Congratulations to Croydon’s young people who collected their GCSE results yesterday – it was great to see the celebrations of pupils, teachers and parents across the borough. I’m committed to making sure every child and young person in Croydon has access to a good education, so they can reach their full potential. If you haven’t received the results you wanted to, don’t worry, there are options available to you, so please contact the council’s Post-16 Participation Team to get the support you need.
The summer holidays can feel like a long time for families. In Croydon, we’ve made sure our children and young people have access to a wide variety of free activities to keep them happy and healthy over the break.
This week I enjoyed meeting families at some of the 71 holiday clubs providing children with fun activities and healthy meals as part of Croydon’s government-funded holiday activities and food (HAF) programme.
Our youth engagement team has been taking the youth bus to various locations around Croydon this summer, including Shrublands Estate and Thornton Heath, offering art and crafts, sports, games and health information. The scheme not only keeps our young people engaged, but also supports them to make informed choices.
I was pleased to join our local police in a coordinated action day aimed at tackling the broken windows effect on our town centre and restoring pride to Croydon. The strong police presence, including mounted patrols, sent a clear message that we are committed to reclaiming our streets and ensuring a safe environment for all.
The day’s efforts also extended to London Road, where a meeting with traders emphasised the need for greater police visibility to combat anti-social behaviour. This collaboration between the police and the community shows our shared commitment to protecting our neighbourhoods and revitalising our town.
The Community Day at Merky FC in Selhurst was a hive of activity last week, with free recreational activities on offer for young people to have fun and make new friends. Whilst, in Trumble Gardens in Thornton Heath there was a Careers Fair with public, private and voluntary sector organisations providing career opportunities for our young people.
To those heading to Notting Hill Carnival this Bank Holiday weekend, I hope you have a great time! Don’t forget to check the TfL website for travel advice. If you’re staying closer to home, there is plenty happening in Croydon – including a free, family-friendly picnic and party in The Queen’s Gardens, and Costa del Croydon urban beach remains open throughout August, so get along while the sun is still shining.
Have a good Bank Holiday weekend.
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon
