Brixton People First Expo
The second People First Expo pilot was delivered in Brixton on Saturday 2 February 2008. This Expo was delivered over three locations in Brixton; Tate Gardens (outside Brixton Library), Brighton House (next to Morleys department store) and the Karibu Centre (opposite Brixton Police Station).
The theme for the Brixton Expo was Enterprise and most of the stalls and presentation were linked to enterprise and youth, but also with a general theme of sustainability and green issues.
Tate Gardens
An outdoor tent provided shelter to various stalls such as Future Brixton, information on what the community in Brixton can do to fight climate change and ‘Dr Bike' who provided advice to local cyclists and carried out minor fixes to their bikes.
This was a great opportunity for local residents to network with local organisations whilst children were entertained with face painting and badge making. A ‘Speakers Corner' and an interactive theatre workshop also allowed attendees to put forward there views about issues that affect them in Brixton.
Local Question time
The local Question Time event took the format of the "Wheel of Brixton. Attendees submitted questions which were then added to a spinning wheel. The panel were then challenged to provide an answer whenever the wheel stopped. The panel included Councillors Ashley Lumsden, Rachel Heywood and Lib Peck, GLA member for the area Val Shawcross and Shane Collins representing the Green Party.
Brighton House
This location provided information about local youth services and projects. Opportunities were available for young people to contribute to the council's plans for Brixton.
This element of the day closed with an engaging Councillor Surgery, which provided an opportunity for young people to ask Councillor Sally Prentice, the council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and Cllr Florence Nosegbe, Deputy Cabinet Member for Young People their burning questions.
Karibu Centre
This location provided information stalls relating to education, employment and enterprise projects for people of all ages in the Lambeth Muslim community and wider Brixton community.
With such a varied networking focus to the Brixton People First Expo, there has been positive feedback from the public, stall holders, partners and councillors in attendance. Feedback included "Good opportunity to meet the public and provide information" and "When is the next one being held". However all agreed that February is not an ideal time of the year to hold an outdoor event!