CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN 2024
Thank you for helping us reach our target of £35K for 35 years, and beyond for our Christmas Campaign. More details will follow in our next newsletter about how the campaign has made an impact within our Pecan community.
Welcome
Year of Kindness
Happy New Year! And welcome to our first newsletter of 2025.
In this newsletter, we look back at some of our highlights for 2024 including turning 35! A bittersweet milestone: we are so proud of the work Pecan has carried out over the last 35 years; of the innovation and the impact we have had on the community. However, the fact that Pecan is still needed and there is still so much to be done to tackle the inequality and poverty faced by so many in the community, is something no charity wants.
It is perhaps for this reason that over the coming years, Pecan would like to really live our Values of Kindness, Belief and Hope, and so we aim to make 2025 the Year of Kindness.
… Pecan is still needed and there is still so much to be done to tackle the inequality and poverty faced by so many in the community, is something no charity wants.
What does Kindness mean to Pecan?
For Pecan, Kindness is about embracing diversity and loving every person for who they are and honestly building every person’s confidence in their own unique capability. We want to ensure open and honest dialogue, that the services we provide are the right ones and are having an impact on our community. We want to make sure our door is open, and Pecan feels like a safe space for all – whether you would like to take part in an activity, get some extra support, volunteer, work with us or help shape our future.
Throughout the year you will be hearing much more about Kindness and have opportunities to feed into our work and Values, so watch this space for an exciting and kind 2025.
Highlights of 2024
In our 35th year Pecan has had many highlights, thanks to our volunteers taking part in challenges, corporate and community support from independent businesses and freelancers.
- Our Employment Support has worked with 420 clients, getting 129 into permanent employment and 165 completing accredited courses.
- In Together we marked Lunar New Year, International Women’s Day, Pride Month, Macmillan Coffee Morning, and Black History Month.
- We became a charity partner of Creative Impact Club – they supported us with rebranding.
Through our services we continue to offer emergency food parcels and advocacy to those in a crisis, while aiming to improve wellbeing, social connections, and increase the voice of our community through Peckham Pantry, our community hub Together and engagement groups. Thank you to all who have supported and believed in our work during 2024. We will continue to provide our services for those who need them into 2025 – our year of #Kindness
Fundraising Updates
London Bridge and Santa Run for Pecan Day 2024
These are our supporters over Christmas who helped us with donations of food, money, fundraising or volunteering their time:
Salt Ash Construction, The 4OC, Sudbury Dryling Group, Convexin, Ward-security, Revolution World, Sonnedix Group, Arena, Folio Society, Biyer Planning, HSBC, 8Build, Lumanity and TMT
Pecan Food Services
Southwark Foodbank, Peckham Pantry, Engagement and Southwark Food Action Alliance
Southwark Foodbank
The first few months of the year are always some of the hardest at Southwark Foodbank. The amount of donations that we receive tends to dip after the festive period, but the demand for our services remains as high as ever, especially during the cold winter months when families across Southwark face additional challenges. This is why our Christmas collections are so vital, as they ensure we can continue supporting those in need during these difficult early months of the year. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to our Christmas campaign and made this possible.
… Thank you so much for the voucher it helped me to get mine and the 3 children’s Christmas dinner, if it wasn’t for the voucher we wouldn’t have managed to get everything. Thanks again you made our Christmas.
Collection at Tesco, Old Kent Road
We’re excited to announce a collection day at Tesco, Old Kent Road, on 18 March, 10am to 4 pm, the foodbank team and volunteers will be handing out lists of urgently needed items to shoppers and encouraging donations. These collections play a key role in replenishing our stocks, and we’re counting on the generosity of the local community to help us support the families we serve.
London Bridge Station Collections Return
We’re thrilled to be back at London Bridge Station on 26 February for another collection! While we missed January this year, our December collections at the station were an incredible success, raising £10,379.33 in donations. A special thank you to the London Oriana Choir for performing at all three December collections, helping create a festive atmosphere and inspiring so many commuters to support our cause.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Your continued support is what enables us to help families and individuals in need throughout Southwark.
Engagement and Campaigns
Voices for Southwark is a community group based at Pecan, and their vision includes speaking up to make life in Southwark easier and better for everyone. The group is made up of people who have been in touch with Southwark Foodbank and Pecan’s other projects.
