Advice

The Gleaning Pantry is a social supermarket in Downham run by Downham Aid in partnership with Brook Lane Community Church. The project provides affordable food and household goods to residents in Downham and surrounding areas of Lewisham and Bromley, helping to prevent and relieve poverty. Food is sourced from supermarket surplus, FareShare donations and local community contributions, allowing households on low incomes or means-tested benefits to access essential supplies at reduced cost. The initiative grew out of Downham Mutual Aid, which was established in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown and later formalised as the unincorporated association Downham Aid in 2023. In addition to food support, the project aims to assist people facing financial hardship, ill health, disability or other disadvantage, helping strengthen community support networks in the area.

Community Connections Lewisham is a free social prescribing service run by Age UK Lewisham and Southwark that helps adults in the borough discover and access local groups, services and activities that can improve their health, wellbeing and social connection. The service offers information, referrals and short-term personalised support, as well as initiatives such as befriending, volunteer transport and weekly community drop-ins.

Creative Climate Conversations (Lewisham) are community events organised by Climate Action Lewisham that bring local residents together to discuss the climate crisis through creative activities, storytelling and facilitated dialogue. The sessions aim to create an open and supportive space where people can reflect on climate issues, share perspectives and explore practical ways to take collective climate action within the borough.

SELCE seeks to create a clean and just transition to an energy system that is fit for the future. they offer advice, retrofit projects and support.

The SLBI has an extensive botanical library, herbarium (dried plant collection), lecture room, as well as a beautiful botanical garden. Situated in Tulse Hill, the SLBI runs botanical events, talks, walks and educational activities

London in Bloom is a UK charity and community campaign that runs the annual London in Bloom programme to encourage greening, horticulture and community environmental improvement across Greater London. It supports volunteer groups, local authorities, schools, businesses and residents to enhance parks, squares, streets and green spaces, increase biodiversity and improve quality of life through gardening, planting and sustainable environmental activities, and it also runs competitions and recognition schemes as part of the regional “Bloom” movement linked to the national Britain in Bloom campaign.

Capital Growth is London's largest food growing network, with over 2,000 gardens throughout the city. We offer in-kind support to people who grow their own food in London, including providing access to discounted training, networking events, support with growing to sell and discounts on equipment. Joining our network is free and new ideas or offers of support are always most welcome.

Sustainable business consultancy. The consultancy specializes in providing comprehensive ecological support for development projects, focusing on biodiversity enhancement and management.

Lewisham Speaking Up (LSUP) is an independent charity based in the London Borough of Lewisham that supports people with learning disabilities to speak up, be heard and have greater influence over decisions that affect their lives by providing advocacy, self-advocacy groups and related support services. It works with individuals and groups to promote independence, respect and inclusion and to help people with learning disabilities express their views and rights to public services and other organisations.

Lewisham Council’s page for information on how residents can help in the Climate Emergency

Climate change advice and encouragement, repair cafes, workshops, skills, and events. Bromley of Library Things is also hosted here. The Hub focuses on normalising greener living, inspiring you to find ways to live greener that work on a day-to-day basis for you, your household, your family and even your workplace. The Hub is a community-powered, no-judgement space in The Glades, Bromley, where you can learn how to make meaningful changes to fight climate change, to reduce your carbon footprint and above all, so you don’t feel alone doing so. We are here to help you.

Lewisham Local is a community-focused organisation that supports the Lewisham Voluntary sector. They specialise in grant application support and a gateway to local funding, which it sometimes administrated by the organisation. Leweisham Local fosters collaboration among individuals, groups, businesses, and organisations to build healthier, happier communities. It promotes giving and sharing resources, skills, and expertise while raising awareness of community needs. They support voluntary groups through events, projects, and communications. It champions asset-based development and enhances the impact and sustainability of local initiatives, ensuring Lewisham thrives by maximizing its existing strengths and resources.