Celebration for retiring headteachers and schools judged as “outstanding” by Ofsted

This event was a celebration for retiring headteachers and those whose schools have been judged as “outstanding” by Ofsted.

Mayor of Lambeth presents certificate to the head of Allen Edwards School

I presented certificates to headteachers from schools across the borough, an excellent way to recognise the superb standards achieved by them in their schools. I also presented to plaques to two retiring headteachers in recognition of their hardwork and commitment to schools in lambeth.

Visit to Camberwell Haemodialysis Unit on Paulet Road

As part of National  Transplant week I visited Camberwell Haemodialysis unit which is at 61-65 Paulet Road in Camberwell. What looks like just another business park off a residential street homes a dedicated team of staff and a community of patients who regularly attend for dialysis.

Along with being a opportunity to meet the partients and nurses this was a huge learning experience for me having little background knowledge into Kidney disease.  Patients and nurses took time to give me a very frank and informative insight into the condition and I wish to be honest in that I was deeply moved by what I heard.

Many patients return three times a week for four hours at a time for their treament. Along with this huge pull on their time they have limits on the liquid they can consume and on their diet. I could clearly see the impact that this life saving treatment had together with the community that had built among the patients forced together but providing invaluable support for each other.

Please imagine for a moment what it would be like if for 12 hours for a week you had to dit in a clinic with a tube attached to you. A treatment you would not need if you could find a transplant.

Mayor of Lambeth visiting Camberwell Haemodialysis Unit

It was explained to me that there were several reasons for why people ended up with the need for dialysis, which you find out more about on the NHS website, however one former patient told me how she caught a virus and four weeks later her kidneys failed. She is now a former patient because her husband was a match and donated one of his kidneys.

Whilst I had heard before about the urgent need for more donors, and for more people to sign up as organ donors, this put a human face on that need – and I could see first hand what a huge impact those donors could make on the lives of others.

Please visit the organ donors website now and register. You could truely make a difference after your death, bringing new life to others.

Patients and nurses have made a ‘Garden of Life’ where those who have been given new life after a transplant plant a rose tree to celebrate. It would be great for there to be so many roses that another garden will be needed.

Bud Umbrella AGM – Accessible complementary therapies

Bud Umbrella provides complementary therapies to vulnerable children and adults to improve their quality of life. They offer one to one sessions, workshops and training.

Mayor with children who received certificates for attending the course, chair and director of Bud Umbrellas and trustee Councillor Faye Gray

I was there to learn more about their work in the borough and was interested to hear from students from Lilian Baylis Technology School who had attended the Well Being Workshops talk about what they have learnt. I pleased to present them with certificates awarding them for taking part.

Full council meeting and welcoming a new councillor

The full council meeting is where all councillors come together to vote on key issues.  Full council is made up of 63 councillors and meets four or five times a year. Each year the full council appoints the leader of the council and other members of the cabinet, allocating their portfolios. The full council decides on the size and membership of the overview and scrutiny committee and other committees. The law requires the full council to agree the budget and key policies and strategies. The public may submit questions to each meeting and councillors debate options on important issues concerning the borough.

As Mayor it is my role to chair this meeting, which given that on some issues different people have very different views – together with a  great passion for their local community – means at times the meetings can get a little heated. It is important that the meeting is orderly to ensure all views are heard and that there is a balance in the debate.

Following a suggestion from former Mayor Clare Whelan I asked members to retire to the Mayors parlour after the meeting for some refreshments. I was pleased that a large number of members from all parties joined me and it was an excellent opportunity for members to catch up and discuss issues where there is common grounds. I hope that there will be support to continue this practice I will be looking at how this could be organised.

Mayor of Lambeth greets Councillor Mark Harrison election in the Prince's By-election

It was here that I had an opportunity to welcome Lambeth’s newest councillor, Councillor Mark Harrison, who was elected recently in a by-election in Prince’s Ward, and who spoke twice at his first full council meeting in the council chamber.

St John the Divine Nursery Reception Big Toddle

The Barnardo’s Big Toddle is the UK’s biggest charity event for children under the age of 5!

Mayor of Lambeth with teachers and children at Barnado's Big Toddle on Kennington Park

Each year, up to half a million children have great fun with their friends, taking part in their short sponsored walk.

I visited one of these walks organised by St John the Divine Nursery on Kennington Park to award the children medals as they crossed the finnishing line.