The number of on-time state school applications received by south west London councils has decreased following the autumn budget’s private school tax, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Data obtained from Croydon, Kingston, Richmond, Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth councils each showed a decrease in the number of secondary school applications received by the 31st October deadline.

The announcement of a 20% VAT charge on private school fees last autumn had heralded outcry, but is yet to play out in the state sector. 

One teacher at a small private school in Surrey said: “There has been no sudden rise of pupil withdrawals. But I can see a few schools struggling in the future which could have a major impact on the state sector. 

“With the rising cost of living, even before the VAT increase, families were having to make sacrifices to send their children to private school. Now, the number of families who can afford the extra 10-20% gets even smaller.” 

The Independent Schools Council (ISC), which represents more 1,400 private schools in England, declined to comment on these figures but had previously suggested that an increase in private school fees to meet the additional VAT charges, would result in a migration of students into a ‘stretched’ state sector.

Richmond Council saw a 10% drop in applications from 2024 to 2025, although figures had already been decreasing since 2021, in line with dropping birth rates in the area. 

A council spokesperson said: “The number of on-time secondary school applications received for September 2025 shows a small decrease compared to the previous year, reflecting wider demographic trends that we will continue to track closely.

“At this stage in of secondary issions, we have not seen any discernible impact on our pupil numbers arising from the VAT charge on independent private schools. As we monitor this, our focus remains on ensuring that there are sufficient high-quality school places available for all children in Richmond upon Thames.” 

The capital’s rising cost of living, coupled with its dropping birth rates could be contributing to the fall in student numbers. 

One Wandsworth primary school is set to close over the summer, citing a dramatic decline in pupils and a resulting debt of approximately £300,000. 

St Anne’s Church of England took just eight children into their reception class in September 2024. 

Merton has seen a similar steady decrease in secondary school applications year on year, dropping by 10% since 2019. 

MP for Mitcham and Morden Dame Siobhain McDonagh said: “We have had a number of primary schools in Mitcham and Morden go down to one form of entry, you know, 30 a year rather than 60 because there simply aren’t the children around.

“We’re facing a terrible crisis in our schools in SW London with falling school rolls. Birth rates are down, people are just not having children and one of the factors at the top of our discussion is just how expensive it is to live in London and clearly if you have children, you need more housing and that is very difficult to access.” 

With regards to constituents raising concerns on struggling to afford the rising fees at independent schools, McDonagh added: “Maybe some time ago I had one or two, but as your Freedom of Information application indicates there has been no real impact.

“Some of the schools have absorbed the costs because private school fees have gone through the roof in recent years, so there may be quite a lot of money in the model.”

Despite dropping slightly this year, Sutton has seen a 5% increase in the number of state school applications received from 2019 to 2025.

A state school teacher in Sutton said: “Most of us here are in agreement that the move by the government makes sense. If what they’re saying is true then state schools will definitely benefit from the budget increases.

 “But I can see both sides, some people work really hard to just about manage to pay the fees so their child can get that top education, but probably won’t be able to afford it anymore.” 

The ISC together with a small collective of Christian faith schools and a parent-led group challenged the government’s VAT policy in court last month, arguing that it was discriminatory and against the legal right to an education. 

At the hearing, it was raised that higher fees could force 35,000 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) into the state sector, which the claimants state to be ‘in crisis’. 

Representatives of the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, HMRC and the Department of Education argued instead that the policy will raise a predicted £1.3-£1.5b annually, to be put into raising the standards for the 94% of children in state schools. 

The hearing concluded at the Royal Courts of Justice on 1 May and a date for judgement has not yet been announced. 

Featured Image by MChe Lee on Unsplash

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Tooting residents staged a public demonstration on Saturday 3 May to protest Transport for London’s (TfL) operational changes to the G1 bus service.

TfL’s changes mean reduced daytime frequencies on the route, where buses will now run every 20 minutes instead of every 15 minutes until 7pm Monday to Saturday.

Residents gathered on Clairview Road in Tooting to share their concerns about reductions to the popular service, which runs between Streatham and Clapham Junction via places including St George’s Hospital and Furzedown. 

Resident Dr Bob Broad said: “This bus provides a lifeline for those patients and relatives going to and from St George’s Hospital, as well as for local school children, families, carers and those with mobility issues. 

“When people need to get to a school or hospital they need to be able to trust their local bus service will be frequent and reliable.

“Only this week I was told of a carer who had to pay for an Uber to get to her patient on time because the G1 bus was delayed, and this was before the service was reduced.”

