October is the most abundant of months with events to celebrate the 21st birthday of National Poetry Day (October 8), World Mental Health Day, (October 10) and Black History throughout the month. Meanwhile the much anticipated Brixton Reel Film Festival will take place in November.

As well as three World Mental Health Day initiatives, Living Well Partnership hosts Mosaic are dishing up African & Caribbean food in the café at 65 Effra Road. The Mosaic crew have set up a World Mental Health Day stall at Brixton Library and will be out in force with balloons and cupcakes on Friday (Oct 9) to raise awareness of this year’s theme on Dignity.

They have also got new backers in Brixton’s Satay Bar and Restaurant celebrating its 20th anniversary and in recognition of the deaths of a former staff member and regular customer. Pop into Mosaic to collect your 10 per cent voucher for a tasty treat at the restaurant. Click here for more info

Brixton Reel Film Festival

This year’s mental health promotion to celebrate BME communities – Brixton Reel Film Festival will happen around Lambeth. Dates are being confirmed between November 10- 17. The focus this year will be on African-Caribbean communities, Black LGBT communities, Refugee and Asylum Seekers and Latin American communities. Watch this space for more information.

Flight
Check out FLIGHT at the Tate Modern’s East Room on Saturday (Oct 10) for more World Mental Health Day celebrations. The exhibition is a collaboration between creative organisations including SLaM AdArt. The afternoon will feature a range of dynamic, fun and creative workshops and installations celebrating positive mental health.

This event is FREE and suitable for all ages. There is no need to book, just turn up between 1.30 and 5pm.

SLaM AdArt meet weekly in art groups across Lambeth and Southwark and have created an installation, inviting you to ‘Give your wish some wings and join the kaleidoscope of butterflies’.

‘We are creative individuals and artists, just like you, who happen to have suffered issues of addictions at some point in our lives.’

Find out more here

Click here for information on the Dignity exhibition and workshops at the SHARP Gallery from October 9

Melancholy and Raving
The rather wonderful Melancholy and Raving cabaret will be celebrating its first birthday at the Pullen’s Centre, 184 Crampton Street, London SE17 3LL , 7.30 for 8pm start.

Find out more information here 

Black History Month

For three weeks, Ileto Carribean People’s Network will offer a programme of activities and workshops for Black History Month.  Check the Platform’s website for details about this and other activities due to take place. The Platform is at 2 Ridgeway Road, opposite Loughborough Farm, Loughborough Road, SW9 7EL.

At the Black Cultural Archives in Windrush Square it’s Black History Month ‘every day of the year’. Check out the Black Georgians exhibition, free Treasures in the Archives talks and half-term family workshops with the National Army Museum.

click here for more information

Events in Southwark

“Loving the Africa in Each and Everyone of Us” – (Dr. Ian Phillips) “Experiences of Southwark” – (Hyacinth Parsons and Juney Muhammad) “Elders Stories” Saturday 10 October 2015 10am to 1pm Southwark Senior Citizens Group, Elim House, 86 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4RQ

“Sound Systems and Authentic Southwark Stories” – (Aubyn Graham and Phillip Dixon) Friday 16 October 2015 3:30pm to 6:30pm Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8NA

“Does Africa Really Matter” – Who do You Think You Are? – (Daniel Pink) Sunday 25 October 2015 4pm to 7pm Cossall Centre, 48 Mortlock Close, Cossall Estate, Peckham, SE15 2QE

Watch this space… and for more information on Black History Month click here

Enjoy this National Poetry Day offering of Ode to the Coast with John Cooper Clarke and a cast of many …