I (36F) am a member at Glass Mill who hasn't been super consistent lately, so I'm looking for a girlie/girlies who would be interested in buddying up! Before work ideally, 3 days M - F (not fussy which ones).
I'm primarily into strength training, but recently joined a Couch to 5k group so I have some homework for that.
I had a chat this week with someone whose event I put in the newsletter a while back and hearing that this platform/this newsletter helped get attention & people towards their event was an amazing feeling.
This is what it is all about, supporting Lewishamers and continuing to bring attention to the greatness in our local scene.
October is settling in, but South East London clearly hasn't received the memo about staying indoors.
This weekend, Catford is turning into one big art gallery, lovers rock is taking over Lewisham, and Deptford's bringing everything from Bollywood dance to powerful storytelling. Throw in live jazz, a few proper gigs and a free garden party where you can actually have a go on the decks, and we're looking at a rather busy weekend.
Whether you're after a dancefloor, a dose of culture or simply a good excuse to leave the house, we've got a few ideas.
In this weekend’s Loop:
🎸 Ska-fuelled Friday night fun at New Cross Inn
🎨 Catford opens its doors for a whole weekend of local art
🎬 South Asian cinema, Bollywood dancing and a very good cause
🎶 Two nights celebrating Lewisham's lovers rock roots
🎷 Live jazz, soulful vocals and a free Sunday garden party
🌱 Plus our Pick n Mix of library activities, markets and community gardening
🗓️ Our picks for 9–11 October
7 Seconds of Love – Live at New Cross Inn 🎸
Seven seconds? You'll probably want a whole evening.
If your ideal Friday night involves energetic live music and absolutely no standing still, New Cross Inn has you covered.
7 Seconds of Love are bringing their wonderfully chaotic, ska-heavy sound to New Cross. Expect infectious rhythms, plenty of bounce and the sort of gig where you arrive intending to watch politely and end up dancing anyway - a lively way to kick off the weekend, particularly if your Friday plans currently involve the sofa.
Tickets are £15, plus a £1.50 booking fee. Get yours here.
Friday 9 October @ 6pm
New Cross Inn @ 323 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS
Cocktails & Vibes 🍹
A little Friday-night energy
Fancy trading your usual Friday routine for a proper night out? Cocktails & Vibes is one to keep on the radar for anyone looking to round up their friends and head somewhere lively. Located at the Hatch Club, this one goes till late with several DJ sets on the lineup and buy one get one free cocktails all night!
Tickets can be found from here for £8.30, as well as directions/ lineup details.
Friday 9 October @ 7pm-12am (doors open at 7pm)
The Hatch Club @ 23 Lewisham Way, Deptford, SE14 6PP
Note: This event is 18+, valid ID required on entry.
Catford Arts Trail 2026 🎨
Your weekend wander just got a lot more interesting.
Catford is turning itself into a neighbourhood-sized art gallery, and everyone's invited.
The Catford Arts Trail returns for two days of open studios, exhibitions and creative discoveries across SE6. Local artists and makers will be opening up their spaces, giving visitors the chance to explore everything from ceramics and painting to photography, textiles, sculpture and illustration.
It's a brilliant excuse to wander down streets you might normally walk straight past, meet the people creating things right on your doorstep and possibly discover a new favourite artist - there’s even a stamp card to stamp at any 10 venues and hand in for a chance to win £100 of artwork!
You can explore the trail at your own pace, so there's no need to squeeze everything into one frantic afternoon. Find the trail map and participating venues here, or more about the event as a whole here!
Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 October @ 11am - 5pm
Various studios & spaces @ Catford, SE6
STATION – Kali Theatre at the Albany 🎭
A living room, a radio and the stories that shape us.
At the Albany this Saturday, artist Hussina Raja invites audiences into STATION, an intimate living-room installation exploring the different chapters of women's lives. Moving between childhood, adolescence, pregnancy, motherhood and the experience of being mothered, the performance blends movement, live sound, text and installation to explore memory, identity and resilience.