Resident Radha D’Souza added: “Elderly and less-abled people, school children, and people without cars like myself rely on G1 to go to hospitals, for grocery shopping, National Rail services, tube stations and much else. 

“Existing services are inadequate. To reduce it further, and without consultation at that, is simply not acceptable.” 

Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “Like many others, I rely on the G1 to get to and from St George’s for regular cancer treatment. 

“Less frequent buses will mean more crowded buses, or even buses being full.

“Both scenarios are very bad news for those of us needing to travel to hospital frequently.”

The G1 will also be rerouted back to the Springfield University Hospital site following the completion of works.

Buses will run in both directions from Burntwood Lane via Springfield Drive, Lapidge Drive and Bicknell Way back to Springfield Drive serving bus stop Y in both directions before heading back to Burntwood Lane via Springfield Drive.

A TfL spokesperson said: “We continuously review services to ensure they reflect customer demand and offer value for money.

“As part of this work, we have also identified that we are running more buses on route G1 than is required to meet current and expected demand at certain times. 

“We will keep the changes under close review to ensure demand continues to be met.

“The flexible nature of the bus network means we can make changes such as frequency adjustments at relatively short notice if required. ”

More details about the changes to the G1 and other bus services can be found on the TfL website.

Featured image credit: Sue Pearson

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Wandsworth launched the London Borough of Culture 2025 with a dance festival in Battersea Park, featuring 200 performers and hosted by Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse.

The London Borough of Culture initiative was set up in 2017 with funding and partnerships to showcase a borough’s unique cultural identity every other year, which is vital as council spending on culture has halved from £118 per person in 2010 to £59 in 2022 in England.

Past winners such as Waltham Forest and Croydon saw investment of more than £22 million, and opportunities for more than 26,000 young people. 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said:  “I want every part of Wandsworth to be touched by the Borough of Culture, and every Wandsworth resident to get involved.” 

Watch the video below for more on the event, and to hear more from Mayor Khan.

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Food bank parcels distributed in London are at a higher level now than at the peak of the pandemic, Trussell Trust data shows.

The number of food parcels distributed in London in the year before the pandemic hit was 204,355.

This number had more than doubled at the height of lockdown to 423,214 and is now higher than ever, surging to 454,750 between 2023 and 2024.

It comes amid reports that almost one in five people claiming universal credit and disability benefits used a food bank towards the start of this year and as the government released in its Spring Statement plans to slash welfare benefits by £5bn before the end of the decade.

Sarah Hope, who regularly volunteers at her local Salvation Army food bank, told South West Londoner these new statistics by the UK-based Christian food aid charity did not shock her.

She said: “Very sadly, it doesn’t surprise me that the use of food banks has risen dramatically since Covid, of course, because of the upsurge in the cost of living.

“I think some people have now become completely reliant on the food parcels, and food banks tackle the issue of hunger without addressing the root causes of it.”

Hope said that the normalisation of food banks minimises a sense of urgency for society to act on the deep-rooted causes of food insecurity.

Experts agree with Hope that food banks have increasingly become a semi-permanent fix, or ‘sticking plaster’, for severe food poverty in the UK.

Food insecurity worsened during Covid-19, when food banks were unable to bulk-buy food staples from supermarkets as non-food bank s stockpiled supplies, with Sainsbury’s pasta sales rising by 240%, and sales of UHT milk by 110%.

Post-Covid, worsened living costs have seen demand for food banks skyrocket to almost 300% in many areas of the UK, with London hit particularly hard.

The number of food parcels distributed in the capital is markedly higher than the average in England, which was at 286,788 between 2023 and 2024, nearly 200,000 less than London.

Whilst food parcel distribution has increased dramatically, the number of distribution centres barely risen as food banks continue to battle increased demand, with stagnating resources.

A south west London resident who has struggled to afford food and asked to be anonymous said: “I’ve gone through all my savings, and at the end of the month, what I get on Universal Credit is ridiculous. It just doesn’t stretch, as everything’s going up.

“I find now my weekly food shop has easily doubled over the past few months.”

She was about to use the food bank for the first time when she came across Olio Hub – an app that works alongside shops, where neighbours can share surplus food and other household items that are near their sell-by dates.

She is now an Olio volunteer – collecting supermarket items that have expired by the end of the day, and ing them onto the site, where app-s can arrange to pick up the surplus food, and the volunteer gets to keep 10% of what they have been given by the shop.

Despite many needing to use the food bank, she said stigma stops people from going to food banks near them to avoid anyone they know, and she has noticed people who travel very far just to collect food.

