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September is here, Croydon, and a new month brings a fresh chance to show the borough as it really is: diverse, determined and full of people who care.
Today’s Pulse cuts through one gloomy headline and follows the real Croydon story, from community connection to comedy, creativity and local support.
THE HEARTBEAT: THE REAL CROYDON 💙
A national ranking described Croydon as one of London’s unfriendliest boroughs, but the figures behind the headline tell a more complicated story. The research, reported by Your Local Guardian on 24/08/2026, placed Croydon 19th out of London’s 32 boroughs and 196th out of 296 English local authorities.
The hard figures deserve honesty: 47.5% of residents said they were proud to live in their local area, 32.1% said many of their neighbours could be trusted, and Croydon’s Connection Barometer score was 38 out of 100.
But here is what the headline missed: 81.3% said people from different backgrounds get on well in their area, ahead of the England average of 80.6%; 36.3% had taken part in civic life, compared with 33.6% across England; and reported frequent loneliness was 5.7%, below the England average of 6.6%.
That is not a perfect picture, but it is a real one: a borough with challenges, pride, participation and enormous potential. Croydon Local Pulse is being built to strengthen that connection through local events, business spotlights and community wins.
Source: Your Local Guardian, 24/08/2026
TONIGHT: COMEDY AT WESTOW HOUSE 🎤
Gbemi Oladipo: Live From Westow House brings a comedy mixed bill to Westow House Pub and Hotel, 79 Westow Hill, Norwood, London SE19 1TX, from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm tonight, Tuesday 01/09/2026. The event title references Wednesday 02/09/2026, but the official booking page confirms the Tuesday date, with tickets listed from £12.50 to £20 before booking fees.
Source: Fatsoma booking page
TONIGHT ALSO: ROLE PLAYING AT THE LUDOQUIST 🎲
At The Ludoquist Board Game Café, 63 to 67 High Street, Croydon, local Games Masters are due to run a Dungeons and Dragons and Role Playing Games Evening tonight, Tuesday 01/09/2026. Arrive from 6:30 pm, with games running from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm; player attendance is listed at £8, with pre generated characters available, but check the current listing before travelling.
Source: Meetup listing
COMMUNITY: NEIGHBOURHOOD GRANT SESSION 🏘️
Residents interested in local projects can attend Croydon Neighbourhood Grant Central East, Woodside and Shirley, hosted by Croydon Council from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm tonight, Tuesday 01/09/2026, at 28 Shrublands Avenue, Croydon CR0 8JA. The current Eventbrite listing is marked sold out, so check the listing for the latest position before setting off.
FAMILY AND LIBRARY: MORNING ROUTINE 📚
Rhymetime is listed for 11:00 am today, Tuesday 01/09/2026, at Croydon Central Library, giving families a lively way to start September with stories and songs; places may be limited, so check booking with the library.
At Ashburton Library, the Knit and Knatter group is listed from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm today, Tuesday 01/09/2026, offering a calm, creative morning for local residents.
WEEK AHEAD: SEPTEMBER IS FILLING UP 🗓️
September is already gathering momentum across Croydon and nearby venues.
⚽ CAYSH Cup: The five a side football fundraiser supporting CAYSH is scheduled for Friday 04/09/2026 at Goals Beckenham, outside Croydon borough, with FSB Insurance Service among the participating businesses and fundraising for work that helps young people facing homelessness.
Source: CAYSH Cup JustGiving campaign
⚽ CPFC Fan Park: Crystal Palace v Fulham is the focus at BOXPARK Croydon on Saturday 05/09/2026, with the fan park listed from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm; the Premier League fixture is scheduled for a 3:00 pm kick off at Craven Cottage, so check current venue arrangements before travelling.
🌿 Holmesdale Community Gardens: A signage unveiling is scheduled for Saturday 05/09/2026 at Holmesdale Community Gardens, next to 108 Holmesdale Road, London SE25 6HZ, celebrating a shared green space through local community activity.
🎶 DUCKPLATES: ALL DAY ALL NIGHT: The event is listed for Saturday 12/09/2026 from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm at BOXPARK Croydon, bringing another full day of activity to 99 George Street, Croydon CR0 1LD.
Source: DUCKPLATES: ALL DAY ALL NIGHT
💼 WOW: The World of Work: Young people can explore career opportunities, confidence and connections at this UP Network event on Thursday 17/09/2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Weatherill House Business Centre.
🧠 September wellbeing support: The Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space, linked with Mind in Croydon, continues to provide advice, guidance, signposting and wellbeing support at the first floor of the Whitgift Centre, next to Holland & Barrett. The service page lists drop in support from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, excluding bank holidays, alongside a rolling programme of workshops and groups.
DID YOU KNOW? CROYDON TRIVIA 🧐
Croydon Clocktower is home to the Riesco Collection, a public collection of more than 200 Chinese ceramics and porcelain collected by Raymond Riesco and gifted to Croydon Council after his death in 1964.
The collection moved to the Museum of Croydon after being displayed at Fairfield Halls, giving local residents a remarkable piece of cultural history right in the heart of the borough.
Source: Museum of Croydon, The Collector
A SMALL TUESDAY TASK 💙
September has started with honest numbers, open doors and plenty of reasons to look again at the borough we call home. Keep showing up, keep connecting and keep discovering the Croydon that headlines often miss.
Building a Stronger Croydon, Together
The Croydon Local Pulse Team