Resident to challenge LibDems in Sutton council by-election

Posted on March 8, 2025 by insidecroydon

INSIDE SUTTON: April 10 has been set as polling day, with the all-powerful Liberal Democrats picking a leader of the local Hong Kong community as their candidate to replace their absentee former deputy leader.
EXCLUSIVE by BELLE MONT, Political Editor

Standing up for residents: independent candidate Pamela Marsh

“I’m fed up with residents being sidelined and their money wasted on feeble projects and financial disasters.”

That’s what Pamela Marsh has told Inside Sutton are among her reasons for agreeing to stand as an independent residents’ candidate in the Sutton Central ward council by-election that is being held on Thursday, April 10.

Sutton Council confirmed the by-election date the day after Inside Sutton had broken the story that David Bartolucci, the former deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group which controls the council, had been disqualified because he hadn’t bothered to show up for any council meetings for more than six months.

“The London Borough of Sutton has confirmed that a by-election will be held on Thursday 10 April 2025 to elect a new local councillor in Sutton Central ward,” the statement on the council website says.

“Information about the by-election, including deadlines to register and how to vote by post or proxy, can be found on the council’s Sutton Central by-election webpage.” Which is nice. Click here to visit the Sutton Council by-election page. Continue reading →

Posted in Barry Lewis, Nick Mattey, Ruth Dombey, Sutton Council, Tim Foster | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’d love every girl to find strength of knowing they’ve got power

Posted on March 8, 2025 by insidecroydon

CROYDON COMMENTARY: On International Women’s Day, TIA DEAN, who works as a teacher, talks about how her training in a Korean martial art can provide lessons in confidence in everyday life

Black belt: Tia Dean says the confidence she has gained from her martial art provides important life lessons

This International Women’s Day, I’m thinking about confidence – for me and the girls I teach at Overton Grange School in Sutton.

I’ve been teaching RE and philosophy there for six years, but martial arts has been part of my life for 18.

I’m a fourth-degree black belt in Choi Kwang Do, a South Korean martial art. It’s not really a hobby, it’s a massive part of my life.

I wouldn’t be who or where I am today, without it.

It started when I was 10. Growing up in Croydon, my mum entered me into a summer fair competition. I won six months of free martial arts training and a uniform. She dragged me along, worried about me starting secondary school in a tough area.

I fell in love with Choi Kwang Do on Day One, quit football and everything else, and stuck with it even when my two mates who’d started with me dropped out. Soon, my mum, stepdad, and brother joined in – it turned into a proper family thing.

The community kept me going. The self-defence and fitness were important, but the belonging was something else. Continue reading →

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Southern apprenticeship helped Croydon mum get on track

Posted on March 8, 2025 by insidecroydon

“Becoming a train driver is a real privilege and thanks to Southern and Career Returners, I get to live my dream every day.”

Letting the trains take the strain: Elba Lovelace-Francis has launched herself into a new career with a Southern apprenticeship

After becoming a mother for the first time, West Croydon resident Elba Lovelace-Francis wanted to take her career in a new direction and joined the world of rail after being out of work for 18 months.

Now, aged 33, Lovelace-Francis recently qualified as a train driver after completing her apprenticeship with Southern, thanks to the support she received from the rail operator and Career Returners.

“I was over the moon when I passed my final assessment and got my driver’s key, because I put my heart and soul into my driver’s apprenticeship,” said the fully qualifed woman train driver, speaking about her experience to mark today’s International Women’s Day.

“The first six months of the course were classroom-based and I enjoyed immersing myself in the theory, especially the 1,000-page rulebook which I must know inside out. The best bit was getting out on the network and learning the routes under the supervision of my driving instructor. Now I’m driving independently, which is fantastic. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Transport, West Croydon | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Handel’s Messiah, performed in Croydon Minster, Mar 29

Posted on March 8, 2025 by insidecroydon

Continue reading →

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Mortgage advice that’s tailored to you from Trinity Financial

Posted on March 8, 2025 by insidecroydon

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Continue reading →

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Carers’ Centre staff now face redundancy under new provider

Posted on March 7, 2025 by insidecroydon

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Valued workers based in George Street look set to pay with their jobs so that Mayor Perry can dodge criticism.
EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES

Just days after Mayor Jason Perry denied he was performing a U-turn when he U-turned by announcing that the Croydon Carers’ Support Centre on George Street would remain open, and staff working at the centre have been told that they now face losing their jobs next month.

