SouthWestFest: Festival of Futures Brochure 2024

South West Fest 2024

Festival of Futures

6th – 21st July

Over 45 events taking place across south Westminster

We would like to say an enormous thank you to all our sponsors, funders, supporters, and community partners.

Without you we would simply not be able to make SouthWestFest happen and continue to support, entertain and inspire the south Westminster community and beyond. To make a donation today, visit: https://www.givey.com/ southwestfestsw1

Welcome to SouthWestFest

SouthWestFest is a long-established cultural community festival that brings creative, inspiring and fun events and activities to those living and working in south Westminster. With something for all ages, our Festival will take place across south Westminster between the 6th and 21st July 2024.

This year our festival theme is ‘Festival of Futures’. Come and participate as we collectively shape a brighter and more promising tomorrow. This year we want to be a springboard for fostering connections, greener ways of living, and nurturing the dreams of all generations.

SouthWestFest Festival Day is back with a big revamp, some old favourites and a new layout on Saturday 6th July 2024 in St. George’s Square. As the largest event in the local calendar, we can’t wait to see you there!

We’ll also be hosting Pimlico Musical Foundation’s Summer performance! Show Tunes in the Square is set to be a fantastic way to round off our Festival Day, featuring over 100 local children and full orchestra.

We’re excited to be developing the intergenerational Patchwork Project on Churchill Gardens Estate, using creativity and craft to build community, culminating in a display of the work and a free community meal!

Are you thinking about your future? Join one of our many sessions in our Workshop Series exploring creativity, careers and the climate. There’s something for everyone, including creative writing sessions, public speaking workshops and exploring air quality, book your free space whilst tickets last.

Introducing our Closing Party to the Festival Programme, come along to celebrate the end of the Festival on the 21st July!

The fun doesn’t stop there as our 2.5 week programme is chock-a-block with great events, workshops, classes and activities taking place every day and produced in partnership with local organisations and venues from across the south Westminster area.

If you want to register to take part in our events, workshops and activities, or just want to stay up to date with our most recent news and announcements, then head over to our website www.southwestfest.org.uk and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about all our Festival updates.

The Organisers

We have an amazing and dedicated team, who work all year round to make this fantastic festival possible, this year with fresh team members providing new experience!

Festival Director Dodie Finamore

Festival Producer Kaya La Bonté-Hurst

Festival Chair Catherine Drake Wilkes

Trustees Patricia Alert (Treasurer & Safeguarding) and Aaron Paterson

Incoming Trustees Ebun Lawal and Mark Gavhure

SouthWestFest

c/o 133A Lupus Street

Pimlico

London

SW1V 3EN

Charity Reg. 1124849

Find us on social media:

Instagram: @swfest #SouthWestFest2024

Facebook: @SouthWestFest #FestivalOfFutures

Twitter: @SWFest

You can also sign up to our mailing list via the website: www.southwestfest.org.uk

Information contained in this programme is correct at the date of printing. Some event details may change, and more events will be added online, so please check the website and follow our social media channels for amendments and additions.

Please note: there will be an official photographer(s) at some of our events, and crowd scenes will be used for future publicity. If you do not wish to be photographed please let our photographer know.

South West Fest

Festival Day

St. George’s Square | 12pm - 5pm | Venue 9

It’s back with a big revamp! Join us and thousands of local residents of all ages, at our largest event in the programme - our Festival Day has something for everyone!

Check out the performances on our Main Stage by local performing arts groups and bands, including; PMF SingOut!, Westminster Community Gospel Choir and Flamenco con Gusto! As well as other walkabout performances taking place around the site.

Discover our brand new Word Tent with a series of intimate performances and talks, programme to be released soon!

Don’t miss out on our 40 stalls with arts and crafts, jewellery, cakes, activities and games, as well as lots of information from local services and groups. We’ll also have food stalls with tasty meals.

Saturday 6th July

Get creative in our expanded Workshop Zone full of crafty sustainable activities for everyone to take part in, delivered by Westminster Abbey, Millbank Creative Works, Antonia Underwood and more!

Our Health Zone, hosted by the Abbey Centre and Community Champions, will have plenty of health and wellbeing activities, taster sessions and information from local providers. Alongside our Chloe’s Play Area with lots of free play equipment and activities.

