Events

Scroll down to read all about the events happening in Thamesmead in the coming days, weeks and months.

After December, regular events are listed...so keep scrolling!

Don't forget to let us know if you are holding an event that is open to the public and we will add it to the calendar!

If you are a Thamesmead resident, have access to public funding and would like to undertake an eight week course (10:00am-12:00pm) which will give you basic knowledge of hair styling, then get in touch with Trust Thamesmead's training and job department, Building Futures, T: 020 8320 4470.

If you are a Thamesmead resident, have access to public funding and would like to undertake an eight week course (12:45-2:45pm every Monday) which will give you basic knowledge of hair cutting, then get in touch with Trust Thamesmead's training and job department, Building Futures, who can register you. T: 020 8320 4470

Local History Month aims to increase awareness of history in a local setting. It is a great way for groups to highlight local history and for local people to get involved.

Every year, Adult Learner's Week helps inspire thousands of people to see what learning could do for them, offering them the chance to catch up on skills they've missed out on in the past, or develop themselves for the future.

Every year Trust Thamesmead works in partnership with service providers to lay on an array of activities for Thamesmead residents and this year is no different. Keep logging back to find out more.

The HM Treasury, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Natwest are bringing the Open Space Event to the Thamesmead Innovation Centre. This rolling programme tackles the issues of unemployment and poverty in disadvantaged areas in the country. At the event, which runs from 9.30am until 5.00pm, local people and organisations will come together to discuss enterprise issues that are important to them.

Book your place today by visiting www.enterpriseforall.info, calling 0207 700 6952 or emailing kate@amazonpr.co.uk

It doesn't matter if you have a large garden or a compact balcony; you can join in with the fun and show off your green fingers with Gallions Housing Association's Thamesmead in Bloom, flower competition.

There are £1000 worth of prizes, generously donated by Tilfen Land to be won and you can nominate your own garden or balcony or that of a neighbour. Schools and businesses can enter too.

Download an application form here and remember, closing date for enteries is Thursday 22 May. Judging will take place in the summer with a special daytime ceremony held for the winners.

African Unity Day is when leaders from different African countries get together to work towards economic development and integration.

This free Setting Up Finance seminar, taking place 2:00-5:00pm will cover...

• Money management/settign up good systems for your organisation
• Use of Excel in managing funding; Cash flow projection, making budgets, petty cash systemes and planning year end - tips for good day to day practice

Funded by Greenwich Council and aimed at small, new, faith and groups serving minority communities in Greenwich.

Whether you are an experienced climber or fancy trying something new, Trust Thamesmead's climbing wall The cAve is holding climbing courses this May half-term, Tuesday 27-Friday 30 May (Closed Monday Bank Holiday).

Basic climbing course - Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 May, 9:30am-12:30pm, £20
Intermediate climbing course - Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May, 10:00am-12:00pm, £15

For those who just want to turn up and experience the indoor climbing wall, it is open to the public 2:00-5:00pm, Tuesday-Friday during May Half Term.

Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering and plays a huge part in raising the profile of England's 22 million volunteers while encouraging others to get involved.

Trust Thamesmead will be working with service providers throughout the week. Keep logging back to see how you can get involved.

The World Environment Day 2008's slogan is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy.

Every year Trust Thamesmead invites all the primary schools in Thamesmead to get together and take part in the Matthew Clarke Memorial Shield, held in memory of Matthew, a former pupil of St John Fisher, who sadly died of cancer in February 1999.

Let your dad know what he means to you this Father's Day.

World Refugee Day reminds us that some 40 million people worldwide are already uprooted by violence. They do not just flee persecution and war but also injustice, exclusion, environmental pressures, competition for scarce resources and all the miserable human consequences of dysfunctional states.

Trust Thamesmead will be working with service providers to educate people about the plights people face. Keep logging back for further information.

The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is set on 26 June every year and is a special day to focus on helping torture victims and ending torture

Launched in 2006, Veterans Day focuses on our surviving veterans.

World Population Day promotes the human right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.

Work on this year's Trust Thamesmead Summer Festival has been underway for months.

We can tell you there will be...

• A sports theme
• A main stage featuring yet more top performers, as well as the Trust Thamesmead T Factor winner
• Community stalls, food, drink and a whole lot more

Keep logging back to find out more.

2008 sees the ninth International Youth Day being celebrated.

The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, good deeds and spending time with family and friends. Fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival. The traditional greeting to wish someone a good New Year is "L'shanah tovah".

Eid ul Fitr sees Muslims not only celebrating the end of fasting, but thanking Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control.

In recognition of the world's rapidly ageing population and the growing importance of older people in society, the United Nations has designated 1 October as annual International Day of Older Persons.