Mayor Perry and the council decided to change provider of statutory carers’ support services, from local charity the Whitgift Foundation to an out-of-borough commercial company, Carers First. Without the council contract, the Foundation could no longer afford to manage the Carers’ Centre, where they employed around nine staff.

The centre has been helping hard-pressed families in the borough for more than a decade. It was due to close on March 14, after Croydon Council opted to break provision for carers into three parts, with adult carers’ assessments now to be provided by Carers First.

When the news of the closure of the Carers’ Centre first leaked out – and was reported exclusively by Inside Croydon – the council issued assurances that there would be no job losses and that Croydon-based staff would be “TUPE’d over”, from the Whitgift Foundation to the pay-roll of Kent-based Carers’ First. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult Social Care, Business, Carers First, Charity, Croydon Council, Mayor Jason Perry, Whitgift Foundation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

3,000 children enjoy a special World Book Day at Waterstones

Posted on March 7, 2025 by insidecroydon

Rapt audience: Dominic Yoboue, author of Kara, has been one of the local authors doing World Book Day readings in Waterstones this week

More than 2,000 primary-aged pupils have been inspired and excited at a book shop in the Whitgift Centre this week, all part of activities around World Book Day.

The children, aged from four to 11, were visiting Waterstones to hear local authors reading their books and talking about their writing. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Education, Schools, Whitgift Centre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Birders leave a sign to mark life of RSPB founder Eliza Phillips

Posted on March 7, 2025 by insidecroydon

Croydon bird-watchers have installed a plaque to commemorate the life and far-reaching works of Eliza Phillips, one of the founders and most generous benefactors of what we know today as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Pride of place: unable to instal a blue plaque in her memory, Eliza Philliops now has an information board close to the site of her former home on Morland Road

Phillips’ home from 1890 until her death, aged 93, in 1916 was Vaughan House, on Morland Road, Addiscombe.

After being widowed for a second time, in 1885, Phillips made it her life’s mission to protect animals and bird life in Britain. The plumage trade and use of feathers in Victorian ladies’ hats was having a devastating effect on some of Britain’s native breeds of bird.

The Society for the Protection of Birds was formed by the 1891 amalgamation of The Plumage League, an anti-plumage group run by Emily Williamson, and the “Fin, Fur and Feather Folk” whose afternoon meetings were established in 1889 at Phillips’ and other supporters’ homes, including at Addiscombe. Continue reading →

Posted in Addiscombe East, Charity, Community associations, Environment, History, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

No Access Croydon: Kerswell closes off Fisher’s Folly to public

Posted on March 7, 2025 by insidecroydon

Fisher’s Folly: the council is shutting the public out of the public access area of what is sometimes known as ‘Bernard Weatherill House’, from Monday, March 10

CROYDON IN CRISIS: At short notice, the council has announced that there will be no public access to the its offices without an appointment, in the latest cut in services under Mayor Jason Perry.
EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES

The council’s latest money-saving scam is to close off Fisher’s Folly – the local authority’s office building – from the people that the council is supposed to serve – Croydon Council Tax-payers.

Access no more: Fisher’s Folly was designed to have a large area for the public to meet officials. Kerswell and Perry are having it closed down

Katherine Kerswell, 63, the council’s £204,000 per year chief executive, issued a missive to staff this morning, announcing that from Monday, Access Croydon, the ground-floor level area where the public have been able to seek assistance with a range of council services, will become No Access Croydon.

Actual face-to-face access to council staff will no longer be possible without a prior appointment.

Councillors, the people elected to represent the public in the management of the council, were only informed of this latest cut-back last night.