“There is a big stigma to it, even though more people I know are using food banks they don’t want to it it,” she added.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “The sheer numbers of people in London still facing hunger and hardship is heart-breaking.

“You can help make sure food banks can continue to provide warm, comionate, practical and advice by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in London and the rest of the UK.”

A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions said the Government is determined to decrease London’s reliance on food banks.

“The mass dependence on food banks is unacceptable – that’s why we will fix the fundamentals of the social security system and make work pay so people don’t rely on crisis and become more financially secure,” they said.

As part of this plan, Labour has increased the National Living Wage, extended England’s Household Fund by £742 million for another year, and is due to publish a new Child Poverty Taskforce strategy this spring.

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Wandsworth residents feel misled by property developer’s proposal to build a controversial tower next to Battersea Bridge.

The plan, led by Rockwell Property, would see the construction of a 28-storey residential and commercial building situated adjacent to Battersea Bridge, on the current site of the ten-storey Glassmill building. 

The project is subject to fervent debate as the Stop The Tower petition against One Battersea Bridge, led by area campaigner and journalist Rob McGibbon, has almost 5,000 signatures.

The Chelsea Citizen online newspaper editor McGibbon said: “It is the wrong plan at the wrong location, and they took on the wrong community.

“The tower is a completely toxic idea. Not only that, but if it was pushed through it could set a terrible precedent that would end up destroying this historic riverside vista.

“The petition has galvanised multiple communities across London riverside boroughs, including Historic England and the Environment Agency.”

Rockwell stated the site is a rare opportunity to create a new landmark development fronting the River Thames and without regeneration, this site will remain vacant and financially unviable.

McGibbon, who previously ran a successful campaign to improve the safety of Battersea Bridge in 2021 after witnessing a fatal crash, expressed concern about the future of the riverside.

He compared the proposed development to neighbouring area Vauxhall and stated Battersea could be changed irreversibly.

Along with the signatures on his petition, over 1,900 objection comments appear on the council’s planning website. 

Area celebrities Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Felicity Kendal have also shown their for the campaign.

Wandsworth Council will make their decision on Thursday 24 April. 

Earlier this month, the same council approved a 29-storey housing development on the old Wandsworth Gasworks site, despite objections.

The original proposal for OBB was 34 floors, which would significantly tower above other buildings in the vicinity.

This contradicts Wandsworth’s Local Plan (2023), which states tall buildings should be proportionate to the local environment.

Rockwell has since lowered this to 28 floors and increased the proposed number of social housing in the development to 50%, suring Wandsworth Council’s policy of 35%. 

Rockwell’s managing director Nicholas Mee said: “The Spring Statement made it clear: delivering new housing is a national priority.

“Turning it down delays real solutions in favour of inaction.”

Alongside McGibbon’s petition, Friends of Battersea Riverside are campaigning against the project. 

Group member and resident of 22 years, Peter Morley, sympathises with the challenge faced by councils to provide affordable social housing. 

He said: “The community is not against converting the existing building to its current height and putting it to good use.”

However, Morley is doubtful the developers will fulfil their promise of affordable housing due to the high construction costs associated with the building.

A Rockwell spokesperson said:  “A mixture of efficiencies and public policy make it possible.”

The developers referred to eligible schemes in partnership with housing associations and the Greater London Authority.

The proposal has received 1,887 comments of on the council’s planning website, but Morley questioned Rockwell’s canvassing techniques and letters of for the project. 

He stated that in an attempt to drive up , Rockwell had approached people in Battersea Park.

He said: “They ask the question, ‘Would you like to see more affordable housing in the area?’.

“Who is going to say ‘no’ to that?”

Among the letters of , there are references to the project’s role in addressing homelessness.

Although 50% of the building will be privately owned, there are comments in of the development stating: “We need more social housing not penthouses for millionaires.” 

Morley believes Rockwell misled people and gave them an incomplete picture of the proposed development.

Several people who had originally written letters of for the building have since written to the council to withdraw them.

A spokesperson for Rockwell said their trained field workers were fully briefed and introduced the proposal clearly in writing to residents, stating that it was in of OBB.

They added if any resident wished to change or withdraw their letter, they could Rockwell at any time and they would ask the council to remove it.

Ahead of the decision meeting, council officers have recommended the construction does not take place.

Morley said: “I’m not cracking open the champagne yet because there’s every chance that Rockwell will appeal to the mayor.

“I hope, and I implore them to withdraw this entirely.”

