With walk-in clinics happening in our town centre and across Croydon this weekend, it’s never been easier to get your Covid-19 vaccination. If you’re over 18 and haven’t had your first dose, or if you’ve had your first jab and are ready for your second, head along to your nearest walk-in centre – no appointments required. If you have a friend or relative who is eligible and hasn’t yet had their jab, you can bring them along too. Getting vaccinated is quick and easy, and you’ll know that you have the best possible protection against the virus.
There will be more walk-in clinics available in the coming weeks – find the latest information here, follow @yourcroydon on social media or visit our news site and subscribe to our weekly e-bulletin – we’ll be sharing details as soon as they are available. It’s understandable to still have questions about the jab, so if you feel like you need more information before having yours, check the facts on the NHS website. You can see what it’s like to visit Croydon’s Centrale clinic here.
As a community we are making really fantastic progress in our fight against Covid-19, but we have more to do to ensure that we beat the virus by working together. This means more of us getting vaccinated, and even as we enjoy the relaxing of restrictions, continuing to do everything we can as individuals to stop the virus spreading – from rapid testing regularly, to isolating if we have symptoms. Everyone in Croydon has made incredible sacrifices to help keep our borough safe in the last year – we must remember how far we have come since March 2020, and keep on going.
Love Croydon Shop Local
I’m proud that our Love Croydon Shop Local campaign is supporting and championing our fantastic local businesses in what has been the most challenging of years. This week I supported the launch of the new Croydon Division of the South East London Chamber of Commerce, alongside my cabinet colleague, Cllr Manju Shahul-Hameed. Congratulations to Julie Agbowu for all her hard work in leading the new Croydon Division and for everything she is doing to support Croydon businesses both large and small right across the borough. Recently our focus has been helping our high streets reopen safely and our team of information officers have been out and about giving help and support to business owners across the borough.
The council has so far distributed more than £70m to businesses since the first lockdown and that support is ongoing. However, one of the government grants that we have been paying out – the Restart Grant – is due to end on June 30, so if you think you’re eligible and haven’t received a payment please apply here before the end of the month.
We want your views
I’m so pleased that Croydon is leading the way in councils encouraging the community to unite and make commitments about race and equality in their workplaces.
These will be really important in working towards a Croydon that is free from racism as well as a safer, fairer and more inclusive borough. This week we have launched a survey to ask for residents’ views on the Croydon Race Matters and Croydon Equalities pledges. We’re really keen to hear from everyone so please take part in the survey. We hope to launch the pledges during Black History Month in October.
Armed Forces Week and Windrush Day
I felt really proud to see the flag flying outside Croydon Town hall for two important events this week.
On Monday, Mayor Sherwan Chowdhury led the flag-raising ceremony to mark the start of Armed Forces Week, paying tribute to all our members of the armed forces for everything they do for all of us. It’s also an opportunity to recognise their families for their vital contribution in supporting them to do their jobs – my thanks to you all.
On Tuesday, we marked Windrush Day, flying the flag with the motto ‘We are standing on their shoulders’ in recognition of the important contribution the Windrush generation have made to life in Britain and here in our borough. Croydon is very proud of its rich Windrush heritage – Thornton Heath is home to more Windrushers than any other ward in London – and their legacy lives on in so many positive aspects of life in our borough today. It was a privilege for me to meet members of our community and hear about their experiences. You can find out more about Windrush Day in Croydon here.
Have a good weekend – don’t forget to get your jab if you haven’t already – and stay safe all,
Councillor Hamida Ali, leader of the council