Transforming lives through Kindness, Belief and Hope
Cost of Living Crisis
Over the summer we have all seen energy and food prices continually rising. The people most affected by this are those of us on the lowest incomes, who were already struggling to get by. With the coming winter, an increasing number of people will find the issue of struggling to heat or eat a reality, potentially for the first time.
At Pecan, we know that this isn’t just a financial or physical issue, it will also take a dramatic toll on everyone’s wellbeing and ability to cope with the bleak situation we are all facing. To help reduce the impact of the crisis, Pecan have been planning how to make better use of our building this winter. Our aim is to provide a dignified response that will provide a welcome that enables wellbeing and helps people to access support. During October we will start to implement the changes as funding allows.
If you would like to get involved in our winter response to the Cost-of-Living Crisis, please click on the buttons below and visit our volunteer and donate pages.
17-23 October 2022
This year London Challenge Poverty Week takes place against the backdrop of spiralling prices, driving the worst cost-of-living crisis we have seen for over 40 years. londonchallengepovertyweek.org.uk
Changing Seasons
The very hot summer seems like a distant memory now the cold weather has made a sudden appearance. However, Pecan were here throughout the summer, and you can find out in this newsletter what each project has been up to and what’s in store for October.
Creative Pecan
In September the creative energy in Peckham is visible everywhere, and this summer Pecan was part of the community hub at Peckham Festival. HOurBank and local artist Lucie Russell from Drawing People Together held a creative session to chat and gather feedback on Pecan, Peckham and our community. This event included a collaborative piece of artwork with words and drawings on our Pecan tree. There are some more leaves that need words adding to them, so the tree will be making another appearance.
Earlier in the summer we were invited by London Design Festival along with Southwark South Design District, to be part of the creative art trail in Peckham. We took the challenge and adapted the reception area into a pop-up gallery. We displayed artwork by local photographers, artists, members of Pecan’s projects and staff. Thank you to those who took part and sold work:
John Iona | Joan Byrne | Steve Russell | Ernette Harriott |
Danielle Dax |Angela Johnson | Kathy Wilkinson | Iris Francis | L.M. Ramsey | Deborah Hayman-Nkhoma | Tracey Francis
Women's Service
Summer 2022 and Beyond
Here’s what we have been up to in the last few months:
- We kept our drop-in coffee mornings open over the summer holidays and have begun to have craft sessions every Tuesday. Hub members have been crafting with materials that you can find round the house. We have seen numbers increasing steadily over the last few weeks and clients have been enjoying the community that has been building.
- Our annual summer event was a great success. We had mindfulness and movement workshops, clay pottery led by one of our hub members, food by the Southwark Soul Sisters, nail painting and a clothes stall. We also had gifts donated by Tropic Skincare for every person that attended.
- We have just launched a new set of comedy workshops with Kymfoolery- they are weekly until the end of October.
- We welcomed Kathleen and Doreen onto the team. Kathleen is our mental health advocate and Doreen is working with our community clients and overseeing our drop-in sessions.
- We had our Hub lunch at the end of September, catered by the Southwark Soul Sisters.
Coming up…
- We are celebrating Black History Month throughout October with craft sessions, led by the team, a film morning, a discussion group around personal stories and a talk with one of our clients, during our October hub lunch.
Thursday 6 October: Ojos de dios
(Flag Colours)
Tuesday 18 October: Film Club: Eyes of the Rainbow
(The Assata Shakur Story)
Thursday 28 October: Ghanaian Bead Craft
Peckham Pantry
Co-op is coming to Peckham Pantry
In November 2022, Peckham Pantry will be taking part in celebrating the partnership between Co-op and Your Local Pantry.
Peckham Pantry will be part of a campaign film to promote Your Local Pantries. The Pantry team, ambassadors and some customers will be on set at the pantry as this campaign will highlight authentic stories and experiences of using a membership community food club.
Also, we are turning 2 years old on 22 October, and we will be having a birthday celebration on 3 November, 12.30-4pm at Peckham Pantry. Save the date and also follow the Pantry and Pecan’s socials for more details.
Southwark Food Bank
‘Overall compared to last year we’ve seen a 20% increase in people coming to our foodbank.’
We’ve had a busy Summer at Southwark Foodbank. Even on the really hot days when we were all struggling to keep cool, clients came along to our sessions and were welcomed with an ice cold drink of water or juice.
Now that the temperature has dropped, we are expecting to see more people referred to our service. Overall compared to last year we’ve seen a 20% increase in people coming to foodbank. However, with the increases in food prices and the cost-of-living crisis, we anticipate seeing more clients over the Autumn and Winter.
The harvest season has just started, and a number of local schools have kindly collected and delivered much needed tins and long-life items for us, as we all work together to support our community. Thank you to Tuke School, Bacon’s College and James Allen’s Girls, Prep-Preparatory School.
Employment Support
Changes in our service
There are lots of changes in Employment Support, and we are no longer delivering National Career Service. We will be developing a new community project and will be updating everyone in the next newsletter.
However, during the summer we were open and we are continuing with our training courses until they are completed.
HOurBank
Out and about with our members
Members Update!
During the summer HOurBank’s members took part in a lot of events and activities:
- Walking tour to Somerset House
- Sky Gardens – members outing
- Special Coffee morning at Pecan
- Day out to Brighton seaside
- Visit to Buckingham Palace (tour)
- Community groups Quiz (Rushey Green & HOurBank)
- Peckham Festival Community event
We are looking forward to the Creative Writing Workshop starting on Friday 7 October, it’s open to anyone wanting to improve their literary skills.
Email: peter.aleksin@pecan.org.uk
Tel: 020 7732 0007
October 2022 Community Noticeboard
Events and useful links for October 2022
- Black History Month 2022 | Southwark
Join Southwark in honouring the achievements, culture and history of African, Caribbean and diaspora communities.
website: Black History Month in Southwark Prince of Peckham | October 2022
Venue: 1 Clayton Rd, London SE15 5JA
Events throughout October taking place at the Prince of Peckham
website: Prince of Peckham BHM2022- Painting our past | until 28 October 2022 | FREE exhibition
Venue: Africa Centre, 229 Union Street SE1 0LREnglish Heritage commissioned a series of portraits depicting six historic figures from the African diaspora whose stories have contributed to history.
website: Africa Centre - Theatre Peckham | October 2022
Programme of shows at Peckham’s local theatre.website: Theatre Peckham
City Of London: Slave Trade Money Trail Tour: This tour follows the hidden story of one of Britain’s first Slave Traders.
Paid event but under 16s go Free.
Eventbrite
National Poetry Day - 6 October 2022
Poems suggested by Pecan Staff
The Peace of Wild Things
Mad Girl’s Love Song
by Sylvia Plath – >> Poem: Mad Girl’s Love Song
Metamorphism
By Helena Johnson – suggested by Doreen, Women’s Service
>> Poem: Metamorphism
Through the Fire
by Kinetika Bloco Summer 2022 Poetry Group
– suggested by Tracey, Marketing
>> Poem: Through the Fire