Stay tuned for next month’s Pecan blog, where we will share our Voices for Southwark members’ highlights and reflections from our community organising and campaigning work over the last months and years.
Southwark Food Action Alliance – SFAA
The SFAA food map is an online map which signposts information on the free and low-cost food services available to the community in Southwark. It includes information on location, opening times, the type of food offered, and any extra support a service might provide. Services on the food map include foodbanks, community fridges, food pantries and more. Check it out here or click on the map.
Southwark Food Action Alliance is made up of a diverse network of projects working to improve food security and sustainability across the borough. Over the next few months, we’ll be visiting projects, learning more about their brilliant work, and spotlighting this work through a series of blog posts.
SFAA Members Spotlight: Burgess Sports’ Kids in the Kitchen Programme: LINK
Peckham Pantry
Peckham Pantry is a membership scheme that will make your money go further. Members of Peckham Pantry pay £4.50 per shop, which gives access to fresh fruit and veg and store cupboard favourites – to the value of £15 or more.
Peckham Pantry is open on:
- Tuesday 10am-4pm
- Wednesday 9am-4pm & St. Luke’s 11am-2pm
- Thursday 10am-7pm
- Friday 9am-4pm
- Saturday 9am-3pm
On Sunday and Monday the Pantry is closed
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.
Christmas Event
The Peckham Pantry team and steering group organised a Christmas Event at the pantry on Peckham Park Road with seasonal treats, and special hampers. Thank you to everyone who helped organise the event, and to all who came down, it was great to see you!
Get Involved
The next Coffee Morning is on Thursday 13 February from 11am-12pm at Peckham Pantry on Peckham Park Road.
If you would like to join our Steering Group, or get involved with our events, please contact Flora on 07929 999 006.
Women's Service
We provide a 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.
New Courses at the Hub
There are two new workshops underway at the Women’s Service
- Stretch and Relax, Tuesdays – 11.45am-12.45pm – an in-person movement class delivered by The Movement charity. A gentle movement class with focus on flexibility, mobility and breath. All abilities welcome!
- Creative Arts with Clean Break, Thursdays – 11am-12.45pm – Clean Break’s Creative Arts workshops will help you explore and discover the Artist inside you. We will use different types of arts-based activities, from creative writing to drama games. You don’t need any experience to join in, these workshops are for everyone!
Read JB Rose’s article below about working with our service. - We have our Hub Lunch, lovingly catered by Guncha from Bereket Food, on the last Thursday of every month from 12.30-2pm at our Southwark Hub. Please email for our full address, we’d love to see you there! (Please note that our hub is a women-only space).
Please note: Both workshops will take place at the Southwark Hub and the hub is a WOMEN-ONLY space.
Highlight at the Hub
Clean Break Creative Arts
Hi there, I’m JB Rose and for the past two terms, I’ve had the pleasure of running singing, acting, and writing sessions at Pecan’s Women’s Service through Clean Break, an inspiring arts organisation based in Kentish Town. Clean Break supports women by offering creative opportunities that empower and nurture self-expression.
These Clean Break sessions are for everyone at the Women’s Service and every Thursday, we dive into themes that reflect our lives, creating beautiful poetry, heartfelt stories, lively sketches, and even original songs. At the end of last term, we proudly performed our written pieces in the main space, and it was such a joyful celebration! This term, we’re exploring the idea of the “heroine” and discovering how we’re all heroes in our own stories.
If you’re looking for a fun, creative, and welcoming space, come along on Thursdays! Whether you want to sing your heart out, try some creative writing, or just connect with like-minded women, there’s a spot for you.
JB Rose is a professional singer and also runs a YouTube channel all about healthy eating and wellbeing.
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).
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.
Training and IT Support
IT Sessions at Peckham Library
Tuesdays, from 14 January 2025, for 12 weeks
Beginners: 10am to 11am | Intermediates: 11am to 12pm
Pecan’s Employment Support are excited to offer a 12-week IT/Digital course in partnership with Peckham Library. The FREE course is designed for beginners and intermediate learners and will be delivered by an experienced professional. To secure your place in the first intake, please contact: employment.support@pecan.org.uk
We run two training courses every month, our training includes:
- Level 2 Health & Safety
- Level 2 Food Safety
- Level 2 Safeguarding with children and adult
- Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work
- Level 3 Pediatric First Aid
- Level 2 SIA you have to be on benefit to be able to do it for free
For further details and to register, please contact employment.support@pecan.org.uk
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.
