Staying healthy is about your mind as well as your body. There are plenty of opportunities to do things to make you feel good in Lambeth, from free walks to theatre groups, beautiful parks and community gardening groups. Why not try one today?
Your community
Getting to know the people who live around you helps to give you a sense of community. If you want to get to know your neighbours better and improve life in Lambeth you could become an Active Citizen.
The Active Citizen scheme, run by Lambeth Voluntary Action Council (LVAC) is free and open to anyone who wants to make the area they live in a better place, whether it’s by becoming a school governor or campaigning for a local cause. You can get free training, meet new people and learn new skills. All you have to do is give some of your time to improving your community.
For more information phone 020 7737 1419 extension 307, or email
active.citizen@lambethvac.org.uk.
Community gardening and environmental projects are another way to make new friends in your area. You can also join one of Lambeth’s time banks, where you can swap skills with other members of the scheme.
Get active
Keeping active makes you feel good. Walking is a free and easy way to get moving, and there are many ways to explore Lambeth on foot. Join a weekly, guided Active Walk on Streatham Common, Brockwell Park, The Embankment or Kennington Park, or download a map from the Lambeth Council website that guides you on a walk through Lambeth’s history.
If you're looking for ideas about how to get more active and lead a healthier lifestyle, you can sign up for a six-week Self Care Skills training course. It's free and open to anyone living in Lambeth. It will teach you all the skills you need to take care of yourself and lead a healthier, more active life. For more information call 020 3049 5242 or email GST-TR.ReferralsLEIPS@nhs.net.
Take a look around Lambeth
It costs nothing to get out and explore your local area, but the benefits can be priceless.
If you're stressed visit the walled garden in Brockwell Park, which offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can find your nearest park on the Lambeth Council website.
A browse through the colourful stalls at Brixton Market is a great way to brighten your day. Watching the street performers on the South Bank is also free and fun.
Get the whole family out and give the children a taste of the country in the heart of the city at Vauxhall City Farm. Entry is free and there is plenty to keep the whole family amused with cows, goats, chickens and sheep to alpacas to see.
For more information about things to do in Lambeth visit the Explore website.
Try something new
There are plenty of new things to try in Lambeth. One of London’s most famous theatres, The Young Vic, is in Lambeth, and if you live in the borough you can see a show there for free.
If you’d rather get involved yourself, The Oval House Theatre in Kennington runs courses for 11-16-year-olds in singing, drama and street dance.
Trying something new doesn’t have to stop once you’ve left school. Lambeth offers hundreds of free and low-cost adult learning courses to help you gain new skills. You can search for information about all the courses on offer at Lambeth Council's website.
If you don’t want to do a whole course, you can learn on your own time in one of Lambeth’s libraries. They are free to join and run lots of different activities, including book groups. For the over 50s there are regular events including free computer workshops, lunch clubs, games groups and safety advice from the police. For families there are storytelling sessions for under fives and reading groups for older children. To find out about activities in Lambeth's libraries see Lambeth Council's website.
Give a helping hand
Helping someone else can make you feel better about yourself. Volunteer at a local community group or charity and you will meet new people, learn new skills and gain valuable experience. The Lambeth Voluntary Action Council has over 200 opportunities to choose from. You can register your interest to find out what’s available and get free training to help you help others.
Arts and creative groups, such as youth theatres and local museums, depend on helpers who give their time for nothing to keep them going. In return you get to be involved with an interesting and rewarding project.
Become a friend of your local park to keep it a vibrant, welcoming green space at the heart of the community. Friends groups operate in most parks in Lambeth, including Brockwell, Ruskin and Larkhall Park. For more information on how to become a friend visit Lambeth Council's website and search for your local park.
Befriending an older person can enrich both of your lives, offering companionship and a chance to share experiences. Age Concern Lambeth is seeking volunteers who can spare one hour a week to visit lonely and isolated older people.
There’s help out there
If you're concerned about your state of mind and are feeling low or anxious, it’s a good idea to talk about your feelings with friends and family. If you prefer, you can visit your GP. Don’t feel ashamed of how you're feeling. Worries about mental wellbeing are the second most common reason for visiting a doctor, so you're not alone.
For more information on therapies and services available in Lambeth see How to get help.
