Southwark Council

A vibrant borough home to iconic landmarks, rich culture, green spaces, and a commitment to fairness and sustainability.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Neighbourhood Grants are open for 2026!

Last year, these grants funded 600+ projects across Southwark.

Got an idea for your area? Apply for up to £5k to run something, up to £30k to improve a street or up to £40k to build something.

Anyone can apply. Closes 11:59pm, Sun 1 Nov.

https://t.co/LVsJfZWFR4

Need help? Free drop-in sessions are on Thu 8 Oct (online), Mon 12 Oct (132 Queen's Road) and Thu 15 Oct (160 Tooley Street). Email [email protected] to register.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Tell us which council services matter most to you: https://t.co/TsdMrfGdI0

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Your views must help shape what happens next 🫵🏼

Visit one of our budget drop-in sessions at libraries and leisure centres across the borough and tell us what matters most to you.

As we tackle a £102 million budget gap, your views will help shape the future of council services.

Find your nearest drop-in session via the link in comments. If you can't attend in person, you can still have your say online.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Register your place at https://t.co/sSzxWG3KbR

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Black History Month events continue this weekend with a free, family-friendly creative workshop celebrating Afro-Indigenous and Andean textile heritage taking place tomorrow (Saturday 24 October)

Use fabrics, colours and patterns inspired by different cultural traditions to create a collective artwork for display at the final Roots Without Borders celebration, with support from young volunteers.

The activity will take place from 12noon to 4pm at Chumleigh Gardens, Burgess Park.

Admission is FREE. Register with link in comments.

Funded by the council's Black History Month grant.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Complete the Southwark Business Support Needs survey: https://t.co/J8PBRqg14t

Find out more about James and his business : https://t.co/eijTF7ouBS

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Through the Southwark Launchpad programme, more than 650 local entrepreneurs have accessed mentoring, training, networking opportunities and specialist support to help develop and grow their businesses.

In this video, one of the programme's entrepreneurs shares their experience and the difference Launchpad has made to their business journey.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

We're determined to take action to tackle the housing crisis.

On Wednesday our Leader James McAsh met Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, and Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP.

He was joined by the Leaders of Leeds, James Lewis, and Sheffield, Fran Belbin, on behalf of our Council Housing Coalition of more than 100 councils.

Councils face a huge challenge: maintaining and modernising our existing homes so they're safe, decent places to live, while also building the new homes our communities need.

Southwark has built 2,340 council homes since 2018. We have the ambition and the capability, but we need government to go further:

-Reopen the 2012 HRA debt settlement, including a debt write-off

-Make it cheaper for councils to borrow, so more money goes into new homes instead of interest payments

-Let councils end Right to Buy where it makes sense, so we don't lose homes as fast as we build them.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Look at the proposals and give your feedback: https://t.co/V0fMsw2fW1

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Share your thoughts on changes to Grove Vale and Lordship Lane - to improve bus journeys and make the route safer for everyone.

We're proposing changes along the length of Grove Vale and Lordship Lane, including new pedestrian crossings at safety hotspots, better managements of parking and loading, and giving more priority to buses and pedestrians along the route.

These are part of Better Bus Southwark, a partnership with Transport for London to improve bus travel along key routes in Southwark.

Take a look at the proposals and give us your feedback via the link below.

If you'd like to talk about the changes in person, you can drop in to a library session up until 20 November - details are at the bottom of the page.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Stories like Byron's show the real impact council services have every day. They don't just provide services, they help people build brighter futures. But with a £102 million funding gap over the next three years, we face difficult decisions about how we spend money and protect the services residents rely on.

That's why we're asking you: what matters most? 👉

Share your views: 🧷https://t.co/9wpblhOVr6

🧵2/2

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

💥Boom, boom, pow

Council services are the backbone of our community. They bring people together, create opportunities and support residents through difficult times.

Byron, a personal trainer in Peckham knows first-hand how important that support can be. After experiencing a series of personal challenges and setbacks, he turned to Southwark Works for help.

