The SE5 Forum is a grassroots, non-political, umbrella organisation that exists to work for the improvement of Camberwell to benefit all members of our diverse community. The forum was set up to be the eyes, ears and voice of the community, to see and understand what is happening within the area, to listen to concerns and raise them with the relevant organisations.
SE5 Forum is a membership group whose strength is derived through the support and participation of its members. All those who live or work in Camberwell or are frequent visitors are welcome to join. Membership is free and can be established by registering on www.SE5Forum.org or by completing and returning a simple membership form. Members are encouraged to participate by attending public meetings, contacting committee members, blogging and emailing other members via the website and sharing their knowledge, thoughts, ideas and concerns about the community.
SE5 Forum was formed by local people to promote accountability and transparency within local authority bodies and providers of public services and make them aware when service provision is failing and where new provision is needed. The committee is made up of 19 local people from all walks of life who share a love of Camberwell and a desire to see it reach its full potential. Camberwell is adversely affected by being administered by two separate local authorities (Lambeth and Southwark), served by two police forces, represented by 3 MPs and includes three separate Neighbourhood Renewal areas. Further, the Camberwell Community Council does not cover all of SE5, does not include any parts of Lambeth but does include parts of East Dulwich.
Unsurprisingly, provision of public services is disjointed and disparate. A tendency for the various agencies to pass the buck between themselves and a general lack of accountability has precipitated long term neglect and underinvestment in Camberwell. SE5 Forum does not attempt to do the work of other voluntary groups or local statutory agencies but seeks to hold agencies to account for their contribution to a better Camberwell.
At a public meeting in May 2006 over 80 residents and organisations endorsed the formation of the SE5 Forum. Priorities were identified, and at a public meeting in July, our constitution was accepted and a committee, consisting of 12 local residents/workers and 7 representatives of local organisations, was elected. Committee members have a wide range of skills and a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and ethnicity, reflecting the makeup of the local neighbourhood.