James Hopkirk

Hawa’s Story: Disabled by war, judged fit to work by the Department for Work and Pensions

Badly injured in an explosion in Mogadishu, Hawa fled war to build a life in the UK. I was introduced to her by Sue Noel at Brixton Advice Centre, who has been advocating for her in her fight with the Department for Work and Pensions. She talked to me about what had brought her to … Continue reading Hawa’s Story: Disabled by war, judged fit to work by the Department for Work and Pensions

James Hopkirk

Just Nipping to the Shops: A photo story about disability and the Department for Work and Pensions

I first met Toni last year. She got in touch after reading some of my posts on Brixton Advice Centre’s blog, because of the appalling treatment she’d suffered at the hands of the Department for Work and Pensions. She wanted other people to know what she’d been put through – and I wrote about it here. Toni … Continue reading Just Nipping to the Shops: A photo story about disability and the Department for Work and Pensions

James Hopkirk

“It feels like the people in power have no clue how people are living here” – Mosaic Clubhouse’s Maresa Ness and Lee Elliott on mental health and the impact of austerity

Mosaic Clubhouse in Brixton has been a lifeline for Lambeth residents suffering from mental health problems since 1994. Funded by Lambeth Council and the borough's Clinical Commissioning Group, it provides education and employment opportunities, housing and benefits advice, advocacy, a supportive community and a safe space in the evenings for those in crisis. According to … Continue reading “It feels like the people in power have no clue how people are living here” – Mosaic Clubhouse’s Maresa Ness and Lee Elliott on mental health and the impact of austerity

James Hopkirk

Fair Funding for all Schools: Meet the parents fighting a £25m cut to Lambeth school budgets

By 2019, Lambeth schools collectively face losing an estimated £25m from their annual budget through a combination of rising costs and a new formula for how education funding is distributed around the country. In total, schools across England will be approximately £3bn a year worse off by 2020, according to the National Audit Office. Head … Continue reading Fair Funding for all Schools: Meet the parents fighting a £25m cut to Lambeth school budgets

James Hopkirk

Piotrek’s Story: Loss, addiction and life on the streets in Lambeth

When his wife died suddenly 18 months ago, Piotrek’s life collapsed. He lost everything and ended up sleeping rough outside a post office on Clapham High Street for nearly a year. I met him at Ace of Clubs, a day centre in south London that helps homeless and vulnerable people, and where I’ve been spending time for the last … Continue reading Piotrek’s Story: Loss, addiction and life on the streets in Lambeth

James Hopkirk

How Government cuts are pushing people into food poverty, debt and mental illness

Sue Noel has been helping struggling Lambeth residents at Brixton Advice Centre (BAC) since 2009. Unlike some of BAC’s specialists, she advises on all the issues the centre covers – from benefits and debt to housing, disrepair and homelessness. It means she has a unique overview of why people come to BAC – and how … Continue reading How Government cuts are pushing people into food poverty, debt and mental illness