Welcome
As the season of renewal begins, we’re excited to share heartwarming stories and uplifting updates from Pecan. Meet our wonderful new Chair of Trustees, Sally Dixon, celebrate our January – March highlights, and discover the latest from our projects – including a surprise hidden talent from one of our Employment Support team members and the launch of a brand-new pop-up Pantry. We hope you feel the kindness and community spirit that makes Pecan so special. Happy reading!
A message from our Chair of Trustees
‘I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Trustees of Pecan.’
When I first heard about Pecan, I was inspired by the story of six churches coming together to make a difference by showing Jesus’s love in their community in very practical ways. The ways Pecan helps have evolved over the years, but I love the fact that those strong values of Kindness, Faith and Hope continue to this day, 35 years later. My hope and prayer is that I can make a difference too!
… I love the fact that those strong values of Kindness, Faith and Hope continue to this day, 35 years later. My hope and prayer is that I can make a difference too!
The Power of Kindness
Every year, we stand alongside thousands of individuals facing challenges — whether through food insecurity, unemployment, or social isolation. This newsletter is a reflection of the support and generosity we receive in many forms at Pecan, and the incredible work being done across our projects. So, please read, share and let us know what Pecan means to you.
Tracey Francis, Marketing Manager
Acts of Kindness
- The Garden Productions for the wonderful donations of dates (for Eid)
- The Garden Productions, Metashape, Boyer, Morgan Lewis, and Ardonagh for Easters eggs
Highlights: January – March 2025
- Lunar New Year – Celebrated with crafts in Together.
- Agenda Alliance film – Our Women’s Service was involved in the production of an important online film release. Agenda Alliance – Voices from the Frontline
- February London Bridge collection – Our first collection of the new year in partnership with Mayer Brown.
- Visit from Councillor Stephanie Cryan – She heard firsthand about the social impact of our projects.
- Pantry Steering Group Cookbook – Launched in February. Download a copy.
- A new cargo bike donated by Lumanity – Supporting our food services.
- New pop-up pantries launching soon – Register for the Rachel Leigh Community Hall Pop-Up Pantry launch. Sign up here.
Cllr Cryan’s visit to Pecan and our new cargo bike courtesy of Lumanity
Fundraising Updates
A huge thank you to everyone who supported Pecan through fundraising initiatives. Your generosity fuels our mission!
Simon and Kellie joined us for a thank you lunch at Pecan. Simon celebrated his Barcelona Marathon challenge in the amazing time of 3:35:46 hours and Kellie will take on the London Marathon on 26 April.
- Arena (February) – Thank you for making 30 beautiful thank-you cards in January and for your ‘Shop and Drop’ foodbank initiative.
- London Bridge bucket collection (February) – A heartfelt thank you to Mayer Brown for collecting £1,635.
- Barcelona Marathon (March) – Simon Ewing ran the marathon for Pecan, raising £1599.
- Lumanity Bike donation (March) – After a year of fundraising, Lumanity delivered a brand-new cargo bike for our Foodbank!
- Upcoming:
London Marathon, Sunday 26 April – Kellie, our wonderful volunteer, will be running and has shared a touching blog about her journey.
Kellie’s Donation Link
Pecan staff and volunteers are lacing up their shoes and gearing up for a 5K run at Victoria Park on Friday, April 18, 2025. Support our runners and support Pecan. Donation Link
Pecan Food Services
Southwark Foodbank, Peckham Pantry, and Southwark Food Action Alliance
Southwark Foodbank
Pecan and Southwark Charities 55+ grant
Pecan received a generous grant of £5,000 from Southwark Charities last year to support Southwark residents, who are over 55 years old. High housing, energy and food costs have left many unable to afford the essentials, such as household bills, food and travel. With the grant, we were able to give over 50 Southwark residents supermarket vouchers to help stock up food, hygiene and cleaning products. One beneficiary told us she is now able to eat three warm meals a day to gain more weight after a major surgery.
‘One beneficiary told us she is now able to eat three warm meals a day to gain more weight after a major surgery.’
There’s a Bear on My Chair theatre performance
Local families with small children, who have used Pecan’s services, got an opportunity to see a new theatre adaptation of There’s a Bear on My Chair at the Southbank Centre, thanks to the outreach programme of Fuel Theatre. One of the parents left a glowing review in our inbox afterwards:
‘It was absolutely amazing! My children and I were so fascinated with the performance and the actors. We normally can’t afford to go to the theatre. We were blown away with it and we absolutely loved it! My children were so happy. ‘
A Greener Future for Southwark Foodbank
We were recently gifted a Mercedes electric van by The Felix Project as part of a community initiative, and we are thrilled!
‘We are so pleased to receive this van, as it means less money spent on hiring a van for collections and deliveries, and more to supporting our clients and members. Thank you Felix Project!’
