Lewisham Citizens

We are an alliance of education, faith, charity & community groups, building people power to tackle injustice in Lewisham. Part of @SLondonCitizens @CitizensUK

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

⚡️ACTION⚡️(1/7)

On 1st March, over 150 people representing 22 local institutions gathered to raise the alarm on Lewisham's housing crisis before tomorrow's Mayoral election.

Lewisham's housing is in a state of emergency, and we demand that the next Mayor treat it as such 🚨

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

Great to meet with @JanetDaby last week to discuss the impact of temporary accommodation and housing disrepair on schools, GPs and families across Lewisham East!

Together, we're working toward real change.

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

@vickyfoxcroft we missed you at this event! Will you meet with us to discuss the new cross-party #CitizenshipNetwork?

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

Yesterday, @CitizensUK launched 'From Rooted to Recognised: Unblocking the Pathway to Citizenship' at an inspiring event in Parliament.

The report highlights the struggles faced by people on the pathway to UK #citizenship & urges the Gov't to make change.🧵 #RootedToRecognised

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

@vickyfoxcroft your constituents are waiting to see you in Committee Room 9, along with other MPs and members of Citizens UK.

It's not too late, see you soon!

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

Across our communities there are thousands of people who have put down roots here - but despite this, a broken citizenship system keeps them in limbo.

Tomorrow, we launch our report calling for a more fair, timely, & affordable pathway to UK #citizenship.

#RootedToRecognised

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

Thanks to @WillPCooper for meeting our leaders taking action for free WiFi in Temporary Action. Encouraging to hear the Council is making progress on this ask, and we look forward to final updates in the coming weeks!

Our leaders show up, come rain or shine ☔️

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

We will turn the anguish of this moment into action by working together to build a fairer and more united society. Our communities are many, and those who seek division are few.

The message is simple: hate has no place here.

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

Our members have been reaching out to mosques and migrant organisations, expressing our love and support and our long-term commitment to building an inclusive society, where people from all backgrounds, religions and ethnicities feel safe, welcome and respected. (3/4)

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

We express our deep solidarity with everyone affected by these frightening events, including our Muslim & migrant colleagues, leaders, neighbours & friends. It is distressing to see anyone in our communities being targeted & we renew our calls for all hateful rhetoric to end. 2/4

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

Citizens UK’s diverse coalition of civil society leaders and organisations stand united against all forms of hate and violence. We unequivocally condemn the racist and Islamophobic attacks seen across England over the last few days.

(1/4)

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

It's clear that more urgent action is needed. As Lewisham Council responds to this investigation, we intend to ensure community voices are front and centre in the conversation.

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

The Housing Ombudsman found failings in "90% of cases related to leaks, damp and mould."

These horrific numbers are not surprising. This is what our communities have been saying for years, and why we called on the Council to declare a housing emergency earlier this year.

[BBC London @BBCLondonNews]

Lewisham Council is to be investigated by the Housing Ombudsman over "repeated failings" with in its housing services.

https://t.co/Yfy2XkfVqi

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

Positive meeting with Cllr @WillPCooper and Housing Director Gillian Douglas this week to progress our campaign asks, including WiFi in TA and an improved referrals system for housing emergencies.

Real change happens when our communities are at the table!

[Greenwich Citizens @GreenwichCUK]

On Monday, Fatiha from our Greenwich team spoke powerfully about her experience in temporary accommodation to Deputy Labour Leader @AngelaRayner.

We look forward to working with her and @mtpennycook if elected to improve the lives of families in TA, in Greenwich and nationwide.

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

This week, our local leaders won commitments from the major parties on critical issues including temporary accommodation, social housing, and migration.

Our Lewisham alliance is proud to be part of a nationwide movement that runs deeper than a single election.

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

Last night we held our national Citizens UK General Election Assembly, where community leaders shared testimony and asked politicians from different Parties for change on #LivingWage, #Citizenship, #Housing & more.

Here are some of their stories 👇🏾

📸 @SylviePopePhoto

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

All year round, our health is at risk because of our poorly insulated homes.

That’s why we’re calling on the next Government to deliver a strategy to make our homes safe and healthy whilst not costing the earth.

Add your voice now 👇🏾
https://t.co/qh02qcCwzD

#GeneralElection

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

Thanks to @guardian for this powerful coverage of our housing campaign and shedding light on our communities' stories.

@Brenda_Dacres @WillPCooper we look forward to working with you to tackle these critical issues.

[Sammy Gecsoyler @SammyGecsoyler]

As the number of children forced into squalid housing rises, schools have found themselves on the frontline of a health housing crisis

I followed staff dealing with this. Some kids are coming in poorly due to mould, others are woken by rats in their sleep
https://t.co/mTnntTDg0y

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

We're proud to share that 25 Lewisham GPs have now signed onto our open letter--addressed directly to Mayor @Brenda_Dacres--including the Health Equity Fellows in every Primary Care Network in the Borough.

Lewisham's housing crisis is a health crisis.

https://t.co/CDsZoFWkH5

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

⚠️Lewisham Headteachers and GPs Declare a Housing Emergency⚠️
Ahead of our meeting with Mayoral candidates, Headteachers and GPs across Lewisham have written an Open Letter stating that poor housing is having a “detrimental impact" on the education and health of our community.

[Citizens UK @CitizensUK]

“Everyone in Lewisham should have a right to a clean home and to feel comfortable wherever they live.”

Earlier this month, hundreds of pupils, headteachers and community leaders from @lewishamcitz came together to campaign for better housing ✊🏾✊🏿✊🏼

#CommunityOrganising

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

📰Coverage of our action! Powerful words from @AaminahVerity and @MrDeanMG about the housing crisis:

“I even have teachers who take time off because they’ve got no heating. They’ve got no water. There’s damp, there’s mould. It impacts everybody.”

[Robert Firth @robjfirth]

Teachers are having to take time off school because they’re living in mouldy homes, a Lewisham headteacher has revealed.

It comes as 11 heads in the borough have signed a letter to the council calling on it to treat housing as an emergency.
https://t.co/7wjh4KxRA8

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

(7/7) Our eyes are on you @Brenda_Dacres @lewgreenparty @LewishamCouncil...will you work with us to tackle housing injustice❓👀

We've got the power and we're not going away!

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

⚡️ACTION⚡️(1/7)

On 1st March, over 150 people representing 22 local institutions gathered to raise the alarm on Lewisham's housing crisis before tomorrow's Mayoral election.

Lewisham's housing is in a state of emergency, and we demand that the next Mayor treat it as such 🚨

[Lewisham Citizens @lewishamcitz]

(5/7) Then we marched to @LewishamCouncil to deliver this open letter signed by 11 headteachers 🧑‍🏫⬇️
https://t.co/y7u0t9bSPe

Poor housing is making our young people sick and affecting their education. They know they deserve better, and they're leading the way!