The move is likely to have a massive impact on people who have been rendered homeless, including families with small children, and who are in urgent need of emergency accommodation. Unless they manage to foresee their unfortunate plight and get internet access to arrange a Kerswell-ordained appointment, there is a very real possibility that they will be shut out of the council’s offices, unable to access the urgent assistance that they so desperately need. Continue reading →

Posted in 'Future Croydon', Bernard Weatherill House, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Housing, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Location is coming to Croydon – and they want to film you

Posted on March 7, 2025 by insidecroydon

House hunters: Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsop are returning to Croydon after eight years

Location, Location, Location is coming back to Croydon, and the producers want to hear from south London house hunters who are willing to appear on the programme.

They will be recording for series 29 – yes, 29! – of the popular Channel 4 show.

“Whether you’re a first-time buyer, looking for your next home, downsizing or relocating – whatever the reason for moving, we’d love to hear your story,” the producers say. Continue reading →

Posted in Activities, Addiscombe West, Property, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mystery surrounds stalled opening of Grants’ Asian food hall

Posted on March 6, 2025 by insidecroydon

‘Coming soon’: Tokia Square was meant to open last Sunday, March 2, but there has been a ‘slight delay’ according to the business behind the project

Tokia Square, which promised “a dynamic food court offering an extraordinary selection of Asian cuisines”, has missed its grand opening date, with no explanation from the business behind the project for the delay.

“Tokia Square is designed to bring a unique culinary experience to Croydon, combining authentic flavours with a modern, vibrant atmosphere,” the owners promised last month, when announcing that their large-scale food hall was set to open in the Grants leisure complex on Croydon High Street on Sunday, March 2. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Tokia Square | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Thornton Heath man found guilty of animal cruelty to pet dog

Posted on March 6, 2025 by insidecroydon

A man from Thornton Heath was given a suspended jail sentence and banned from keeping animals for 10 years after being convicted under the Animal Welfare Act after a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.

An XL bully called Raynor was in an emaciated condition and considerable pain and distress, caused by severe ear disease, when owner Nicholas Johnston took her to a PDSA clinic in Croydon in February last year.

The issue around the dog’s ears appeared to have been caused by the dog having had its ears cropped, as is the fashion for some owners. Ear cropping of dogs is illegal in this country.

When taken to the PDSA, the condition of the animal was so poor that the charity’s vet had no alternative but to have her put to sleep. Continue reading →

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Lanfranc in appeal to restore memorial to victims of air crash

Posted on March 6, 2025 by insidecroydon

In need of some help: the Lanfranc memorial in Croydon Crematorium, after more than 60 years, is in need of some restoration work

By NEIL BENNETT

The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy is asking for help to restore the memorial to 34 of its pupils who died in a 1961 air crash, one of the most tragic chapters in Croydon history.

No survivors: 39 lives were lost when the Vickers Viking crashed on Holtaheia Mountain, Stavanger, on Aug 9 1961

The boys, two teachers and three air crew were all killed when the aircraft taking them on a summer trip to Norway crashed. There were no survivors.

The memorial garden for the Lanfranc air disaster, in Croydon Crematorium, is badly in need of improvement and the school has opened a crowdfunding page to raise at least £60,000 to replace damaged name plaques and inscription stones, repair and clean broken paving slabs, remove damaged trees, and generally make the area a fitting place of commemoration once again.

Lanfranc School, on Mitcham Road, became The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy in 2014 and has always made huge efforts to keep the memories of the boys alive. A permanent display in the school’s foyer reminds visitors about the tragedy. In the school hall there is a plaque dedicated to all who those who were killed. Continue reading →

Posted in Archbishop Lanfranc, Community associations, History, Schools | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Lady Ina Wood, wife of the former Bishop of Croydon, has died

Posted on March 6, 2025 by insidecroydon

‘Convivial nature, her warm smile and infectious laughter’: Ina Wood with husband Sir Wilfred, the former Bishop of Croydon, retired to Barbados in 2002

OBITUARY: Lady Ina Wood, the wife of the former Bishop of Croydon, Sir Wilfred Wood, died in January at her home in Barbados after a short illness. She was 86

Ina Eileen Smith was born in Barbados in the parish of St Joseph in 1938, one of nine children.