Picture credit: RobMcGibbon_TheChelseaCitizen

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The Guest at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham is a cyclical meditation on migration and the climate crisis, set in a near-future reality where rising temperatures force people to flock northwards.

The play centres around a ‘Groundhog Day’ style scene in the garden of Joe, played by Graham Turner and Ricky, played by Stephanie Jacob, who is also the show’s writer. The chemistry between the pair was warm and believable, and bore all the markings of a long-suffering yet tender relationship. 

As the two bicker amicably, finish one another’s sentences, and complain about the scorching hot temperatures, Hannah (Erica Tavares-Kouassi) enters the scene, with broken English and a need for help.

Jacob’s writing is wonderfully inventive, reimagining the myriad outcomes that could arise from the slightest increase in paranoia, benevolence, or rage. Turner came into his own as Joe in the more imioned moments, spiralling quickly to a level of possessiveness and nationalism which has become all-too recognisable in the era of Reform. 

For Jacob, the structure preceded the story, as she had previously used the repeated scene device in a play at Trafalgar Studios.

She said in an interview before the show: “It’s like our lives really: we wake up each morning and lots of days are pretty much like yesterday, with the same shape but slightly different, and our experience slowly accumulates.

“I thought there’s a sort of bigger story here that could be more about politics or world events.”

She workshopped a number of scenes last year along with dramaturg and director, Lucy Richardson, and consulted migrant charity groups as part of her research.

The repeated scenes are bookended with monologues from Hannah detailing life in migrant hotels, the discrimination her child faces in school, and her history of domestic abuse and debt. For me, these monologues were a real highlight of the show, with Tavares-Kouassi giving a true tour-de-force, and depicting the full spectrum of human experience with breathtaking versatility. 

Her Hannah was incredibly likeable and resilient, whilst also suffering from pride and a mercurial quickness to anger not unlike that of Joe. 

Tavares-Kouassi said: “There is no black and white in the sense of ‘this character’s bad’, ‘this character’s good’.

“It’s definitely important for theatre to just go, ‘this is a mirror. Have a look at yourselves. Do you like what you see? If not, what can we do about it? How can we change?’

“It’s a motive for change.”

For me, the play certainly succeeded in provoking these kinds of reflections. It trod the line wonderfully of balancing the needs of the incoming migrant with those of the rooted couple, treating the concerns of both with great consideration and nuance. 

Jacob has described the play as being a ‘serious comedy’, in part, she said, because she thought punters may be put off by the assumption that it would be a mentally and emotionally draining play, given the topic of migration. 

I thought the more humorous moments were handled with great levity, and, as Jacob says, they are a welcome relief to the audience, contrasting against the more uncomfortable moments, such as the excruciating scene involving a sanitary towel, where the discomfort was maximised to its full extent.

As may be expected of a play of this nature, I found the structuring did cause a little dragging in the middle, and perhaps could have done with the removal of some more inconsequential scenarios, but the ending provided the perfect balance of closure and questions, and rounded off the cyclicality in a highly satisfying way.

The Guest is thought-provoking and ominous with a real standout performance from Tavares-Kouassi in the titular role.

Jacob said: “Comedy means hope, and for me it’s a hopeful play because they constantly, in almost all the what ifs, find some moment of connection. And when you connect with people, you your best self.”

THE GUEST – Omnibus Theatre

Picture credit: Héctor Manchego

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In celebration of the 2025 Oxbridge Boat Race, pubs along the southwest London riverside will engage in festivities involving live music, food stands and outdoor bars. 

The iconic Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race will uphold its historic rivalry of 185 years on Sunday 13 April, stretching across the Thames from Putney to Mortlake. 

This year’s Championship Course will oversee the 79th Women’s Boat Race and 170th Men’s Boat Race, an event typically attracting over 250,000 spectators, according to the Boat Race website.

The race will set off at Putney Bridge and wind its way to a finish just before Chiswick Bridge. 

Schedule

12.45 BBC coverage starts

13.21 79th Women’s Boat Race

13.36 Women’s Reserve Race: Osiris v Blondie

13.51 Men’s Reserve Race: Isis v Goldie

14.21 170th Men’s Boat Race

14.45 Women’s Presentation (Mortlake)

14.55 Men’s Presentation (Mortlake)

15.15 BBC coverage finishes

Offering prime views of the race, riverside pubs from Putney to Barnes will host a variety of festivities throughout the day, ideal for Boat Race enthusiasts or those eager to soak up a vibrant atmosphere with a drink in hand. 

