Best Of South London

An arts organisation in South London has received new funding for a scheme which harnesses the creative talents of young people with learning disabilities.

A community-based creative arts initiative in Bromley is working to change the lives of people with experience of mental ill-health, writes Alexandra Causer.

South London has witnessed weeks of protests by environmental campaigners calling for more to be done to combat the climate crisis. From seasoned activists to first-time protesters, people are making their voices heard in the fight against environmental destruction.

Suleman Raza, who owns the Spice Village chain of Spice Village in south and west London and the Grand Sapphire Hotel and Events venue in Croydon, has received a special Local Community Hero award, at a ceremony at the House of Lords, on 7th September.

Celestine Agbo, from Streatham, who took part in the London Marathon 20 times until 2008, did the first one, on September 4, with only one training run. The father-of-two grown-up children thought his running days were behind him, but decided to pick up his trainers again and run 10 marathons on consecutive days in Dulwich Park, raising £15,000 to support the South London Refugee Association in Lambeth.

The passing of coach and mentor Granville Williams has devastated the boxing community. The 66-year-old gentle giant of Miguel’s Boxing Gym in Brixton was a hugely popular former karate black belt who influenced many hundreds of young lives during his 25 years there.

West Dulwich eight-year-old climbed Snowdon in memory of late father to raise money for cure for the disease which killed his beloved dad. Oscar Moth from West Dulwich, lost his dad, Piers in March this year, 10 days before his eighth birthday. Piers had been diagnosed with a brain tumour 10 years ago, after suffering a seizure at a party.

The daughter of a hairdresser who was in intensive care is making a fundraising leap of love and in tribute to the medics who helped her. “Daredevil” Natasha Barreto (pictured left), 34, and three of her family will launch themselves from the top of St Thomas’s Hospital building and descend 160 feet with views of The Thames, Parliament and the South Bank

A hospital has opened an indoor garden to support the cognitive function, wellbeing, and rehabilitation of patients in intensive care. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and its charity CW+ unveiled the new indoor botanical Sky Garden today.

A new National Safeguarding Adults Excellence Award has been launched this week by Bexley’s Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB).  The Board is inviting nominations for professionals and teams across England who have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic and who continue to demonstrate an outstanding commitment to safeguarding adults and their families.

A Peckham business woman is on a mission to raise awareness of the impact of photoshop on teenager’s mental health. Vivian Moyo, of York Grove, works with schools to educate young women and girls on eating disorders and the importance of self-esteem.