She excelled at school and achieved top marks in many of her classes, despite being disadvantaged by crippling headaches which initially went undetected, affecting her vision and making study painful. Continue reading →

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Heritage building Heathfield House is pulled from auction

Posted on March 5, 2025 by insidecroydon

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Mayor Jason Perry’s bungling council has now withdrawn the publicly-owned Grade II-listed building from the auction in their latest embarrassing climbdown

Withdrawn from auction: the council-owned Heathfield House has been granted a stay of execution

Croydon’s bungling Mayor Jason Perry has been forced to withdraw Heathfield House from the controversial auction that was planned to take place this Friday, in the latest embarrassing U-turn for his cash-strapped council.

Perry was offering a 125-year lease on the Grade II-listed Italianate Victorian villa at the top of Gravel Hill, once the home of industrialist Raymond Riesco, with a guide price of £1million. Some property experts suggested that valuation was only one-third, maybe even just one-quarter, of the true worth of the 12-bedroomed, eight reception room and three bathroom house.

And it is the second time in a couple of weeks that a public protest and petition has forced the Tory Mayor into a “reverse ferret”, following Perry’s enforced change of plan over the closure of the Croydon Carers’ Centre on George Street. Continue reading →

Posted in Addington, Croydon Council, Croydon East, Croydon parks, Environment, Gardening, Heathfield House, History, Mayor Jason Perry, Natasha Irons, Property, Ria Patel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

LibDems’ sacked deputy storms out of meeting, and council

Posted on March 5, 2025 by insidecroydon

INSIDE SUTTON: A council by-election in Sutton Central ward is imminent, following a six-month period when the area’s Liberal Democrat councillor failed to turn up for a single meeting.
EXCLUSIVE by BELLE MONT, Political Editor

Sacked: David Bartolucci was a high-profile casualty of Barry ‘Basher’ Lewis taking over as leader of Sutton Council last May

Less than 12 months ago, David Bartolucci was the £41,000 per year deputy leader of Sutton Council, and leader-in-waiting for the Liberal Democrat-controlled council where illness seemed likely to see long-serving leader Ruth Dombey step down.

But having been passed over for the top job by his party colleagues on the council a deeply embittered Bartolucci made a strange cameo appearance at Monday night’s council meeting in the Civic Centre, before storming out. It seems almost certain that a council by-election will now be called to fill the vacancy Bartolucci has left in Sutton Central ward.

Bartolucci is now seen as no longer a serving councillor, having failed to formally attend any council committee meetings since September 4 last year. Continue reading →

Posted in Barry Lewis, Jayne McCoy, Ruth Dombey, Sheldon Vestey, Sutton Council | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Stupidity is rewarded as two loyal readers win tickets for Wilko

Posted on March 5, 2025 by insidecroydon

Congratulations to Inside Croydon loyal readers Mark Vaughan and Austen Cooper, whose names were first out of the hat yesterday in our latest prize competition.

Quite a show: Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n Roll is on stage at the Southwark Playouse Borough until Apr 19

Mark and Austen, each accompanied by a guest, are off to see the “stonking” new play with live music: Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll at Southwark Playhouse Borough later this month.

A mixture of words, rock ’n roll, and quotes from the man himself, Wilko tells the amazing, uplifting true story of  the Canvey Island legend, and founder member of R&B band Dr Feelgood.

Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n Roll transfers to Southwark Playhouse Borough this month, following critical and audience acclaim in its initial run in Hornchurch in 2023.

Tickets for this exciting, foot-tapping new play are available now for the show that opens at the Southwark Playhouse Borough on March 20 and runs through to April 19.

Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Inside Croydon, Music, Theatre | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Passengers’ petition makes call for return to the old Route 166

Posted on March 5, 2025 by insidecroydon

Residents in Coulsdon and Purley have been echoing legendary rocker Chuck Berry, sort of, by demanding that Transport for London “take the highway that’s the best” (for passengers), and let them get their kicks on the old-style route 166.

Passenger petition: the delegation of Coulsdon residents’ associations, the East Surrey Transport Committee and councillors Parker and Davis met with TfL officials this week

It is 12 months since Transport for London diverted the 166 bus route which runs between Banstead and Croydon via Coulsdon, and instead re-routed it along Pampisford Road, away from the Brighton Road at Purley.

Route 166 on its revised route no longer serves Purley Hospital or Purley town centre.