Hammersmith: The Midway Point

Hammersmith riverside offers an insightful viewpoint of the Boat Race, as 80% of teams who lead at Hammersmith Bridge go on to secure a victory.

The Black Lion

The Black Lion marks the start of the Hammersmith riverside strip, offering a large beer garden paralleling the river. 

Alongside their usual Sunday Roast at 12pm, the pub will take advantage of their outdoor space to provide live music starting with the FosseyTango band at 2pm and DJ Aggy at 5pm.

Two outdoor bars are also to be expected for those eager to sit outside. 

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The Old Ship

The 300-year-old pub offers a terrace, balcony space and exterior seating directly overlooking the riverside. 

Starting from 12pm, the pub will offer an outside bar, a seafood shack, live music and two exclusive lunch clubs to be booked ahead of time in their conservatory. 

For a chance to claim the best seats, it is recommended to book in advance or arrive early to catch an ideal viewpoint of the race. 

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The Dove

Featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as Britain’s smallest bar room, the small 17th century pub has a balcony terrace overlooking the riverside. 

However, the balcony and indoor seating is limited to a small number of tables, so keen spectators should book in advance. 

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Hammersmith Fan Zone, Furnivall Gardens

Making up one of two official fan zones, Furnivall Gardens will transform to broadcast BBC’s coverage live on a large screen, open from 11am to 5pm. 

While not strictly a pub, the popup event will offer bars, such as a Jim and Tonic artisanal bar and an international selection of street food options. 

For more information concerning the Fan Zones, visit The Boat Race website.

The Rutland Arms and The Blue Anchor

Only two doors down from one another, The Rutland Arms and The Blue Anchor are sandwiched between the Hammersmith Fan Zone and Hammersmith Bridge, the midway landmark of the race. 

Their prime location guarantees a busy and lively atmosphere. 

The Rutland Arms

Named after the smallest county in England, the riverside pub is organising big celebrations: expect live music from around 5pm and multiple pop up bars, including a Pimm’s bar. 

The Blue Anchor

Two doors down, this 17th century pub will be hosting an outdoor BBQ and additional outdoor drinks bar.  

The Rutland Arms and the Blue Anchor pubs. Photo Credit: Geoff Henson. License: CC BY-ND 2.0

Fulham

The Blue Boat

Located right after Hammersmith Bridge, The Blue Boat will host live music from 12pm to 10pm, including artist Tony Bowen. 

The day will also consist of a BBQ from 12pm to 6pm and an ice cream cart provided by Laverstoke Park Farm.

Pop-up bars will appear on their terrace, including a Gin and Tonic and slushie bar. 

A big screen with live coverage is set to be erected as well as a Special Race Day set menu – to be reserved and pre-ordered in advance. 

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The Crabtree

The Crabtree pub and restaurant will engage in live music from 12pm, featuring artists such as Aaron Norton and The Mighty Molly Collective band from 7pm. 

Their beer garden will host food stands involving an asado grill and Crabshack BBQ.

This year the pub is sponsored by brands including but not limited to Pimm’s, Whispering Angel and Olmeca Altos Tequila. 

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Putney: The start of the race

The area will host the start of the Boat Race, offering a potential view of the ‘Coin Toss’ between the presidents of Oxford and Cambridge, dictating which side of the river the teams will race on.

Fulham Fan Zone

Situated towards the start of the race, Fulham Football Club and Bishop’s Park will serve as another official fan zone. 

Open from 11am to 5pm, 14 screens of BBC’s live coverage will be available, also involving several bars and street food stands.

To add to the atmosphere, the Fulham Brass Band will be playing at various times in the early afternoon. 

The Duke’s Head

Offering a view on the early stages of the race, The Duke’s Head will be hosting a full day of live music in celebration.

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Barnes: The finish line

The Bull’s Head

Situated near the end of the Boat Race finish line, The Bull’s Head will be serving their Sunday roasts, involving a day of live jazz music as well as a face painting station for children.

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The White Hart

Planted right on Barnes riverside, The White Hart will be one of the final pubs on the stretch of the Thames before the finish line.

In celebration of the Boat Race, the pub is offering Boat Race Gala Lunch Tickets, composing of a three-course meal, canapés and an exclusive view of the race.

Their downstairs space will also be available for walk-ins. 

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Mortlake

The Ship

This 16th century pub marks the Boat Race finish line, providing a view of the historic race since 1845.

Featured image credit: Lapatia. License: CC BY 2.0

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The Furzedown Project is a small charity making a huge impact on its community by tackling London’s digital divide.