Black History Month was set up to acknowledge the contributions of Africa to the economic, cultural and political life of London and the UK. It called on the boroughs of London to recognise this fact and also intensify their support against Apartheid.

Trust Thamesmead will be working with service providers throughout October. Keep logging back to find out more.

Family Learning Week celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Trust Thamesmead will be working with service providers to provide learning workshops. Keep logging back to find out more information.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia and is also the occasion for  elebrations by Jains and Sikhs as well as Hindus.

Remembrance Sunday is a day remember to remember those who gave their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia and was Christ's first disciple.

It was almost 60 years ago when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming that respect for human rights and human dignity are the foundations of freedom, justice and peace.

Trust Thamesmead will be celebrating Christmas in Thamesmead Town Centre for the third year running.

Keep logging back for further information.

Hanukkah is an eight day holiday starting on the 25th night of the Jewish month of Kislev. Hanukkah (The Hebrew word meaning 'Dedication') is also known as the Festival of Lights. It dates back almost 2,400 years and celebrates one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history.

Christmas Day celebrates the day Jesus was born. The first recorded observance occurred in Rome in AD360, but it wasn't until AD440 that the Christian Church fixed a celebration date of December 25.

Boxing Day was traditionally the day when people opened a wooden or clayed box to share contents with the poor.

Al-Hijra celebrates the Islamic New Year but is a low-key event for Muslim's which is celebrated less than the two major festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.

Every Sunday - Yom Kippur (Jewish New Year)

Every Monday - Volunteers Centre Bexley

Bexley Volunteers is available, 9:30am-12:30pm every Monday to talk about volunteering opportunities.

Bexley Volunteers is just one of many service providers who are providing their expertise and time for free at Trust Thamesmead's One-Stop-Shop, held 9:00am-5:30pm throughout the week.

Every Tuesday - Baby Group

Are you a new mum with lots of questions you need answers to? Then look no further! A Health Visitor and Nursery Nurse will be on hand to give you all the advice and guidance you need at this weekly drop-in session, 10:00am-12:00pm.

Last Tuesday of the month - Epilepsy Support Group

Thamesmead based Epilepsy Support Group meet 7:00-9:00pm on the last Tuesday of every month and is open to Thamesmead residents who suffer with epilepsy as well as their family and friends.

Every Tuesday - Shaw Trust

Shaw Trust is available, 2:00-4:00pm every Tuesday to help those who have suffered with an addiction to drink or drugs and would like free and confidential support in gaining qualifcations/finding a job...

Shaw Trust can help:

• Access information about debt and accommodation
• Help you understand when and how to declare convictions
• Access information on benefits
• Improve your confidence
• Help with writing your CV
• Access suitable training courses
• Access work tasters and trials
• Help you find a job

Shaw Trust is one of many service providers who are providing their expertise and time for free at Trust Thamesmead's One-Stop-Shop, held 9:00am-5:30pm throughout the week.

Every other Tuesday - Thamesmead Youth Voice

If you are aged 11-19 and want to have your say and be heard, then look no further!

Trust Thamesmead's free youth forum, Thamesmead Youth Voice, meet 5:30-7:30pm on the first and third Tuesday of every month and want you to join in:

• Topical debates
• Training opportunities
• Event organising
• Fun activities

Every Tuesday - Volunteers Centre Bexley

Bexley Volunteers is available, 9:30am-12:30pm every Tuesday to talk about volunteering opportunities.

Bexley Volunteers is just one of many service providers who are providing their expertise and time for free at Trust Thamesmead's One-Stop-Shop, held 9:00am-5:30pm throughout the week.

Every Tuesday - Walks

Meeting in the car parking area of the Lakeside Complex at Southmere Lake, 10:30am every Tuesday.

Walk your way to health in a fun atmosphere and take in the sights that Thamesmead has to offer. Led by a qualified volunteer walk leader, there is a set of four, 40-50 minutes walks to choose from (alternating weekly).

All Thamesmead residents are welcome. Refreshments (at a minimal cost) will be held afterwards at the Lakeside Complex.

Every other Wednesday - Charlton Toy Library

Charlton Toy Library operate a Mobile Toy Lending Service, 9:30-11:00am every fortnight (Wednesday), term time only.

Membership fee £5 per family. Proof of I.D. and benefits required.

Every Wednesday - Over 50's Chair Based Exercise Class

Calling all adults over 50! The Friends of the Atrium run a free chair exercise class, tailor made to meet individual requirements.Trust Thamesmead has secured funding from City Bridge Trust, so it is free for Thamesmead residents.

4:30-5:30pm. Places must be pre-booked.

