Well, what a summer! On the whole, great weather, its still mild and the rain is helping our Community Garden, so we’re happy 😃. The picture above is of a new planter kindly built and donated to us by a valued customer John Phillips, thank you John! Inside we have planted Marigolds grown by children that attended our August Jackynory session and we can’t wait to see them flower.

We have had 118 children sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge and quite a lot have already completed. If you have a child who has started please encourage them to finish the 6th book and come in and get their medal!

Rachel, Ruth and all the CCL Team

Spotlight: Lewisham Community Acupuncture with Rory O’Driscoll

So, Rory, first question, what exactly is Community Acupuncture? Community Acupuncture Clinics have multiple beds divided by screens, allowing more than one person to receive treatment at the same time. This is more typical in East Asia, and in hospital settings. 

What is Acupuncture used to treat? East Asian Acupuncture is used to treat all conditions, or for general support. 

Most people come for help with pain, which the NICE Guidelines recommend Acupuncture for. People also come for digestive issues, allergies, insomnia, fertility, auto-immune and other conditions.

Acupuncture is good at putting the body into rest-and-digest mode, which modern life doesn't always allow us to do.

Not all people will respond to Acupuncture, in which case I would refer them on to another modality.

I hear you used to be a gardener, what made you transition into Community Acupuncture? I first trained as a Gardener, and had a family friend Pam Thorpe who I would go to for Shiatsu, Japanese massage. I found the treatments calming and felt like it was quite a special thing. I trained at the Shiatsu College, before realising that massage was quite physically demanding. I then studied Acupuncture and found the balance better. I was lucky to apprentice in Japanese Acupuncture with a teacher, Toby Stephens, who trained for seven years in Tokyo. I plan to travel to Japan to continue training there.

I still do some gardening and was able to arrange for the new garden to be donated to the library from Hampton Court Flower Show, which has been a nice way see the two different careers marry together. 

So I come in, I'm in the room with other people, what is the actual process and how do we all get treated at once? When you book online there is an intake form, so I know before the session starts an outline of what you would like help with.

During the session I will ask questions, and work around the body to find where the pain is, or which are the points that will respond best. 

Once the active part is finished, I will check everything is comfortable then move on to the next patient.

Does it hurt? Traditional Japanese Acupuncture puts great emphasis on client comfort and enjoyment. I always say that a good treatment should feel like lying on the beach.

Do I have to get naked?! No. Patients are asked to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing, that allows access from the knees and elbows down. There are effective points accessible without removing clothing. For issues like hip pain, or back pain, clients can choose to remove clothing, and be covered with a blanket for privacy.

How long are the sessions? Sessions last 60 minutes. 

Lastly, I hear you have a sliding scale payment system, how does this work and what are the different charges? Sessions cost between £30-50 for a 60 minute appointment. The patient chooses what they can afford, and gets the same treatment whatever they pay. 

Ok I'd like to book. When are the sessions and how do I book? Sessions are available Monday and Tuesday afternoon and evenings. Bookings can be made through the website, if there are issues booking or questions about the process I am available by telephone or email.

• Website: https://yourclinic.care/practice/lewisham-community-acupuncture/

• Email: [email protected] 

• Telephone: 07468605375

Corbett Community Garden and donation from Madl - Torridon Stores

We’re delighted with how our Community Garden is coming along. As you know we were donated over 50 plants and 9 trees from an awarding winning garden that featured at the Hampton Court Flower Show, via a connection with Rory O’Driscoll. Rory and a team of volunteers have been working weekly on the planting and we’ve set up a Community Garden group who currently operate Saturday mornings from 10am. We were also lucky enough to receive a financial donation from Torridon Convenience Store, through their Make a difference London (MADL) campaign. We have used this generous donation to pay for work on the garden and resources needed to maintain it.

If you’d like to join our Community Garden Group or could donate any useful tools please get in touch [email protected] / 020 8378 5358.

Volunteer interview: Sam

Why did you decide to volunteer here?  After returning to the area after many years in South Africa, it was great to meet new people and I was very impressed with all the help that I could get from the library.

What’s your favourite thing about volunteering here? The community spirit and contributing to the community.

Can you sum up the library in three words? Friendly, helpful, rewarding.

Why would you recommend the library? Yes, definitely recommend the library as a place to come and socialise and, of course, read! Volunteering is rewarding and stimulating too.

SAVE THE DATE

6 September 10.30-12.30pm: Watercolour Workshop

11 September 7-9pm: Gallery SE6 exhibition opening: Shiree Allen

14 September 6-7pm: Sound bath with Gabi

4 October 11.15-12.15pm: Jackynory

9 October 7-9pm: Gallery SE6 exhibition opening: Ruby Khan

SEPTEMBER TIMETABLE