Charity Archives - Business Improvement District

Wimbledon’s First Breathe Café Joins Lu-Ma

3 September 2021

Local café Lu-Ma have collaborated with mental health charity, Shawmind, to open the first ‘Breathe Café’ in Wimbledon Town Centre.

The concept of a Breathe Café, was created by mental health charity Shawmind, and is a safe space where the public can go and read books in the wellbeing library, connect with a volunteer and find resources to help support them.

Mayor of Merton, Councillor Michael Brunt, attended the launch party stating:

“It is such a great idea to provide this type of help in this way and I am delighted to add my support”.

Breathe Cafés are not clinics or therapy sessions, and volunteers provide signposting and active listening support only – nothing offered by the Breathe Café replaces the advice of a mental health professional. Shawmind strongly believe that early intervention in this way, can help head off more serious mental health challenges in individuals in the future. It aims to partner with coffee shops and restaurants around the country to roll out Breathe Cafés in every community. Lu-Ma represents the first such partnership.

“When I met Maria I realised that we have an ideal partner to set up our first Breathe Café in Wimbledon. Her passion for better mental health and better physical wellbeing, through healthy eating, seemed like a natural fit with Shawmind and we are delighted to be launching the first Breathe Café at Lu-Ma.”

– James Espey, President of Shawmind

Maria Jessiman, co-owner of the family-run café added:

“We look forward to opening a space where people can feel seen, heard and valued without judgement.”

The plant-based healthy food café Lu-Ma, was born out of a desire to provide a hub in the heart of Wimbledon to help support the community’s physical and mental well-being. Mental health has always been something close to Maria and her families’ heart. This new initiative adds another dimension to the café which has previously held well-being events, meditations and courses, and looks to continue to do more in the future.

Employees in Wimbledon can access helpful mental health resources in Lu-Ma café, which is located at 43 Worple Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4JZ. Simply scan the QR code which is visible throughout the venue. To find out more click here.

Sustainable Merton’s Community Fridge

21 November 2019

Sustainable Merton, Merton’s leading environmental charity, is bringing the first Community Fridge to the borough.

This meaningful project offers an exciting opportunity to stop edible surplus food from going to waste, and instead make this available to those who are struggling to afford to eat. The Community Fridge is essentially just a big fridge, located in an accessible, friendly space, where individuals and businesses can donate fresh edible food and members of the community can take what they want or need.

Sustainable Merton’s Community Fridge project has been selected to participate in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019, the U.K.’s largest match funding campaign running from 3rd – 10th December 2019.

This means that the first £2000 in donations made via theBigGive.org.uk to the Community Fridge project during this week, will be matched and thus have twice the impact.

The aim is to raise a minimum of £10,000, which will contribute to the set up, running, maintenance and management of Merton’s first Community Fridge.

The need for food assistance in Merton is rising. Between 2015 – 2017, the number of residents accessing local food banks increased by 33%. At the same time, huge amounts of good food is going to waste, filling up overflowing landfill sites and producing greenhouse gases. Many local businesses and residents would be willing to donate fresh food if they had the opportunity, and a Community Fridge in Merton will provide this essential link that does not exist in the borough at present.

Sustainable Merton’s Community Fridge will be a valuable contribution to the community, contributing to reductions in both greenhouse gas emissions and food poverty. With the support from individuals and businesses, we can make a real difference to the lives of local people and protect our environment by keeping good food out of the bin and into the hands of those who need it most.

To find out more about the Community Fridge initiative, visit the following link.

How You Can Help to Support Local Charities and Change Lives

22 October 2019

Merton Giving, a charitable partnership between Merton Chamber of Commerce and Merton Voluntary Services Council and supported by Merton Council, is celebrating its first birthday. Since its launch, the business community has responded incredibly to help local causes with cash donations to the Merton Giving Fund and/or non-monetary in-kind support totaling in excess of £60,000. To continue its work, Merton Giving Week is back for 2019. In its second year the week marks a dedicated focus on fundraising to help grow the Merton Giving Fund to provide financial support to charities working locally.

“CSR is increasingly important for businesses and we like to encourage businesses in Wimbledon to give to their local community, encouraging their staff to develop a meaningful relationship with local charities. Merton Giving provides a structure for this and Love Wimbledon is proud to support this initiative”.

– Helen Clark Bell, CEO, Love Wimbledon

Businesses, community groups and residents across the borough are invited to join in and do whatever takes their fancy during Merton Giving Week, 2^nd to 8^th December 2019, to raise money to help grow the Merton Giving Fund.

For more information about how you can take part visit Merton Chamber of Commerce.

Merton Live! a HUGE Success

29 January 2019

Wimbledon Guild, the local charity that supports people across Merton, and New Wimbledon Theatre held a brand-new community event on Saturday 26 January at the theatre. Merton Live! celebrated local talent in Merton with community groups, schools (Wimbledon High School) and business (Creams British Luxury) getting involved.

The day showcased a plethora of local bands, dance, drama and gymnastic groups with performances taking place throughout the day. Visitors also got the opportunity to explore this historic building with backstage tours and a host of theatre related activities for all the family. Over 800 people attended the event, raising an incredible £3,453.

Wendy Pridmore, CEO at Wimbledon Guild added, ‘Thank you so much to New Wimbledon Theatre, our performers, volunteers and everyone who attended this wonderful community event. All of the money raised will continue to help ensure that people across Merton will always have somewhere to turn to in times of need.’

Nick Parr, Theatre Director at New Wimbledon Theatre added, ‘Our ten-year vision is to ensure that New Wimbledon Theatre is a must-visit destination for all of our community. Working with a strong community partner like Wimbledon Guild is key to our continued success. Merton Live! was a great event thanks to the commitment of the theatre and Guild teams and our generous visitors.’

Festive Giving by Wimbledon Businesses

31 December 2018

Tis the season for festive giving and our Wimbledon businesses have done so very generously this Christmas, with a particular focus of supporting local charities. We’re always proud of the partnerships between BID businesses and their joined up efforts to support great causes close to home.

Cargostore Worldwide, Ashworths Solicitors and American Tax Returns Ltd who share an office building on Compton Road collected food and other useful supplies in their reception throughout the festive season and will be donating to local food banks in January.