Every Wednesday - Resources Plus

Resources Plus is on hand to help Thamesmead residents with job training and job searches, 10:00am-4:00pm every Wednesday.

Resources Plus is one of many service providers who are providing their expertise and time for free at Trust Thamesmead's One-Stop-Shop, held 9:00am-5:30pm throughout the week.

Every Wednesday - Storytimes for Under-fives

Storytimes for under-fives during term time, 10:30am.

Every Wednesday - Tai Chi Classes

Trust Thamesmead and Gallions Housing Association are sponsoring a six month Tai Chi class at The Pop in Parlour. The over 50's class takes place 10:30am-12:00pm every Wednesday.

Get in touch if you are over 55 and would like to try this ancient form of Chinese co-ordinated body movements, focusing on harmonising the mind, body and spirit and promoting both mental and physical well-being through softness and relaxation.

1st Thursday of the month - Story Times for Under-fives

Story times for the under-fives from 2:00pm.

Every Thursday - Tai Chi Classes

Try this ancient Chinese form of co-ordinated body movements focusing on harmonising the mind, body and spirit and promoting both mental and physical well-being through softness and relaxation.

These classes are a joint initiative between Trust Thamesmead, Bexley Adult Education and Friends of the Atrium.

Trust Thamesmead has secured funding from Bexley Adult Education so it is free for Thamesmead residents.

9:15-10:45am (beginners) & 10:45-12:15am (intermediate). Places must be pre-booked.

Every Thursday - Thamesmead Law Centre

Thamesmead Law Centre will be on hand to assist Thamesmead residents with free legal advice and guidance, 9:30am-12:30pm every Thursday as part of Trust Thamesmead's One-Stop-Shop.

Every Thursday - Tots to Toddlers

Sure Start fun acitivies drop in service for parents and children aged nine months - three years. 1:00-3:00pm including snack time.

Every Thursday - Yoga Classes

Trust Thamesmead have teamed up with Greenwich Community College in a joint initiative providing yoga classes every Thursday in Thamesmead, so why not work on every aspect of your body - building up strength, stamina, toning, flexibility and your well being?

A two hour class 9:30-11:30am. A fantastci £66 for 30 weeks. Places must be pre-booked.

Every Friday - Bexley Adult College

Nicola from Bexley Adult College is on hand at Trust Thamesmead's offices 9:30am-12:30pm every Friday, to advise clients who have been referred by Trust Thamesmead's training and job department, Building Futures, to talk about their goals and ambitions and the training on offer to help them achieve these.

Adult education Bexley is just one of many service providers who are providing their expertise and time for free at Trust Thamesmead's One-Stop-Shop, held 9:00am-5:30pm throughout the week.

Every Friday - Fresh Fruit and Veg Stall

Trust Thamesmead and Greenwich Community Food Coop launched a weekly fresh fruit and veg stall in September 2007.

Available 10:30am-2:30pm every Friday. Benefits include...

• Delicious fresh fruit and veg
• Great prices
• Pre-ordering option
• Run by the community for the community
• Healthy Start vouchers accepted

We are looking for volunteers to help man the stall. If you can spare 1-4 hours every Friday and want to gain experience in customer service, retail and money handling, get in touch! Call Trust Thamesmead's Community Development Officers - Roz or Linda, 020 8320 4470.

Every Friday - Self Defence Classes

Self Defence classes and Zhan Zhuang - a form of Chi-Kung which is used to promote more energy within the body and relieve stress.

8:00-9:00pm every Friday.

3rd Friday of the month - Thamesmead Moorings Safer Neighbourhoods Team Drop in Surgeries

Pop in and meet your local Safer Neighbourhood Officers and discuss with them any concerns that you have about your local community, 6:30-7:30pm

Every Friday - Walks

Join a manned walk around Bostall Heath from the Bowling Green, 10:00am every Friday.

Every Saturday - Birchmere Park Boot Fair

See if you can pick up a bargain at this boot fair, 10:00am-1:30pm.

Sellers: Cars £12, vans £15 for arrival at 9:15am.

Buyers attendance is free and should turn up anytime from 10:00am.

Every Saturday - South East Circular Football Sessions

Two free 1 hour and 15 minute football sessions for under 12s and under 15s, 10:00am-1:00pm every Saturday.

Last Saturday of the month - Storytimes for Under-fives

Storytimes for under-fives during term-time only, 10:30am.

1st Saturday of the month - Thamesmead Moorings Safer Neighbourhoods Team Drop in Surgeries

Pop in and meet your local Safer Neighbourhood Officers and discuss with them any concerns that you have about your local community, 10:00-11:30am.