6 people stood close together in Love Walk United Reform Church
SE5 Hustings 2026

Congratulations to all newly elected councillors representing SE5 wards across Southwark and Lambeth.

On Wednesday 29 April, we hosted our SE5 Hustings 2026, bringing candidates from across the political spectrum together in one room, answering questions from the community, regardless of which side of the borough boundary they represent. Residents came, and they came with questions. Not abstract policy questions but real, specific concerns about their streets, their children, their safety, their homes and their future in this neighbourhood.

They asked about:

🏘 Safety and anti-social behaviour
Specific areas such as Wyndham, Comber and Goschen estates, on Denmark Hill, and in local shops

🚌 Transport
Camberwell station, idling buses, dockless bikes cluttering pavements, and who is held accountable when things go wrong

👶 Young people
Youth clubs closing, playground associations losing funding, and the question of whether SE5 will still be a place young people want to grow up in

🏠 Housing
Local temporary accommodation without basic facilities, leaseholders with no voice, and the question of who benefits from the new buildings going up across our neighbourhood

🌿 Green spaces
Nature recovery, the future of the Cormont Road school site, and whether Green Dale fields should be protected

🗳 Democracy
Residents who have never met their ward councillor, community groups who cannot access council buildings, and communities who feel consulted but never heard

❤️ Adult social care
The threatened closure of the Central Hill dementia centre and what increasing numbers of aging residents means for our borough

These are not party political questions. They are SE5 questions, they belong to every ward across Southwark and Lambeth that makes up this community.

We look forward to working with all newly elected SE5 councillors over the coming four years, and to holding you to the commitments you made on the night.
The Lambeth/Southwark Summit agreed at our last AGM remains a priority. SE5 works best when both councils work together.

To stay up to date with the work of SE5 Forum and hear about any upcoming events involving our local councillors, as well as local events, activities and events, download the Camberwell Life app today.

Read More
SE5 Hustings at Love Walk, Wednesday 29th April 2026

Join the SE5 Forum as we bring together the local candidates for the upcoming Local Election. All are welcome, this event is free to attend.

Meet the candidates. Ask your questions. Hold them to account.

SE5 Forum is hosting a public hustings ahead of the local elections on 7th May. Candidates from every party standing across SE5’s nine wards will be invited to speak — and to answer your questions.

The SE5 wards covered at this event –

Southwark

  • St. Giles
  • Camberwell Green
  • Newington
  • Champion Hill
  • Peckham
  • Faraday

Lambeth

  • Myatt’s Fields
  • Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction
  • Brixton North

Submit a question in advance

Community groups and residents are invited to submit questions before the event. From the final submissions a selection will be chosen to be asked to the candidates on the evening. To submit your question, please use the link below to head to our eventbrite listing. Deadline for question submissions is Tuesday 28th April.
Doors will open at 6:45pm. The event will start at 7pm.

Together, we can make Camberwell an even better place to live, work and visit!

If you have any queries or access needs to attend this event, please email us at admin@se5forum.org.uk

Read More
Camberwell News: Free Bat walk in the woods, Camberwell Neighbourhood Survey and more local news…

Free Bat Walk in Dog Kennel Hill Woods
Local ecologist Dr Iain Boulton leads this free, guided bat walk with special bat detectors through the atmospheric green spaces of Dog Kennel Hill Woods and Greendale. Come hear the hidden chatter of London’s most common bat – the pipistrelles, as they swoop and flit through the night sky. Thursday 2nd October, 6.45pm. The walk is organised by the Trees & Green Spaces Group of SE5 Forum and Camberwell Society. Find out more & book your free place below.Book your free Bat Walk ticket here

Camberwell Neighbourhood Hub: Have your say!
Southwark Council is following up from its Camberwell Neighbourhood Meeting in July with a Camberwell Neighbourhood Survey of priorites for the area. The council says the survey will inform a new Community Plan that reflects “what’s important to your neighbourhood now and for the future, guiding how the council will support and invest in your area.” The council claims it’s not yet another consultation – but a shift in how decisions that affect your area are made. The survey can be found in the counci’s new online Camberwell Neighbourhood Hub for community action – where you can meet your Neighbourhood Champion Cllr Dora Dixon-Fyle, see Emerging Priorities and fill in the survey.The top priority is currently: Influence over decisions that affect you, your family and your community, followed by Transport and Climate Change. Read more here and find out how to have more of an impact on decision-making in Camberwell.

SE London Book Fest is back
Swap the sofa for stories—SE London BookFest is back for its second year. Running from 18 October to the end of November, it is packed with talks, readings and conversations featuring local stars such as Jacqueline Crooks, Evie Wyld and Camberwell’s own photographer Julia Hawkins with her project On Loneliness, alongside big names Diane Abbott, Vince Cable, John Crace and Robert Elms. Book your tickets here – either free or with donation to food bank.

Camberwell Talks season launches 6th October
Bookings coming soon for SE5 Forum’s exciting new season of Camberwell Talks by inspiring locals! Watch this space for Roy Vickery’s wonderful weeds, powerlifting champion Elaine Jacksonand Radio 4 journo Justin Webb’s Camberwell & Career. All funds raised will go to support our ongoing voluntary work to improve Camberwell for all of our diverse community. 

Camberwell Green Street Food Market: 4 Oct 10-4
Taste the world on your doorstep: Vietnamese street food, jerk meets jollof, plus local mead, beer, honey, chocolate, jam and more. Saturday 4 October 10 am – 4 pm. Urban Farmers Market. 
Free Women’s Self-Defence Sessions in Southwark Join free self-defence sessions for women aged 18+ living in Southwark. Learn practical skills to protect yourself and feel more empowered. Organised by Southwark Council. Find out more here. 

Flytipping or rubbish in your Camberwell street?
Want to report flytipping, rubbish on the pavement, graffiti tagging or dumped vehicles and more to the council? Use Southwark Council’s online Fix My Street to report.    

Camberwell Calendar 📆
Find out what’s on in Camberwell with the Camberwell monthly calendar newsletter from Camberwell Society – also featured on our Camberwell Life website. You can also download free Camberwell food and health maps, the Black History Walk and more.

SE5 Forum Community Stall on the Green
Come and visit us at the SE5 Forum community stal at Camberwell Green Market on Saturdays 10am-3pm! Browse our cool Camberwell merchandise – with new butterfly mugs, kids’ Ts and tote bags. 

Love Camberwell? We’d love your help! 
Would you like to make a bigger impact on your local area? We’re always looking to welcome new volunteers and helpers. If you’re interested, please email: admin@se5forum.org.uk. 

Read More