Meet the LEYF team, learn about their work locally within their nurseries and take part in fun activities.

Take a breath in our new Wellbeing Area, perfect if you need a rest or a bit of quiet amongst the busy day.

We can’t wait to see you in the Square!

SHOW TUNES IN THE SQUARE

For All Ages | SouthWestFest with Pimlico Musical Foundation

6th July | 5.30pm - 6.30pm

Venue 9 | St George’s Square

Soak up the sun with a spectacular evening of film music and show tunes for the south Westminster community, accompanied by a full orchestra.

Following weeks of rehearsal, the Pimlico Musical Foundation (PMF) will bring together talented children from local primary schools to close the 2024 Festival Day.

Working with 800 local residents every year across 5 musical programmes, PMF is a community charity providing free and highquality musical opportunities to children and adults across South Westminster. Whatever your background or prior musical experience, there’s an opportunity for you, with participants aged all the way from 6 to 80.

For this special SouthWestFest performance, PMF are joined by the London City Orchestra, an amazing ensemble who will provide lush accompaniment to some iconic show tunes and film music. Think Disney, Superman, Jurassic Park and much, much more.

No ticket required, maximum capacity of 400.

www.southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@southwestfest.org.uk

WORD TENT

For All | SouthWestFest

6th July | 12.30pm - 5.15pm

Venue 9 | St George’s Square

Join SouthWestFest for an afternoon of performances in our brand new Word Tent, as part of our Festival Day. There’ll be poetry readings from Qisetna, storytelling for adults and children and acoustic performances - a reflective space amongst the busyness of the day.

Full programme to be released, check our website and social media for performance times.

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@southwestfest.org.uk

PIMM’S

AT

THE FESTIVAL

For All (Ages 18+ for Alcohol) | St Saviour’s Church

6th July | 12pm - 5pm

Venue 11 | St. Saviour’s Church

Outside the front of St. Saviour’s Church, get your refreshments of Pimm’s and soft drinks, perfect for a relaxing afternoon listening to the Festival Day events taking place in St George’s Square. The proceeds from the stall will help St. Saviour’s to continue its work supporting the local community.

www.stsp.org.uk

Non-ticketed | Event Contact: office@stsp.org.uk

STORY SPACE

For Families With Children Under 16 |

Tate Britain

6th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 20th, 21st July | 10am - 5pm

Venue 12 | Tate Britain

A place for families of all ages to read, imagine, play and create. Featuring a library of books by Black authors, Indigenous authors and authors of colour from around the world, Story Space celebrates books that centre children of colour, and aims for everyone to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Once you’ve discovered new stories, tell your own through our dress-up and drawing activities! Suitable for families of all ages, including early years. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/ story-space

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: hello@tate.org.uk

PLAY STUDIO

For Families With Children Under 16 | Tate Britain

6th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 20th, 21st July | 10am - 5pm

Venue 12 | Tate Britain

A space for families to play, make and create together. Dress up, perform in front of a green screen and choose a soundtrack. Or draw, create something, play with sand and objects or recreate your favourite painting and make connections between the images and stories in the galleries. Suitable for families of all ages with children under 16, including early years. Please note, children need to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/playstudio

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: hello@tate.org.uk

ABBEY

CENTRE

COMMUNITY EVENTS

For All | Abbey Centre

6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th July Varied times

Venue 1 | Abbey Centre

The Abbey Centre runs a wide range of free and low-cost activities to promote healthy and cohesive communities in south Westminster. This includes a range of dance and exercise classes, free courses and advice, a men’s shed, after-school clubs, and social groups for over 50s. The variety of activities reflects the diversity of the population in our local area, and we try to run something to suit everyone.