NHS Vital 5 FREE Health Check – January 2025
Our FREE Health Check drop-in with Southwark Council’s Public Health team took place on 27 January at Pecan. Visitors to our Together café, members of our community, volunteers and staff have had health checks and received information about a healthier lifestyle. A great start for the year ahead.
Health information and check ups at the Vital 5 session
Church Event
We held our church event in Together to highlight the kindness that churches and their congregations continue to show us through spaces for our foodbank sessions and volunteers to generous food donations. Members of the community, Southwark Council, and trustees were present to hear what we do at Pecan through our five services and share how we can continue to support our community together.
What’s new in 2025
- New Together Café opening times
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 #7
started 23 January – 27 February 2025
Creative writing for wellbeing, 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.
Noreen, Volunteer at the Women’s Service
‘I recently started as a volunteer at the Women’s Services Drop-in Coffee morning. At the end of October 2024 I went along to the hub lunch that they provide and found it such a warm, non-judgmental and supportive space that every woman from the borough has access to. I saw how great it was for the women to have somewhere they can come and be welcomed, and to sit and just spend time with other women. I’m really glad I chose this service to volunteer with.’
Wellbeing at Pecan
Pecan and EDI
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is a huge part of the work Pecan does – as we strive to tackle inequality and support our community to thrive, we must also do the hard work around EDI both internally and externally. As part of 2025’s theme of Kindness, we are embarking on a new EDI journey and this will include staff training, honest discussions, staff surveys and external surveys and discussions as well as celebrations and activities that help make Pecan as open and as safe a space as we can for everyone.
Christmas Lunch 2024
Before Christmas, staff, volunteers and trustees gathered in a Southwark venue to celebrate our work together. This is our annual event to show our appreciation of the tireless support of volunteers and Trustees and of course a chance for staff across all projects to gather and catch up at this busy time of year. We enjoyed a delicious festive meal and energetic workshop from 2makeit a local charity working with ex-prisoners.
Volunteering Opportunities
Community Events & Useful Links
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year falls from Wednesday 29 January until Sunday 16 February, and 2025 is the year of the Snake. The snake symbolises wisdom and transformation and offers opportunities for personal growth and change.
Chinese Calligraphy Art
Thursday 20 February, 2.30-3.45pm | Dulwich Library. This event is suitable for children 4 years and above. LINK
Dragon Dance: 1 February | Greenwich Peninsular: A Lunar New Year must-see, the dragon dance brings energy and excitement to Peninsula Square as it winds its way through the crowd. Full details here: LINK
Events in SE15
Theatre Peckham: Find out what’s happening at our local theatre: Events & Workshops | 221 Havil St, London SE5 7SB | T: 020 388 95752 | E: admin@theatrepeckham.co.uk
Peckhamplex Cinema: National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest | Thursday 20 (8pm) and Sunday 23 February 2025 (1.30pm) | General cinema programme: LINK
Social in Copeland Park: 11 February, 7-10pm – Missing Key: Poems on Grief: To celebrate the launch of the zine, Noa will be hosting a poetry open mic. Open to all, participants will get 5 minutes to read whatever they wish regardless of style – works in progress are ok too! Open mic sign up opens at 6pm. Readings start at 7pm. Participation is free! LINK
Knit to Commit: Thursday 30 January, 7-10pm (10 weeks) – Free knitting and crochet classes. All welcome: beginners, improvers, social fibre crafters. Neurodiverse group. LINK
- Glengall Wharf Garden – Free Community Meals, first Saturday of the Month until March 2025, 1.00pm – 2.30pm | Join in a free community meal in the garden made by a local chef. No booking necessary. | Upcoming events
Feminist Library: Closed until March 2025, If you’d like to plan any IWD events at the library, enquire about scheduled events or any other events-related questions, please email events@feministlibrary.co.uk : LINK
Find out what’s happening all around Southwark: Southwark Presents
