PemburyConnects
September 2025
Monthly drop ins
Do you need to talk about your housing, wellbeing, finances, repairs, employment or anything else?
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.
Upcoming drop in dates:
7 October, 12pm - 3pm
4 November, 12pm - 3pm
2 December, 4pm - 7pm
Have your say
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the newsletter survey so far! We know the summer holiday period was a busy time for many, and so the survey is still open for you to have your say about what you’d like to see in this newsletter.
If you have a few moments to spare, please do take the time to complete the survey. Your voice is important, and sharing your thoughts helps us to dedicate time and resources where it matters most to you. Complete the survey online at https://online1.snapsurveys.com/90gxjq
Everyone’s invited! Community Celebration
Thursday 16 October, 3.30pm-6pm, Pembury Community Centre
Join us for a special celebration marking 10 years of Pembury Children’s Community and 10 years since the centre first opened its doors. Expect an afternoon full of fun, food and creativity!
Free food will be served by Ash Juggessur and the Cheffing with Ash Kitchen team, who many of you will know from his popular cooking sessions at the community centre and @cheffingwithash Instagram. First come, first served!
There’ll be taster sessions including hula hooping with Hula4Fun, belly dancing, and more. Meet the people from local groups and organisations who support our communities including Linden Family Hub, Uprising, Seeds for Growth, Kundakala, and artist Eloisa Henderson-Figueroa, who created the beautiful mural on the estate this summer.
Plus, get stuck into T-shirt design, henna art and face painting. Come along, bring your friends and family, and let’s celebrate Pembury together!
Pembury Community Centre: Bookings open!
Whether you're planning a party, running a regular class, or hosting a community event, Pembury Community Centre offers a range of welcoming spaces for hire.
We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, but also take bookings in the evenings up to 10.30pm, and on weekends. The best way to reach us is through our bookings inbox at peabodycommunity.bookings @peabody.org.uk.
You can also call us on 0203 828 3500, though we’ll always follow up via email to confirm details and availability.
What’s on at Pembury
There’s always something happening at Pembury Community Centre.
You can view a full timetable online or by popping into the centre.
Getting Pembury connected
We know how vital it is to stay connected, and we’re committed to ensuring every resident has access to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband. We’ve launched a programme to improve connectivity across our communities, unlocking the many benefits of better digital access.
We’ll be partnering with trusted broadband providers who can deliver high-quality service while working safely and responsibly within our buildings.
We’re aware that the Pembury Estate currently has a mix of broadband connections, speeds, and providers. We’re engaging with multiple network operators to identify the most suitable solution for the estate. This programme is expected to span several years, so we appreciate your patience as we develop the best approach. Once fibre works are scheduled, we’ll reach out to all residents with details on next steps and how to move to full fibre services.
What to Expect
We’ll contact residents directly once a programme has been agreed for your property.
You’ll be informed which provider(s) will be operating in your area.
Fibre installation works will be carefully planned to minimise disruption and ensure safety.
Register Your Interest
If you’re keen to upgrade to faster fibre broadband, you can help by getting in touch with the Fibre Broadband providers directly and letting them know. The more interest that is registered by our residents helps generate enquiries from the networks for Peabody estates.
Some of the providers in your area are communityfibre.co.uk, g.network, virginmedia.com, hyperoptic.com and openreach.com
We’re listening
Earlier this year, many of you joined us at the Brady Arts and Community Centre in Tower Hamlets to share your views and recommendations. Your feedback was honest, thoughtful, and incredibly valuable, and we’ve been listening.
We’re now pleased to share how your voice is helping to shape real improvements across our services.
Read about how your suggestions are changing the way we work, and how you can get involved in the North East London Peabody Resident Forum, at peabody.org.uk/news/general-news/yousaid-were-doing/
Pembury people: Abigail Burland, Youth Worker
I'm Abigail Burland, and I joined the team in April. I’m a youth leader, entrepreneur, and musician; rapping, performing, and mentoring are all part of who I am.
Before stepping into this role, I was already running my girls’ empowerment project, The Asante Touch, which has reached over 50 girls to date. It’s all about building selfesteem, celebrating sisterhood, and creating safe, nurturing spaces. Think pink jumpers, positive vibes, and a real sense of belonging.
I’d built a lovely rapport with some of the girls through my work at Peabody, so when the opportunity came up to join the team officially, I went for it.
These days, I work closely with around 15 girls, and my role is a mix of project management and creative facilitation. I teach dance, drama, rap and singing, and I mentor the young people like a big sister, someone they can talk to and trust. I’ve bonded really well with the boys too, and I’m planning new projects that bring everyone together, creating a more family-style feel at the centre
Looking for opportunities?
Your local Peabody team is working with Hackney Council’s Employment and Skills Team to keep you informed about job opportunities, training, and events.
To stay updated, sign up for Hackney Council’s newsletter at hackney.gov.uk/newsletters and select ‘Jobs & opportunities’.
I collaborate with my colleague Michael, who’s talented in music and dance. We’re excited to explore his skills more and bring fresh energy to our sessions. Over the summer, we ran choir, dance, team-building activities, and trips to the cinema and roller skating. I’m now planning to launch new clubs like athletics and boxing.
What matters most to me is making a real difference. Creating a space that feels like home, where everyone’s interests are valued and everyone feels heard. A fun fact about me that was a particularly proud moment: my face is featured on Dalston Red Cross under Future Hackney as an influential figure in the community!
Growing Together at Pembury Community Garden
Residents and organisers have been busy breathing new life into the Pembury Community Garden on Hindrey Road, with support from Seeds for Growth, as part of the celebrations marking 10 years of Pembury Children’s Community.
Over the summer, residents have shown incredible commitment; attending sessions, planting, watering, and helping shape the garden into a welcoming space for everyone.
We also want to say a heartfelt thank you to Jack Ainsworth from Seeds for Growth, who’s been a brilliant part of the project since April. As Jack moves on, we’re excited to welcome Billy from Seeds for Growth to the team.
Billy has over 10 years’ experience developing community green spaces including designing a 3-acre regenerative food growing business model at Stepney City Farm, working for the NHS in increasing nature connectivity and wellbeing and working with schools, faith groups, housing estates, parks and community centres to codesign green spaces. Billy has a background in farming in Japan alongside a Masters in Sustainable Urbanism and Fine Art.
As we move into winter, the focus will shift to long-term planning. Seeds for Growth will leave the site in March 2026, handing over to a resident-led group. If you have ideas, skills or time to offer about the gardening project or how this outside space can be used, we’d love to hear from you.
The garden is open to everyone on the estate, and no experience is needed. Join us every other Tuesday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and every other Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.
To stay in the loop, message the Seeds for Growth team on 07585 005760 to join the WhatsApp group.
Woad dyeing session
Saturday 20 September, Hindrey Road Community Garden, 2pm - 4pm
Try your hand at woad dying using plants grown in the communal garden.
This session is dependent on good weather and will be re-arranged in case of rain.
Gym Survey
Help us make the most of your gym by sharing your thoughts in our quick survey. Whether you’re a regular user or haven’t had a chance to visit yet, your input matters.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by 1 October, your views will help shape future improvements and ensure the gym meets your needs.
https://online1.snapsurveys.com/cvcbl7