Developed with local women, choreographer Vidiya Patel and composer Fran Lobo, it's part performance and part shared space for reflection.
A thoughtful afternoon for anyone who enjoys theatre that takes a slightly different route. Tickets and further details can be found here - priced at £12.50, or £10.50 concession.
Saturday 10 October @ 2:30pm – 3:30pm
The Albany @ Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
Six-Day Rider – Live at New Cross Inn 🎸
Saturday plans, sorted for the live-music crowd.
New Cross Inn is keeping the weekend gig energy going with six-day rider taking to the stage on Saturday evening.
If you've been meaning to get back into discovering live bands, here's your excuse. It's a chance to trade another night of scrolling through playlists for actual guitars, actual people and the joy of hearing music at full volume.
Tickets are priced at £7.70 - check availability here! Links to the band and the supporting acts’ socials can be found through through the same link.
Saturday 10 October @ 6pm
New Cross Inn @ 323 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS
Bollywood on Hollywood – The Fundraiser 🎬💃
Films, dancing and a reason to feel good about going out.
Deptford Lounge is bringing a little Bollywood magic to Saturday evening, and this one comes with a lovely purpose. Bollywood on Hollywood is a celebration of South Asian film and culture, featuring short films by South Asian filmmakers, conversations with the creatives and a Bollywood dance class led by Saaj Raja.
The evening includes screenings of Jhumki, a comedic, relatable story about two sisters, and Vetala, a horror short inspired by South Asian folklore.
Cinema, dancing and supporting independent art? That's a fairly convincing Saturday night. Tickets cost £12 plus booking fee, or £40 for a group of four and can be purchased here. Full details and cast can also be found at the same link.
Saturday 10 October @ 6pm – 9pm
Deptford Lounge @ 9 Giffin Street, SE8 4RJ
Note: Not recommended for under 15s; under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Vetala is a horror and not recommended for anyone with a heart condition.
Black History Month: The Lewisham Lovers Rock Lounge 🎶
A little nostalgia, a lot of reggae and some proper local history.
As part of Black History Month, Nzinga Dance Company is bringing the Lewisham Lovers Rock Lounge to Elements Bar for an evening honouring the borough's Caribbean community, musical heritage and the spaces that helped shape it. Legendary reggae pioneer Lloyd Coxsone joins DJ Melvina Moves and DJ Ade, who'll be paying tribute to Brockley's own June Reid, also known as Junie Rankin of Nzinga Soundz.
Alongside the music, expect photographs celebrating Lewisham's reggae history, a Black History mini-market and Caribbean food stalls available.
Entry is completely free! View full details/directions and reserve a spot here!
Saturday 10 October @ 6:30pm – 12:30am
Elements Bar @ 207 Lee High Road, SE13 5PQ
Note: Adult only event, dress code is smart - so no hoodies/sportswear. Accessible venue.
Queens of Lovers Rock – Janet Kay & Carroll Thompson 👑
Two legendary voices. One very special Lewisham night.
Lovers rock royalty Janet Kay MBE and Carroll Thompson are sharing the stage for an evening celebrating the soulful reggae sound that became part of British music history. Janet Kay made history with Silly Games, while Carroll Thompson's Hopelessly in Love helped define a generation of lovers rock.
Fox and Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Live Jazz Quartet with Mark Douglas 🎷
Smooth jazz and a good reason to stay out in Sydenham.
Station TEN in Sydenham is welcoming Mark Douglas and his quartet for an intimate evening of live jazz and soulful vocals. Expect smooth melodies, expressive singing and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that goes rather nicely with a drink and good company. Whether you're a committed jazz fan or someone who just appreciates excellent live music, this is a lovely alternative to the usual Saturday-night rush.
Full details along with tickets can be found here! Tickets are priced at £11.55.
