden has seen huge economic growth, becoming a base for global businesses, leading biomedical research, tech companies and young start-ups. Yet for too many of our residents, these opportunities can feel out of reach – despite being on their doorstep. We’re on a mission to change this. Francis Crick Institute
Getting started early In 2017, we launched Camden’s STEAM Commission, to make sure students get the chance to gain key skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths – skills to help them get a foot in the door. A key part of this is linking up big companies and organisations based in Camden – like the Francis Crick Institute and Google – with our schools and colleges, to give students practical, local work experience and the chance to spend time with leading employers. Camden-based Ted Baker ran a sneaker design challenge, where students in the borough worked
as a team to draw up a new trainer design and then pitched it to board members. Naima Browne, from Parliament Hill School, was part of the winning team who got to see their shoe design become a real product. “Our whole team was elated – our shoe was going to be made,” she said. “All I could think was how lucky I am to live in Camden. I’ll never forget the day I created a Ted Baker sneaker with the best team I could ask for.” Find out more about STEAM at camden.gov.uk/camden-steam
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Local jobs
employment for all We want everyone to have a chance to benefit from the changes happening in the borough. To do this, we’re working closely with our communities and local businesses to understand the barriers and, importantly, opportunities available to our residents – many of whom are trapped in low paid work, or struggling to enter the labour market.
We are also working with schools and youth groups to help younger residents to understand their options and the support available to them early. This way they can use their energy, creativity and passion to access the skills, training and jobs that suit them.
A new approach The recently opened Gospel Oak Job Hub, run by Julia Marcus, is bringing support directly to residents in their community.
“This Job Hub is the complete antithesis of that – it’s resident friendly, easy to access and delivered right in the heart of the community.
“I think the Council were very aware of the lack of joined-up employment support in the borough and that, for residents, accessing job services can be a dispiriting journey,” Julia said.
“The Hub is an inclusive programme. We see a range of people who, for different reasons, have been unable to find work or are keen to find better employment and we’ll support them however we can. “Unlike job centres, there’s no eligibility criteria to access our Hub, we will see anybody and anyone who requires any level of support – and that for me is a huge part of developing an inclusive Camden.” To find out more, email jobhub@camden.gov.uk
There’s no quick fix to finding people good employment, it takes time and hard work – which is why we’ve committed £5 million to supporting our residents, including a focus on those who are long-term unemployed and on making sure jobs are made accessible for people with disabilities or with mental ill-health.
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Communities
Three Fields Estate: building a community together “The community is tighter now. We knock on each other’s doors to check how everyone is,” he said. After helping to organise day trips, including a visit to Brighton, he and other residents at Three Fields want to do more. Together they hope to run exercise classes, bingo nights and IT classes in the TRA hall once it’s refurbished – building a tight-knit community where every resident can thrive.
Fact File Three Fields Estate Built: 1954 to 1967
Built shortly after the end of the Second World War, Three Fields Estate in Camden Town was a welcome addition to the area after the Blitz displaced people across London, becoming home to over a hundred families.
Although the oldest resident, aged 90, has lived at the estate since it was first built, over the years the sense of community has changed as different households have moved in and out. Stephen, 65, is the Tenant and Residents' Association (TRA) chair at Three Fields, and moved to the estate 15 years ago. “My wife and I used to walk past Three Fields and thought how nice it would be to get a flat there. After my wife was taken very ill, we were offered a ground floor flat at Three Fields,” Stephen said. Before Stephen moved in, the estate had not had a TRA for over 10 years, so Stephen volunteered to take on the role of chair.
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Flats: 162 across three blocks – Brierfield, Fairfield and Foxfield – named after parishes in the historic county of Lancashire
What is a TRA? Tenant and Residents' Associations (TRAs) are groups of local people who take an active part in improving their local community – we have 111 in Camden. To find out about your TRA or about setting one up, speak to your neighbourhood housing officer or contact the tenant participation service by emailing tp@camden.gov.uk or calling 020 7974 4444 and asking for tenant participation.
