Ileto Caribbean Peoples Network is currently conducting a community based research into the use of skin lightening products by the African and Caribbean born African community.

If you are  living in the Boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark or Lewisham you might be willing to assist with the research project if;

•  you or any one you know use skin lightening cosmetics/products?
•  you have a view on the practice?
• any of these questions apply would you be willing to fill in a questionnaire?

Research findings will be advocated to local, regional and national stakeholders for improved policies and services.

If you are interested please contact Kenyasue  Smart;

Contact:  07960663530, 07984357574  email sankofa@gmail.com

Boris Johnson is calling on Londoners to nominate their top volunteers for the first annual Team London Achievement Awards by 1 February 2012.  The awards will celebrate the positive effect volunteering can have in our communities and recognise the unsung heroes who give up their time to help others. London-based individual volunteers, teams or volunteering organisations can be nominated, and efforts must benefit London or Londoners.

Team London will give out four awards under each of the following categories:

• Improving Community Safety
• Increasing Youth Opportunities
• Building Stronger Neighbourhoods
• Cleaning & Greening London

The Team London Achievement Awards will be managed in partnership with Greater London Volunteering (GLV) and the deadline for all nominations is the 1^st February 2012. Winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony on the 1^st March 2012.

Find out how to apply for an award and for further information visit Team London

25 boxes containing a variety of story and educational  books  are being offered free to community groups in Peckham/Southwark.

If you are  group would like some free books to support your activities; 

Contact: Nicholas on 07859821918 or email Nicholas@pempeople.com

Please note: books must be collected from an address near  Old Kent Road,   best time Mondays or Fridays  or evenings.

Are you a  Black and Minority Ethnic family with individuals in full-time low paid, or part-time paid work and in receipt of working tax credit and would like to illustrate what a cut to this benfit support would mean to your family?

If you have lots to say about the government cuts and how it could affect you why not take part in a 10 minute film (not for TV) which is part of a research project.

Benefits for a family taking part in the film:

• You could receive free advocacy help to help resolve  a poverty issue affecting your family

Please contact:  David Reid on 0207 358  9777     david@peckhamforum.org.uk

The BBC are making two documentaries that aims to show the realities of life for teenagers (aged15-19) .

They are looking for teenagers:

•  that we don’t often hear from
•  those at the ‘have not’ end of society, hit hardest by each wave of economic cuts.
• who are from a family struggling to make ends meet
• energetic, resilient and have something to say.

Each film will follow three different teenagers from different cities around the UK over six months.

The documentary will be dipping in and out of their lives to show the opportunities and difficulties they face when finances are tight. (Trying to get a job, whether to continue in education, of just the daily realities of becoming an adult – and what they hope, and fear, for their future.)

Initial meetings and chats with producers will be really informal.

For more information:  David Reid 0207 358 9777 david@peckhamforum.org.uk