– Genevieve, Foodbank Manager
Southwark Food Action Alliance – SFAA
SFAA is a Southwark-based food partnership, hosted by Pecan. It brings together local food providers, charities, businesses, and residents, all working toward an affordable, inclusive, healthy, and sustainable food system in Southwark.
We recently ran our first network meeting of the year, in collaboration with Spring Food Roots! The meeting focused on collaborative work, culturally appropriate food, and forming a sustainable vision for the future of community food support.
If you are interested in hearing more about our work, head over to our website to sign up to our mailing list.
Our online map highlights free and low-cost food services in Southwark, including food banks, community fridges, and pantries. Explore the map, which will be updated with Easter opening times by 2 April.
Check it out here or click on the map.
Peckham Pantry
Peckham Pantry is a membership scheme that will make your money go further. Members of Peckham Pantry pay £5 per shop, which gives access to fresh fruit and veg and store cupboard favourites – to the value of £15 or more.
Rachel-Leigh Pop-Up Pantry
Join us on April 15, 2025 (11am – 3pm) for the Rachel Leigh Community Hall Pop-Up Pantry in Walworth!
For £5, members can access groceries worth up to £15. Expect representatives from Southwark, community engagement, and some surprises.
Thames Reach at Peckham Pantry
Starting March 13, a Thames Reach advisor will be available every Thursday to offer:
- Advice on welfare benefits, housing, and debt
- Support for employment, education, and health services
- Practical casework, benefit applications, and advocacy
Peckham Pantry Steering Group
Peckham Pantry Steering Group is a group of pantry members, volunteers and staff who meet once a month to develop ideas on how to engage with pantry members and members of the wider local community.
April Coffee Morning
The next Coffee Morning at Peckham Pantry on Peckham Park Road, is on Wednesday 16 April, from 10.30am-11.30am. If you would like to join our Steering Group, or get involved with our events, please contact Emily Monaghan-Coombs
Pantry Opening Times:
- Peckham Pantry, 49-53 Peckham Park Road –Tuesdays 10am-4pm, Wednesdays 9am-4pm, Thursdays 10am-7pm, Fridays 9am-4pm and Saturdays 9am-3pm
- St.Luke’s, Chandlers Way – Wednesdays 11am-2pm
- Rachel Leigh Community Hall, 32 Andrews Walk – Tuesdays 11am-2pm (from 15 April 2025)
Women's Service
We provide gender specific, trauma-informed services to women who have had contact with the criminal justice system and/or face multiple disadvantages in the community. This includes 1-2-1 advocacy, workshops and activities, weekly drop-ins and monthly hub lunches. All women (including Trans women) are welcome in our warm, welcoming, inclusive space.
What's Happening at the Hub
- Wellbeing with Alex on Zoom is on Wednesdays, 2pm-2.45pm. Please email womenshubs@pecan.org.uk for the Zoom link.
- Our coffee mornings are every Tuesday and Thursday, 10.30am-12.30pm at our Southwark Hub. Here, you can have free tea and coffee, a snack, use free WiFi, read magazines, do puzzles and crafts, and of course have a chat with our friendly local community of women.
- Due to maintenance works carried out by All Saints Church, our Southwark Hub will be closed for repair work on Tuesday 13 May. We will be open as normal on Thursday 15 May.
Please note: The hub is a WOMEN-ONLY space.
Highlights at the Hub
International Women’s Day was celebrated with a poetry reading session at the Women’s Service coffee morning. The women also made some banners during Women’s History Month for Kellie, one of our volunteers’ (March Blog) who is running the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April.
Employment Support
Employment Support: our longest running programme supports people back into work at a pace that suits them, supporting them to feel ready both with skills and knowledge as well as mentally ready to take the next step. We are currently supporting families and unpaid carers (through a Southwark Works contract).
We have talented staff in Employment Support
We have hidden talent in our wonderful team – Shemiah is also a florist, and she ran an amazing session during our Together’s Women’s History Month event. It was a really successful event and attendees went away feeling happy with their beautiful bouquets.
Growing Together: Our New Training Opportunity
QNUK Level 2 Award in Principles of Customer Service
Qualification Purpose: This qualification provides learners with an understanding of the principles of customer service.
Who is this for? This qualification is intended for those that are entering employment and are looking to enter a customer service role. The qualification introduces the principles of good customer service.
Course Content:
- Understand the principles of customer service.
- Know how to identify a customer’s needs and expectations.
- Know how to communicate effectively with customers.
- Understand actions to be taken where a customer’s needs and expectations are not met.
For further details and to register, please contact employment.support@pecan.org.uk
If you are looking for support to learn or to gain employment, please contact Pecan –Employment Support team on 0207 732 0007 then select option 2 to speak with a team member. We have many short courses that can boost your chance to secure your desired job role.