Through tailored employment support, Southwark Works helped Byron rebuild his confidence, develop new opportunities and take positive steps forward. Today, he's working as a personal trainer and helping others improve their lives too.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Want to communicate your sustainability impact more effectively?

Through Better Bankside’s Southwark Climate Collective (SCC) 2026–27 programme, Southwark-based SMEs can access free bespoke one to one consultancy to help businesses make meaningful progress on their sustainability and growth journey.

Support is available to help businesses:
•Develop a clear and compelling sustainability story
•Communicate their environmental and social impact
•Strengthen sustainability messaging across marketing channels
•Showcase the positive work they are already doing

Previous participants say the support helped them build confidence, raise their profile, and connect with new partners and opportunities.

If your business is looking to strengthen its sustainability efforts while supporting business growth, contact the Better Bankside team at [email protected].

Find out more: https://t.co/XbujWLAyuV

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Find a drop-in or give your feedback: https://t.co/0YcA1Xy8JJ

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Have you given us your feedback on council services yet?

We want to hear from you about:

-Which council services matter most to you
-Where you think council spending could be improved
-Your ideas for generating more income to support local services

You can find us at libraries around the borough over the next few weeks, or you can fill in our online form via the link below.

The next drop ins will be:

Canada Water Library, Tuesday 20 October, 10am to 1pm
Camberwell Library, Thursday 22 October, 10am to 2pm
Nunhead Library, Tuesday 27 October, 2pm to 5.30pm
John Harvard Library, Monday 2 November, 11am to 5pm
Una Marson Library, Tuesday 3 November, 11am to 5pm

Come along and let us know what matters most to you.

[Southwark Libraries @SouthwarkLibs]

🧵✨ Fashion, crafts & creativity are coming to Camberwell!

Join us at @SouthwarkLibs' Camberwell Library on 24 October 🎉

🛍️ Craft Market at 1pm 👗 Fashion Show from 6pm

Shop, see local talent, and enjoy

#Camberwell #Southwark #FashionShow l #SouthwarkEvents

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Sometimes, it’s the little moments that stay with you. 💚 @fosteringnet

Daisy, 10, remembers one of the moments that has stayed with her from growing up in a fostering family.

Thinking about fostering?

Join a Fostering Discovery Hour to hear more about what fostering is really like and ask questions about fostering with Southwark: https://t.co/u4wSV2XIYO

#ChildrenOfFosterCarersWeek

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Celebrating the final graduates of Southwark Launchpad!

Since 2022, the programme has supported 655 residents and early-stage entrepreneurs to develop business ideas, build skills and grow sustainable enterprises through mentoring, workshops, networking and specialist advice.

Last week, graduates, alumni and partners came together at The Enterprise Hub to celebrate four years of inspiring entrepreneurial success stories.

Congratulations to everyone who has been part of the programme's journey.

We're now developing a new business support programme for Southwark businesses, launching in early 2027. You can complete the Southwark Business Support Needs Survey to help shape what's next.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

What is it like when a foster child joins your family? @fosteringnet

Heidi, 14, shares what it’s like growing up alongside foster children - from the challenges to the laughter and memories.

Could your family make space for a child? 💚

Learn more about the rewards of fostering by watching a day in the life of two different types of foster families: https://t.co/s1zWMMHZmW

#ChildrenOfFosterCarersWeek

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

Free hairdressing this Black History Month!

On Saturday 7 November, head on down to St John’s Church Hall, 10A Meeting House Lane, SE15 2UN from 11am to 2pm for FREE hairdressing*, delicious jerk chicken and drinks.

*subject to availability of hairdressers and time.

To register in advance please TEXT your name + BHM Registration to 07424146959.

Funded by our Black History Month grant.

[Southwark Council @lb_southwark]

For Children of Foster Carers Week, we’re sharing the voices of the birth children and young people growing up in foster families. @fosteringnet

Sam, 16, shares what growing up in a fostering family has been like.

Could your family make space for a child? 💚

Find out what fostering could look like for you by joining a Fostering Discovery Hour: https://t.co/geXne1dzkS

#ChildrenOfFosterCarersWeek