The LSAB Community Reference Group recently held an event at We Are 336, Brixton which aimed to help the Lambeth Community (both professionals and residents) think about their future choices and how to record these on an 'advanced statement.' It also encouraged people to think about how to decide who could speak for them, at a point when they are no longer able to, by setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney.

As part of the event we heard from four excellent speakers who volunteered their time and expertise, and would like to express our thanks to Craig Ward (Solicitor and Expert in Lasting Power of Attorney & planning), Francis Lyons (Partner, Capsticks Solicitors LLP), Compassion in Dying (Charity) and Cordwell Thomas (Mental Health Advocate).

We had an amazing turnout at this event and wish to thank all those who attended the event and contributed to the valuable discussion about Lasting Power of Attorneys, advanced statements and advanced decisions. We hope that each person who attended was able to take something away that will help them to plan for their future and ensure that they can make their wishes known.

The Community Reference Group now hope to build on the success of this event and continue to develop a community programme which raises awareness around issues relating to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and safeguarding adults. Please keep an eye out on our training and events page for details of future events.

A new Online Hate Crime Hub has been launched by the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime. At the launch of the new hub, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that five specially trained Met officers would ‘work with community experts to develop the police's understanding of online hate’. The hub will be able to refer victims to support groups and will work with local borough police teams to investigate crimes.

Victoria Wright, a disability and disfigurement rights campaigner in London, described the hub as a ‘much needed initiative’ and said that it is ‘vital that those of us who are victims of online hate crime receive a robust response from the police"

To read the full report, please visit the BBC website.

Reporting hate crime makes a difference and you can make a report whether you have been a victim, a witness, or you are reporting on behalf of someone else. Remember - Challenge it. Report it. Stop it.

To report an incident of hate crime in Lambeth you can:

- Use Lambeth Council’s online reporting form to contact the Community Safety service.

- Get support from DASL’s Hate Crime Advocacy and Outreach Worker or visit the We Are 336 Reporting centre

- Report an incident or crime online, using TrueVision, which goes to your local Police Force (for Lambeth, choose Metropolitan Police, London)

If you are in danger, always call the police on 999. If you have experienced an incident but are not in immediate danger, you can also call the police on 101.

Discriminatory abuse such as hate crime may also be a safeguarding concern. Information on how to raise a safeguarding concern can be found on our website. If you are not sure if an incident of hate crime is also a safeguarding concern, you can email safeguardingadults@lambeth.gov.uk for advice.