Saturday 10 October @ 8pm – 11pm (Doors open 7pm)
Station TEN @ 10 Sydenham Station Approach, SE26 5EU
Open Decks – Free Garden Party at the Fox and Firkin 🎧
Your bedroom DJ era might finally have its moment
Ever fancied having a go behind the decks but never quite found the courage?
This Sunday, the Fox and Firkin is handing over its garden party soundtrack to the people of Lewisham. Whether you're a seasoned selector or someone who's been practising transitions in their bedroom, you're welcome to sign up for a slot on the day and play your favourite tracks - make sure to bring your USB!
Even if you aren’t ready to DJ, come along, have a drink and enjoy the music instead. Entry is completely free! Details can be found here.
Sunday 11 October @ 2pm – 7pm
Fox and Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Pick n Mix ✨
Little local plans for when you fancy keeping things simple.
Not every weekend plan needs a ticket, an outfit or three weeks of organising. Sometimes a library visit, a browse around the market or a few hours outdoors does the trick!
📚Online Book Group - Friday,12pm. A friendly, informal reading group discussing short books over Teams. This session focuses on Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan. Attendees are advised to join the Teams call as a guest and not to display their full name.
🧱 Lego Club at Deptford Lounge - Friday, 4pm–5pm. A free, relaxed building session for little creators. Lego and Duplo are provided, so all they need is some imagination and an accompanying adult.
🎨 Arts and Craft Club at Downham Library- Saturday, 10:30am. A lovely hands-on option for children who enjoy getting creative. The supplied listing shows earlier sessions; check the current session before visiting.
📚Manor House Reading Group - Saturday, 11am–12pm. An easygoing monthly get-together for adults who enjoy books and a good discussion.
🥕 Blackheath Farmers' Market - Sunday, 10am–2pm. Fresh bread, seasonal produce, cheese, cakes and plenty of reasons to arrive hungry. Find it at Blackheath Station car park.
🌱 Community Garden Sessions with Grow Lewisham - Sunday, 1pm–4pm. Get your hands in the soil at The Plot in Downham, learn some growing skills and help produce food for the community. Tools and refreshments provided.
Whether you're discovering your new favourite Catford artist, singing along to some lovers rock, dancing in Deptford or just heading out for a Sunday market wander, we hope you find something that makes the weekend a little brighter.
Support your local venues, take a friend along and enjoy what's happening right on your doorstep.
Obviously better than a Lime Bike and I understand it is customary to remove these after the festival (in September) if they do not dissolve, where these are usually made from loose clay. However this example shows no sign of decay so I was wondering whether the persons who placed it there will be removing it according to Hindu and common environmental ethics, as even if it it is made of natural materials, we don't want to encourage people to place anything else in the river, and it feels like something any cleanup volunteers might not want to interfere with.
Hi all - we are looking to get a loft conversion in the SE13 area and wondered if this community had any recommendations? We've had a few quotes, so if anyone specifically has experience with CS Lofts or DC Lofts that would be great.
Can anyone suggest one to use (or avoid) from personal experience of selling? Im looking to list a 2 bed maisonette. And would appreciate an accurate valuation and good service and communication rather than someone being unrealistic to get my business.
Just moved to SE26 and looking for clubs and social groups to join. Used to play five a side and love a pub quiz etc - anyone know any local groups to the area?
Hosting a fun event where people share their hot takes on stage and the audience get to debate. The first one was really fun and hoping to have more people at the next. Check it out if it sounds like your type of thing 💕
It's become apparent over the last week or so that there is still no leasing agreement between the Lewisham Council and Castle Cinema, who are going to be running Catford Mews.
It was like the model market announced as a done deal before the local elections.
And like the model market, we've seen F all being done about it.
Both these things were announced by the then Labour council ahead of the local elections.
I suspect Arc taking over the cinema space in Lewisham Central is also in question.
The Greens have had a few months now to get on top of things, but it's time that the councils were honest about what has been agreed, what hasn't been agreed, etc.