Useful contacts For press … then … options, first call 020 7974 4444 then dial the numbers below. Advice and guidance Welfare rights advice 020 7974 3826/020 7974 1926 camden.gov.uk/advice-moneybenefits-debt Freedom of information 020 7974 7857/020 7974 2269 camden.gov.uk/freedom-informationrequest
Benefits and financial support Benefits press 3 then 2 camden.gov.uk/housing-benefit Credit control 020 7974 6959 Local social fund 020 3324 0383 A government scheme to help people on low incomes meet their expenses
Building and planning Planning press 4 then 3 then 2 camden.gov.uk/planning-applications Building control press 4 then 3 then 3 camden.gov.uk/building-control
Business Licensing press 4 then 3 then 1 camden.gov.uk/licensing Business rates 020 7974 6460 camden.gov.uk/business-rates
Children and families Family information and school services press 2 then 3 camden.gov.uk/family-informationearly-years camden.gov.uk/schools Camden school and nursery admissions School admissions 020 7974 1625 camden.gov.uk/admissions
Complaints Complaints unit 020 7974 5644 camden.gov.uk/complaints
Contacting councillors Member support 020 7974 2792 camden.gov.uk/contact-membersupport
Births, deaths, marriages Registrar service press 6 then say ‘registrars’ camden.gov.uk/births-deathsmarriages-citizenship Coroners court 020 7974 4545 camden.gov.uk/coroners-service
Environment
Vehicle clamped or removed press 5 then 3 camden.gov.uk/vehicle-removalsclamps Parking permits and suspensions press 5 then 4 then 3 camden.gov.uk/parking-permits camden.gov.uk/parking-baysuspensions
Green Camden helpline 0800 801 738 camden.gov.uk/green-camden Free advice on reducing your environmental impact
Recycling and rubbish
Health
Safety
WISH 020 7974 3012 camden.gov.uk/wish-plus Make a referral to a range of warmth, income, safety and health services
Housing Repairs press 3 then 1 camden.gov.uk/housing-repairs General housing repairs for Camden tenants and leaseholders Housing advice press 3 then 3 camden.gov.uk/housing Advice on housing including information for the homeless and those at risk Rents press 3 then 4 camden.gov.uk/your-council-rent Tenancy queries press 3 then 5 camden.gov.uk/council-tenant-rightsresponsibilities Information for Camden tenants, including how to order or replace keys and fobs
Making a payment Payments press 1 then 1 camden.gov.uk/pay Including parking fines, residential and travel payments Council tax press 4 then 1 camden.gov.uk/howtopaycounciltax
Parking Estate parking press 3 then 5 camden.gov.uk/parking-on-councilestates
Homes – 020 3567 8105 camden.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish Businesses – 020 3567 5320 Camden Safety Net 020 7974 2526 camden.gov.uk/contact-camdensafety-net Support on domestic abuse and sexual violence Safer streets team 020 7833 7970 camdenrts.co.uk Report rough sleepers and those involved in street activity to help us support them
Social care Adult social care press 2 then 1 camden.gov.uk/safeguarding-adults Children’s social care press 2 then 2 camden.gov.uk/safeguarding-children
Travel Blue badges, Freedom passes, accessible travel solutions and Taxicard press 2 then 4 camden.gov.uk/blue-badge camden.gov.uk/subsidised-travelsupport camden.gov.uk/other-concessionarytravel-schemes camden.gov.uk/taxicard
Volunteering and skills Adult community learning 020 7974 2148 camden.gov.uk/about-adultcommunity-learning Voluntary Action Camden 020 7284 6550 vac.org.uk
Contact Camden is available 8am to 6pm for council enquiries, and operates an emergency out of hours service on the same number. 27
What’s on
All activities are free unless otherwise specified. Event details may change. Check with the organiser before you attend.
We Can Move: Active for Life 4 May to 24 July Want to be more active, but don’t know where to start? Moving more can help you feel good and meet new people. The Active for Life programme starts in May. Sign up early at wecanmove.co.uk/activeforlife for information, inspiration and tips to enjoy being active in Camden.
