SoWN News 20 August 2025
- csaunders935
- Aug 20
- 7 min read
Welcome to your South Bank and Waterloo Neighbours newsletter.
We’re pleased to bring you a round-up of what’s happening in the community from inspiring local initiatives to joyful gatherings and ways to get involved.
This newsletter contains:
Reimagining Emma Cons Gardens - summer events
South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us update
Volunteering
Got an hour? Make it matter!
Help us break down barriers to volunteering
Garden Museum Neighbours Day recap
Adopt a phone box campaign
Free pottery classes for refugees and asylum-seekers
SoWN Forums
Events
The Big Shim Sham - this Sunday, 24 August
Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day, new date: Sunday 21 September
Gabriel's Wharf Arts Festival, 6 and 20 September
Lambeth Fringe Festival, 25 September to 25 October
Myatt's Field Park events
Lower Marsh Lates
Incredible Edible Lambeth
Waterloo Community Counselling social groups and activities for displaced peoples
Spotlight on... Sarah Vargerson, Volunteer Programme Lead
Reimagining Emma Cons Gardens
This September, the Emma Cons Gardens Trust is bringing Emma Cons Gardens to life with a series of free events across 5 days - 4, 10, 11, 12 and 18 September.
From live music and dancing to craft, food and wellbeing sessions, the programme invites everyone to explore the area differently in preparation for what comes next.
On the LAUNCH DAY Between 6pm - 8pm on the 4th September , there will be performances by the Morley College Jazz band, Lambeth Fringe and DT Ballet . Plus a bar by CIRCE. They will be unveiling the final designs for the redevelopment and revealing the winning design and artist for the exciting public art piece at its heart!. All invited!
Another highlight is THE EMMA CONS -versation. Sponsored by SoWN, it will run from 12 - 8pm on 4 September. This television-style talk show with members of the public will have the theme " Reinventing Our Neighbourhood '. Topics will range from how do you have a more nourishing lunchtime in Waterloo and Southbank, the potential of Waterloo and Southbank at night and what do we want our neighbourhood to look and feel like in the future!
Come down, get involved, and help to shape what this space and our neighbourhood could be together.
For further information, visit the events page.
Sustains Us Residents Group meeting in August + Reminder new date for Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day
The Sustains Us Residents Group (SURG) met earlier this month to finalise planning for the upcoming Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day, now taking place on Sunday 21 September, from 2–5pm at St John's Church, Waterloo.
The Group are looking forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of fun, food, and making a difference together in the heart of London. Head to the event page for more details - the full schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to get in touch with Charlotte Glazier, SoWN Programme Coordinator: charlotte@sowneighbours.org
Volunteering
Got an hour? Make it matter!
Come along to our friendly drop-in event this October and discover how you can make a meaningful difference in our community.
Whether you’re looking to share your skills, meet new people, or explore new opportunities, there’s something for everyone.
You’re welcome to stay for as long or as little as you like; we will be on hand to chat, answer questions, and help you find the right fit.
Date: Wednesday 1 October
Time: 4 to 7pm
Contact: Sarah, volunteering@coinstreet.org
Help us break down barriers to volunteering
Volunteering is a powerful force for good that helps to build stronger communities and reminds us that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
We’re running a short survey (it should take under 10 minutes) to better understand what stops people from getting involved in volunteering. Your input will help us improve programmes, boost engagement, and support equality, diversity and inclusion for volunteering in Waterloo.
We want to hear from everyone — parents, staff, volunteers, local residents, students, people working locally and corporate partners.
Take the survey here or scan the QR code.
Garden Museum Neighbours Day
On Sunday 13 July, the Garden Museum welcomed 496 neighbours and members of the local community into the Museum for their annual Neighbours Day. The theme this year was Garden Party inspired by their current Cecil Beaton exhibition. It was a scorching day, but this didn’t get in the way of face painting, bath salt making, flower arranging, and extracting and examining strawberry DNA in the Museum! Outside neighbours enjoyed nasturtium potting, guided walks of our local fruit trees, and breathwork workshops that made the most of the shade in Old Paradise Gardens.
The day was topped off with a performance from Lambeth Wind Orchestra and lots and lots of free cake.
They're already looking forward to next year!
Adopt a phone box
London's red phone boxes are an iconic symbol of the capital, but with their usage dropping by 90% in the last decade, BT has been looking to remove them off the streets.
However, there is a movement to preserve them, with BT allowing communities and charities to 'adopt' a phone box in their area for £1.
