FEBRUARY - IT’S WARMING UP!

After the initial cold snap, we are thawing out and preparing our event plans for the year ahead ready to kick off in March with a Quiz Night (16th) and a Spring Makers Market (23rd)! This month we are still offering a lovely warm space for you to enjoy, for free, whilst taking out books, using the guest PCs, attending one of our activities or simply sitting on one of our sofas having a nice cup of tea on a ‘Warm Tuesday’.

Please continue to come in and keep us company this month.

Rachel, Harriet and all the CCL Team

News

Harriet joined our team in January and you can meet her on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays 9am - 2:30pm and even the occasional weekend, including this Saturday. She is an ex-primary school teacher, a local resident and is keen to enhance what the library offers. Her latest book recommendation is My Name is Yip by Paddy Crewe, particularly for those who like a Western/Wild West theme.

Help and Support

Need help with employment, technology or online forms? Visit us on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays. Lost a loved one and need some emotional support? Pop in on Thursdays 12pm-2pm for our Bereavement Help Point.

Home Library

Would you like to borrow books but can’t get out? Know a family member or neighbour in this situation? Lewisham Library Service offer a Home Library Service to residents and their carers who are not able to visit the library. Call 020 8314 6254 or speak to a member of staff to find out more or click here

February Timetable

As you know, we are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. What happens on Wednesdays? The Village welcomes you! On Sunday, our space is used by Art Form and you may hear singing as you pass by.

SPREADING A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHEER

In December, one of our Trustees, Helen Marcelle, was successful in obtaining 10 Christmas hampers from New Wine Church in Woolwich for our vulnerable customers who are in receipt of benefits and use our service each week.

These customers were identified by the Online Support Services Team who include Helen and her colleagues Dave, Janet and Karel. They volunteer up to 6 hours each week to support customers to complete and submit online application forms dealing with Housing Issues, Welfare Benefits including Personal Independence Payments, Attendance Allowance and obtaining Blue Badges, Freedom Passes and Passports to name a few.

On 18^th December, the team collected 10 hampers and gave them out to the families involved. Each hamper contained everything needed to create a full family Christmas dinner with all the trimmings including turkey, vegetables, dessert, and nibbles. The recipients were all very appreciative with one individual saying:

“It made my Christmas as I am housebound, my health has deteriorated, my cancer has come back and I have carers looking after me and had not even thought about or done any shopping for Christmas Day, what with my hospital appointments, each week.”

We’d like to thank New Wine Church for making this possible and our wonderful Online Support Services Team. Also, the volunteers and trustees who supported the delivery of this project have, one again, gone above and beyond.

This was our first year in providing this service and we do hope to do it again next Christmas. 

Kid’s Vogue Stars Performing Arts School

Did you know that we now host a kids performing arts school? Every Friday in the library 4.45pm - 7.45pm. Our Performing Arts School includes a drama lesson, singing coaching and a dance class during the session with two groups of children ages. 5-8 and then 9+.

We are a fun and friendly club for children who are interested in learning new skills in singing, drama or dance, make new friends, perform, increase their confidence and public speaking whilst keeping fit!

All are welcome to book a free trial and join us on a Friday evening. Call 07943719496 to book for more information.

Health and Wellbeing

All our activities can be found on our website and on Lewisham Libraries Events Pages. We have sessions across the week to help you be your best self. Have you tried our Monday night Mindfulness? or Friday Mindful Movement?

Coming Up…

Big, Fat, Cheesy Quiz Night, Saturday 16th March 7-10pm

Spring Makers Market, Saturday 23rd March 10-4pm