QuadKids 5 April, 3 May, 14 June 11.30am to 2pm A fun and inclusive athletics competition for all kids aged up to 12 years old with competitors doing a sprint/run/throw and jump. £3 registration Parliament Hill Track, Hampstead Heath, NW5 highgateharriers.org.uk highgateharriers@gmail.com
Arsenal in the Community Sessions run from 1pm to 4pm, Tuesday 7 April, Thursday 9 April, Tuesday 14 April, Thursday 16 April Opportunities for both boys and girls ages 8 to 18 years old of all abilities to play and be coached football over holiday periods, including this Easter 2020. This is a partnership between Camden Council Sports and Physical Activity Team and Arsenal in The Community. Cantelowes sports pitches, 234 Camden Rd, NW1 9AE arsenal.com/community
BSL tour of Tantra: Enlightenment to revolution 24 April to 18 July Deaf-led British Sign Language tour exploring the highlights of the exhibition. British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG 28
£7.50, booking required. Members and access companions are free. britishmuseum.org 020 7323 8181
basketball and trampoline. Talacre Community Sports Centre, Dalby Street, NW5 3AF shaun.taylor@camden.gov.uk
Doctors and a good death
Plague and potions: Children’s half-term workshop
29 April to 4 December This exhibition explores dying as part of the human experience, and asks what makes a good death and what role doctors should have in one. Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, NW1 4LE history.rcplondon.ac.uk history@rcplondon.ac.uk 020 7035 1539
Confidence Works
Thursday 2 April and Friday 24 April, 10am to 12pm Free workshops to gain confidence and support to apply for training, volunteering or work if you are not currently in work. Pancras Square Library, 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG pascal-theatre.com pascaltheatrecompany@gmail.com 07494 426 572
Active Wednesday Wednesday 8 and 14 April, 4.30pm to 6.30pm Free organised holiday activities for young people aged 11 to 17. Activities include dodgeball, football, table tennis,
Wednesday 27 May, 10.30am to 12.30pm Find out what it was like to live 350 years ago during London’s Great Plague, and mix your own plague remedies using plants from the RCP garden. Recommended for ages 7 to 11 years, children must be accompanied by an adult. £8 per child Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, NW1 4LE history.rcplondon.ac.uk history@rcplondon.ac.uk 020 7035 1539
Heath & Hampstead Society monthly walk Sunday 3 May, 2.30pm The group will be led on a walk around the Pergola, the Hill Garden and Golders Hill Park. Meet at North End Way, by the entrance to Inverforth House. heathandhampstead.org.uk hhs.walks@gmail.com 07941 528 034
What’s on Easter egg decorating and the great egg roll 12 April, 10.30am to 1.10pm A fun and creative family event, with egg decorating, a mini egg hunt and the great egg roll, along with plenty of prizes to win. It is an outdoors event, so remember to dress warmly and take along a picnic rug to sit on while decorating your eggs. £9 child / £7 concession Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG enquiries@lauderdale.org.uk 020 8348 8716 020 7691 3210
The chronicle of King's Cross: From red light to renaissance Saturday 7 May, 11am A guided walk through King's Cross, with a visit to three stations, a research lab, a beach and canal. Hear about the industrial heritage of the former brownfield site and see how old structures have been brought up to date with new uses. danielhausherr@gmail.com 07946 524 487
Tai Chi for carers Wednesdays, 10.30am to 12.00pm Carers can head along to free Tai Chi classes, led by a qualified instructor . Please contact to confirm address. camdencs.org.uk info@camdencarers.org.uk 020 7428 8950
ActionSpace exhibition at the Greenwood Centre: Exhibition launch 18 June, 10.30am to 12.00pm An exhibition from the artists of ActionSpace’s project. The Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, NW5 1LB actionspace.org info@actionspace.org 020 7209 4289
Women’s yoga Mondays, 12.30pm to 1.30pm Relaxing physical exercise, which helps meditation and to keep up your general wellbeing. £10 annual membership Henna Asian Women's Group, Abbey Community Centre, 222C Belsize Road, NW6 4DJ info@hennaorg.co.uk 020 7372 9860
Morning coffee and cake social for LGBT+ people over 50 Every Friday, from 10am to 12pm Head along and meet new people over a cup of coffee, or catch up with existing friends for a chat. Age UK, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA openingdoorslondon.org.uk info@openingdoorslondon.org.uk 020 7239 0400
Easter holiday play schemes To find holiday play schemes for children aged 4 to 12 near you, visit camden.gov.uk/play For more free and low cost activities for children, young people and families over the Easter break, visit camdenrise.co.uk
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How to get into...
athletics
Athletics is a fun and easy way to stay active, while having fun. From running, jumping and throwing – there’s something for everyone. And most importantly, you can socialise while staying healthy and fit. Camden-based Highgate Harriers run a range of general open sessions for anyone looking to get into athletics, including training sessions targeted at disabled young people and adults of all abilities. Disability-focused sessions will be used to identify athletes who could go on to represent the borough at the 2020 London Youth Games Para Athletics Event.
