Transition Newham, are acting as a Community Hub with now 11 sub-groups (Newham Sharing initiative, SMP, amongst others). We are aiming at providing facilities and resources for our diverse community. We want host a variety of enriching projects, mutual support and gatherings to create a sense of togetherness and to promote sustainable practice and environmental awareness in everyday life.

Aims: The primary objective of Transition Newham is to foster a strong sense of community and contribute to the holistic togetherness and healthy development of all members of our community. This initiative aims at creating a dedicated community hub that offers a diverse range of activities focussing on social interaction, education, creativity, physical and mental well-being, mutual aid, providing a balanced and holistic approach to environmental sustainability and community support.

Values: We embrace that we are a diverse, multi-cultural and multi-ethnical community, and we see the divergence with neighbours from all backgrounds, all ages and abilities, as an advantage. We appreciate each other, we care for each other, and we are conscious about how we can create equity and unity amongst us.

The primary objective of this proposal is foster a strong sense of community and contribute to the holistic togetherness and healthy development of all members of our community, focussing on social interaction, education, creativity, physical and mental well-being, mutual aid, providing a balanced and holistic approach to environmental sustainability and community support:

Safe space for all ages and abilities and all backgrounds Kid’s activities stations After School Clubs and Home Learning Hub Safe Spaces for Teenagers Computer Lab for basic computer and EFL training, as well as job search Accessible “Golden Years” Cafe for the elderly and all abilities Physical and sports facilities (Yoga, gymnastics, boxing) Creative studio space (Art, Craft, Music, Dance, Performance) Community Garden Repair Cafe/ Needleworks Bicycle workshop and maintenance Food Hub, redistributing Food to Community kitchens, shelters, warm havens Mobile Soup Kitchen Permanent Mini Food Castle and Water fountain Permanent Free Shop (F*retail Unit) and quarterly All4Free Share events Permanent The Women’s Room installation

Benefits:

Environmental Awareness: Carbon consciousness (“Small Footprint”) offering Energy saving advice.

Sustainability: Reducing waste and promoting Circular Economy (R-cycle), with Repair Cafes and swapping/ sharing resources. Introduction to “Green gardening” based on the Permaculture concept.

Educational Enrichment: Montessori based SEND inclusive classes, Forest school activities, STEM learning, play, Arts & Crafts, storytelling. After school clubs, Home Education Hub.

Physical Well-being: Physical activities for all ages and abilities to promote healthy habits and active lifestyles. 

Mental Well-being: Gardening as a physical and social activity to help members to ground themselves and relax in a living green environment.

Social Development: Platform for neighbours from all backgrounds, all ages and abilities to interact, make friends, and learn valuable social skills through collaborative activities and group projects. Intersocial, intergenerational and interable connections offer advantages for all: deeper understanding and sense of meaning.

Creativity and Expression: Classes, courses and clubs to encourage exploring creative talents and expressing them freely.

Community Engagement: Opportunities to engage in the community space to foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility for the well-being of our neighbourhood, offering community support and advice

Mutual Aid: Provide free and accessible resources for the community, including women’s sanitary products. Drop off hub for donations. SMP are organising quarterly Swap Shop events, working closely together with charities, baby banks and food bank across East London.

Solidarity: Sharing resources and redistributing food and preparing meals in a soup kitchen to hand out free to the community

Security and Safety: Increased activity, support safety in the community and reduce likelihood of vandalism/antisocial behaviour. A community garden will prevent misuse and potential criminal activities and protecting the homes adjoining to the plot.