SoWN News 17 February 2026
- 43 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to the latest South Bank and Waterloo Neighbours newsletter. This month it's packed with plenty of opportunities to get involved, share your views, and connect with your community - read on to find out more.
Inside this issue:
Join us for the SoWN Forum on 19 March at 6pm at Rambert
The Cut consultation: share your views by 2 March
Register with the Waterloo Health Health Centre
Southbank Centre Community Connect offer
Dispersal Zone Authorised – Waterloo, Southbank & Westminster Bridge
Support the Loos for Lambeth campaign
Discover beekeeping with free introductory sessions at Morley College
Newsletter from Marina Ahmad, London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark
Join a Coin Street session this spring
Spotlight on... Johnny Walker of the Waterloo Action Centre
Join us for the SoWN Forum on 19 March 2026
The next SoWN Forum will be held on Thursday 19 March (a change from 12 March) and is kindly being hosted by Rambert, 99 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP.
The Forum is a great chance for residents and businesses to come together, hear what’s happening locally, and connect with others in the community.
The Forum starts at 6pm. The agenda will include:
An update from the Metropolitan Police on upcoming protest marches across London on 16 May 2026 - including the planned reprise of the Unite the Kingdom march held last September.
SC1 London life sciences innovation district
Waterloo Community Counselling
If there's anything you would like to see on the agenda, please let us know.
The following Forums will be held on Thursday 11 June, Thursday 17 September, Thursday 10 December
The Cut consultation: share your views by 2 March
Lambeth and Southwark Councils are asking for feedback on interventions along The Cut. The consultation closes on Monday 2 March 2026.
They are working to make The Cut safer, cleaner and greener, and to create a place that serves residents, workers and visitors.
They are looking for feedback to understand how they can implement the vision and the key principles at various locations along The Cut.
Register with the Waterloo Health Health Centre
Southbank Centre: local groups can visit two new exhibitions for free
Through the Southbank Centre’s Community Connect offer, local community groups and non-profit organisations can visit the Hayward Gallery for free.
Explore two new exhibitions with immersive artwork stretching from floor to ceiling by internationally acclaimed artists, Chiharu Shiota and Yin Xiuzhen.
Book up to 30 tickets through your organisation during the first eight weeks. Tickets can be booked for any date and time during gallery opening hours, and each ticket provides access to both exhibitions.
Dispersal Zone Authorised – Waterloo, Southbank & Westminster Bridge
To support public safety and reduce anti-social behaviour, the Met has authorised a Section 35 dispersal zone covering the areas of Waterloo, the Southbank, and the entirety of Westminster Bridge.
This action has been taken in response to ongoing issues with illegal street trading, which has recently led to incidents of violence and intimidation in the area. The dispersal power allows officers to direct individuals causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to leave the designated area.
The order is now in effect and will remain active for the authorised period. Local officers will be on patrol throughout the zone, engaging with the community and using these powers where necessary to ensure the area remains safe for residents, workers and visitors.
If you witness anti-social behaviour or have concerns, please speak with officers on patrol or contact the Met via the usual channels.
Support the Loos for Lambeth campaign
Loos for Lambeth is a local group of residents, supported by Age UK London, campaigning to improve public toilet provision in the borough to make it easier for people to get out and about and live the lives they want to live.
Currently, too many people do not leave their homes as much as they would like because they are anxious about not being able to find a toilet.
They want the council to take action to improve public toilet provision in the borough and part of this is to improve Lambeth’s existing Community Toilet Scheme.
Find out more about how you can support their campaign here.
Discover beekeeping with free introductory sessions at Morley College
Have you ever wanted to to know more about the fascinating world of apiculture - otherwise known as beekeeping?
If so, there's great news. Morley College will be delivering a series of FREE beekeeping courses funded by Southwark Council’s Neighbourhood Fund. The course will run across multiple dates. Full details and booking links are available below.
Newsletter from Marina Ahmad, London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark
Read Marina's newsletter for updates on local issues she is dealing with as London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark, and those in Marina's role as Chair of the Police and Crime Committee at City Hall.
Read Marina's newsletter here.
Join a Coin Street session this spring
There are many low and no cost sessions at Coin Street for you to get involved with this spring.
For young people there are spaces at youth night, weekend football, girls club and Easter Camp.
For those above the 'young person' threshold, there's a range of activities at Rambert, weekly coffee mornings, community singing and a host of volunteering opportunities.
Visit the website to find out more.
Spotlight on... Johnny Walker from the Waterloo Action Centre.
What’s your role in South Bank and Waterloo?
My connections with Waterloo and South Bank began in 1996 when my family moved to Pearman Street. I took an active part in Johanna (new Oasis Academy South Bank Primary), the local primary school my son and daughter attended, and participated in local festivals etc. I also was involved in running the Co-op. Coin St Co-op employed me as a Maintenance Contractor from 2016 to 2018 and I have be volunteering and employed by Waterloo Action Centre as a Handyman since 2018.
What’s your favourite thing to do on the weekend?
Doing any of my hobbies such as reading, cycling and traveling.
If you could choose a superpower, what would you pick?
My special power would be to make people kind.
Who is your hero/heroine?
My hero is the Dali Lama
Who do you nominate for a SoWN spotlight?
I would like to nominate Claudia. She has provided great food and caring service with humour and kindness without fail.
