Just to let you know, the Pembury Community Centre will have amended opening days over the holiday period
The centre will be closed from Wednesday 25 December until Wednesday 1 January 2025 The centre will be open as usual from Thursday 2 January.
Progress at Dalston Lane
Most of the families affected by the fire at Dalston Lane have now moved into, or accepted offers on, longer-term temporary homes We’ll continue to focus our efforts on the search until all remaining households have secured similar suitable homes
In the meantime, there’s been significant activity on-site Hoarding is up around the building and this will remain in place until all of the work is completed. The temporary roof is currently being installed and should be in place by the end of the year.
The process for procuring a contractor to carry out the repairs is now well under way and will run until February 2025 We anticipate appointing the successful contractor in March and will then work closely with them to finalise the programme of work
At that point we should have a clearer idea of how long it will take to carry out the repairs and when residents will be able to move back home.
Pollinating Pembury
Community Garden: Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey about revitalising the Pembury Estate’s community garden! Your input is shaping the future of this space Here’s what you told us:
85% of you are interested in transforming the garden into a thriving community space
84% were interested in growing food.
69% are eager to collaborate with us to make this project a success
87% want to stay updated on progress
Next Steps
We’ve heard your feedback and will focus on improving the current garden location rather than relocating it or opening up a second space.
We will be addressing other feedback and concerns through a more detailed FAQ document
While Peabody will provide initial support, we’re keen for residents to take the lead in managing the garden This is your space, and your engagement will be key to its success If you’d like to get in touch with us about this project please email us at getinvolved@peabody.org.uk with the subject line ‘Pembury Community Garden’, we’d love to hear from you.
Look out for more updates and opportunities to get involved in the new year!
Monthly Drop Ins
Do you need to talk about your housing, wellbeing, finances, repairs or anything else?
Your local Peabody team is here to help. We are running drop in sessions for residents, friends and family to speak with staff from a range of Peabody teams at the Pembury Community Centre.
2025 Drop in dates
February, 12 midday to 3pm
March, 4pm to 7pm
July, 12 midday to 3pm
Free hot drinks and refreshments will be provided. Dates for drop ins after July 2025 will be shared over the coming months.
What’s on at Pembury
Every week the Pembury Community Centre offers a range of clubs, activities and sessions for local people of all ages Pop into the centre for a full timetable, but a few highlights in December include:
Mondays, 3.30pm to 7pm – Pembury Youth Club for local 8 – 13 year olds
Thursdays, 11am to 1pm – Free Digital Skills Workshop for the local community
Fridays, 10am to 11 30am - Sadlers Wells’ Jamaican Dance Classes followed by Tai Chi classes 2pm to 3pm.
Saturdays, 10.30am to 13.30 – Hackney Food Bank, for more information please email help@hackneyfoodbank.org
Festive Cheer
Make and Mend Graduation
From tote bags to trousers, the most recent graduates of the Kundakala Make and Mend Programme showcased the projects created during their six-month sewing journey at a Graduation Ceremony on 27 November at Pembury
The 10 graduates were joined by Kundakala founder Poornima, seamstress and programme lead teacher Penny, Maggie and Sandra who assisted with teaching, as well as Cecile and Abraham from the Peabody Community Foundation
First to showcase her work was Kerrul, who had unintentionally matched her outfit to her first tote bag! The members of the group had all started with tote bags, before progressing onto adding zips and drawstrings to make purses and washbags and finally onto creating their own garments including blouses, dresses and trousers
Creating clothes and passing on skills to family members was a common theme for why many people wanted to join the programme. Though for some sharing the experience with the family was much more literal, as sisters Lousia and Marilyn signed up and went on their six-month sewing journey together.
To finish up the morning, each of the graduates were presented with a certificate and a sewing machine to use at home Congratulations to everyone who completed the Make and Mend programme We wish you all the very best for your future sewing endeavours.
Founded by Poornima Kirloskar-Saini in the memory of her late mother – Indian artist Kunda Kirloskar – during the pandemic, Kundakala aims to help women become more confident and financially independent
It’s that time of year again where residents from across Pembury have been coming together to get in the holiday spirit
Pembury has hosted two Christmas lunches so far this year. Starting with our Christmas Lunch on 27 November for residents and users of the community centre, which was complete with live music, crackers and of course a lot of Christmas cheer
On 10 December Uprising hosted a Christmas Lunch for older people, featuring Caribbean Style food and steel pan music Which went down a treat with everyone who came, including members of Hackney Council and the Mayor of Hackney
Thank you to everyone who came along to enjoy the days and to everyone who supported these events.
Get Ready for National Apprenticeship Week
Wednesday 5 February 2025, 4pm to 7pm Pembury Community Centre
Are you aged 15 to 18, a parent or carer and curious about apprenticeship?
We’ve got you covered with this free information session! Join us to:
Explore apprenticeship as an exciting and rewarding career path
Hear from current apprentices about their career journey
Get CV and career guidance
Meet employers over free snacks and refreshments
Leading up to this event, the Pembury youth team would like to understand more about the education, training and career aspirations of young people living in the area This will help the team develop our resources and expand the youth programme, so that it meets you needs and wants
If you are a young person, or parent or carer to a young person, we’d love to hear from you in this short survey.
