Agenda and minutes

Councillor Best welcomed everyone to the assembly meeting.

The previous meeting’s minutes were approved.

Local groups were then asked to provide updates on their activities. The written community update document was also handed out and will be copied into these minutes further down.

James Ross Hunter Youth Support (JRHYS)

Collet reported on JRHYS’s 10^th Anniversary celebration included a group of volunteers with lived experience joining in the event. Wellbeing sessions, sharing experience of living with trauma, embracing different versions of a vision of care, rising from trauma and encouraging each other. Parents, police, young people all took part and a video of the day was shown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9x3IUiUI0w

Pat offered to put youth activities in the Sydenham Society Newsletter

Adult Learning Lewisham (ALL)

Robert Potter, Business and Operations Manager, Adult Learning Lewisham, presented on recent stats from ALL, including having had a recent Ofsted inspection with an overall Good result. He presented a map of where people are coming from to the 3 main centres.

A wide variety of courses are offered: Skills for life, arts and vocational learning

ALL believes in instilling confidence, helps with time keeping, supports people with barriers to learning, and works to improve people’s lives

Support for unemployed learners through key partnerships, success helping those into the labour market through confidence building, health and wellbeing, family learning, Mindlift and other support

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) services are offered in person and online.

Partnership with Lewisham Works, social prescribing network, volunteering through Lewisham Local, Strategic Learning Partnership and a newsletter to partners

Jumpstart to Success Programme for young residents is 3-month programme which has just launched. It includes weekly mentoring, 1-1 coaching, workshops and other support

2 sessions coming up at Bellingham Gateway Youth Centre, on Thursday 10 October 2024 between 12-4pm and Woodpecker Youth Club on Thursday 17 October 2024 between 12-4pm. More information at https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/adult/jumpstart-to-success-programme

Contact ALL via https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/adult

Telephone: 020 8314 3300

Email: adultlearning@lewisham.gov.uk

Our Lady St Philip Neri School

Matthew from OLSPN school reported that works are now finished and the school is now looking at how they can become more involved in the local community. They have proposed that a section of Home Park near the pagoda area could be developed for use by local schools and other residents so that it gets more use. They are currently exploring options. Looking to work with the local community.

Ageing Well in Lewisham

Winnie reported that the NCIL funded activities which take place at the Grove Centre – exercise, art and befrienders singing group are all going really well. They will be at the Christmas tree lighting on 30^th November. They have also been working successfully in partnership with the Venner Road Dementia Café.

Sydenham Library

Andi Thomas took over as manager in January and is prioritising having the library doing as much in the community as possible. Looking for people wanting to deliver sessions such as book groups and other activities. There is already one book group, craft sessions, a knitting group, and monthly cake sales are coming from October. Looking to add even  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Q: Reg raised the issue of parking around the station.

A: Cllr Best responded that a consultation on CPZs will be coming up, but elections have meant this is behind schedule. Looking at interim short-term measures. Cllrs will take this away and see what can be done in the first instance.

Q: Martin asked about Lime Bikes and how parking bays will help to address the issue? Also need to ensure all residential roads have restricted parking so people don’t dump bikes just over the boundary of where there are restrictions.

A: Cllr Best pointed to the written Community Update which contains details of the consultation now open on Designated Bays for Lime Bikes.

Q: Supporting people with Disabilities. Carers Lewisham – no longer has a dedicated unpaid carers centre. In Sydenham you’re meant to go to Glassmill with it’s large atrium, which is unsuitable for carers in crisis. Also Forest Hill pools room is also unsuitable. Question regarding what the council is doing to support unpaid carers in Lewisham?

A: Cllr Best explained the council’s responsibility of going through a tendered process and how Lewisham Carers didn’t get the contract this time. The successful contractor, Imago, has set up a group meeting at the town hall. Cllrs will take back this feedback and also suggest looking at potentially using the Sydenham Centre.

Q: Karen raised issues regarding the public realm, including rubbish and other obstructions in the pavements, graffiti on the monument and traffic flow issues.

A: Cllr Best confirmed she had already taken this on as casework and reported that the traffic flow issues were due to roadworks that will soon be wrapped up.

Cllr Best then announced the start of the Fun Palace and the Cake Appreciation Society performing

Saturday 30 November from 2.30-4pm

Community Groups and Activities in Sydenham 

 
Ageing Well in Lewisham 

Ageing Well in Lewisham works to reduce isolation and enhance the mental and physical well-being of older people in the borough, regardless of faith or culture.  

Ageing Well in Lewisham’s NCIL-funded groups for older people at The Grove Community Centre in Sydenham have continued to grow. Our inclusive weekly groups are stimulating opportunities for older people to socialise, volunteer, create, learn new skills, exercise, and make new links. Our singing group, The Befrienders, has forged a mutually rewarding relationship with the local Venner Road Dementia Café. The Crafts Plus group is a relaxing place for people to explore different creative projects each week. And participants of our popular Body & Bingo gentle exercise group have a good laugh while they get fit. After just one session, one man declared, “I’m already walking better!”  
 
We welcome newcomers—no need to book and your first visit is free! We also offer discounts for multiple group attendance. 

Activities at The Grove Centre 
2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, SE26 6PL.  
Contact Winnie Carlson at info@ageingwellinlewisham.org; 0208 698 3735 

Tuesdays, 10-11:45am – The Befrienders singing group £5 
Tuesdays, 1-3 pm - Crafts Plus group. £4 
Wednesdays, 10-11:45 am Body & Bingo £4 

 
Ensemble26 

The following events will all take place at St Bartholomew's Church, 4 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6QR: 

Perspectives  
Saturday 19 October, 7pm 
 
Ensemble at Christmas  
Wednesday 11 December, 7pm 

The Snowman   
Saturday 21 December, 7pm 

Further information and tickets at www.ensemble26.com/events 

  
Forest Hill & Sydenham Women’s Institute  

Every month offers something different from talks to workshops on a variety of topics such as: gardening, massage, cross stitch, home spa and croquet.  

Forest Hill & Sydenham Women’s Institute is a really friendly group of local women from all walks of life who meet on the 2nd Monday of the month usually at the All Inn One Pub on Perry Vale SE23.  

If you want to make new friends and really feel part of our local community do come along. 

Next meeting: 
Monday 14th October, 8 to 9.30pm 
The secrets of self-publishing 
All Inn One Pub 
53 Perry Vale, SE23 2NF 
 
email foresthillwi@gmail.com  

 
Friends of Home Park 

Home Park is situated in Bellingham, on the border with Sydenham ward, so many of its users, and many of the Friends of Home Park group, live in Sydenham.  It is near four of Sydenham’s  schools and the children’s entrance to Our Lady and St. Philip Neri is now through the park. 

The Adventure Playground which is run by Youth First is open Tuesdays and Fridays 4:15pm - 6:45pm to ages 8-19 (SEND to 25) 

Please contact us, through email to friendsofhomepark@gmail.com or on our Facebook page. 

The Grove Centre 

We are a community centre supported by The Grove Centre Church and the London Borough of Lewisham aiming to serve the local community by facilitating and organising activities and events which help to meet the needs of all people represented in our community. 

One of our core activities is a Coffee Bar and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.