Join Colloquial Collective for a 2.5 hour workshop on how to adopt and repurpose an unloved classic telephone box and turn it into a unique community asset. Whether it's a:
Defibrillator station
Mini library
Community art installation
Vending machine
The workshop will provide a step-by-step guide to buying, developing and future proofing this unique community asset. Includes a visit to Deptford high street to see two red telephone boxes adopted by community groups. Please share with any community organisations or local charities who may be interested in this mini place-making initiative!
Free Pottery Classes for refugees and asylum-seekers
Mud Gang Pottery Studios, located on Hercules Road SE1, will be hosting a year-long series of pottery workshops in collaboration with Waterloo Community Counselling. These sessions are designed to offer creative engagement, skill-building, and community connection.
Start Date: Wednesday 3 September
Time: 11am to 1pm
Frequency: Weekly on Wednesdays
Duration: One year, with scheduled breaks
Final Event: Group exhibition showcasing participants’ work
Eligibility Criteria:
Refugees or asylum-seekers aged 18+
Able to speak some English
Able to attend weekly sessions and willing to commit to the full duration of the project
Must be registered as a WCC client prior to joining
Please note: There is no catchment area, but participants must arrange their own travel. Due to the length and frequency of the project, travel expenses are not covered, so the opportunity may be more suitable for those living locally.
If you would like to refer a client, please complete the referral form found here. Spaces are limited for this group, so sign up as soon as possible.
SoWN Forums
We host a SoWN Forum four times a year. This is your chance to hear the latest on local issues, share your views, and help shape the future of our community.
The Forums are chaired by our local MPs with various representatives joining to present their plans and proposals. There's aways time for questions and open discussion.
The meeting is usually followed by a drinks reception to meet and catch up with local people. It’s a great way to connect with neighbours in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
The dates for the Forums in 2025 are Thursday 9 October and Thursday 11 December.
If there's anything you would like to see on the Forum agenda, please let us know.
Events
The Big Shim Sham
Step Back to the 1930s with the Jazz Dance Collective and Coin Street. Learn the Big Shim Sham dance and experience the energy of authentic jazz and swing.
When: Sunday 24 August, 12pm to 1pm
Where: Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre
No booking required just turn up.
Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day
This free community gathering celebrates local action for a fairer, greener Waterloo and South Bank.
New date: Sunday 21 September 2025
Time: Drop in any time between 2pm and 5pm
Location: St John’s Waterloo
Who: Local residents of all ages and backgrounds
Free
Visit the event page for more information.
Gabriel's Wharf Arts Festival
You're invited to two unforgettable days on Saturday 6 and Saturday 20 September for a celebration of creativity and community.
Dates: 6 and 20 September 2025
Time: 12pm-6pm
Location: Gabriel's Wharf,
Free, all ages are welcome.
Lambeth Fringe Festival 2025
The Lambeth Fringe Festival 2025 have announced their very exciting programme of over 200 shows across Lambeth from September 25 to October 25, 2025!
Check out their full programme of theatre, comedy, cabaret, music and family events.
Myatt's Fields Park
Myatt's Fields Park Project would be delighted to welcome you to one of their events this year.
Visit the website for more information.
Lower Marsh Lates
Lower Marsh Lates is returning this summer with a free open-air cinema series in Waterloo.
28 August – Grease
Visit the website for more information.
Incredible Edible Lambeth
Join free guided walks to find some of the hidden green gems in the borough.
Various dates, times and locations
Free
Visit the website for more information.
Social groups & activities for displaced peoples
Waterloo Community Counselling organises meetups where refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrants seeking companionship can come together to explore, learn, and have fun.
Date, time and location: various
Time: Various
Free
Visit the website for more information.
Spotlight on... Sarah Vargerson
What’s your role in South Bank and Waterloo?
Volunteer Programme Lead – Leading the Connecting Waterloo Communities Project, working with Coin Street, The Bridge @ St. John’s Waterloo, Oasis Waterloo & Bright Centres to look at working collaboratively to support the organisations through volunteering.
What does a perfect day look like for you?
Starting the day with a swim, a breakfast filled with fresh fruit and loose-leaf earl grey tea. A coastal or countryside walk followed by a meal cooked with locally sourced ingredients. Spending the day with my family and friends and chilling out for the evening with my feet up watching a film.
If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Be brave, put yourself forward and welcome every opportunity with open arms.
What’s the best costume you’ve ever worn to a party?
An Ancient Egyptian costume – no expense spared - made from an old bed sheet, I can still remember how itchy the wig was!
What’s on your bucket list?
Interrailing around Europe and having adventures in a campervan.
Who do you nominate for a SoWN spotlight?
Leila Hidayat, Fundraising Lead at Coin Street