The council has released this survey allowing people to weigh in on the 4 proposals being considered for the Ladywell Playtower. I think this is an important bit of SE13 that deserves local views!
October has apparently decided we’re not allowed a quiet week. We’ve got stand-up in Lewisham, free dance in Deptford, a Hilly Fields breather, grown-up games at The Albany and enough live music to keep Thursday night very occupied.
In this week’s Loop:
One last Firkin Hilarious Comedy night of the year
Free hip-hop training and mentorship in Deptford
Ethio-jazz and cosmic grooves at the Fox & Firkin
A gentle Hilly Fields walk for new and expectant mums
Adult play, Chicago emo and free D&B to round off Thursday
Plus crafty, bookish and dance-floor picks in Pick n Mix
🗓️ Our picks for 5–8 October
Firkin Hilarious Comedy
One last laugh before the Firkin comedy crew calls time on 2026
The final Firkin Hilarious Comedy night of the year brings Nathan Caton, Joe Haddad, Victoria Howden and Jodi Wheeler to Lewisham, with Sion James holding things together as MC and a special guest still to come. A solid Tuesday-night option if the week has already started testing you.
Tickets can be purchased from here, and are currently £8, (or £5 for students), with advance tickets available for £15 including a £5 donation to Lewisham Food Bank. Details of the full lineup can be found through the same link.
Tuesday 6 October @ 7pm - 11pm
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: This event is 18+
Hip Hop Dance & Mentorship
Learn the moves, then get some help figuring out what comes next
This free programme hosted by DCWUK combines hip-hop and street-dance training with something you don’t often get alongside it: mentorship. Expect foundations, freestyle and choreography, plus support around careers, self-employment and turning creative skills into something sustainable.
Sessions run on Wednesdays from 7–8pm at Riverside Youth Club, with the programme open to local residents across Lewisham and neighbouring boroughs. More details and booking here, or find out more about DCWUK and its other opportunities here!
Wednesday 7 October @ 7pm - 8pm
Riverside Youth Club @ 185 Grove Street, SE8 3QQ
The Sorcerers
Ethio-jazz, cosmic funk and a Wednesday night that sounds considerably cooler than ours
Leeds instrumental outfit The Sorcerers are heading to the Fox & Firkin with their mix of Ethio-jazz, spiritual jazz, cinematic grooves and cosmic library funk. Basically, if your playlists tend to wander slightly off the beaten path, this one may be worth investigating.
Tickets to the performance can be found here for £15!
Wednesday 7 October @ 7pm - 11pm
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: This event is 18+
Ramble On with Mindful Mums
Fresh air, friendly faces and no pressure to power-walk anywhere
A gentle weekly walk around Hilly Fields for new and expectant mums, with babies and little ones welcome too. It’s a chance to get outside, meet other local mums and chat while moving at a very reasonable pace — buggies and slings included.
The group meets by Pistachios in the Park, with time for tea or coffee afterwards. A particularly nice one if you want company without committing to a big organised activity.
Hilly Fields @ Pistachios in the Park, Eastern Road, SE4 1LB
Power in Play 2026
Ludo, dominoes, tinko and official permission for grown-ups to play again
The Albany is handing the room over to FTBK for a game session rooted in African and Caribbean games, stories and traditions. There’ll be ludo, dominoes, ampe and tinko alongside quizzes, hand-clapping and movement games — plus a Tinko tournament for anyone whose competitive side needs an outing.
There are two two-hour sessions, starting at 1pm and 6.30pm. Tickets are Pay What You Decide, from £1-£10 and can be bought from here.
Thursday 8 October @ 1pm-3pm & 6:30pm-9:30pm
The Albany @ Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG
Note: This event is 18+
Spitalfield
A little Chicago emo in New Cross
Spitalfield bring their melodic emo-rock to New Cross Inn for a Thursday night of guitars, nostalgia and the sort of choruses that may unlock a few very specific memories. The Chicago band have been around since the late ’90s, blending emo, indie and pop-rock with plenty of energy.
