The local voluntary sector is very active in SE16. We have a rich and diverse group of prominent organisations who work hard to help the people of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe cope better with their lives. Below is a list of some of those who have an active online presence.
Surrey Docks Farm is a glowing example of the City Farm movement. Located on the backs of the Thames overlooking the towers of Canary Wharf, it is an oasis of laughter, serenity, learning and serious animal husbandry. And the Piccalilli Cafe is great too!
Located in the Old Mortuary in Rotherhithe, Time and Talents is a busy community centre with a wide range of activities happening all day. The History Society, the Choir and several other local groups meet at Time and Talents as well as the outreach to local estates and older people that the staff deliver directly.
Bede House works from two buildings in Bermondsey, Bede House and the Bede Centre. They have four main projects: youth adventure, supporting people with learning disabilities, working with victims of domestic violence and hate crime and community engagement in South Bermondsey. Barry Albin says they are a “Jewel in our Crown.”
Housed in a scheduled ancient monument in Rotherhithe, the Brunel Museum tells the story of the building of the first tunnel under a river. Alongside the museum, they offer a range of talks, tours, concerts and community events. They even host a summer cocktail bar in their garden on Saturday evenings called the Midnight Apothecary!
Salmon has a splendid new building on Old Jamaica Road worth all of £11M. They run a wide range of youth activities there and through detached workers. From supporting young people to set up in business or hosting the Bermondsey in Bloom competition to running weekly open clubs or making young people more confident public speakers, Salmon is deeply committed to SE16 young people and their place in society.
The Business Association for The Blue Bermondsey has come of age! With the recent vote in favour of creating a Business Improvement District (BID) around the Blue, the BBBA has the ability and resources to transform the area for businesses and their customers. The next few months before they launch in October offer a real opportunity to build a strong organisation able to sustain real and lasting change for SE16.
Volunteers and Donations
All these organisations rely for much of their work on the efforts of volunteers and on donations. Some offer themselves once a month to help out in practical tasks, others join in more often or bring special skills. Others again sit on their Boards or working groups, helping the organisations to be run efficiently and effectively. You can join this swarm of activity by contacting one or more of these local organisations and offering your skills, time and commitment. Please think about volunteering to make a difference to your community! And if you can’t do anything in person, do give them a donation to make their work go further. There is always room for a little generosity in SE16!