Passengers from Coulsdon West, Chipstead Valley and Woodmansterne are now faced with changing buses or a quarter-mile walk, with steps, to reach Purley town centre and the hospital from Pampisford Road. Passengers with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs face an even longer walk from Pampisford Road to avoid the steps. Continue reading →

Posted in Community associations, Coulsdon, Coulsdon East, Coulsdon Town, Coulsdon West Residents' Association, East Coulsdon Residents' Association, Ian Parker, Purley, Rowenna Davis, TfL, Transport, Waddon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

College sets tough target of 50 apprentice places in 50 days

Posted on March 5, 2025 by insidecroydon

Croydon College is celebrating Colleges Week 2025 with a campaign to secure 50 apprentices in 50 days by appealing to employers to get involved and support young people getting into the workplace.

Work opportunity: Croydon College is seeking partners in local businesses to provide apprentice places

As part of the campaign, Croydon College has called on businesses to pledge to create an apprenticeship vacancy, helping students at the town centre further education college kick-start their careers.

The college is looking for employers to offer apprenticeships in engineering, carpentry, construction, plumbing, business, accounting, teaching, early years and adult care. Continue reading →

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Disruption to TfL tram services with Lebanon Road track works

Posted on March 5, 2025 by insidecroydon

There is to be further disruption to tram services this weekend, with another set of “essential” track repairs to be carried out near the Lebanon Road stop in Addiscombe on March 8 and 9.

Off track: essential repair works are taking place this weekend near Lebanon Road

Transport for London’s summary of the service changes says:

Saturday March 8

Normal service is expected across the network until 8.30pm.

After 8.30pm there will be no service between:

  • Reeves Corner and Beckenham Junction and Elmers End
  • West Croydon and New Addington
  • Trams will operate between Wimbledon and Reeves Corner

Sunday March 9

There will be no service all day between:

  • Wellesley Road and Sandilands
  • Sandilands and George Street
  • Arena and Elmers End

Continue reading →

Posted in Addiscombe West, East Croydon, TfL, Tramlink, Transport, West Croydon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Free STEM workshop for children with autism, BLBG, Mar 29

Posted on March 5, 2025 by insidecroydon

Croydon families have a unique opportunity to participate in a free Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – STEM – workshop designed specifically for children with autism.

Taking place on Saturday March 29 at the Hub Broad Green on Keeley Road, the STEM workshop is led by the charity Chi Mu Mu in collaboration with RoboThink UK and Big Local Broad Green.

As a local support organisation, BLBG was delighted to learn that Chi Mu Mu was leading this fantastic initiative with RoboThink and to see their keenness to support children living with autism in Croydon. Recognising the need for more inclusive educational opportunities, BLBG immediately offered its Hub as the venue for the workshop to ensure accessibility and comfort for the children and their families.

Continue reading →

Posted in Activities, Broad Green, Community associations, Education, SEND | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Top Tory admits Fairfield Halls could be sold for the right deal

Posted on March 4, 2025 by insidecroydon

CROYDON IN CRISIS: ‘Come on down! The price is right!’ The cabinet member for finance has said that the arts and conference centre could yet be sold if the cash-strapped council is ordered to do so.
By STEVEN DOWNES

Acclaimed: Fairfield Halls Concert Hall has ‘the finest acoustic of any in London’

Jason Cummings, the Conservative councillor who is the brains behind Mayor Jason Perry’s floundering administration, has admitted that the sale of the Fairfield Halls could yet happen if they are ordered to do so by the government-appointed improvement panel.

Cummings is the cabinet member for finance who led on the bankrupt borough’s pitch for the latest, £136million government bail-out, as the Town Hall’s Tories failed again to balance their annual Budget.

Cummings was roundly criticised last week for shouting at a woman councillor on the other side of the Town Hall Chamber.