All registration details on www. theabbeycentre.org.uk/our-activities

From £0: Ticketed | Event Contact: enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk

CREATION TRAIL: WELLBEING WANDER

Ages 18+ | Westminster Abbey

8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th July | 10am - 3pm

Venue 18 | Westminster Abbey, College Garden

Listen to a guided exploration of the Cloisters and Gardens of Westminster Abbey. This self-guided walk helps you to focus on small details and notice the nature around you in this historic site. You do not need an Abbey entry ticket to take part in this walk. Entry to the cloisters and gardens is free, but you will not be granted entry into the Abbey building. Please note the gardens are only open Monday to Friday, the Wellbeing Wander is on until 6th September.

www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-events/ special-tours-and-events/2024/june/ creation-trail-wellbeing-wander

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: communities@westminster-abbey.org

WAES PIMLICO ADULT LEARNERS SUMMER EXHIBITION

For All | Westminster Adult Education Service

8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th July | 9am - 5pm Venue 15 | WAES Pimlico

Come along to view the artistic creations of our adult learners on courses based at our Pimlico centre. WAES Pimlico is home to our Graphic Design and Floristry departments, offering courses up to Level 3 as well as a range of short courses. The exhibition is free to view and there is no need to book or buy a ticket - just come along to the WAES section of Pimlico Library and let the reception team know you are there to view the exhibition.

www.waes.ac.uk/contact

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@waes.ac.uk

SPELLBOUND: PUBLIC

SPEAKING WORKSHOP 1

For 18 - 30 | SouthWestFest with Spellbound 8th July | 6pm - 8pm

Venue 6 | Education Centre, Westminster Abbey

Join SouthWestFest and Spellbound for a free, intensive, life-changing public speaking programme that will equip you with the tools and environment to develop your public speaking superpower! Over the course of 3 weeks, with a commitment of only 2 hours each week, you will learn ‘How to Leave a Room Spellbound!’ through expert, tried-and-tested training, handson interactive activities and constructive feedback from our Spellbound! mentors! In Workshop 1 you will learn about the history and the 5 fundamental parts of rhetoric (public speaking), as well as learning a speech.

We are committed to breaking barriers that young people face today. Whether you face systemic challenges or seek a supportive environment, we are here to create an inclusive and safe space for you to grow and develop your public speaking ability.

Book Here: www.southwestfest.org.uk/ whats-on

Free: Ticketed | Event Contact: info@southwestfest.org.uk

INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING

For All | London Playwrights

9th July | 10am - 11:30am Online event

Introducing those who want to get involved in playwriting but may not know how. This 90 minute workshop will explore the fundamentals of playwriting and include some fun, imaginative exercises to help you to find some inspiration! Suitable for everyone.

Book Here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/londonplaywrights-workshop-11215190610

Free: Ticketed | Event Contact: londonplaywrightsblog@gmail.com

ETAT TASTER SESSIONS

Ages 18+ | ETAT Charity

9th, 10th, 16th, 17th July | 10am - 3pm

Venue 13 | Thamesbank Centre

We are ETAT! Encouragement Through the Arts and Talking. We create space and time for adults who may feel isolated or lonely to be creative together. Join us at ETAT on Tuesdays and Thursdays to have a cuppa, learn new skills and be creative and make friends!

www.etat.org.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: helloETAT@gmail.com

PATCHWORK PROJECT

For Ages 12 - 18 and 60+ | SouthWestFest with Antonia Underwood 10th July | 4.30pm - 6pm

Venue 4 | Churchill Gardens Estate Square

Join SouthWestFest and theatre maker, poet and facilitator Antonia Underwood for this free drop-in intergenerational workshop bringing together creative writing and crafting! This workshop will focus on exploring your creativity through responding to prompts about home, the future and what that might mean to you.

Using recycled materials, you will craft your ideas and dreams for the future. Each individual creation will be stitched together to make one huge community installation patchwork, which will be displayed at the final drop-in workshop, alongside a community meal.

www.southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@ southwestfest.org.uk

HYMNS & PIMM’S For All (Ages 18+ for Alcohol) | St. Saviour’s Church

10th July | 6:30pm - 8pm

Venue 9 | St George’s Square

Join us on Wednesday 10th July 2024 at 6:30 pm for St Saviour’s first ‘Hymns & Pimm’s’. Attendees will have the opportunity to join in singing joyful hymns in the beautiful surroundings of St Saviour’s Church, whilst enjoying a glass of Pimm’s. You will be invited to nominate your favourite hymns. This allows participants to share hymns that hold personal significance or resonate with their faith journey. The event offers an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate shared traditions. Tickets include a glass of Pimm’s and proceeds go to support the Choir of St Saviour’s Pimlico.

