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South West locality: Young foundation (2017-2020)

Neighbourhoods  

  • Shadwell 
  • St Dunstan’s 
  • Whitechapel

From classroom to Zoom! Bigland Estate, Shadwell

Since June 2019 families would meet weekly for an after-school homework support club. The group is the brainchild of one of our Shadwell residents who wanted to help her family and other families in her block.

Following the onset of the COVID-19 crisis and the lockdown in March, the group paused and stayed indoors following government advice. One of the Community Champions was still interested in maintaining contact with the group and wanted to re-connect online. With the help of our Local Area Co-ordinator, she was able to set up a WhatsApp coffee and chat group.  With confidence growing, the residents’ asked if we could help with using Zoom for activities where the group could meet and see each other.

Following conversations with the group, we now support resident-led Maths and English homework support clubs in partnership with student volunteers from Queen Mary University. This includes a weekly Zoom cookery club led by residents to share a tasty recipe each week and more recently a home-based Zoom fitness and fun session.

We hope to support the re-launch of the community walking group when it is safe to do so. Going forward into 2021, these residents are bursting with ideas for new ways to connect with one another and stay healthy. 

For more information about any of the activities in Shadwell please contact Neherun.ali@youngfoundation.org.

Virtual coffee mornings and doorstep fitness, St Dunstan’s Stepney

We have been working with families in and around the estates in St Dunstan’s. 

Earlier during the summer months, a group of residents contacted us and asked for support to lead a weekly fitness session outdoors.

Two of the residents were coached in leading fitness activities with up to seven of their neighbours joining in. We are hoping to restart the doorstep fitness in Spring 2021.

In addition we have formed a solid partnership with the St Dunstan’s and All Saint’s Church Community.

Together with a group of the community we held a community picnic in the church’s gardens and coffee mornings to understand the needs of the community better.

The church has a regular Food Bank which is open to families in need from Tuesday to Friday.

We have also provided 100 activity packs to adults visiting the food bank.

For more information about any of the activities in St Dunstan’s please contact Tiziana.silvestre@youngfoundation.org.

Arts and crafts and walking group, Sidney Estate North, Whitechapel

Before the pandemic, the Creative Arts group, led by two resident volunteers, would meet weekly in the estate TRA room to share stories and make things together over a cup of coffee.

This was supported by a small grant from Tower Hamlets Homes. Both resident volunteers are naturally artistic and have skills in sewing, crocheting and jewellery making.

As lockdown eased, one of our residents was keen to lead a community walking group where everyone taking part were able to discover the parks and historical sites of the borough and remain safe and healthy.

The face to face activities are on pause for the moment. We are in regular contact with our residents ensuring that they have all the essential items needed and hope to be able to support future face to face outdoor activities again soon.

For more information about any of the activities in Whitechapel please contact Rokeya.noor@youngfoundation.org.

Outcomes and impact 

  • We have seen an increase in confidence, leadership and community activator skills
  • All the participants tell us how important the sessions are for mental and physical health  and how much fun it is to connect with likeminded people.
  • Offers a platform to discuss other health and wellbeing topics and signpost details of other services
  • Provides the opportunity to learn and share skills with one another whilst remaining at home (exercises and cooking)
  • The group actively encourage one another to have a go at leading sessions.

From 2017-2020 this programme was delivered by MyTime Active