A Message from Cllr Peter John OBE

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Dear resident, I am so proud of the way the council, our partners and most importantly our local residents and businesses have supported each other through this crisis. Thank you. The whole borough has come together in a show of solidarity, community and support during a period that will change the way we live and work forever. We know the impact of COVID-19 has been felt across the borough, through lives tragically lost, and the disruption to our normal way of life. As lockdown eases, we want to hear how people are managing – what is working well, and where there are problems. This will help us plan the council’s activities in the next few months. Complete our COVID-19 survey now. We also know that the pandemic continues to put a great deal of strain on our communities and there is still help available. Find information about how to get help on our website. Best wishes Cllr Peter John Southwark Stands Together In response to the killing of George Floyd and the injustice and racism experienced by BAME communities Cllr Johnson Situ, Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning, is leading our work in this area under the name Southwark Stands Together. The work will include: An anti-racist audit of the borough to identify statues and street names that do not reflect our borough’s diversity, especially anything with links to slavery or our country’s colonial past, and to identify positive opportunities for the celebration of more diverse figures A listening exercise with communities across the borough, partner organisations, and our staff, to hear their concerns, and identify solutions to address entrenched and persistent racism and injustice A call to all businesses and organisations in the borough to work with us to implement these solutions, taking positive action to ensure equality of opportunity Make your own face covering Face coverings are now compulsory on all public transport and should be considered in busy shops and enclosed public spaces. Find out how to make your own face covering at home and remember the key is to cover both the mouth and nose. Advice about cervical screening As part of Cervical Screening Awareness Week, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has published information and advice about changes to cervical screening as a result of coronavirus. Enrol in a virtual art and printmaking course As part of our adult learning offer you could enrol on a virtual art and printmaking course which starts on 25 June and last for five weeks. Are you worried about domestic abuse? If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, you can leave home to seek help or support. Nationally, there is advice and support available but you should call 999 if you are in immediate danger. Locally, the Solace Advocacy and Support Service is also available to women and men in Southwark aged 16 or over. Give your views on the climate emergency Whether you live, work or visit our borough we want your views ideas about how we tackle the climate emergency together. Get ready for Pride Inside! Pride Inside is an online series of gigs, comedy shows, panel discussions, and arts-based events, between 28 June and 5 July, with support from Amnesty International, UK Black Pride, Stonewall and ParaPride. Mental wellbeing advice for young people Young people aged 13-25 can get free and confidential mental wellbeing advice and support from a new service called The Nest. Support is available online and on the phone. Grants for small businesses Our Discretionary Grants Fund is now open for applications from businesses in Southwark. Find out if your small business is eligible for a grant and how to apply. Celebrate silliness! Children aged 4+ and parents can celebrate silliness with our libraries team on Zoom on 25 June by dressing up, telling silly jokes and joining in silly games in the lead up to the summer reading challenge 2020. Watch theatre performances, free of charge Southwark Playhouse’s new streaming service means you can watch shows and plays, free of charge, until the theatre can open its doors again. Performances currently include Wasted, a rock musical about the Brontë sisters.