Community Updates

MUGA Launch event, 12 April

Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/22/2022 - 18:27

MUGA Launch Event, 12 April

Last week, we celebrated the opening of our new MUGA sports facility. This was a joint event with Fulham FC Foundation, our key delivery partner in running organised football coaching sessions. The event was well attended by a mix of sports and funding officials, as well as Lambeth’s key staff members responsible for this project, other community partners, and the local community.

 

The event provided the opportunity to thank our funders and acknowledge our key partners for their contribution to the overall project and to this event, which was addressed by the Chair of Roupell Park Board, Mary Simpson:  Without the two principal funders, the Veolia Environmental Trust, and the Football Foundation (a Premier League, Football Association, and Central Government funded charity), it would not have been possible to meet the cost of this almost quarter of a million-pound project.

 

We were privileged to have our local MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy at the event. Bell addressed the crowd by acknowledging how much potential this new amenity has for the local community, especially in the post Covid environment, and how well it ties in with the wider Active Lambeth plan.  

 

In addition, Fulham midfielder, Nathaniel Chalobah, made a guest appearance, saying that this new facility makes him feel “jealous”, as growing up in Gipsy Hill he didn’t have the privilege of playing on such a fine surface. All this made our young people feel very special and cared for. Nathaniel signed numerous autographs and posed for many ‘selfies’ with our youngsters, adding to their excitement.

Fulham FC Foundation’s CEO, Mike McSweeney concluded with a speech that rounded-up the importance of partnership working, underscoring how far this can take individual organisations.

 

A memorial plaque, commemorating the sad loss of Paul Smithers, who died of Covid early this year, was ‘unveiled’ on the MUGA. Paul was Fulham’s Youth Manager, and the MUGA is his tangible legacy here at Roupell Park; he was instrumental in making this facility happen and, for his dedication in all that he did, he will be remembered.

 

Fulham FC Foundation’s team, under the guidance of Tom Lyons, ran a range of activities, in particular for young people with disabilities and a mini-Kicks session. CEF Lyncx, a grass roots charity who we have worked with over a number of years, brought a group of SEND young people who thoroughly enjoyed the activities on the pitch, which were run by Fulham FC Foundation’s disability coaches.  The St Matthew’s project founder, Lee Dema, brought a girls-only squad to the event; they now successfully run girls-only sessions in partnership with Fulham FC Foundation.

 

Altogether, there was a real buzz and some useful networking at the event, encouraging our young people to enjoy and look after this amenity as their own. The Football Foundation were filming the whole event, so we look forward to receiving the footage, which we will post on the website in due course.
Attachments: 
File Press Release.docx

New! Girls-only football sessions

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/15/2022 - 20:49
New! Girls-only football sessions
 
We are happy to announce that in partnership with the St Mathew’s Project and Fulham FCF, we are launching a NEW organised sport’s session, ‘Girls-only Football’, on Wednesday, 9th February. These sessions will be run every week.  
Cost: FREE
When: Every Wednesday, 5.30-7.00pm HERE
Ages: 11-16 years
Skill level: All abilities, no previous experience necessary. 
Lead coach: Dwight Barnett
Assistant Coach: Louise Walker-Smith
 
The sessions will consist of football coaching and small-sided games. Opportunities to play with SMFC Girls.
Please contact Dwight on 07535 891 133 or dwightbarnett28@hotmail.co.uk for more information, or how to apply. For now, just turn up at the session.
 

Roupell Park’s new MUGA now open for use – rules of conduct

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/15/2022 - 20:51
Our new MUGA sports pitch is now fully completed and open for use. Organized sports sessions and a programme of activities will be launched incrementally, with Fulham FC Foundation as our key delivery partner. This programme will start in February, during the half- term week, with a Kicks session, and‘new’ Girls-only football session, which will be in partnership with the St Matthews Project.  A timetable of activities will be placed on the notice board, by the entrance of the pitch,  which will provide all relevant information about the programme of activities. Please note that organised sessions take priority over free play. 
 
There have been already some issues around safety and potential damage to the facility, particularly to the playing surface. 
 
First, there have been instances in which young people have climbed over the fence to play. Falling from height can cause serious injuries. If the pitch is locked, it is for a reason, as there may be an issue around cleansing or repairs that need to be dealt with before the MUGA is safe to use. The MUGA is open for use from 9am until 9pm. Some young people have been seen climbing in and using the pitch in the middle of the night. The opening hours have been agreed with Lambeth, and are a condition of the planning permission. If these hours of use are not strictly observed, we could face closure of the facility for good. We need your full cooperation in this; residents living in the surrounding properties do not need to be woken up late at night by such irresponsible behaviour. 
 
Second, on more than one occasion, we have seen young people using the playing surface on their scooters and bikes. These must be left outside the play area. The simple reason for this is that they will damage the surface which is very expensive to repair. The overall cost of the project amounted to £200,000. 
 
Some residents have irresponsibly exercised their dogs on the pitch. This is not allowed as dogs will foul the playing surface and it will be unsafe for use by children or adults, which will cause organized sessions to be cancelled.  
 
The MUGA is fully covered by CCTV, and there are no ‘blind spots’; we see it all. Going forward, if the behaviour described above is repeated, we will use any information provided, together with our CCTV footage, to identify the individuals responsible. We will enforce the terms of the tenancy, and fines will be issued. We sincerely hope that this will not be necessary. It is vital that the community takes responsibility for this facility. The main beneficiaries of the new MUGA are you, the residents. The use of the court is free of charge to you, which includes all organised sessions. A lot of thought and investment has gone into this project. Please help us safeguard the amenity and preserve the facility for generations to come. Meanwhile, enjoy playing, safely and purposefully. 
 
In the event of any ASB on the pitch, please report to us, via email at roupellpark@lambeth.gov.uk or STGustave@lambeth.gov.uk, or call us on: 020 7926 0214. 
For any more detail on the programme of activities on the pitch, please contact us via email at roupellpark@lambeth.gov.uk or  EChristmas@lambeth.gov.uk or call us on: 020 7926 0214. 
 
 
 

Help make a Mosaic Panel for Tree House Children Centre

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/15/2022 - 20:55
Our local nursery, the Tree House Children’s Centre,  has five places left on this short Mosaic Course. The nursery is looking to provide some intergenerational sessions, so if you are a senior citizen and if you think this would be of interest to you, come along. This is a great opportunity to explore your creative side.  The Community Mosaic panel will be displayed at Tree House Children's Centre. For any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact Bettina Wilhelm – Exley,  the Better Start Area Manager,  on 020 8671 3298.
 
 

Greening the Estate

Submitted by admin on Wed, 05/26/2021 - 15:04

Some of you may have noticed that the community garden in front of Hyperion House is now well maintained and in full bloom, all thanks to Clement. Clement is a dedicated resident who has been working on the garden over the past few months, to bring it to the quality it has now. The garden has been more precious than ever, providing an outdoor space to sit and relax with a neighbour, as it hasn’t been possible to do the same indoors with Covid restrictions in place. It’s been a nice time of the year to do so, as the (slowly) improving weather lifts our mood; a proven remedy to alleviate anxiety. Good for stocking up on Vitamin D too, which is fundamental to maintaining our immune system.

You may have noticed that some blocks have nice flowers and even vegetables. Could this be a time to start your own vegetable patch next to your block? Growing your own fruit, herbs and vegetables can be an excellent way to save money on your weekly shop. Home-grown produce will taste all the better after your hard grafting, and it’s good exercise! Roupell Park are here to help, if you would like to join in in this green adventure. We also have a budget for purchasing plants/edibles for you to grow; all you need to do is invest your time and enthusiasm. If this is of interest, drop us a line via email or call us on 07983 584767.

Coffee Morning Group

Submitted by admin on Thu, 12/24/2020 - 13:32

Molly, the chair of the coffee morning group and I have had regular updates during the lockdown. The members have also kept in close contact over the phone, and recently they have been meeting in small groups in the garden outside the community centre for a chat. It has been rather tough over the past months during the lockdown without their weekly catch-ups, over a ‘cuppa’. Quite a few have had only limited physical contact with their family members, due to the Covid restrictions; without a doubt, all this has generated a feeling of loneliness and isolation. We all know that loneliness can lead to depression, and depression to ill health. For many, this past year has taken its toll.

We are happy to announce that, owing to a successful vaccination programme, our collective isolation is coming to an end and our first coffee morning, following the easing of restrictions, will be on the 22 June. Meetings will then continue to take place every Tuesday from 10.30- 12.30pm at Roupell Park Community Centre.  Please note that masks will still need to be worn and social distancing maintained. New members are encouraged to join; a friendly chat and a warm welcome is guaranteed. For more information, and to register your attendance, please contact Eva Christmas on 07983 584 767.

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