Community action/Lewisham

The aim of this page is to recognise, celebrate and encourage the self-empowerment of community agency networks (CANs) and community groups' activism for climate, environment and many other sustainability topics across Lewisham.
How a London energy co-op is trying to bring power to the people, thenews.coop (Feb 06, 2026) — We speak to Giovanna Speciale, CEO of South East London Community Energy, about its work towards an inclusive transition
How communities are stepping up to revive our tired towns and cities, positive.news (Feb 05, 2026)
Self-build homes nurture a community at Segal-inspired Ladywell scheme, ribaj.com (Jul 09, 2024)
Where property prices are set by what local people earn, BBC News (May 01, 2023)
The expansion of Heathrow would be an expensive disaster for Britain and the world. Burnham needs to block it, George Monbiot, theguardian.com (Oct 03, 2026) — A third runway would fly in the face of reason. If we are to prioritise human life over short-term ‘growth’, we need to use planes less, not more
How London’s low emissions zone is helping children breathe easier, positive.news (Sep 01, 2026)
Call for right to grow food on unused public land, BBC News (Aug 14, 2026) — Campaigners have called on City Hall to introduce a London-wide "Right to Grow" framework to help communities turn unused public land into food gardens
Severe drought declared in six areas of England as reservoirs run low, theguardian.com (Oct 15, 2026)
Ardingly Reservoir falls below 20% as drought persists, BBC News (Oct 14, 2026)
A growing movement for perennials could play a key role in future food security, wickedleeks.riverford.co.uk (Oct 08, 2026) — In the wake of this summer’s drought and rising energy costs, there is renewed interest in perennial crops
Hunter Valley community group wins landmark high court climate change case over coalmine, theguardian.com (Oct 07, 2026) — Ruling on Mount Pleasant coalmine shows ‘we cannot continue to dig up coal … and pretend the consequences have nothing to do with us’, group says
Citizens need to power Europe's future, demnext.substack.com (Oct 02, 2026) — The EU can enable new democratic institutions: in European countries; with a European Citizens’ Assembly as a 4th branch of government, and by legally enforcing the Global Citizens’ Assembly on AI, Claudia Chwalisz and Another Democratic Future
Fifty Billion Seedlings: Can Ethiopia Replant Its Ravaged Forests?, e360.yale.edu (Oct 01, 2026)
Networks and sustainability initiatives
[edit | edit source]- Rural Urban Synthesis Society, members-led Community Land Trust based in South London, founded in 2009 with the aim of creating sustainable community-led neighbourhoods and truly affordable homes right across London. "Our mission is to reduce our communities’ dependence on fossil fuels, increase food security, encourage bio-diversity and provide affordable housing for Londoners." added 10:28, 23 November 2022 (UTC)
- Transition Brockley
CDC video
[edit | edit source]Each week 3 different short videos from across the UK or world.
Community action/United Kingdom/Cycling activism, Community action/South East England/Saving water / ...This week's featured Global videos / ... read more about Cosmolocalism
UK and international events
[edit | edit source]UK events
Oct 1 - 7, 2026 (Thu - Wed) — National Vegetarian Week, discover delicious dishes and see how a veggie diet is a great choice for the planet, nationalvegetarianweek.org
Oct 04, 2026 (Sun) — Homeless Sunday, housingjustice.org.uk
Oct 18, 2026 (Sun) — Church Action on Poverty Sunday, taking place each year on the Sunday closest to the International Day for the Eradication on Poverty, church-poverty.org.uk
Global or international events
Oct 01, 2026 (Thu) — World Vegetarian Day, Oct 1 each year, bringing awareness to the ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle, worldvegetarianday.navs-online.org
Oct 02, 2026 (Fri) — International Day of Non-Violence, observed each year on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, un.org
Oct 07, 2026 (Wed) — World Day for Decent Work, October 7 is the World Day for Decent Work, ituc-csi.org
Oct 10, 2026 (Sat) — World Homeless Day, Oct 10 each year, drawing attention to homeless people’s needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, worldhomelessday.org
Oct 10, 2026 (Sat) — World Migratory Bird Day, worldmigratorybirdday.org
Oct 10, 2026 (Sat) — World Mental Health Day, Oct 10, annually, wmhdofficial.com
Oct 13, 2026 (Tue) — International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Oct 13, annually, promoting a global culture of natural disaster reduction, including prevention, mitigation, and preparedness, un.org
