· FHS Planting at Forest Hill station and town centre- Forest Hill
Society
· Mothers Springboard Programme- Shabina Ahmed
· Colourful street trees in the Horniman area of Forest Hill- Stuart
Checkley
· Cheseman Street Community Vegetable Plot- Written Update
· Forest Hill Family Festival: A weeklong series of workshops and
events for parents & children- Written Update
· 5 New Bollards at the entrance of the Green- Written Update
· Red Ribbon Living Well – Drama Production
Minutes:
· FHS Planting at Forest Hill station and town centre- Forest Hill
Society
As in previous year’s members of the Forest Hill Society and its supporters did planting work at Forest Hill station and in the town centre with members of the public joining us in watering, weeding and planting. While we try to choose plants which regenerate annually not all succeed in this, and a lot is dependent on the weather. Funds were therefore needed to replace missing or damaged plants, compost and other materials and renew where necessary.
In autumn 2017 a general tidy up and pruning for the planters and station forecourt area took place to prepare the areas for the dormant winter season and to prepare the ground for Spring bulbs. In spring another gardening session occurred in order to assess any damage to the planted areas during the winter and to plant late bulbs and prepare for summer planting. Around May any areas needing work were addressed and plants for the summer sown. Help with watering and weeding is a continuous thing which volunteers undertake. All the work is undertaken under the auspices of the Forest Hill Society but members of the society are joined in these activities by others from the general community who either wish to learn more about planting or, having no gardens of their own, like to be able to spend some time doing gardening work. The recycled tyre planters in Perry Vale were painted by members of the Rockbourne Youth Club working with a local artist and additional recycled oil drums were planted up added to this cluster creating a “pocket park”. This year we have also been collaborating with the Groundworks/Energy Gardens team and anticipate that this collaboration will continue. Events are publicised on social media and in the Forest Hill Society’s newsletters.
· Mothers Springboard Programme- Shabina Ahmed
Benefit and child tax credit changes are pressuring more women to get work. But many feel ill-equipped, and can’t see how to overcome the practical barriers they face.
MSP is an early intervention work-readiness programme. supporting mothers into employment, education, training/volunteering and enterprise.
We provide workshops with an essential crèche service, professional coaching and a support network for local mums.
Our signposting service helps address the barriers that mothers face whilst raising a family and seeking employment.
We have 3 aims:
1. Prepare mothers for the world of work, addressing the barriers they face and settle them in long-term employment or education within 1 year.
2. Raise confidence and aspirations so that mothers will pursue work they are passionate about.
3. Create a sustaining support network of local mothers.
We have just secured £10,000 Big Lottery funding which will help deliver another programme in November 2018.
We are seeking other funding, and would like to expand across Lewisham and other London boroughs.
Thank You for giving us our start
· Colourful street trees in the Horniman area of Forest Hill- Stuart
Checkley
Individual residents have already raised 50% of the funding for the 7 trees for which we are seeking support.
We have already gained the Council’s support for the planting of 9 trees. The trees were planted in the winter and watering will started in spring. Each tree will be given 20 litres each week for the first summers and 20litres every 2 weeks for the second summer. For the first two springs and the first two autumns less water is needed than in each summer. This is the regime which Street Rees for Living (STfL) recommends and which we shall follow.
Individual residents will mulch the bases of their trees to retain moisture and to prevent the growth of weeds which might extract water from the soil.
As soon as the trees are planted we will start the next cycle of fund raising for the trees to be planted in the next year.
· Forest Hill Family Festival: A weeklong series of workshops and
events for parents & children-
Update from Diana Hawk- Forest Hill Family Festival: A weeklong series of workshops and events for parents & children. Awarded £2,300
Over a 2-week period in February, with thanks to FH Assembly funding, the Parents' Network SE London ran over 15 events aimed at parents and families. These included workshops on Sleep Skills, Mindfulness, Healthy Eating, discussions on feminism as well as activity based tasters of a local forest school and children's yoga. A number of local businesses offered exclusive discounts for families as well. The majority of the sessions were fully booked, although turnout on the day was fewer than expected. We had to cancel one event due to speaker sickness and the events we planned with the Council around school admission was suggested by them, to be run at a later date. With this in mind and with some savings made due to generosity of venue and speaker discounts, we have agreed to run a few more events in the coming months. A full evaluation will then be submitted. Many thanks for your support.
· Red Ribbon Living Well – Drama Production
Red Ribbon is a community-led voluntary organisation supporting individuals affected by HIV. Our aim is to nurture wellbeing in our members and empower them to lead healthy lives. We also educate members of the public and health professionals around issues which have a direct impact on people living with HIV.
This performance shows how one person’s HIV status impacts the whole family, not only the person with HIV. The story includes discussion of stigma and common misunderstandings about HIV, and it explores positive opportunities in life and family that are possible for people who have HIV.
Red Ribbon provides advice and advocacy, focusing on prevention and living well whilst continuing to support people who are affected by HIV, including family and loved ones of people with HIV. We work with people in an empathic, non-judgmental and non-discriminatory manner, with no restrictions around race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
They have been meeting, developing and rehearsing their play. They are booked with the V22 festival coming up in July/August to perform as part of the festival line up. If anyone else wants the group to perform they're happy to do so!
For more information on Red Ribbon: redribbonlivingwellproject@gmail.com