Paid internships at the council
Our internship programme is for young residents aged 16 to 24. We’re offering 12-week paid internships and the programme is great first stepping stone into the world of work. We currently have internship vacancies in nine departments.
Get a free, five-minute health check at a local library
You can check your height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, heart rate and more at free health check kiosks. Find them at Dulwich, Brandon, Camberwell, Nunhead and Canada Water libraries, and at also at The Castle Leisure Centre, SE1.
Register now: free cost of living webinar
We are running a free online webinar to talk about the help you can get during the cost-of-living crisis. It is on 7 December, from 6pm to 7pm.
At the webinar we will talk about all the financial support you can get, and other help too. It’s a good chance to check you’re getting all the financial help you can.
Donate to help local foodbanks
This Christmas, food banks will be supporting more people than ever before and they need your support. PECAN, who run one of Southwark’s foodbanks, is running a Christmas campaign, but you can support any local foodbank.
Watch our video: new campaign on women’s safety
On White Ribbon Day (25 November), we unveiled a new campaign tackling misogyny in the borough. The campaign video is aimed at men and boys aged 16 to 25 years old. This is a key window for change in young people’s behaviours.
Warm spaces in Southwark over winter
As the cost of living and heating our homes increases, we’ve opened 30 warm spaces across the borough. In these spaces you can keep warm, have a cup of tea or take part in an activity. Some spaces also offer food and cost of living advice too.
Apply for a primary school place
Is your child starting primary school next year? If your child was born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019, your child is due to start primary school in September 2023.
Christmas events
Kids go free: See Wizard of Oz in Rotherhithe
Four children can go free with a paying adult (£20 + booking fee) to see performances of the the Wonderful Wizard of Oz between 15 and 30 December at the Hithe Theatre in Rotherhithe, SE16. It’s a family show, suitable for all ages.
Artisan shopping and pottery at South London Gallery
Head to South London Gallery in SE5 on 14 December for some Christmas shopping for artisan products and books from independent publishers. You can also explore a new exhibition and enjoy festive treats in the café.
Book now: winter holiday clubs for 4 to 16-year-olds
If your child gets benefits-related free school meals they can join one of many winter holiday clubs in Southwark. The clubs run fun activities and healthy and free food will be available.
Christmas lantern parade at London Bridge
Watch as children from local primary schools proudly parade along the river with their hand made lanterns, an annual tradition in London Bridge. Starting in St John’s Churchyard and end in London Bridge rail station.
Find more Christmas events
Add your festive event to our What’s On Diary for free promotion
Get free promotion for your winter, festive and Christmas events in our What’s On Guide. Our guide is already filling up with festive activities in the build up to the Christmas break. It’s simple to add your event, so that we can help to share your news with people in Southwark.
Check what money you’re entitled to
1. Get £324 extra if you get Pension Credit
If you get Pension Credit you can also get more financial support, such as a one-off cost of living payment of £324, to help with the cost of living. If you are over state pension age, and are on a low income, you might be eligible. Apply by 18 December.
2. Check if you could get a Council Tax reduction
You could get Council Tax reduction if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%, depending on your circumstances.
3. Check what benefits you’re entitled to
Answer a few quick questions about your personal circumstances and check you’re getting all the benefits and other financial support you’re eligible for.
If you’re housebound or have a vulnerable person in your home, we can check you are getting all the welfare benefits you can and help you make a claim.
Free taster lessons in dancehall, yoga, Brazilian dance fit and more: book now
From 9 January 2023, Mountview drama school (SE15) is offering classes Monday to Thursday, starting at 6pm. And the first two weeks of taster days are free! After that prices start at £6.50 an hour if you’re a Southwark resident.
Draught-proof your home, the easy way
Draught-proofing is an easy way to cut your energy use, by stopping cold air coming in under your door or around your windows. You can buy specially made draught excluders – or you can make your own with an old pillowcase or pair of tights.
Get more tips like this: sign up for our free green savers newsletter.
Free books, delivered to your home
Our friendly home library book delivery team visits more than 250 people with fresh books every month. They have free audiobooks on CD and cassette and large print books too. Do you know someone who’d benefit from home book deliveries?
Your health updates
Last chance: book your child’s polio booster before Christmas
Polio virus has been found in London sewage. Children aged one to nine in London need to have a polio vaccine booster to get stronger protection. There is no cure for polio. Vaccination is the only protection. Hear from Paralympian and journalist Ade Adepitan about how he got polio as a child which caused him to become paralysed, and the importance of the vaccine.
>> Get your one to four-year-old vaccinated by contacting your GP
Been invited for an NHS lung health check? Book now
If you’re aged 55 to 74 and registered as current or former smoker with your GP you may be invited for a lung health check. Even if you feel fine, you should go. The check can uncover problems early on, when they are more treatable.
Update on Scarlet fever and Strep A
The UK Health Security Agency has published an update about Scarlet fever and Group A strep (Strep A). You can check what symptoms to look out for and what to do if your child becomes unwell.
Aged 50+? Book your COVID-19 autumn booster
If you’re aged 50 or over, or meet other eligibility criteria, you can now book your COVID-19 booster vaccine.
You can also still get a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if you’ve not had one yet.
Peckham Library is temporarily closing for essential works
Peckham Library will be closed for essential refurbishment work from Monday 12 December 2022 for approximately six months. The work will improve the library’s layout and reduce its carbon footprint. A temporary library will open on Bournemouth Road, SE15 4UJ from the week commencing 19 December 2022. |