Book Here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ hymns-pimms-at-st-saviours-pimlicotickets-853572146267

£10: Ticketed | Event Contact: music@stsp.org.uk

EXHIBITION OPENING, PIMLICO CONTEMPORARIES 2024

For All | Cave Pimlico 11th July | 5pm - 8pm

Venue 2 | Cave Pimlico

Join the Cave team for the opening of Pimlico Contemporaries, a celebration of Artists and their achievements from the Pimlico Area. This group of Artists with unique styles and personal journeys are joined together in this moment of time. This exhibition gives space and thanks to the artistic voices in Pimlico.

www.cavepimlico.co.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: cavepimlico@gmail.com

TEA

LIGHT HOLDER MAKING WITH WESTMINSTER RECYCLING CHAMPIONS!

Ages 18+ | Veolia and Westminster City Council

11th July | 6pm - 7:30pm

Venue 16 | Welby House

Are you passionate about improving recycling rates and lowering fly tipping in your local community? Come to our first open Recycling Champions Meeting! We will be making tea light candle holders out of old glass jars while discussing all things waste and recycling in your local area. Please bring any old jars you would like to decorate (although we will have some spare on the day). Come along and share your ideas with our team and become a Recycling Champion!

To book your place, please contact: uk.veolia.waste.ecowestminster.mailbox@ veolia.com

Free: Ticketed (15 places) | Event Contact: uk.veolia.waste.ecowestminster.mailbox@ veolia.com

PIMLICO CONTEMPORARIES 2024

For All | Cave Pimlico

12th - 14th and 18th - 21st July | 12pm - 6pm

Venue 2 | Cave Pimlico

Pimlico Contemporaries is a celebration of Artists and their achievements from the Pimlico Area. This group of artists with unique styles and personal journeys are joined together in this moment of time. This exhibition gives space and thanks to the artistic voices in Pimlico.

www.cavepimlico.co.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: cavepimlico@gmail.com

SOUTH WEST PHOTOGRAPHY

ART WALK

For All | Open Age 12th July | 1pm

Venue 10 | St Margaret’s Activity Centre

Love south Westminster? Why not join us for a creative project where we will explore the area taking pictures along the way of the amazingness all around us. Then we will put all of these together in a social workshop to create a lovely piece of artwork that we can look at for many years to come. The photography walk takes place on 12th July and the workshop takes place on 15th July.

www.openage.org.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: hmunns@openage.org.uk

BOOST WORKSHOP

For 18+ | SouthWestFest with Antonia Underwood 13th July | 11am - 12:30pm

Venue 2 | Cave

Join SouthWestFest and Antonia Underwood for a free workshop celebrating bursts of creativity and provoking the imagination! From bite-sized boosts come big ideas Designed to jumpstart your imagination, the Boost workshop will challenge participants to create within a set of parameters, respond to prompts quickly and occasionally to break rules. Helpful for getting ideas flowing and stopping over-thinking.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY CHOIR SCHOOL SUMMER FAYRE

For All | Westminster Abbey Choir 13th July | 11am - 3pm

Venue 17 | Westminster Abbey Choir School

Join Westminster Abbey Choir School for some old fashioned outdoor fun! The fayre will be full of activities and entertainment including a 60ft inflatable obstacle course, tombola, morris dancers, BBQ, Pimms and beer tent, delicious teas and cakes.

www.choirschool.westminster-abbey.org

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: sjacksonstevens@icloud.com

SKETCH THE RAINBOW! THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

All Ages | Sketch Appeal 13th July | 11am - 4pm

Venue 5 | Ebury Edge

Join Sketch Appeal and friends to celebrate the power of colour and creativity at this special one-day event. The morning session is a chance for children and their families to design and paint a colourful cityscape or street, inspired by the setting/venue Ebury Edge. In the afternoon, members of the London Colour Walk will lead a conversation about the power of colour, before a fun social sketching session where everyone will have the chance to draw and be drawn! NB: The afternoon session is for ages 18+ and zero artistic skills are required, though a COLOURFUL OUTFIT IS ESSENTIAL!

www.eburyedge.com

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: dulcie@sketchappeal.co.uk

AIR QUALITY WORKSHOP

For All Ages | SouthWestFest with Sunny Jar Eco Hub 14th July | 10.30am - 12.30pm

Venue 8 | The Onion Garden

Join SouthWestFest and Sunny Jar Eco Hub for a creative workshop exploring air quality and ideas on what we can do so we can all breathe better.

