Minutes:
Cost of Living
Presentation, Cllr Amanda de
Ryk
Cllr Amanda de Ryk provided a presentation on the Council’s Cost of Living initiatives. The presentation covered:
- Context of
cost-of-living crisis
- Work / impact
to date: Income maximisation,
food justice, fuel poverty and local
support
-
Cost-of-living outlook
-
Overview of the
council’s winter plans and
support, including investing into Warm
Welcome spaces
-
Some key resources that are useful for
signposting
Q: Question
regarding provision in schools
and whether families have access to free school
meals?
A: The free school meals
system – previously residents had to
apply, whereas now
there is automatic enrolment with possibility to opt
out
Further
information and advice on the Cost of
Living crisis and what support is available
can be found at https://lewisham.gov.uk/support
Warm Welcomes,
Donald Daby, Lewisham
Local
Lewisham Local is a charity that has been going for 20 years and has a vision of a connected Lewisham community that gives, shares and works together to build happier, healthier communities. Lewisham Local are responsible for a number of initiatives including their Time Bank project, Food justice, community toilets, Lewisham Local card and delivering the Warm Welcomes project.
Warm welcomes are just about to start their second year. This year’s Warm Welcome spaces have just been confirmed and leaflets with a map arebeing produced over the next week. They will be distributed to community groups, libraries, chemists, food banks, and there will be posters up around the borough. The website will also have a searchable database that can be used on a desktop or mobile device. Update: The website can now be found at https://www.lewishamlocal.com/lewisham-warm-welcomes/
Q: Are they only open Monday to Friday or also weekends?
A: Some are hubs which are open 5 days/week, but others are open at weekends, depending on the type of venue.
Q: How are they being
advertised and how will those who are homeless find out about
them?
A: Both through
the leaflets and online and through community networks.
Cllr de Ryk added that the Change Bus provides support and signposting to services for those who are homeless. It goes to Thomas Lane Car Park behind Tescos in Catford as well as Molesworth Street in Lewisham Central – Government will pay for anyone to get off the streets in times like these when it is very cold. So try to direct them to the change bus or other services.
Q: Comment on some of
the colour combinations that are not easy to
read.
A: Thank you for the positive
feedback, this is something we can look
into
Cllr Best added that the Lewisham Local card gives you discounts on local shops and services, including at Ignition, downstairs.
Q: What about people who
fall through the net?
A: Contact Streetlink or if there are people
who aren’t engaging feel free to raise his with local
councillors
Sydenham Community Supermarket, Kim Ward
Based next to Kelvin Grove school, based in
Kelvin Grove Chirldren’s Centre. Every
Thursday, open to any Lewisham resident. Register, get membership
card, pay £3.50 then they can shop. Set up like a supermarket
with food (fresh, frozen, cultural food, free from, halal, baby
items, nappies. People leave with about £25-30 worth of food
each shop.
Donations
come from the community, FareShare, Felix project,
Neighbourly, receive surplus
foods from big supermarkets. Also buy from a fruit and veg provider
to top up. Differs from food banks in that people can choose what
they want.
Sydenham Community Supermarket serves 80-90 individuals (equating to 250-300 people) per week. Most individuals using the supermarket work, but are still struggling financially. Membership fees waived if families can’t afford it.
Currently taking toy donations so they can give toys to children at Christmas. Everyone also got an advent calendar. Donations accepts Mon, Tues and Weds. Please call 020 8613 0172 for any questions. Toiletries, baby food, nappies, formula, tinned food, cat or dog food gratefully received. Open 9-12 then closed for an hour to restock, then open again 1-3pm. For donations come anytime during that time.?