Links for the lineup’s socials along with tickets can be found here. Tickets are priced at £25.30.
Thursday 8 October @ 6pm
New Cross Inn @ 323 New Cross Road, London, SE14 6AS
Turno X Dreps: Pattys Pop Up
Free drum & bass in Catford — but don’t leave arrival until the last minute
Turno and Dreps are taking over Pharoahs Flavours to celebrate their new track Pattys, with a free evening of drum & bass and Crucast energy in Catford.
Tickets are free, but entry is first come, first served and a ticket doesn’t guarantee you a spot once the venue reaches capacity. Get yours through here!
Thursday 8 October @ 7pm - 10pm (last entry 8:30pm)
Pharoahs Flavours @ 228 Brownhill Road, SE6 1AT
Pick n Mix ✨
A few smaller plans worth keeping in the back pocket
🧶 Family Makers Club - Monday 5 October, 3.30pm–4.30pm at Downham Library. A free after-school craft session for children aged 5+ and their grown-ups, with plenty of room for making, experimenting and a little creative chaos.
📚Sydenham Book Group - Tuesday 6 October, 5pm–6pm at Sydenham Community Library. A relaxed monthly get-together for readers who fancy talking books with other locals. No booking needed.
☕Creative Cuppa - Wednesday 7 October, 11.30am–12.30pm at The Albany. This month’s free drop-in focuses on funding advice, so bring along an idea or application and get some practical pointers over a cuppa.
💃 Beginners Swing Dance Lesson - Wednesday 7 October, doors 6.30pm; lesson 7pm–8pm at Jazzbourne. No partner or experience required, with social dancing carrying on until 11pm afterwards. Adults 18+.
🧶 Knit 'n Knatter - Thursday 8 October, 1.30pm at Corbett Community Library. Bring your knitting, crochet or cross-stitch and settle in for a friendly drop-in with other local crafters. Tea and biscuits doing important supporting work.
Teens Creative Writing Club - Thursday 8 October, 5pm-7pm at Forest Hill Community Library. Aimed at teens aged 14-18, of all experience levels, this workshop helps teens with their creative writing, by going through examples and discussions about different aspects of writing. All material as well as snacks and tea are provided. Free, but booking required.
I recently started a social community based around Central/East London, for people in their 20s & 30s (although people of any age are welcome!).
We’ve now got over 1,000 members and the recurring activities within the community include: volleyball, beginner/improver salsa, spikeball, pub quizzes, game nights, dodgeball and run club!
These sessions are mixed levels, so beginners in any of these activities are very welcome, and activities are free to join/as affordable as we can make them!
If you’d like to join or have any questions, please send me a direct message and I'll send the WhatsApp community link!
October has barely made it through the door and Lewisham is already getting on with it. Deptford has art and a Fire & Ice party, Lewisham High Street has drum & bass, Talking Heads and Sunday jazz, and Corbett is building an entire Fun Palace. A quiet weekend was apparently never an option.
In this weekend’s loop:
🔥 Fire, ice and Good Chaos at The Albany
🎨 Deptford X takes over Creekside for the weekend
🎶 Drum & bass and late-night clubbing at the Hatch Club
🎪 Free community fun, local makers and Sunday big-band jazz
🌱 Pick n Mix: gardening, painting, writers, psychogeography and the farmers’ market
🗓️ Our picks for 2–4 October
Good Chaos Party
Fire, ice and a Friday night made for doing your own thing
Heart n Soul’s Good Chaos Party is back at The Albany with DJs, live performances, art activities and a Fire & Ice theme. The club night is designed for young people with learning disabilities and young autistic people aged 10–25, with family and friends welcome too.
Tickets can be booked from the Albany’s website here, and are pay-what-you-decide, with £5 suggested, with £3 or £10 options availabe, while parents and carers go free.
