SoWN News 18 December 2025
- csaunders935
- Dec 18
- 5 min read
As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of such a vibrant and caring neighbourhood. South Bank and Waterloo thrive because of the people who make it special - residents, businesses, and community partners working together.
This festive season, let’s celebrate the connections we’ve built and look forward to an exciting year ahead. Whether you’re enjoying the lights along the river, visiting local markets, or simply spending time with loved ones, we hope your holidays are filled with joy and peace.
From all of us in South Bank and Waterloo: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
This newsletter contains:
Highlights from the recent SOWN Forum and minutes from the Annual General Meeting
Carols at Candlelight, this Sunday 21 December, 5pm
Join the team of volunteers at Living Space
Southbank Centre community connection
Spotlight on... Yinka Fabusuyi of King’s College London
Highlights from the recent SoWN Forum
We were warmly welcomed to Backstage at the Old Vic on Wednesday 10 December for the Christmas Forum. Dan Kujawski and his team provided a great space for our meeting as well as drinks and mince pies for our reception. Dan also shared a presentation of the wonderful new spaces and services available - you can see the presentation here.
Cait Saunders and Jason Ehrhart from Coin Street talked through plans to regenerate Gabriel's Wharf. You can find their presentation here.
Mala Naicker from Lambeth Emergency Community Reliance Network spoke about the Brixton Project and encouraged everyone to have their say. You can find more details here.
Net Zero Lead for South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us, Jackson Bylett, gave a summary of the projects aims and successes this year. You can read more here.
Giles Goddard then talked through the SoWN Annual Review - an overview of SoWN's key activities over the past year. Read the Annual Review 2025 here.
Giles read out a written report from Florence covering the proposed Unite the Kingdom protest, Gabriel's Wharf proposals, the WeAreWaterloo ballot launch event, the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain which is in 2026. Florence reflected on the recent Budget, particularly the ongoing freeze in the Local Housing Allowance - and also the proposal in the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to give the Mayor power to initiate a tourist levy for visitors to London.
Dates for 2026: Thursdays at 6pm - 19 March (*new date), 11 June, 17 September and 10 December.
SoWN's Annual General Meeting was held on 20 November. You can find the minutes here.
Christmas Carols by Candlelight, Sunday 21 December
Enjoy an evening of Christmas music with performances from St John’s Choir, Coin Street Community Singers, and Take Note Singers. After the service, stay for mince pies, mulled wine, and Christmas stalls.
This event supports two local community projects, Coin Street’s youth programme and Room For You. We’re aiming to raise £1,500 to help fund their vital work, so while admission is free, a £10 donation is suggested where you can. This event is very popular, so we recommend getting your ticket soon to avoid missing out.
Sunday 21 December, 5pm, doors open 4.30pm
St John’s Waterloo, SE1 8TY
Join the team of volunteers at Living Space
Living Space is looking for Repair Rangers
Want to make a real impact in your community?
Become a Repair Ranger at Living Space Community Centre, a lively hub run by Bankside Open Spaces Trust.
They’re looking for volunteers to help keep our adventure playground and football pitch safe, fun, and welcoming for local kids and families.
By giving your time, you’ll help create a safe, joyful place for the local community.
For more details check our volunteer role description.
If interested please fill in the application form or email volunteer@bost.org.uk with any questions.
Southbank Centre Community Connection
Southbank Centre is proud to support local organisations that strengthen the cultural and social life here in Lambeth and Southwark.
As part of this ongoing engagement work, you can now visit exhibitions at the Hayward Gallery for free when booking Community Connect tickets through your local organisation or community group. Find out more here.
Don’t miss out on great community offers by signing up to the Community Connector newsletter to receive updates on Southbank Centre's free offers for community organisations in Lambeth and Southwark, direct in your inbox. Sign up here.
Spotlight on... Yinka Fabusuyi
What’s your role in South Bank and Waterloo?
I am the community engagement officer at the School of Biomedical engineering and imaging sciences (BMEIS for short). This is part of the Faculty of Medicine at Kings College London. On a day-to-day basis my role involves working with other members of the Public Engagement team to build and maintain established partnerships with a range of organisations in Lambeth and Southwark, working with people who may not typically engage with science or research. I am also responsible for delivering existing, and initiating new projects based on mutually beneficial activities between communities and the School. My role also involves Chairing the Health and research advisory group. I can be found at my desk or getting involved with community partner projects such as the Coin St gardening project or working with researchers and Masters of Research students in reporting back or co-designing projects.
How do you spend your free time?
Whenever the weather allows, on my allotment where I grow all sorts of things. My plot is located halfway up an incline, so I get a great view and extra exercise. I love the challenge of growing my own fruit and vegetables, and all my colleagues know that given half a chance I will bring the topic around to my allotment! I am also a keen reader.
What was your first job?
As a shop assistant in Marks and Spencer’s on the Holloway Road. I started as a temporary seasonal member of staff, and this turned into a permanent Saturday job where I stayed until almost the end of my degree. It was a great introduction to person-centred service and community engagement.
If you could be friends with a fictional character, who would you choose?
I love reading and so I have looked to fictional book characters I was torn between the grown-up Scout Finch from Go Set a Watchman (a little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird), and Kez Layon; a character from several Dorothy Koomson novels. Kez is smart, feisty and fun. I think I could have a good chat with either of these Women, but forced to choose I pick Kez.
What’s your personal motto?
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”. I heard or read somewhere that we often regret the things that we did not take the opportunity to do. I try to give things a go, and if they do not work out, I will have learnt something to take forward to the next task or challenge. My motto was drawn from this and helps me work through fear and adversity and trying to channel this has given me many opportunities and taken me down some interesting paths.
Who do you nominate for a SoWN spotlight?
Polly Waterworth, Chief Operating Officer at We Rise. A community business with a mission to empower young people to create successful futures