Oct 16, 2026 (Fri) — World Food Day, celebrated every year around the world on 16 October, often with a focus on food security, fao.org
Oct 17, 2026 (Sat) — International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Oct 17 each year, honouring victims of poverty, hunger, violence and fear, with participation by the poorest of people an important aspect of the observance of the Day, un.org
Oct 17, 2026 (Sat) — International Repair Day, annual celebration for everyone who makes repair happen in their communities around the world. "Repair for Everyone"., openrepair.org
2021-2030, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, International community action events
Lewisham video
[edit | edit source]Community involvement
[edit | edit source]In 2009 Bold Vision was established as a social enterprise with the aim of strengthening community in the area (of Telegraph Hill). Bold Vision's first project was building the Hill Station - a cafe, community gathering point, learning centre and performance / exhibition space between the two halves of Telegraph Hill Park in the undercroft of Telegraph Hill Centre. Bold Vision was supported by Telegraph Hill Centre who leased the space on a peppercorn rent, acting as an incubator to channel seed funding for the new venture in addition to making a financial contribution. Bold Vision's other projects include Common Growth, a food growing project and acting as an incubator to enable the campaign to save New Cross Public Library. W
Food activism
[edit | edit source]Community resources
[edit | edit source]- Kath's Place, st-johns-soc.org, added 18:55, 31 October 2022 (UTC)
- RUSS Community Hub, theruss.org, added 13:00, 23 November 2022 (UTC)
- Crofton Park Community Library
Arts, sport and culture
[edit | edit source]Hither Green Hall, an arts and community space for Hither Green, (Wikipedia)
Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle
[edit | edit source]Climate action
[edit | edit source]- Climate Action Lewisham, added 15:54, 22 June 2021 (UTC)
Sustainable transport activism
[edit | edit source]Thames Path W
Cycling
[edit | edit source]The following designated Cycleways are available in Lewisham:
- Cycleway 4 (C4) along Deptford's Evelyn Street (A200), which runs from Tower Bridge to Woolwich.
- Cycleway 10 (C10) from Euston to Greenwich, going through Surrey Canal Road and Deptford (Folkestone Gardens).
- Cycleway 14 (C14) from Waterloo to Thamesmead along the river Thames in Deptford.
- Cycleway 66 (C66) from Brockley to Forest Hill.
In addition to these designated routes, the Waterlink Way (to be upgraded to Cycleway 18) runs from north to south along the Ravensbourne and Pool rivers.
Waterlink Way W
Biodiversity activism
[edit | edit source]Together with other smaller sites, such as ponds, woods, and railside areas there is a total of 1185 acres (474ha) of land defined as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. W
Sue Godfrey Nature Park is a small park and local nature reserve in Deptford in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is a mixture of rough grassland, scrub and ruderal plants.
The park grew up on wasteland, and was opened in 1984 as Bronze Street Nature Park. It was renamed in 1994 after local environmental campaigner Sue Godfrey, in recognition of the efforts she devoted to the park.
More than 200 species of plants have been recorded and there is a wide variety of invertebrates, including grasshoppers, bush-crickets and six species of butterflies.
The reserve is located between Bronze Street and Berthon Street; Deptford Church Street is to the west, with St Paul's, Deptford on the other side of the street. Adjacent to the east is Ferranti Park.
Environment quality
[edit | edit source]Open spaces
[edit | edit source]Lewisham parks and open spaces are part of the "green lung" of London and include a diverse range of sites, from small urban parks and gardens to one of the most historic natural landscapes in Greater London at Blackheath.
About Lewisham
[edit | edit source]Lewisham ( LOO-ish-əm) is a London borough in south-east London, England. It forms part of Inner London. The principal settlement of the borough is Lewisham. The local authority is Lewisham London Borough Council, based in Catford. The Prime Meridian passes through Lewisham. Blackheath, Goldsmiths, University of London and Millwall F.C. are located within the borough.
| Authors | Phil Green |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-3.0 |
| Cite as | Phil Green (2014–2026). "Community action/Lewisham". Appropedia. Retrieved October 17, 2026. |