Together
Together provides a range of community life skills in a relaxed environment. We also support people understanding their rights, and the chance to build new social circles. Everyone’s welcome! Activities include free café, cultural trips, creative writing classes, crafts and support to fill in online forms. We signpost onto other Pecan services and partner organisations to ensure all needs are met.
Community Engagement Officer for Pecan’s Together Hub
We are truly delighted to have received a Southwark Charities Grant in support of a Community Engagement Officer for Pecan’s Together Hub.
This generous funding will enable us to offer much-needed 1:1 support for older people, helping them connect with local services and take part in a variety of social activities from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Highlights in Together
Since the new year, Together has been marking awareness days and months, plus holding its regular activities:
- Lunar New Year – origami activities in collaboration with Trin from Southwark Food Action Alliance and a quiz.
- Women’s History Month – a floral workshop with Shemiah from Employment Support and a craft workshop with Lucie from Drawing People Together.
L to R: Lunar New Year workshop in Together and Women’s History Month craft and floral workshop
During April to June there will activities and celebrations to mark Easter, Pride Month, Mental Health Awareness and Volunteers’ Week. To keep up-to-date with activities please join the Together mailing list, by emailing together@pecan.org.uk.
What’s happening in Together
- Mondays and Tuesdays, 12-2pm
A community café and warm hub. We have volunteers supporting our Together co-ordinator, and it is a welcoming and safe space. - Creative Writing #8
Thursday 24 April – 29 May 2025
Creative writing for wellbeing facilitated by Wordsmith, and all abilities welcome. - Bread and Salt
Fridays, 10am-12noon
Facilitated by W.E.C. International, Bread & Salt continues to provide a space to visit with friends or make new ones, particularly for Arabic and Kurdish speakers partaking in English conversation with games and craft activities. Interpreters are available to create a welcoming inclusive environment with the offer of Middle Eastern coffee, tea, fruit, and cake.
Volunteer Workshop Facilitator Opportunities
We welcome individuals who would like to share their skills or expertise in volunteering in activities or workshops as a facilitator. Please contact Vashti Henry, Together Coordinator if you would like to facilitate an activity or workshop together@pecan.org.uk
Together at Pecan Membership
Pecan encourages our local community to become a member to keep abreast of our activities and participate in our free events and workshops. At the coffee mornings, there will be an opportunity to sign up to our mailing list.
Volunteers
At Pecan we have THE BEST volunteers! These fabulous people give up their time to help us provide vital services.
Featured Volunteer: Stephine
(Employment Support and Peckham Pantry)
Join us in celebrating Volunteers’ Week (June 2-8, 2025)!
Stay tuned for an appreciation event.
Wellbeing at Pecan
Spring Away Day 2025
Our Spring Away Day brought staff together for team-building, fun activities, and shared meals.
It’s vital for our teams to recharge so we can continue serving our community with energy, care and kindness.
EEDI at Pecan
At Pecan, we honor and celebrate our community’s diverse faiths and cultures. So far this year, we have marked Shrove Tuesday, Eid, International Women’s Day, and History Month.
Upcoming: We will have activities for Easter, Mental Health Awareness Week, Volunteer’s Week and Pride Month – keep an eye on our socials for updates and information!
Volunteering Opportunities
Community Events & Useful Links
Easter Activities
- All Saints Church, Peckham – Easter calendar
- Spring Table Sale (12 April, 1-4pm) – The Green, Nunhead Community. More info.
- John Harvard Library (April 17) – Easter egg hunt. More info.
- Free events in April at the Southbank Centre
Community Events
- Peckham Fringe 2025 (May 1 – June 6)
A festival of performing arts at Theatre Peckham! More info. - Book Club: Voices of Latin America
A celebration of Latin American literature held every fourth Friday at Una Marson Library. Join here. - IntoGames Careers Fair
For aspiring video game professionals, at Dulwich Library during London Games Festival (April 2-13, 2025). More info. - Repair Café – The Green Nunhead
Mend broken belongings with the community! Last Saturday of every month, 1-4pm. More info. - GALA Festival
Peckham Rye, 23-25 May 2025. More info. - On The Rye Festival in Peckham Rye Park
Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May 2025 – Family entertainment, local food traders and local organisations – entry is FREE from 12-9pm - Guided Walks
Summer guided walks project for refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants. More info. What’s on in April at Staffordshire St
More info.- Find out what’s happening all around Southwark
Southwark Presents
Glengall Wharf Community Garden on 5 April between 2.30-5.30pm. It will be an Introduction to mushroom growing and will consist of a talk about fungi and then a practical session growing oyster mushroom for the garden. The facillitator is Adi who is a key figure in the mushroom growing world in London and you can find out more about his work here:
