The Switch is an exciting new project that matches volunteer mentors with young people who are living with mental health issues like depression, anxiety or self-harm.

The project, supported by South London And Maudsley (Slam) Charitable Funds, pairs up volunteers with young people to help them make the transition from Child And Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to adult services.

CAMHS will refer young people from Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham and Croydon to the mentoring project.

Helen Walker, chief executive of TimeBank, said: “This is a transition that can leave young people feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. Support from a mentor can provide continuity and make a huge difference to their emotional well-being.

“Over the last 11 years TimeBank has gained extensive expertise in mental health mentoring and we know that it builds confidence and helps young people feel more ready to engage with society.”

Mentors must be willing to travel to Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham or Croydon for the scheme.

For more information or to take part visit www.timebank.org.uk/the-switch.

With Traditional fun and games for all children of pre and primary school age (max age 11), the event will be held from 11-1pm. All children should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Entry is £2.00 per childe. Last year’s even was great (if hot and sticky) fun.

With over sixty community gardens in Lewisham Borough, the site is a great place to swap plants and keep the wider public up to date.

Consisting of forums and gardening news, visitors also have the option to post images and video of your garden in bloom.

There is also a calendar filled with garden related events. So what are you waiting for if you are a keen garden or have a community garden in Lewisham, visit Lewisham Gardeners.

The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Mike Tuffrey has asked the Mayor when exactly the properties at 16-22 Brownhill Road be brought back into short term use. The response is:

“TfL has commissioned a Condition Report to identify any defects in the buildings, and a Feasibility Study to assess the refurbishment options. When these activities have been completed – which should take only a short number of weeks – we will know how quickly these properties can be brought back into use.”

The results of the Lewisham Crime Survey will be used by the partnership, which includes Lewisham Council, the police, probation and fire services, health, and voluntary groups, to set its annual priorities.

The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and is open until 22 February.

Go to www.lewisham.gov.uk/consultation

2011 was a year for activism and protests around the globe, Tunisia, Egypt, Wall Street, London. Lewisham borough suffered like other boroughs during the August riots.

Last year Time magazine’s coveted Person of the Year award went to ‘The Protester’.

Catford Central is a local blog for local news and following the events of last year, I have a lot to say about a lot of things not just related to where I live. So, I’ve been trying to make a difference on a wider stage. And it’s even more time consuming than this blog.

I’d like to think that I have helped to develop a stronger online Catford community. There are some great local blogs out there and lots of Catford people have joined Twitter.

If you want to share views and opinions with the community join Twitter and check out the people who follow @Catfordcentral. Make sure you also follow @catford_se6 who’s taken up the challenge of bringing the community together. Don’t forget to visit the Catford forum over at South East Central.

Catford.co.uk has a social network for Catford types so check that out too.

Keep fighting them till you can’t

Remember there are lots of ways to get involved and to make sure you have a say about what local government is planning in your area. Make a difference by attending meetings and sharing information.

If you are part of a Residents Association please send me your newsletters and I’ll put post them here. If you have events, and news to share please continue to send me the information.

Keep up the good work and stay in touch.

The Catford South Sewing & Knitting Group welcomes anyone who has a keen interest in sewing, knitting, crochet or embroidery and wants to meet like-minded people in a positive environment.

The group is free-of-charge but operates a ‘first-come-first-served’ policy on tables and everyone must bring their own sewing or knitting machine.

Venue
Youth Room, St. Laurence Centre, 37 Bromley Road, SE6 2TS (off Catford Gyratory)

Dates
Every Saturday (except 3rd in the month)

Time
11am – 5.30pm

Calendar: 28th January 2012 – 14th July 2012

Unfortunately the group does not teach sewing or knitting (Lewisham already run excellent courses) but they can provide support and a cup of tea while you puzzle your latest pattern!

We hope it will be a great place where people from all over Lewisham can meet and mingle.

N.B: For Health & Safety reasons, children under 16 are not allowed in the room.

For more details, email: catfordsewing@yahoo.com

It seems work will finally start on much the needed pedestrian improvement to this dangerous junction later this year.

QB Bromley Rd letter 050112

The story so far

Below are written answers from the current and former Mayor of London concerning the site.

Mayor answers to London
Pedestrian improvements-junction Bromley Rd/Southend Lane/Whitefoot Lane

Question number 0861/2011
Meeting date    23/03/2011
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
Further to MQ 31/2011, could you please confirm:
(a) the proposed dates for consulting with Lewisham Council and other interested groups?
(b) What timescale, if any, TfL has for actually implementing any pedestrian improvements?
Answer by Boris Johnson
Given no unexpected delays or issues with the design, TfL aims to consult with Lewisham Council and other key stakeholders in July 2011 with wider public consultation planned for late July/August 2011.

Assuming no underlying issues occur, including with the safety audit, consultation or internal approvals, it is hoped improvements will be completed by Autumn 2012.

Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head junction, Bromley Road, Lewisham

Question number 2280/2010
Meeting date    14/07/2010
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
In answer to MQ (1590/2010), you stated: “TfL is now investigating whether pedestrian improvements can be provided on the two unsignalised arms and, if so, in what form. TfL anticipate that their review will be complete by the end of June.” Please can you provide an update as to the outcome of this review and set out what steps TfL will now take to improve pedestrian safety at this junction?

Answer by Boris Johnson
Investigations have shown that signalised pedestrian crossings across bothWhitefoot Lane andBromley Road will have a severely negative impact on traffic capacity, with resultant increased queue lengths at this junction. TfL is now investigating whether a more fundamental change to the junction layout will make it possible to provide a signalised crossing across one or both of these arms. The result of this investigation will be available at the beginning of September.

Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head Junction, Bromley Road, Lewisham

Question number 1590/2010
Meeting date    19/05/2010
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
In answer to a question in October 2009, MQ (3047/2009) about the inadequate pedestrian crossing facilities at the Tiger’s Head junction on Bromley Road, Whitefoot Lane and South Lane, you stated “TfL intends to provide improvements at this junction once a viable scheme has been identified which takes into account the competing needs of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. You further stated: “a design is now being developed and new surveys are currently being carried out so a variety of options can be modeled and their viability checked”. Considering that the first promise to make pedestrian improvements at this junction was made in January 2006 (MQ (0098/2006)) will you now give a specific timetable as to when pedestrian improvements will finally be made at this junction?

Answer by Boris Johnson
A scheme was developed in 2006 which provided ‘straight across’ crossings on all arms of the junction. However, checks on the modelling for this scheme found that, if it had been implemented, it would have caused severe congestion on both the Transport for London Road Network and on surrounding borough roads.

TfL is now investigating whether pedestrian improvements can be provided on the two unsignalised arms and, if so, in what form. TfL anticipate that their review will be complete by the end of June.

Mayor answers to London
Lewisham crossings

Question number 0116/2010
Meeting date    27/01/2010
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
You failed to properly answer my question (3048/2009) about the Tiger’s Head and theCourthill Road junctions in Lewisham which I asked in October 2009. Following the immense delays in ensuring there are improvements in pedestrian safety at these two specific junctions at Lewisham, and also the significant direct representations that have made to you by Assembly Members, local councillors, Lewisham Council and members of the public, I would like to ask again whether you yourself would be willing to join me and look at these dangers that presently exist at these two junctions?

Answer by Boris Johnson
In my answer to MQ3048 / 2009, I said that TfL would contact you to discuss this issue. As I understand it, the Director of Integrated Programme Delivery within TfL Surface Transport met you on 3 November 2009 for a discussion. As experts and highway authority for this junction, it is correct that TfL discusses this with you on my behalf. Should a site meeting still be required, please let TfL know.

Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head junction, Bromley Road, Lewisham

Question number 3047/2009
Meeting date    14/10/2009
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
Following the serious road accident that took place on the 8th September 2009 at the Tiger’s Head junction where Bromley Road meets White foot Lane and Southend Lane, and further also to the long standing promises made by TfL to improve this junction, especially for pedestrians as you stated in replies provided to Question Numbers 0098/2006, 2459/2008 and 0656/2009, together with your most recent claim that TfL is now working on a revised scheme as stated in answer to Question Number 1144/2009, will you now finally provide a clear assurance to Lewisham residents that improvements will at long last take place at this highly dangerous junction?

Answer by Boris Johnson
TfL intends to provide improvements at this junction once a viable scheme has been identified which takes into account the competing needs of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. However, to date it has been difficult to identify a scheme to provide pedestrian facilities without introducing significant disruption to other road users. Nonetheless a design is now being developed and new surveys are currently being carried out so a variety of options can be modelled and their viability checked. The recent accident is being examined by the Metropolitan Police and TfL will consider any outcomes from their investigation in due course.

Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head junction, Bromley Road, Lewisham

Question number 1144/2009
Meeting date    21/05/2009
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
Further to the long standing promises made by TfL to improve pedestrian facilities at the Tiger’s Head junction at the junction of Bromley Road with Whitefoot Lane and Southend Lane and the replies provided to Question Numbers 0098/2006, 2459/2008 and 0656/2009 can a specific date now be provided as to when, after many years of delay and false promises made to local councillors and residents in south Lewisham, the pedestrian facilities at this junction will finally be completed?

Answer by Boris Johnson
TfL has undertaken work to consider whether a scheme can be designed that would allow a pedestrian facility to be provided without impacting on the journey times of other road users through the junction. Unfortunately TfL has been unable to find a scheme design that would provide the correct balance, and would not increase delays and congestion around the junction. A review of previously developed proposals for the junction revealed that the impact on general traffic of an all red pedestrian stage would have been to considerably increase delays and congestion well beyond acceptable limits.

TfL is, however, still undertaking work to consider whether a revised scheme can be designed that would allow a pedestrian facility to be provided without impacting on the journey times of other road users through the junction

Mayor answers to London
Junction of Whitefield Lane and Bromley Road, Lewisham

Question number 2459/2008
Meeting date    12/11/2008
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
By what date will improvements for pedestrians at the junction of Whitefield Lane and Bromley Road in Lewisham have been completed?

Answer by Boris Johnson
TfL recognises that there is a need for improvements at this junction, especially for pedestrians. TfL is planning to make improvements to the junction and the latest designs are being reviewed currently. Subject to the outcome of this, TfL estimate that they may be in a position to consult on its plans for the junction in Spring 2009.

Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head Junction

Question number 0098/2006
Meeting date    25/01/2006
Question by Graham Tope
Can you confirm that as a part of TfL Street Management’s plan to improve the A20 Bromley Road junction with Southend/Whitefoot Lane, two new green man crossings will be added to this junction?

Answer by Ken Livingstone (2nd Term)
Yes. The design for the scheme to improve pedestrian facilities at this junction is complete. The scheme would provide controlled (green man) pedestrian crossings on all arms of the junction, but requires a strip of land owned by Lewisham Council to be taken into the highway.TfL and Lewisham are in the process of negotiating terms for the transfer of this land. TfL will make every effort to reach a swift conclusion to these negotiations. Once this matter is finalised the scheme is then ready to move forward to construction.

If you have sent an email in the last week or so, and have not received a reply please can you use the contact form to resubmit your enquiry.

Thames Water are currently working to fix this.

Twitter reports that properties North of Dowanhill road have some water, but very low pressure. South of Dowanhill seems to have no water at all. Torridon and Sandhurst schools have closed for the day.

One of those days where you wished you’d filled the kettle to the top!