Based in Wandsworth, the community-led project runs weekly digital inclusion sessions offering a safe space for those who are older and struggling with technology-related problems. 

The sessions are led by volunteers with the aim of empowering attendees to use technology confidently and in turn help peers with issues. 

Furzedown resident Barbara said the project made her feel comfortable using her phone and gave her a sense of community. 

The latest data from the London Mayor’s office shows that an estimated 270,000 Londoners lack internet access entirely, while a further 2 million have very limited digital usage due to factors like device access or low digital literacy. 

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, community initiatives like the Furzedown Project are essential to improving technological disparities in London.

Featured image courtesy of Sasha White

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A new exhibition which explores how people navigate the complications of mental health disorders has opened at The Bloom Gallery.

The exhibition in Battersea, which runs from 11 March to 11 April in collaboration with Sound Minds, provides a raw portrayal of the autistic artist’s own experiences with ADHD, anxiety and depression. 

The inspiration for Brain Maze arose for Lara Black, 36, as they found themselves subconsciously creating mazes to combat feelings of stress and anxiety.

Black said: “Creation is the way that I express myself.

“It not only allows me to make sense of my own mind but with what’s happening in the world.” 

Despite having always found comfort in the creation of mazes, Black did not consider presenting these pieces until they began attending painting classes with mental health charity Sound Minds. 

The charity specialises in transforming lives through the arts and regularly allows its attendees to showcase their creations.

Black said: “By allowing people like myself to curate exhibitions, Sound Minds offers visibility to artists who suffer from mental health disorders.” 

Black’s exhibition features intricately drawn monochrome mazes, which bear resemblance to a Greek labyrinth. 

Each maze varies in its form and structure, and each piece symbolises the artist’s feelings of entrapment and instability. 

The decision to exhibit both hand drawn and print images comes from Black’s desire to not just show the the raw and original prototypes as well as the finished product. 

By exhibiting the entire process of creation and the faults along the way, Black hopes to generate an authentic experience for visitors and destigmatize conversations around mental health. 

Black said: “As the exhibition is about struggling with poor mental health, I think it’s important to let visitors see actual hand drawn pieces, with the imperfections in all of their glory.

“I think that viewing art that is created by people who suffer from mental health disorders encourages people to open up and in turn, allows them to see that they’re not alone.” 

Brain Maze is open on Tuesdays from 12pm to 5pm and Fridays from 2pm to 5pm. 

Feature image: Lara Black

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Tooting residents expressed mixed reactions to the Met Police’s new live facial recognition technology, installed outside Tooting Broadway station on Tuesday.

Residents are hesitant to embrace the new technology, with many expressing mixed opinions and confusion as to how their personal details will be used.

The technology aims to reduce crime in targeted areas more efficiently and Wandsworth Police claim cameras installed last week outside Clapham Junction station have already resulted in two arrests.

Yet Paul, 27, a pharmacist and Tooting resident, expressed discomfort with the lack of consent associated with the cameras capturing footage.

He said: “It feels like an invasion of privacy. In the medical profession you need consent to access confidential information so it feels invasive in that way.” 

Live facial recognition cameras capture footage of the public ing by, comparing facial details with a pre-approved watchlist from the police.

If alerted to a wanted criminal by the cameras, police officers on the ground decide what action to take. 

A 23 year old bartender its she does not feel safer with the technology, yet thinks it could be an important initiative to combat increases in petty theft that she has been witnessing within Tooting.

Live facial recognition has been heavily criticised in particular due to its collection of sensitive biometric information as well as the lack of legislation.

UK civil liberties campaign group, Big Brother Watch, think that the faceprint taken by the police’s cameras are a threat to the general public’s freedom. 

The campaign group said: “Outsourcing policing to a camera and an algorithm not only represents a serious invasion of the public’s right to privacy, but innocent people at risk of misidentifications of justice.

“The Met Police should abandon its use of this inefficient and invasive technology.”

In response to these concerns about privacy, a Met spokesperson has explained that if a member of the public not on a police watchlist walks past a camera, their biometric details are immediately and permanently deleted.

Using facial recognition technology, a police spokesperson said that they have arrested 540 people and charged 406 of these people, including sex offenders and violent criminals. 

Lindsey Chiswick, the Met’s Director of Performance, added: “Live facial recognition is helping us deliver justice more effectively while making our streets safer.”

Wandsworth Council were approached for a comment.

Feature picture credit: Emily Edge

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