In this interactive and community-led workshop, we will share tips and tricks to improve air quality and reduce our exposure to air pollution both indoors and outdoors.

You will learn how to propagate and pot an air purifying plant and decorate a plant pot upcycling yarns and fabric scraps.

This is a family friendly session and all are welcome. Children need to be accompanied by an adult.

Book Here: www.southwestfest.org.uk/ whats-on

Book Here: www.southwestfest.org.uk/ whats-on

Free: Ticketed | Event Contact: info@southwestfest.org.uk

Free: Ticketed | Event Contact: info@southwestfest.org.uk

RADIO FREE PIMLICO: STUDIO TASTER DAY!

For All | Radio Free Pimlico 14th July | 1pm - 6pm

Venue 3 | Churchill Gardens Adults & Social Club Churchill Hall

Radio Free Pimlico is the community run radio station at the heart of Pimlico. We welcome all residents to learn how to become a Radio DJ. It is a space for all ages and abilities to share their voice, talent and taste through music, talk shows and comedy! Join us for a taster day where we invite you to see our studio, have a go on our equipment and meet some of our members.

www.radiofreepimlico.co.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: radio.free.pimlico@gmail.com

SOUTH WEST PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

For All | Open Age 15th July | 12pm

Venue 10 | St Margaret’s Activity Centre

Love south Westminster? Why not join us for a creative project where we will explore the area taking pictures along the way of the amazingness all around us. Then we will put all of these together in a social workshop to create a lovely piece of artwork that we can look at for many years to come. The photography walk takes place on 12th July and the workshop takes place on 15th July. www.openage.org.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: hmunns@openage.org.uk

SPELLBOUND: PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP 2

For 18 - 30 | SouthWestFest with Spellbound 15th July | 6pm - 8pm

Venue 6 | Education Centre, Westminster Abbey

Join SouthWestFest and Spellbound for a free, intensive, life-changing public speaking programme that will equip you with the tools and environment to develop your public speaking superpower!

Over the course of 3 weeks, with a commitment of only 2 hours each week, you will learn ‘How to Leave a Room Spellbound!’ through expert, tried-andtested training, hands-on interactive activities and constructive feedback from our Spellbound! mentors!

In Workshop 2 the group will be reciting a powerful memorised speech, using all the tips that were taught in the previous session.

We are committed to breaking barriers that young people face today. Whether you face systemic challenges or seek a supportive environment, we are here to create an inclusive and safe space for you to grow and develop your public speaking ability.

Book Here: www.southwestfest.org.uk/ whats-on

BIRD HOUSE DESIGN AND MAKING WORKSHOP

For All | Open Age

17th July | 2pm - 4pm

Venue 10 | St Margaret’s Activity Centre

Are you passionate about wildlife conservation? Do you want to make a tangible difference right in your own backyard? Join us for an exciting Bird House Making Workshop dedicated to supporting our local feathered friends!

www.openage.org.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: hmunns@openage.org.uk

CREATION CONCERT: BRASS ON THE GRASS

Ages 18+ | Westminster Abbey 17th July | 1pm - 2pm

Venue 18 | Westminster Abbey, College Garden

Immerse yourself in the symphony of nature as you enjoy our annual season of brass band concerts in the historic College Garden. This year sees the return of the annual Brass on the Grass concerts. Each week, until 28th August, a different brass band will play an hour of music for you to enjoy on your lunch break. There will be delicious cakes and hot drinks available from Benugo in College Garden during the concert.

www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-events/ choral-and-music/2024/july/creationconcert-brass-on-the-grass

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: communities@westminster-abbey.org

For Ages 12 - 18 and 60+ | SouthWestFest with Antonia Underwood 17th July | 4.30pm - 6pm

Venue 4 | Churchill Gardens Estate Square

Free: Ticketed | Event Contact: i nfo@southwestfest.org.uk PATCHWORK PROJECT

Join SouthWestFest and theatre maker, poet and facilitator Antonia Underwood for this free drop-in intergenerational workshop bringing together creative writing and crafting! This workshop will focus on exploring your creativity through responding to prompts about home, the future and what that might mean to you.

