LOCAL MUTUAL AID GROUPS

Across the country, people are coming together and organising to support their neighbours. These efforts are being supported by a national organisation:

‍Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK

There is a group in Southwark. Its Facebook page has resources and information about how you can help.

Mutual Aid Southwark

In Walworth / SE17, there is a WhatsApp group to coordinate activity in each ward. You can join these (by using the links below on your phone) to find out what’s happening in your area and get involved.

Newington WhatsApp group

Faraday WhatsApp group

North Walworth WhatsApp group

To find out which ward you live in, enter your postcode on Southwark Council’s website.

Which ward do I live in?

COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE DISTRIBUTION HUB

The Pembroke House Covid-19 distribution hub has been set up to help the most vulnerable residents, in partnership with Southwark Council and other local charitable organisations.

New volunteers are urgently needed, particularly cyclists.

Register here if you can help out

You can also support Pembroke House's work through a one-off or regular donation.

Donate to Pembroke House

FOODBANKS

Local foodbanks are reporting significant increases in the number of people needing food. You can help out by donating:

Southwark Foodbank

Check their website to see items they urgently need.

southwark.foodbank.org.uk

020 7732 0007

Donate at:

• Pecan (121A Peckham High Street, SE15 5SE): 9.30am-5pm
• A range of local supermarkets

Click here for the full list of drop-off points

Central Southwark Community Hub

Check their website for items they need.

https://www.cschub.co.uk/get-involved

020 7703 1653

Donate at:

• St Giles Parish Hall (161 Benhill Road, SE5 7LL): Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm.

Little Village Southwark

Little Village is like a foodbank, but for clothes, toys and equipment for babies and children up to the age of 5.

At the moment they can't accept donations in person – but you can send donations via their Amazon wishlist.

LOUIE LOUIE LOCAL

Louie Louie, a café/bar on the Walworth Road, is providing free, nutritious meals to local people who need them. They're asking for donations to help provide this service.

Find out more and donate to their crowdfunding page‍

COMMUNITY SOUTHWARK VOLUNTEERING VACANCIES

Community Southwark is working with local organisations to gather all of the volunteering opportunities available in the borough. They will be updating their list as they receive new information.

Click here to see the latest volunteering vacancies

WALWORTH LIVING ROOM

The Walworth Living Room is a new space for our community, open to everyone. While our building is shut to keep our community safe at this time, you can’t shut a community. We’ll continue supporting one another during this crisis with activities streamed online with Zoom, an online conference call software.

The Walworth Living Room

WALWORTH VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB

Local charity Creation Trust is running a virtual book group, which meets on Wednesday evenings.

Email info@creationtrust.org to sign up

LIBRARIES

Southwark Council has begun to re-open some local libraries with a limited service, starting with those that can be opened safely and in line with social distancing guidelines. These include Brandon Library in SE17.

You'll need to reserve books before you arrive, or use the order and collect service if you can't find the book you're looking for online.

Visit the Council's website for more information

PARKS

From 4 July, Southwark Council started to open most playgrounds and sports courts in parks, in line with government guidance. From 6 July, outdoor gyms started to reopen. When using these facilities, remember to keep your distance from others and wash your hands before and after use.

All events in the Council's parks and open spaces remain unauthorised. Please don't organise or attend unlicensed events.

Southwark Parks and open spaces

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Southwark Council Covid-19 Hub

If you, or another Southwark resident, can’t leave the house due to coronavirus (Covid-19), and may not have friends, family or neighbours who can help with the delivery of essential supplies, please make a referral to Southwark Council.

Complete an online referral form

Email covidsupport@southwark.gov.uk

Phone 0207 525 5000 and choose option 3

NHS FIND A PHARMACY

You can find details of local pharmacies by entering your postcode on the NHS Find a Pharmacy service. This will show the nearest pharmacies to your house, with details of their locations and opening times.

NHS Find a Pharmacy

Foodbanks

To get help from a foodbank, you'll need to be referred by a local agency. If you do not have contact with one already, please call the Southwark Council Community Hub Emergency helpline on 020 7525 5000.

SOUTHWARK FOOD MAP

Southwark Food Action Alliance (SFAA) is mapping essential services such as foodbanks, community fridges, community meals and local delivery services during Covid-19.

Visit the Southwark Food Map here

If you have any food related information, you can log in and add it to the map.

You can also email sfaa@communitysouthwark.org with the details

TRAVEL

As people return to work, many will need to travel across Walworth / SE17 and further afield.

Use TfL's Journey Planner when making an essential trip

When using public transport, remember you must wear a face covering for your entire journey.

Many people will also be looking to avoid using public transport. TfL run a cycle hire scheme that has several docking stations in and around Walworth.

See nearby docking stations and find out if bikes are available

There are also several shops in and around Walworth / SE17 that sell bikes and offer cycle repair services. These include:

• Nipnip, 172 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 1PE
• Bob's Cycles, 9 John Ruskin Street, SE5 0NS
• Machine Bicycle Shop and Workshop, 97 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 4TW
• ReCycling, 110 Elephant Road, Elephant and Castle, SE17 1LB

Many employers also offer Cycle to Work schemes. These are employee benefit schemes that enable employees to hire cycles for active travel and/or cyclist’s safety equipment from the employer, or from a third party, in return for a deduction from their earnings known as salary sacrifice. Some providers are listed below:

Cyclescheme

Bike2Work

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Post offices

Owing to Covid-19, some local post offices are closed or have changed their opening hours.

Old Kent Road

Open Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

240 Old Kent Rd, London SE1 5UB

Walworth Road

Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5.30pm. Closed Sunday.

234-236 Walworth Road, SE17 1JD‍

Harper Road

Open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm; Saturday, 9am-8pm; and Sunday, 10am-8pm

20 Harper Road, SE1 6AD

Southampton Way

Open Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm and 1.30pm-5:30pm.

Closed on Saturday and Sunday.

156 Southampton Way, Camberwell, London SE5 7EW

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Food deliveries

Members of the Southwark Mutual Aid group have put together a list of businesses – in the local area and some further afield – that are currently delivering food and drink supplies to people’s homes. 

See the list here‍

Volunteers have put together a list of businesses in London that are currently delivering food, drink and essential supplies.

See the list here

Supermarkets

Lots of local supermarkets are changing their opening times. Many are also setting aside specific times for older and vulnerable people, and for keyworkers.

Remember that you must wear a face covering in shops from Friday 24 July.