Food Justice

Based on our Covid experience of setting up a Food Hub at the Mildmay Club last year, we’re now addressing food insecurity in the local area via food co-op projects.

The co-op model is different from the the Food Hub model: We help with initial set-up and food sourcing, and local members pay minimal amounts on a weekly basis for their food shop. A food co-op is owned and organised by its members, so it’s sustainable on a longer term basis.

Our first co-op was set up early 2021 and we are now researching to set up a second in the area.

Community Support

We continue to facilitate support between community members. Examples of how people can help include running errands, speaking to a neighbour on the phone, or giving career advice to young people. To facilitate this, we continue to pair up volunteers with those who need assistance, either on a one-off or ongoing basis.

Welcoming REfugees

Over the last few months we have been working with local partners to help find accommodation for the Afghan families that our local authorities have committed to rehoming. We have also continued to support some local families who have No Recourse to Public Funds.

We are also also working with Reset Community Sponsorship in order to welcome another refugee family to Newington Green -this would be on top of the twenty Afghan families Hackney and Islington Councils have committed to. We need to raise £9,000 which will cover the cost of a family’s move and integration into the community. We have £1,000 committed already. Every penny raised will go directly towards the sponsorship of refugee families and supporting those families through the resettlement process.

Environment

This project addresses areas such as:

• Measures to reduce air pollution and the impact of motor traffic

• Renewable/sustainable energy and materials

• Recycling

• Working together, The Garden Classroom and Newington Green Action Group will transform a tired and underdeveloped space into a family-friendly area, with planting to encourage biodiversity and wildlife; additional trees to reduce air and noise pollution.

Improving the local area

We are currently working with Islington Council and The Garden Classroom to improve the area where Ferntower Road meets Newington Green. Landscape Architects are developing plans - watch this space!

We are also looking at adding some wall art to the wall adjacent to Paradise Fish Bar: the owner is amenable to this and it’s a wonderful opportunity to visually celebrate our local culture, history and diversity. Contact us if you’d like to get involved.

Events

JAZZ and MORE on THE GREEN in partnership with Local & Live in Hackney will be held on JULY 16th 12-6pm on NEWINGTON GREEN! Featuring a diverse lineup of talented local musicians, an area celebrating the history of dissent in Newington Green, along with children’s entertainment, food, drink and retail stalls! NOT TO BE MISSED!