Night of the 10,000M Personal Bests, 6 June Established in 2013 with the goal of improving British racing, the volunteerled national event now runs every year on Hampstead Heath, with athletes coming from all over Europe to compete. This year the event will be used as the UK team's Olympic qualifier. Spectators are welcome. Head along for a fun and free day out and see some of the UK's top athletes compete. nightofthe10kpbs.com
Disability athletics sessions: Highgate Harrier's hold sprint, throw, jump and run sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for those with physical or intellectual disabilities aged 10 years old to adults. The sessions take place at Parliament Hill athletics track.
Quadkids: Monthly events for children up to 12 years old. Athletes will get the chance to take part in spring, run, jump and throw. All results will be recorded so athletes can track their improvements.
Fun fitness sessions for adults: Track-based activities covering sprints, throws and jumps. No previous athletics experience is needed. Sessions are run on Saturdays from 11am to 12pm, meeting at the Parliament Hill running track. Email community@highgateharriers.org.uk to express interest. Highgate Harriers are based at the Parliament Hill athletics track on the south side of Hampstead Heath, NW5. For more info about the disability athletics session and upcoming quadkid events, please email highgateharriers@hotmail.co.uk 30
Other ways to get started Mornington Chasers Sign up for beginner training sessions, or meet at Talacre Community Sports Centre, Dalby Street, NW5 3AF, for their regular Tuesday run. chaser.me.uk Good Gym Meet Wednesday 6.45pm at the St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre, 2 Ossulston St, Somers Town, NW1 1DF. goodgym.org/areas/camden Couch to 5k Get out the door with Couch to 5k by downloading the app.
My Camden
Kawtar Fakhour, West Kentish Town Estate resident
What’s your Camden connection? I’ve lived in Camden since 2002 and we moved into our home in 2003. When I arrived in Camden I came from abroad, but my husband has lived here even longer. Our children love Camden, they’ve grown up here, made friends and never want to move.
What’s your favourite Camden place? I love it down by the canal, it’s so pretty in the day, but not so safe at night. I also love Grafton Road, I’m proud to call it my local area.
What is the best thing about Camden? I’m so central, I can go anywhere and there’s great parks all around – Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill – which is great with the kids. If I go
to Islington I know I’m in a different place. People in Camden are different, more social, they care and help each other out.
What’s your favourite Camden memory? When I first married my husband we’d go up to Hampstead Heath. We’d get a pot of ice cream each and we’d just go there to enjoy the sun.
What do you hope for the future of your area? We really want the new homes. We’re a family of five sharing two rooms so we don’t have any storage space. We’d love a bigger flat with more space for the kids. I hope to see safer streets built into the new area too. It’s great that we’re getting the chance to vote on the changes – they’re our homes and it’s where we live.
West Kentish Town estate ballot Kawtar lives on West Kentish Town Estate where Camden recently held its first resident redevelopment ballot. This puts power into the hands of local people, giving them a yes/no vote on whether to take forward proposals for new homes and safer streets. To find out more about West Kentish Town Estate, head to camden.gov.uk/wkt
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CELEBRATING
10 years of Camden Apprenticeships
EMPLOYERS
Could a Camden apprentice support your business? Camden Apprenticeships offer employers the opportunity to recruit local people with a wide range of skills. We provide a free advice and recruitment service to help you plan and develop your apprenticeships programme. To find out more about how your organisation could benefit, and/or if your business is eligible for assistance with training fees if you recruit an apprentice, please email: apprenticeships@camden.gov.uk or call 020 7974 8778.
And if you’re looking to change your career, returning to work after a break, or just starting your career after leaving school, college or university – why not visit our website below to search for vacancies. Attract the best new talent to your business, visit camden.gov.uk/apprenticeships or call 020 7974 8778 to find out more.