Abbey News

Inside this issue

P-p-p penguins ........... 1
Age UK Westminster .. 1
Leeds Castle Trip ........ 1
Member Spotlight ...... 2
Abbeys Got Talent ..... 2
Family Celebratons .... 2
Giving from the Heart . 2
SW Time Bank ............ 2
Out & About ............... 3
LG Orchestra .............. 3
Hot Meal Service ........ 3
Childrens Success ...... 4
Mental Wellbeing ....... 4
A&E Visits .................. 4
Up & Coming .............. 4
Spring/Summer 2014
34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU 0207 222 0303 email: enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk website: www.theabbeycentre.org.uk
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65 years supportng healthy & cohesive communites in South Westminster
Bringing the Generatons Together On Our Leeds Castle Trip
On a lovely spring day in April our members enjoyed a coach trip to Leeds
Castle, Kent. The mult-generatonal trip of Silver members and families
enjoyed exploring the 11th Century Jacobean castle and its magnifcent
gardens. The group were stunned by the beauty of the rooms. They found
the best part getng lost in the maze. The fun trip wouldnt have been
possible without the support of St James Councillors through their Ward
Budget Funding Programme.

We are delighted to welcome two very special new Abbey members
to the Abbey Centre. As one of John Lewis favoured local charites we
were ofered 2 penguin sculptures featured in their Christmas 2013
Window Display in Oxford Street. The display was of animals made
out of household objects . Be sure to look out for them over the
coming months as they help us with our fundraising eforts startng
with a naming competton!
P-P-P Pick Up a Penguin!
Welcome to Age UK Westminster Advice Surgeries
We are pleased to be working with Age UK Westminster who are
providing Informaton & Advice Surgeries for those aged
50+. The surgeries are run by Tim Mougenot (pictured), who has extensive experience in
supportng older people and helping to resolve fnancial, beneft, housing and other
issues. Wednesday afernoons, between 2pm and 4pm each week at the Abbey Centre
Member Spotlight!
Welcome to a new column
in Abbey News featuring
our members stories. First
to feature is our very own
WW2 Veteran Sergeant
Gerry Chester.