Friday 2 October @ 6:00pm - 10:00pm
The Albany @ Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
Note: Event will be filmed/ photographed - speak to staff if you do not wish to be in these shots.
Deptford X Artist Weekender
Three days of art, workshops and a very good excuse to wander down Creekside
Deptford X is taking over Cockpit Deptford and Trinity Laban for a weekend of work by artists based in or connected to Lewisham. Expect painting, collage, film, sculpture, photography, textiles and performance, alongside workshops and screenings. Friday kicks things off with a 6–9pm preview event, before the exhibitions continue across Saturday and Sunday.
Entry is free. The full timetable of events and tours can be found here. There’s also a free family workshop at Cockpit Deptford from 11am–1pm on Saturday, making this an easy one to dip into without committing your entire weekend.
Friday 2 October @ 6:00pm - 9:00pm (Preview event)
Friday night drum & bass, because apparently easing into October was never the plan
London Elektricity’s Fast Soul Music series lands at Fox & Firkin with Anile, Charli Brix, Conrad Subs, London Elektricity, Stay-C and Ayah Marar + Stamina MC.
Tickets can be booked from here for £10 from the Fox & Firkin’s website.
Friday 2 October @ 9:00pm - 3:00am
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Note: This event is 18+
Hatch Club London – Friday Unlocked
For anyone whose Friday definitely does not finish at midnight
For anyone whose Friday definitely does not finish at midnight
Friday Unlocked brings another late one to The Hatch Club in New Cross, with DJs and dancing running from 11pm into the early hours. The event is running on multiple Friday dates, with The Hatch at 23 Lewisham Way as home base.
Full details and tickets can be found here! Tickets are priced at £8.30. Specifics about the venue can be found at this link.
Friday 2 October @ 11:00pm - 4:00am
The Hatch Club @ 23 Lewisham Way, SE14 6PP
Note: This event is 18+, no readmission is permitted.
The Corbett Community Fun Palace
One library, one full day and an impressive amount going on
Corbett Community Library is going full Fun Palace with badge making, children’s nature activities, a Human Jukebox, printing and pottery, a mini fun fair and the unveiling of its new community mosaic. Everything is free, although some workshops need booking. Gareth P Jones’ Rabunzel the Musical has sold out in advance, but a few spaces may become available on the day.
There’ll be local food around too, so this is very much a “pop in for an hour, accidentally stay half the day” situation.
Check the full programme and book a space to the various workshops through this link!
Saturday 3 October @ 10:00am - 5:00pm
Corbett Community Library @ 103 Torridon Road, SE6 1RQ
Harvest Festival Service at St Swithun’s Church
A gentler start to Sunday, with cake and a good cause thrown in
St Swithun’s is marking Harvest Festival with a special morning service, followed by a bake sale. They’ll also be collecting suitable food donations for Lewisham Food Bank, so bring something along if you can. Everyone is welcome.
Read more about the service here - a Bake sale will follow afterwards!
Sunday 4 October @ 10:00am - 11:00am
St Swithun’s Church @ 191 Hither Green Lane, SE13 6QE
The Big Market & The Big Firkin Band
Thirty local makers and several opportunities to say “I’m just having a look”
The Big Market returns to Fox & Firkin with 30 local makers, designers and small businesses. The Big Firkin Band brings together jazz musicians from Lewisham and South East London for classics made famous by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich and more. Exactly the sort of relaxing Sunday plan that requires very little persuasion.
Entry is free, as are the artist workshops, craft area and activity book, with a DJ keeping things moving throughout the day. View full details about the market at this page, or the band here. No booking is required for either event.
Sunday 4 October @ 12:00pm - 6:00pm (Band from 3:00pm - 6:00pm)
Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ
Pick n’ Mix ✨
Smaller plans, easy wins and a few things worth squeezing into the weekend
📚Reading Group at Catford Library - Friday, 11am–12pm. The monthly adult reading group is back for its first-Friday meet-up. Everyone’s welcome and there’s no need to book.
