Lambeth: Supporting the community through extreme heat

Our leisure centres and libraries across the borough provide cool spaces for those who need to beat the heat.

All sheltered housing residents will be contacted daily, and our housing officers will check on our most vulnerable tenants. We are taking a proactive approach, with teams checking in on residents where there are concerns. We’re working with partners and making sure any issues are picked up quickly so support can be put in place. Outreach workers are also out supporting those who are sleeping rough, ensuring they have access to water, cool spaces and wider support through our day centres.

During this period of exceptionally hot weather, we understand that many residents will be opening windows to keep their homes cool. We would like to remind parents and care-givers to supervise children carefully and ensure that window restrictors are not tampered with or removed. These safety devices have been installed in our high rise buildings to help prevent falls from height and play an important role in keeping residents safe.

Cllr Ciara Alleyne, Lambeth’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Future Generations, said: “We are concerned about the impacts of the extreme weather this week and are mobilising as a council to support our residents, particularly the most vulnerable who are at the greatest risk of harm.

“We’re also asking our residents to follow the health advice about how to keep cool, as well as look out for people in our community who might need extra help when it comes to coping with the heat.”

“It’s clear that extreme temperatures like this week are hitting our borough more often, creating huge challenges for us all, which is why we are not only committed to supporting residents at this time, but are also committed to embedding climate action across the council.”

For more advice and guidance, visit lambeth.gov.uk/extreme-weather-resilience.

Some libraries do not have air conditioning, but will be cooler than outside and have fans:

Lambeth Archives – Air conditioning available

Clapham – Limited air conditioning

Minet – Air conditioning in the Children’s Library, ceiling fans in the adult library.

Streatham – Air conditioning in several parts of the library

West Norwood – Limited air conditioning, has some fans. The cinema’s public area has air conditioning, and people can sit there.

Please note that Waterloo Library is closed and due to reopen on 29 August. Brixton Library is closed until 29 June.