Gerry, 91, recently shared
his WW2 experiences
serving with the North Irish
Horse regiment. He is also
founder of the Cognitve
Acton Scrabble Society,
following scientfc studies
that demonstrate twice
weekly scrabble sessions
can ward of dementa and
Alzheimers. We are hoping
to commence Scrabble
sessions Monday and
Thursday 3-4pm in the
Wash House Caf.
34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU 0207 222 0303 email: enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk website: www.theabbeycentre.org.uk
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34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU 0207 222 0303 email: enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk website: www.theabbeycentre.org.uk
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Abbeys Got Talent!
We are going to raise
the roof with a new
group led by one of our
volunteersThe Abbey
Community Singers for
people of all ages and
standards who have
always fancied them-
selves as a Frank
Sinatra or Beyonc!
Anyone interested in
taking part should sign
up at recepton -
Lets get some music in
our Centre!
South Westminster Time Bank
A big thank you to Timebank member Laurent Bodin for his
paintng skills, adding colour to the Parker Morris Hall ready
for the springtme and earning over 20 hours of tme credits
in the process.
A litle reminder that you may now spend
your accumulated Time Credits across local
actvites within SW1; from gym classes, yoga
sessions to arts and crafs workshops. The SW
Timebank Computer Drop-in Classes are stll
running and are available to anyone here at
The Abbey Centre every Wednesday between
10am 12pm. No booking required. To fnd
out more or to join please contact Ian Corpuz
on 0207 222 0303 or via email
Ian.corpuz@theabbeycentre.org.uk
Getng Out & About with the Abbey Centre Walking Group
If you enjoy gentle exercise and getng out in the fresh air,
then the Abbey Centres free walking sessions each Monday
morning are for you! Everybody is welcome. We meet at
9:45 am with a professional walking leader who sets diferent
interestng walking routes, setng of at 10am and returning at
11am. A brisk hour walk brings the benefts of keeping your
heart healthy, controlling weight, promotng good mental
health and reducing risks of a whole range of health conditons
such as diabetes and stroke. Its also a great opportunity to
make friends and see places of interest in the local area such
as St James Park. To join the group just turn up!
For more informaton please contact Marufa Chowdhury,
marufa.chowdhury@theabbeycentre.org.uk
Giving from the Heart - Volunteering 2013/14
The Abbey Centre has benefted from the generous donatons of
skills and tme by amazing 100 individuals who have donated a
total of 4,053 hours! We have welcomed 18 new regular
volunteers and have worked with nine corporate partner
organisatons via the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initatve. Our CSR
partners treated our members to fun partes, events and the charity to improve-
ments at the Centre.
Wed also like to welcome some new volunteers that have recently joined our
Abbey family. Maria (Recepton), Bianca (Caf), Selam (Caf), Raquel
(Timebank), Judy (Art class), and Sandra (Community Team) whom some of you
may remember from the trip to Leeds Castle, Terry (Graphic Design), Katherine
(SPOG Spanish Portuguese Older Group), Saniye (Actvity Worker) and Liliya
(Pianist & Abbey Singers).
To ALL our volunteers, Thank you - we couldnt do it without you!
London Graduate Orchestra Makes Music
The Abbey Centre has welcomed the new London
Graduate Orchestra, providing them with rehearsal
space. The orchestra was founded by conductor
Claire Lampon and composer Kemal Yusuf in 2013. It
ofers emerging music and non-music graduates the
opportunity to perform in a high standard orchestra
and a platorm for some of the fnest young musicians
in London to showcase their talent and capabilites.
Young composers also have the opportunity to
workshop their music; and experience it performed
by the LGO. Open rehearsals are also held for young
conductors to lead the orchestra in a constructve and
welcoming environment.
The Orchestra can be hired for events in full, ensem-
ble or by individuals. For further informaton please
contact Kemal Yusuf kemal.yusuf@lgorchestra.co.uk
Planning A Family Celebraton Event We have Great Venues!
We have a range of spaces/catering to accommodate weddings, birthdays, in fact
any family event you want to celebrate in style. Just give us a call to discuss your
needs and budget! 0207 222 0303 or enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk
34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU 0207 222 0303 email: enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk website: www.theabbeycentre.org.uk 34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU 0207 222 0303 email: enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk website: www.theabbeycentre.org.uk
(If you would prefer to receive this newsleter via email, please contact us using the address above to join our mailing list)
Getng Out & About with the Abbey Centre Walking Group
If you enjoy gentle exercise and getng out in the fresh air,
then the Abbey Centres free walking sessions each Monday
morning are for you! Everybody is welcome. We meet at
9:45 am with a professional walking leader who sets diferent
interestng walking routes, setng of at 10am and returning at
11am. A brisk hour walk brings the benefts of keeping your
heart healthy, controlling weight, promotng good mental
health and reducing risks of a whole range of health conditons
such as diabetes and stroke. Its also a great opportunity to
make friends and see places of interest in the local area such
as St James Park. To join the group just turn up!
For more informaton please contact Marufa Chowdhury,
marufa.chowdhury@theabbeycentre.org.uk
I like volunteering at The Abbey Centre as it's a lovely atmosphere, the people are
welcoming and the visitors are friendly. I mostly enjoy helping in the kitchen and
serving food as I love cooking and the food here is always freshly prepared too, every-
one is super nice... Bianca (volunteer)
Hot Meal and Support Service For Local People
The Abbey Centre is working with the Good Samaria
Network to provide a hot meal and support service for
local people without permanent accommodaton, afer
the current venue King George Hostel on St Peters
Street ended. Guests enjoy a freshly cooked healthy
meal with ingredients, desserts and fruit donated from
local businesses and stall holders, Sunday and Monday
evenings. The aim is to provide vulnerable people with
a dignifed environment to eat rather, than on the
street, and provide them with informaton to take steps
towards a beter quality of life.
If you are interested in volunteering for this service
please contact Caroline Richardson
Caroline.richardson@theabbeycentre.org.uk
London Graduate Orchestra Makes Music
The Abbey Centre has welcomed the new London
Graduate Orchestra, providing them with rehearsal
space. The orchestra was founded by conductor
Claire Lampon and composer Kemal Yusuf in 2013. It
ofers emerging music and non-music graduates the
opportunity to perform in a high standard orchestra
and a platorm for some of the fnest young musicians
in London to showcase their talent and capabilites.
Young composers also have the opportunity to
workshop their music; and experience it performed
by the LGO. Open rehearsals are also held for young
conductors to lead the orchestra in a constructve and
welcoming environment.
The Orchestra can be hired for events in full, ensem-
ble or by individuals. For further informaton please
contact Kemal Yusuf kemal.yusuf@lgorchestra.co.uk
Do I Really Need Accident & Emergency ?
The BME Health Forum
commissioned
the Abbey Centre to
fnd out why some
people use Accident &
Emergency Hospital
services rather than their GP for non-emergency
health care. Such visits are expensive to the NHS and
make the A&E services less able to address
emergency cases..
Key fndings showed that most people interviewed
valued their GP practces. However, they were
concerned about delays to see them and the quality
of equipment available in the surgeries. The studys
recommendaton included that out of hours access to
GPs is expanded including weekends; informaton
regarding existng out of hours services is made
more readily available; and people with chronic
conditons are supported to manage their health
more efectvely to avoid crisis.
If you want to read the full report, please contact
Phayza Fudlalla at:
Phayza.fudlalla@theabbeycentre.org.uk.
Celebratng our Childrens Success!
FB/theabbeycentre


@theabbeycentre
34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU 0207 222 0303 email: enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk website: www.theabbeycentre.org.uk
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Excel Tutors have been running afordable tuiton classes for
local children aged 6-16 years old at Abbey Centre on Sundays
since September 2013. Thirty fve children atend the classes to
improve maths, science and English language skills. Parents
have fed back that their childrens performance at school has
improved since they joined the classes. A competton to test
mental maths, creatve & handwritng was recently undertaken
and a Prize Ceremony held in April to encourage students .


Membership of the Abbey
Centre is FREE!!!
Join us and enjoy being part of
your local community. Lots of
fun actvites & friendly cafe.
Up & Coming Events/Course
Healthy Eatng/Cook & Eat
Exploring impact of mental
illness through Art
ESOL (English as a second Language)
SouthWestFest 2014 27th June-14th July
For more informaton please contact:
enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk
New Approach to Support Mental Wellbeing
The Abbey Centre successfully completed a pilot
exploring ways to support people experiencing
challenging personal circumstances that cause them
stress, anxiety or depression.
Volunteers speaking Arabic, French and Bengali were
trained to provide support in the community to 59
individuals in over 200 one to one sessions. The
partcipants benefted from emotonal support,
advocacy; and referrals to help cope with their
concerns. A partcipant explained: as a single mother
who experienced domestc violence, has health issues
and languages barriers the volunteer has given me
a tremendous emotonal support that enables me cope
with my life. For more informaton please contact:
Phayza.fudlalla@theabbeycentre.org.uk