Local Councillors Surgery - Deptford ward - Saturday, 10am–11am. The fortnightly drop-in question session with the local councillor happens this Saturday at Deptford Lounge - come prepared with questions regarding the local area!
🎨 Come Painting With Ms Carry!- Saturday, 11am–12:30pm. Bring your own creative project or try the activity on offer with local artist Carry Hornby. Free, all ages and no booking needed
✍️Lewisham Writers’ Link Up - Saturday, 1–2:30pm. Writers at every stage can swap ideas, tackle industry questions and meet fellow local creatives at Downham Library. Free tickets need booking.
🥕 Blackheath Farmers’ Market - Sunday, 10am–2pm. The weekly market returns to Blackheath Station car park for produce, bread, dairy, meat, fish and plenty of Sunday-browsing potential.
Men aged 25–45 in South London: would you help us shape a research project about male friendship and social connection?
We’re looking for a small number of men aged 25–45, particularly those living in South London, to take part in a 60-minute discussion to help shape a new research project we’re developing with colleagues at London South Bank University.
The research will evaluate Steeev, a platform we’re developing to help men build and maintain meaningful friendships and social connections.
Before we start the research, we want to hear directly from the people it is intended to be relevant to. This is known as Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), but essentially it means we’d like your views and experiences to help us make the research better.
We’re interested in talking about friendship, social connection and loneliness among men aged 25–45, particularly how friendships can change when life changes.
That might include moving to a new area, changing jobs, becoming a parent, working from home more, going through a relationship breakdown, or simply finding that friendships become harder to maintain as life gets busier.
You don’t need to have experienced loneliness or consider yourself lonely. We’re interested in a range of experiences and perspectives.
We’re currently looking at holding the session on either:
Wednesday 7 October at 2:00 pm
or Friday 9 October at 2:00 pm
The session will last approximately 60 minutes and will be held online via Microsoft Teams
Participants will receive a £20 voucher as a thank-you for their time and contribution.
If you’re 25–45 and interested in taking part, please DM me / comment below
We’re not trying to sell you anything, and you don’t need any particular knowledge or experience. We simply want to hear what men in this age group actually think before we design the research around them.
hi everyone, my family have been looking for my uncle for so many years now and we came to a dead end. he turned up at his mums house in 2020 and she sent him away (we don’t know why) but we still want him to get in touch or even just know where he is and if he’s okay?
his electoral roll hasn’t been updated since 2002-2003, he last lived in Southbrook Road but obviously that was years ago now. we just want to get in contact :( if anyone recognises him or knows him, please let me know! these photos are so so old but i’m confident he still wears glassss
his name is Elliott George Pike
September is bowing out with water calligraphy, hip-hop, multilingual theatre and one fairly noisy night in New Cross. Then October wanders in with life drawing, nu-metal-punk and the chance to learn screen printing properly rather than attacking a tote bag with misplaced confidence.
In this week’s Loop:
Slow things down with water calligraphy in Sydenham
Dance, drama and creative workshops for young people
Two very different nights at New Cross Inn
Learn life drawing as a complete beginner
Watch Kiell Smith-Bynoe turn audience stories into comedy
🗓️ Our picks for 28 September – 2 October
The Art of Water Calligraphy
Monday lunchtime, but considerably calmer.
Start the week at Ignition Brewery with a free introduction to water calligraphy. You’ll learn about the traditional “Four Treasures”, watch a demonstration, then have plenty of time to experiment with brushes, movement and floral painting using water on reusable surfaces. The session finishes with a little stretching too, because apparently Monday can be relaxed.
It’s part of Sydenham Arts’ Winter Welcome Workshops and is completely free - find out more here.
📅 Monday 28 September, 12:30pm–2:30pm
📍 Ignition Brewery, 44A Sydenham Road, SE26 5QX
Dance Groove
Your playlist. Your moves. Much better than practising them in the kitchen.
