It has been another busy and rewarding week out in the borough, meeting residents, listening to the issues that matter most to you, sharing updates on the Council’s work, and seeing first-hand the incredible efforts of local organisations that make such a difference to our communities.

Ask the Mayor at Costa Del Croydon

I held an engaging Ask the Mayor session at Costa Del Croydon. It was well attended and was a good chance to hear directly from residents about a range of concerns, including housing, employment, antisocial behaviour, rubbish and fly-tipping. These are issues we are working hard to address, and you can find out more about the progress we’ve made by reading last week’s First 100 Days update. Everyone who attended will receive a written response to the points they raised. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come along and speak with me.

Feeling Soul-Full on George Street

It was a pleasure to visit Soul-Full, the not-for-profit community venture on George Street led by Palma Black. I saw first-hand the positive impact this innovative community hub is having in the heart of Croydon. Through its affordable workspaces, meeting rooms, creative studios and welcoming community cafe, Soul-Full is creating opportunities for local residents, voluntary organisations and small businesses to connect, develop skills and thrive.

Initiatives like this play an important role in building stronger communities. They help tackle isolation, support wellbeing, encourage enterprise and create pathways into employment, training and entrepreneurship. By bringing people together and investing in local talent, Soul-Full is helping to create a more inclusive and prosperous Croydon. It was an inspiring visit, and I would like to thank Palma and everyone involved for their commitment to supporting our residents.

Holiday fun for our young people

There are some fantastic activities taking place across Croydon this summer as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, and I was delighted to visit one of them, the Mula Cake Club in Broad Green, on Thursday. The programme provides activities for children aged 8 to 13, and it was wonderful to watch their performances and join them for their summer presentation day. The young people were clearly enjoying themselves and benefiting from a positive, supportive environment during the school holidays.

My thanks go to everyone at the Mula Cake Club and all our HAF providers for providing such valuable opportunities for our young people. It is another excellent example of local people giving back to our community and helping others to thrive.

With the bank holiday just around the corner, I wish everyone a safe, enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon