Communities

We have carried out research on a range of communities which we haven't had sufficient understanding of. These communities include:

  • Black Caribbean
  • Eritrean
  • Gypsy and Traveller
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Somali
  • Transgender

You can find out more about Lambeth's main community networks at Lambeth Connected Communities, a project facilitated by Lambeth Council to support sustainable communities and increase the resilience of the borough.

If you have produced research you would like to share with us on Lambeth and its people, economy or communities, please contact Noel Hatch at nhatch@lambeth.gov.uk.

Black Caribbean

Black Caribbean residents are a large and vibrant part of the community in Lambeth. The borough has the second highest proportion of Black Caribbean residents in the country, after Lewisham.

Ethnographic research, A Caribbean Critique?, was undertaken to explore in detail the individual stories and experiences of some of our Black Caribbean residents, and those factors that might explain dissatisfaction within this particular community. 

Black Caribbean residents were trained to act as peer researchers, and asked to provide the council with greater insight into the experiences and views of the Black Caribbean communities in Lambeth.

A short film where Black Caribbean residents have their say was produced as part of this research, in which Black Caribbean residents talk about their relationship with the council and our services.

Eritrean

Understanding the Eritrean community in Lambeth and Southwark provides evidence on the needs of this community and covers issues including; community safety, housing, employment and training, health, and services for children and young people. The research was undertaken by members of the Eritrean community and supported by Lambeth Council. 

Gypsy and Traveller

Historically, we have had very little information about the Gypsy and Traveller community living in Lambeth, specifically those on the site at Lonesome Way in Streatham.

Research into Lonesome Way was commissioned by the council to learn more about the site, the community living there and their needs. This research was then used as a basis for developing an action plan to tackle the issues that came to light.

Polish

Polish people have become a major presence within Lambeth, especially in Streatham, where there is an increasing number of Polish shops and restaurants. However, this visibility is in stark contrast to the representation of Poles within local political forums and decision making processes, where the community is virtually silent.

The Polish Insight Project report was undertaken to find out more about the Polish community. Are the Poles who are making their homes in the borough happy to keep a low profile, or do they lack the tools and experience to make themselves heard? What are the concerns of Polish people in Lambeth and what change would they like to see. The research was undertaken to give the council an understanding of how it can best work with Polish residents to identify solutions that the community can take forward.

Follow up work is being conducted by Stockwell Partnership. For more information, please contact marta@stockwell.org.uk.

Portuguese

The Portuguese speaking community in Lambeth: a scoping study presents a snapshot of the community, its make-up, needs and support structure. The study was based mainly on face-to-face interviews with community representatives and local service providers.

Somali

Over the last ten years, Streatham and Stockwell have emerged as centres for the Somali community in Lambeth, with shops, cafés and other services catering specifically for the community. The sale and use of khat by Somalis was implicated as a factor in community tensions in 2004.

Chewing it over was undertaken by the Lambeth Khat Project to examine the problem and develop an effective treatment model for Khat users.

Lambeth Khat Project is a partnership project between Lambeth Councils Drug and Alcohol Team (DAT), FanonCare, London Somali Development Partnership (LSDP) and East African Health Concern (EAHC).  

Transgender

Lambeth: a trans agenda? uses an ethnographic approach to complement existing local and national knowledge of the lives and needs of Transgender (‘Trans’) people.

The report looks at the barriers Trans people face accessing public services, highlighting issues such as their relationship with the voluntary sector and experiences of ‘transphobia’.