And it was Cummings who provided much of the vitriol directed at young woman councillor Ria Patel after she told this website’s news podcast, the Croydon Insider, that she had attended a briefing of the improvement and assurance panel where the council-owned arts centre the Fairfield Halls “was specifically mentioned” as being among the assets that could be sold. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Ashcroft Theatre, Business, Croydon Council, Fairfield, Fairfield Halls, Jason Cummings, Mayor Jason Perry, Music, Ria Patel, Section 114 notice, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

MP Jones issues correction on her inaccurate claim on growth

Posted on March 4, 2025 by insidecroydon

Sarah Jones, the Labour MP for Croydon West, has had her work in Parliament as the government’s industry minister given an ‘F’ grade, after she made a false claim in the House of Commons.

Ministerial blunder: Croydon West MP Sarah Jones has been told to get her facts right

The AI-powered truth checker Full Fact issued the gentlest of slaps on the wrist last night, under the headline: “Sarah Jones the latest minister to repeat inaccurate claim about UK’s projected growth”. Oh.

Full Fact was responding to Jones’s claim that, “The International Monetary Fund and the OECD predict that the UK will be Europe’s fastest-growing economy over the next few years.” Except that they don’t.

Jones had been responding to LibDem MP Clive Jones (no relation), who raised the spectre of expensive-to-buy electric vehicles, and the chainsaw-weilding President of the United States, Elon Musk. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Croydon West, Sarah Jones MP, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reader offer: 30% off The Sixteen concert tickets for March 17

Posted on March 4, 2025 by insidecroydon

The Sixteen, the world-renowned choir, begins its 2025 Choral Pilgrimage at Croydon Minster on March 17 with a world premiere – and Inside Croydon readers can be there with a special 30% discount on ticket prices!

Back at the Minster: The Sixteen will begin their 2025 tour in Croydon on March 17

There can have been few more appropriate times for the theme of this year’s Choral Pilgrimmage by The Sixteen: An Angel of Peace focuses on bringing peace and tranquillity to the chaos of day-to-day life.

The concert will include performances of today’s finest composers Anna Clyne, Arvo Pärt and Will Todd, in addition to the healing and wondrous music of Hildegard of Bingen and John Taverner.

The opening performance in Croydon will see the world premiere of Clyne’s Orbits for choir and solo violin. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Croydon Minster, Inside Croydon, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Council reaches out to residents for more help with fostering

Posted on March 4, 2025 by insidecroydon

Croydon has a critical shortage of foster carers, according to the council.

Fostering help: the council is appealing for people to volunteer to provide stable homes for youngsters

There are 231 children and young people looked after by 142 fostering households across the borough. “But more carers are needed to provide safe and loving homes for local children so that they are not placed in foster homes far away from their families,” Croydon Council said in a statement.

This week, until March 9, the council’s fostering team will be running a series of drop-in sessions for anyone wanting to find out more about becoming a foster carer. There is no need to book, and social workers as well as current foster carers will be there to answer any questions.

“In one of London’s most diverse boroughs, the council is looking for people from all walks of life to care for Croydon’s vulnerable children and young people,” they say.

“There is no single type of person who would make a ‘perfect’ foster carer, so enquiries are welcomed from anyone who has the capacity to look after children.”

Under the fostering system, foster carers receive fees to provide help and support for the children or young people in their care.

Charlene Dry started fostering for the borough five years ago. With the help, love and support of her birth children, she has provided a home and family for four babies, and is fostering a 10-year-old.

“The support I get from Croydon Council is amazing,” Dry said.

“I have a supervising social worker who has been with me from the opening evening to right up until now. Anyone at Croydon Council that I call to ask a question, they’re always there to answer, so you always feel like you’re supported.”

Drop-in sessions

The Council fostering team will be hosting drop-in sessions for anyone wanting to find out more. Residents are welcome to turn up at any of the below venues without booking, or visit: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/foster-croydon to make an application.

Tomorrow, March 5, 4.30pm to 7pm
Venue: St George’s Hall, Elstan Way, Shirley, Croydon CR0 7PR

Thursday, March 6, 10am to 2pm
Venue: The Arc Café, 9 Weston Drive, Caterham, CR3 5XY

Friday, March 7, 11am to 4pm
Venue: Thornton Heath Leisure Centre, 100 High Street, CR7 8LF

The council also offers some free, “virtual” information sessions online, but these are limited in numbers and are currently listed as “sold out”.

 

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Posted in Children's Services, Croydon Council | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment