Welcome to your South Bank and Waterloo Neighbours newsletter.
This newsletter contains:
South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us campaign launch
South Bank and Waterloo Forum meeting - Thursday 12 December at 6pm
Updates
The Cut visioning - survey and walking workshop
Co-op Local Causes - vote for Waterloo Community Counselling
Lambeth Council public consultation for new e-bike/scooter bays, closes 13 December
Lambeth changes plan for new council homes in Waterloo
Christmas events
Miracle of Leake Street, Thursday 5 December
Brixton Windmill Winter Market and Santa’s Grotto, Sunday 8 December
Coin Street Toy Drive, donations by Wednesday 11 December
Carols by Candlelight, Sunday 15 December
Waterloo Sports and Football Club celebrate local footballer Ademola Lookman's journey
Upcoming events in the SoWN area
Spotlight on... SoWN member Tsion Martins of Bridge the Gap Studios.
South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us
We were thrilled to launch of the South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us website on 24 October 2024 at Sustainable Ventures, County Hall. This event gathered representatives from organisations across the area, sparking numerous connections and highlighting opportunities for future collaboration.
The event featured insightful talks from leaders across London, as well as from organisations from across our community.
Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, emphasised the crucial role of the community in achieving our ambitions for a fairer and greener neighbourhood.
Giles Goddard, Chair of the Sustains Us Steering Group and Vicar at St John’s Waterloo, shared insights on our progress since the strategy launch last year and outlined our vision for a community that supports and sustains us all.
Bushra Iqbal, Principal of the Waterloo Centre, provided updates on Morley College’s commitment to sustainability, highlighting the extensive engagement in green practices among staff, students, and the local community.
Andrea Zick, Chair of the Harvey Nichols Sustainability Forum, shared lessons from how the OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie has reduced food waste by 50% while involving the local community in the process.
Jackson Bylett, Programme Lead, unveiled the new South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us website and outlined some of our upcoming projects for the coming year.
The South Bank and Waterloo Sustain Us project aims to create a fairer, greener neighbourhood for all and encourage every person, business and organisation to play a positive, active role in helping us get there. Our ambition is to reach the goal of net zero – with a neutral balance of greenhouse gas emissions – by 2030.
You can find out more about the project and how you can get involved here.
South Bank and Waterloo Forum, Thursday 12 December at 6pm
The Next South Bank and Waterloo Forum will be on 12 December at Living Space in Waterloo Road, on the opposite the side of the road from the Old Vic.
The starting time is moved to 6pm to allow working people in the area to come from work and to allow more time for networking afterwards. The Agenda is being finalised and will include a variety of items of local interest and allow you to contribute your views. It will also be an opportunity to hear from your MP and local Councillors about current national and local issues.
The evening will conclude with Christmas refreshments.
Provisional dates for 2025 are 19 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, we would like to know what things you would like to see more of on the agenda. Email news@sowneighbours.org with your suggestions.
Updates
The Cut Visioning
Lambeth and Southwark Councils have commissioned We Made That to work with local communities to develop a future vision for The Cut.
The Cut is the street which connects Waterloo and Southwark train and underground stations. It contains shops, restaurants, theatres and homes.
They want to know how local people and visitors to The Cut feel about the street, and what you think could make it better. This survey is open to anyone who currently uses The Cut, or would like to use it in future. Take the survey here.
We Made That will also be leading a walking workshop on the future of The Cut on Saturday 23 November. This workshop invites members of the local community to to have your say on the future of The Cut.
Date: Saturday 23 November
Time: 11am - 1pm
Location: Emma Cons Gardens
Event for: People who have a connection to The Cut, if for example you live, work, or study on The Cut or nearby, you visit for the cultural, retail, and food and drink offer, or you commute or travel through The Cut. If you have a business on The Cut, contact We Made That to join a business-focused session.
Free
How to join: Book your place here
Public consultation for new e-bike/scooter bays
The London Borough of Lambeth have launched a public consultation for on proposed locations for new e-bike/e-scooter bays across the borough. Plans include for a new batch of 148 bays. You can have your say using the links below. The consultation closes on 13 December.
Map of proposed locations HERE
Consultation portal page HERE
Co-op Local Causes - vote for Waterloo Community Counselling
Local organisation, Waterloo Community Counselling (WCC) has been selected as one of Coop's Local Causes for the next year. This means that Coop Members all over the country can select WCC as their charity of choice. The more members who vote for WCC, the more money they will raise at the end of next year.
Established in the 1980s as a local community health project, and as a charity in 1995, today Waterloo Community Counselling (WCC) is well placed to deliver life-changing counselling and mental health support to individuals across London.
Co-op members can vote here. You can sign up as a member for free on the website.
Lambeth changes plan for new council homes in Waterloo
SE1 news reports that Lambeth has changed its plans for Waterloo's first new council homes in decades, with any new affordable homes on council land in Wootton Street expected to be managed instead by a housing association.
Read more about this here.
Christmas Events
Miracle of Leake Street - 5 December
Waterloo and South Bank's ultimate free alternative Christmas Party, 'Miracle on Leake Street' returns for its sixth year!
On the evening of Thursday 5 December, the Waterloo and South Bank community will once again lead this alternative Christmas celebration to bring the whole (urban) family together in Leake Street Arches.
Hosted by WeAreWaterloo and South Bank BID, head down to find the famous graffiti arches turned into a festive wonderland, complete with graffiti workshops, dance performances from local Samba and Salsa troupes, quirky wreath-making, giant board games, a craft market, a group photo experience, and food and drink stalls serving-up flavours from around the world.
The night will be centred around a Christmas Massaoke experience led by The Karaoke Bug Bar, powered by Lucky Voice. This converted Beetle campervan will pump out tunes and invite guests to join award-winning artist, Pi the Mime and singers from Waterloo’s Rock Choir and Pink Choir to create the neighbourhood’s biggest ever singalong (making the most of the tunnel’s acoustics).
Donations made by cash and card throughout the evening will go towards the Waterloo Foodbank, helping to support local families in need during the festive period.
For more details and to register here.
Brixton Windmill Winter Market and Santa’s Grotto - 8 December
Winter Market - Sunday 8 December, 12noon to 3.30pm
Windmill Gardens, SW2 5DA
Buy gifts from local makers, visit Father Christmas and enjoy a festive atmosphere with Christmas choirs and music. There will be hot food available from En Root and Deuce. Bread Bread will be selling delicious baked goods and the cafe will serve warming mulled wine, hot drinks and snacks. The shop will be open for purchase of windmill related gifts – something unique for family and friends.
There will be free arts and crafts activities for children in the Green Hut throughout the afternoon.
Santa’s Grotto
Brixton Windmill are excited to announce that Santa will return to the Windmill grotto this year from 1-3pm to greet children with a small gift and allow families to capture a festive photo. They suggest a donation of £5 per child. Get your time slot ticket at the welcome desk as you come into the park.
Christmas Toy Drive - 11 December
Every child should receive a wrapped toy at Christmas. Once again, Coin Street is collecting toys to give to children in SE1 this Christmas.
They are collecting new, unwrapped toys of all sizes, suitable for children aged 0-17.
You can donate in the Coin Street neighbourhood centre between now and 11 December or visit the Amazon Wish List page to make a purchase.
Thank you for supporting children in our community.
For more information email Eva: e.korenyi@coinstreet.org
Christmas Carols by Candlelight, 15 December
Experience a traditional carol service for all ages and help raise money for two amazing community projects.
Singers from St John's Church Choir, Take Note Chamber Choir, and Coin Street’s community singing group, are coming together for a second year running, to perform Christmas favourites and special choral pieces.
4.30pm doors open
5pm carol service starts
6pm join us for mulled wine and mince pies, and check out our stalls.
Why not get in the festive spirit and join in on a carol or two? Stick around to enjoy mince pies and mulled wine, and stalls ran by Coin Street Young Leaders, Southwark College, and Room For You participants.
Admission is free but we suggest a donation of £10 per adult if you can afford it. Please give what you can. Booking is advised. Book here.