Using recycled materials, you will craft your ideas and dreams for the future. Each individual creation will be stitched together to make one huge community installation patchwork, which will be displayed at the final drop-in workshop, alongside a community meal.

www.southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@ southwestfest.org.uk

WORLD OF WORK

For All Ages | SouthWestFest with Westminster Abbey 17th July | 10am - 2pm

Venue 17 | Meeting Point Dean’s Yard

Are you looking for inspiration and meaningful consideration of how to (re)enter the workforce?

Join the Engagement Team at Westminster Abbey to discover what the Abbey building tells us about overcoming life challenges. Meet some key figures around the Abbey to learn about the wide variety of jobs that the Abbey has to offer and pick up some recruitment top tips.

For Westminster residents only. 5 spaces reserved for those aged 18 - 25.

Refreshments provided. Limited capacity.

Book Here: www.southwestfest.org.uk/ whats-on

Free: Ticketed | Event Contact: info@ southwestfest.org.uk

THE ONION GARDEN DROP-IN DAY

For All | The Onion Garden CIC

18th July | 10am - 7pm

Venue 8 | The Onion Garden

Are you ever in Victoria? Have you heard of The Onion Garden? Pop along to this green haven behind the bustling Victoria Street, an enchanting space that the whole community can enjoy.

Take a peaceful walk through this urban quirky community garden, created in between all the concrete, enjoy the lovely cafe and find out what they’ve got going on and how you could get involved!

www.theoniongarden.org

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@ theoniongarden.org

SOUTH WEST QUIZ EVENING

Ages 50+ | Open Age

19th July | 6pm - 7:30pm

Venue 10 | St Margaret’s Activity Centre

Open Age South West Quiz evening... A chance to show what you know about the area and learn more about where you live or work. 50 Question Quiz full of a wide range of Westminster questions. You can work in a group or individually, it’s a great chance for you to meet people from around the area you might not have bumped into before. With a delicious healthy range of snacks at the table while you quiz! So please turn up for a friendly social vibe.

www.openage.org.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: hmunns@openage.org.uk

PATCHWORK PROJECT

For Ages 12 - 18 and 60+ | SouthWestFest with Antonia Underwood 20th July | 11am - 1pm

Venue 4 | Churchill Gardens Estate Square

Join SouthWestFest and theatre maker, poet and facilitator Antonia Underwood for this free drop-in intergenerational workshop bringing together creative writing and crafting! This workshop will focus on exploring your creativity through responding to prompts about home, the future and what that might mean to you.

Using recycled materials, you will craft your ideas and dreams for the future. Each individual creation will be stitched together to make one huge community installation patchwork, which will be displayed at the final drop-in workshop, alongside a community meal. www.southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@ southwestfest.org.uk

TELL MY STORY... OF HEALING, RESILIENCE AND RECONCILIATION

For All | Qisetna 20th July | 12pm - 4pm

Venue 14 | Victoria Library

Through sharing stories based on poetry and songs, we are inviting communities to come together to collectively imagine a better future and build resilience and hope. TELL MY STORY… will consist of Palewell Press panel discussion: how writing can help a person’s emotional journey, a conversation with Juan delGado on how art can bring communities together, Rawanee’s community of poets will share a story written as a series of poems and recited theatrical style. The event will end with Qisetna, Palewell Press and Rawanee bringing the communities together to share poetry songs, videos and collaborative poetry recitations speaking to hope and unity.

