A winter festival took place this weekend in Camberwell that aimed to support and guide the locals of the area by distributing a wide range of health-related and social services.
Through Camberwell Green last Saturday, an array of untraditional market stalls could be seen spread around the area. Referred to as “well-being stalls” or “hubs”, these market stalls had been set up to help locals in the area or from marginalised communities that would usually find it hard to reach out for support.
The stalls offer help and guidance in issues related to health, finances and immigration, as well as in handing out warm clothes and personal hygiene products.
Health workers and volunteers working at these stalls have told South London Lines that the services have allowed people who usually find it hard to reach out, to feel more secure from being able to talk to someone showing keen interest to help.
Natalie, an NHS worker and volunteer in one of the stalls have said it helps a lot to do these sort of events where you get people in the area to come out and talk.
“One family I was just speaking to doesn’t speak English. They were Spanish and luckily I speak Spanish, so I asked if they wanted a health check. Turns out the father hadn’t had one in 10 years, so I got talking to them and had them sign up for the [GP] service they never would’ve signed up for otherwise.” She told SLL.
Natalie works as a social prescriber meaning she will look at people’s concerns with them and help prescribe the right kind of service they need and help support them through that process.
“Working in the NHS you see what is now only social problems, [might] in the long run impact your health, often your mental health. If you can get your social problems fixed and supported, then hopefully in the future things won’t turn out so bad.”
Andy, a volunteer and one of the main organisers of the festival, has said that they have been holding events like these in Camberwell for many years, but that they have grown exponentially in the time after COVID-19.
He works at SE5 Forum for Camberwell, a voluntary group consisting of board members working to: “improve and bring together the diverse community of Camberwell.”
“We are always looking for sponsors and grants from charities or local councils to be able to arrange events like these.” He told SLL. All the proceeds from the event will go back to the community as well he said.
Stephen, another NHS volunteer, has his stall in a “well-being van”. The van offers free health check-ups and tests, advice, as well as Covid and flu jabs.
He has been driving around the borough, helping those in local communities struggling with getting all their needed check-ups and giving out important advice.
“A lot of older people and pregnant women don’t know they can get their check-ups or flu jabs done so accessibly, so it’s always nice to get a good amount here and inform them of that.”
