Dear member,
As 2024 draws to a close, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the year gone by, celebrate our achievements, and share warm wishes for the festive season ahead.
Reflecting on 2024
This year has been an incredible journey of connection, growth, and collaboration. From community events to local improvement projects, we have been proud to stand alongside you in creating a stronger, more vibrant neighbourhood. Your continued engagement and support have made all this possible. We are grateful to have such a caring and active community.
You can read our Review of the Year here.
Looking ahead to 2025
Our objective for 2025 is to build on the progress we’ve made including the Waterloo Sustains Us initiative and the successful delivery of projects funded by the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) and the Health and Wellbeing/London Eye Community Chest Grants.
We remain committed to advancing the priorities set out in the Neighbourhood Plan, focusing on fostering a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive community.
A special thank you and season's greetings
To all our members, partners, and volunteers: thank you for being an integral part of SoWN. Your passion, kindness, and dedication are what make our community truly special.
May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and laughter, and may the new year bring health, happiness, and success to you and your loved ones.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Warm regards
Rev Giles Goddard, SoWN Chair, and the SoWN Team
SoWN Forum, 12 December 2024
Florence Eshalomi MP hosted the final SoWN Forum of 2024 on 12 December. Florence spoke about the efforts being made by the Mayor of London and others to reduce the instances of phone theft within London. Florence also shared that a cross-organisation group is looking at ways to improve the tunnels under the IMAX. Florence and her team are also focusing on reducing violence against women and girls, homelessness and finding a permanent home for the GP surgery.
Forum members raised issues around scooters and mopeds being ridden on the pavements, especially in light of the recent announcement that more pavement space is being given to bikes. Florence will pick this up with relevant parties.
Tim Barry gave an update on the search for a new location for the doctor's surgery. They are in talks with a location and hope to be in the new site by the later part of 2026. Lou Abbotts of Lambeth Council and Lee Marable of We Made That spoke through plans for The Cut and Emma Cons Gardens. Giles Goddard presented the Annual Review and thanked everyone for their support to make 2024 a successful year. Carole Milner gave an update on the Elders group activities including a successful campaign to have a 'nursing home' use added to the site allocation for Gabriel's Wharf. Carole and the Elders are now trying to secure funding for a directory of services and support for this area. There is a 'Thriving to 100' Elders event at The Warehouse, 13 Theed Street, on Sunday 26 January from 3 to 5pm. all welcome. Email Carole for more information. Patricio Forrester of the Art Mongers group spoke about a new mural project they are planning on the Waterloo Station ramp. Stay tuned for more details.
Provisional Forum dates for 2025 are: 20 March (it will be SoWN’s 5th Anniversary when something different is planned – WATCH THIS SPACE), 26 June, 9 October and 11 December. As we prepare for 2025, please let us know what you would like to see on the agenda.
London Eye Community Chest Grants announced
We are absolutely delighted to announce the projects that have been selected to receive grants from the London Eye Community Chest 2024, for implementation during 2025. This fund last ran in 2017, so it is great that it has been reintroduced as a result of a planning agreement between Lambeth and Merlin Entertainments, the operators of the Lastminute.com London Eye. We are managing the programme, with applications assessed by a panel of members of the local community and a representative from Merlin. Over 35 applications were received, so the panel had a real challenge to select the projects that, in their judgement, would best enhance community cohesion and strengthen community resilience in the Waterloo and South Bank area.
The successful recipients are:
Archbishops Park Community Trust: £3,732 for their Gardening for All project
Bankside Open Spaces Trust: £7,580 for Half Term and Family Fun at Living Space
Coin St Community Builders: £3,465 for their Herbs, Flowers and Teas programme for older residents
Colombo Centre: £5,840 for Jazz for All for young people and local residents
Futures Theatre: £5,539 for their My Name is Mud drama project for marginalised groups.
London City Mission: £4,000 for Webber St Day Centre Hot Meals for the Homeless
Oasis Hub Waterloo: £6,150 for Youth Programmes for young people with particular social and educational challenges.
The Garden Museum: £1,307 to promote their annual Neighbours Day 2025
The Bridge at Waterloo: £5,000 for its Room for You project
Waterloo Community Counselling: £3,285 for Building Community Resiliences among Local Refugees
Waterloo Sports and Football Club: £5,000 for their Waterloo United programme for young people
Wellington Mills Residents’ Association: £3,000 for their 50th anniversary Wellington Mills Oral History project.
One other grant was made but cannot yet be announced as it is subject to further discussions.
Our huge thanks to Lambeth and the London Eye, and our congratulations to all these organisations and the many volunteers and individuals working in them to make Waterloo an ever better and more resilient community. We will be reporting on their achievements over the course of the coming year.
Waterloo Food Bank and Webber St Day Centre Christmas meals
If you need food and support over the holiday period, Lambeth Larder have made a list of places that will be open.
Most organisations offer a reduced service over the break, so make sure to contact them with plenty of time.
Please check before visiting as times may change. Visit the website here