Book Here: www.eventbrite.com/e/tell-mystory-of-healing-resilience-reconciliationmulti-cultural-poetry-songs-storiestickets-894687142327

Free: Ticketed | Event Contact: qisetna@gmail.com

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION

Age 50+ | Open Age

20th July | 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Venue 10 | St. Margaret’s Centre

Discover the power of mindfulness and meditation tailored for the over 50s! Take a serene journey towards inner peace and rejuvenation with Sahara. Whether you seek stress relief, mental clarity, or simply a tranquil escape, this taster session will offer gentle guidance and techniques designed specifically for your needs. Embrace a life of balance, harmony, and vitality. Join us today and embark on a path to greater well-being. www.openage.org.uk

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: hmunns@openage.org.uk

PATCHWORK PROJECT COMMUNITY MEAL

For All | SouthWestFest with Antonia Underwood 20th July | 1pm - 2.30pm

Venue 4 | Churchill Gardens Estate Square

Join us for a free halal community meal in the Square, and celebrate the local talent as we display our Community Patchwork, made from a culmination of intergenerational workshops held in the local area.

www.southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@southwestfest.org.uk

POEMS FROM THE WASHING LINES

For All | Qisetna

21st July | 4pm - 6pm

Venue 7 | Moat Community Garden

Along with the reading of poetry, a group of local artists will produce a site-specific art installation at the washing lines located at the Moat Gardens featuring poems from local and migrant poets.

www.qisetna.com

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: qisetna@gmail.com

GREENER MILLBANK

For All | Greener Millbank

Dates TBC | Time TBC

Venue 12 | Tate Britain

This event is targeted at Millbank residents and Conservation Area stakeholders. The workshops are exploring the History of Millbank, assessing the current lived Millbank Experience and using creative approaches to develop a greener future considering Climate Emergency conditions. The collaborative process will be documented with artefacts and a research report.

These workshops will take place over several weekends in July, date and times to be confirmed. Please contact info@ millbankcreativeworks.org for more information.

www.greenermillbank.org

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@ millbankcreativeworks.org

SOUTHWESTFEST

CLOSING PARTY

For All | SouthWestFest 21st July | 3pm - 5pm

Venue 8 | The Onion Garden

Join us to celebrate the end of SouthWestFest 2024 and everyone that made it happen!

Whether you took part, hosted an event, supported us or would just like an evening of entertainment and community, come along. There’ll be performances from local artists, speeches and more… Drinks and refreshments provided.

www.southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on

Free: Non-ticketed | Event Contact: info@southwestfest.org.uk

Even more events will continue to be added to our online programme and any updates or changes to events will be listed there - so head to www.southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on to see what else is in store Thanks for reading, we can’t wait to see you at some of these events!

SPELLBOUND: PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP 3

For 18 - 30 | SouthWestFest with Spellbound 22nd July | 6pm - 8pm Venue 6 | Education Centre, Westminster Abbey

Join SouthWestFest and Spellbound for a free, intensive, life-changing public speaking programme that will equip you with the tools and environment to develop your public speaking superpower!

Over the course of 3 weeks, with a commitment of only 2 hours each week, you will learn ‘How to Leave a Room Spellbound!’ through expert, tried-and-tested training, hands-on interactive activities and constructive feedback from our Spellbound! mentors!

Workshop 3, this is the big finale. We encourage individuals to be empowered, to be vulnerable. They tell their story in a manner that holds a room Spellbound!

We are committed to breaking barriers that young people face today. Whether you face systemic challenges or seek a supportive environment, we are here to create an inclusive and safe space for you to grow and develop your public speaking ability.

APPLY

Choose from hundreds of qualifications and short courses starting from September.

We also have a small selection of courses available in July and August. Many of our courses are FREE (subject to conditions).

We’re here to help, whether you want to retrain for a different career or take up a new hobby.

Support SouthWestFest

We are incredibly lucky to be able to present such a wonderful programme of events created for and by the community each year. This would not be possible without the support from our dedicated volunteers, staff and yourself, reading this!

Help make our 21st year one to remember - any donation we receive greatly contributes to ensuring we can continue to be a crucial cultural organisation for the area. Your donation means that we can continue to provide joy, inspiration and connection to the community and local services by improving health and wellbeing, developing skills, reducing social isolation and providing accessible opportunities.

In the wake of the last few years, we are still very much recovering and we do a lot with a little. Help be a part of SouthWestFest’s future.

Celebrate with us, get involved and share Your Experiences!

Each year you all take such wonderful photos and videos of our events, and we’d love to see them!

Remember to tag us: Instagram @swfest #SouthWestFest Facebook @SouthWestFest #FestivalOfFutures Twitter @swfest

We look forward to celebrating with you, and can’t wait to welcome you to this year’s SouthWestFest.

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