Upcoming events in the SoWN area
Past and future intergenerational art gathering
Join Lambeth Council for an afternoon of creativity, reflection & celebration.
Date: Sunday 24 November
Time: 12 - 4pm
Location: Assembly Hall, Lambeth Town Hall
Event for: Internal and external services, providers and practitioners, from early years to youth
Free
How to join: Book your place here
Family Hubs workshop
A workshop to shape our future offer as we introduce Family Hubs in Lambeth.
Date: North Lambeth - Monday 25 November
Time: 2 - 3.30pm
Location: Pedlar Acre Community Hall
Event for: People of all ages, with child and family friendly sessions. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Free
How to join: Book your place here
Local footballer Ademola Lookman's journey from Waterloo to the world stage
Waterloo Sports and Fitness Club (WSFC) are delighted to announce that local footballer, Ademola Lookman, has been nominated for not only the African Footballer of the Year but also the Ballon d’Or award! This prestigious honour places him among the top thirty footballers in the world.
Ademola’s story began in South London, where he was discovered through WSFC’s
schools programme at Peckham Primary School, when he was just nine years old. Ademola is front row, second from the left above. He qualified for WSFC’s programmes, which provide sponsorships for young people on free school meals. This marked the start of an extraordinary journey, with his talent and resilience shining both on and off the pitch. He achieved three A*s and five As at GCSE while attending St Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham.
During a trial match organised by Charlton Academy, Ademola was the best player on the pitch,
dazzling everyone, scoring four stunning goals. Arnie Reynolds, WSFC Founder, negotiated
Ademola’s professional contract with Charlton at the age of sixteen. He was soon named Academy
Apprentice of the Year, and completed a Level 3 BTEC in sport that is equivalent to two A Levels.
From there, his career took off, quickly progressing into first team football with Charlton before signing with Everton and scoring on his debut against Manchester City. His rise saw him win the
U20s World Cup with England, and he’s since made waves at RB Leipzig, Fulham, Leicester City, and now Atalanta. Ademola can be seen celebrating the Europa League Final win with family and WSFC coach mentor, Felix Emanus, above.
In 2024, Ademola led Nigeria to an Africa Cup of Nations final, and played a key role in Atalanta’s
Europa League success, scoring three goals in the final and defeating the previously unbeaten Bayer
Leverkusen.
Ademola’s story shines a light on the importance of grassroots community organisations, the power
of resilience and the belief we foster in every young person who walks through our doors. At
Waterloo Sports and Football Club, we’re committed to empowering young people through sport,
ensuring financial barriers never stand in their way. Ademola’s journey is a true inspiration, proving
that with perseverance, determination, and the right support, anything is possible.
Spotlight on... Tsion Martins
What’s your role in the South Bank and Waterloo community?
Director of Bridge The Gap Studios, and Co-founder of the ITAV Film Festival.
Bridge The Gap studios transforms lives and instigates healing through the power of creative
arts and expression for marginalised young people, their families and communities in London. We combine the power of creative arts in the form of programmes and workshops, with key support available from the wider community, for families to develop sound emotional intelligence, communication skills and a deeper understanding of themselves and their environments - leading to better choices and decisions.
On this journey families are able to reflect and explore the world around them to create, design, direct and produce creative outputs that open meaningful and much needed conversations and storytelling within their peer groups, families and community.
Our work;
Provides early intervention for young people who are at risk of exploitation, violence,
abuse and crime in and outside of education.
Builds strong families, communities and young leaders.
Promotes education, training and employment for individuals and communities in the
creative arts
What was your first job?
Street Sales (signing people up to gyms in my early teens!)
What’s your favourite thing to do on the weekend?
Football matches with my son (playing or going to watch them)
Church
Time with family!
Who would be your three dream dinner party guests?
My Grandmother
Christopher Nolan
Marcus Aurelius
Honorable mention: Myself in 10 years
What’s number one on your bucket list?
I’ve actually never thought of this! I’m currently living toward and in everything I’ve wanted. Travelling more, for sure.
Who do you nominate for a spotlight?
Obadiah Emaru from Groundwork