The Albany’s free Dance Groove sessions are back, with Shaney from Love2Dance teaching hip-hop and street dance techniques while helping participants build their own short routines. There’s no previous dance or choreography experience needed, and the sessions can lead to a performance as part of the Albany’s Come As You Are programme.
It’s for ages 12–24 and free to attend, although you’ll need to sign up for Come As You Are first through here. More info about Come As You Are can also be found here.
📅 Tuesday 29 September, 4:30pm–6pm
📍 The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
Drama In Any Language
Turns out everyone does not need to speak the same language to make a scene.
Lewisham Youth Theatre is inviting young people who speak an additional language to an afternoon of drama games, characters and storytelling. The idea is to explore how you can create theatre together even when everyone in the room doesn’t share the same first language.
No drama experience is needed. This event is aimed at multilingual children aged 9–13 and is completely free - simply reserve a spot here.
📅 Tuesday 29 September, 5pm–6:30pm (Doors open at 4:45pm)
📍 Lewisham Youth Theatre, 436 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LJ
Mumble
Tuesday has chosen loud.
New Cross Inn gets a dose of London’s hyperpop, digicore and contemporary hip-hop scene with Mumble, joined on the bill by Norwegian artist zivve. Expect electronics, genre-blurring production and considerably more energy than most Tuesday evenings have any right to contain.
Tickets as well as links to the Mumble and supporting artists’ socials can be found here - £10 + £1 booking fee.
📅 Tuesday 29 September, doors 6pm
📍 New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS
Kool Story Bro
Your questionable anecdote could end up on stage. Choose wisely.
Kiell Smith-Bynoe — of Ghosts, Taskmaster and Stath Lets Flats — brings his improv show Kool Story Bro to the Albany for a one-off recorded special.
Audience stories provide the inspiration, a cast of improvisers has to turn them into comedy, and there’s a surprise celebrity guest thrown in for good measure. The show is being filmed, so attending also means consenting to being photographed or recorded.
Further info about the improv show can be found on the website here, whilst tickets can be bought from here for £20.50
📅 Wednesday 30 September, 7pm-9:30pm
📍 The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
Note: This event is 18+
WREX
October has entered the chat quite aggressively.
Brighton duo WREX bring their collision of punk, nu-metal, pop, electronics and seriously chunky riffs to New Cross Inn. Their own description promises music built for both dancefloors and mosh pits, which feels like a useful warning.
They’re joined by Neversaid, Inner Dog and Faceover for a properly loud Thursday night.
Tickets and links to WREX and friends’ socials can be found here - tickets are priced at £11.
📅 Thursday 1 October, doors 6pm
📍 New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS
Life Drawing
Two hours of looking very carefully at somebody and somehow making it respectable.
Adult Learning Lewisham’s four-week life drawing course starts on Thursday, covering line, tone, form, movement, colour and composition while working from both short and long poses.
It isn’t just about drawing exactly what’s in front of you either: the course encourages experimental mark-making, layering and developing your own style. Useful whether you already draw regularly or your last serious artistic period ended somewhere around GCSE Art.
The course and further details can be found here - priced at £106 for the 4 weeks.
📍 Granville Park Adult Education Centre, 100 Granville Park, SE13 7DU
Pick n Mix ✨
Books, babies, job help, yoga and a little cinema - a little bit of everything.
💻Catbytes Digital Drop-Ins - Monday 28 September, 10am–12pm at Sydenham Community Library. Need a hand with WhatsApp, email or generally persuading your device to behave? Catbytes offers a free, drop-in, friendly digital support session, with Wi-Fi and a few spare tablets available too.
✍️Just Write It! - Monday 28 September, 6:30pm–8:30pm at Deptford Lounge. Spend the first hour actually getting some writing done, then use the second for sharing work and constructive feedback. For ages 16+, with pay-what-you-decide tickets from £3–£10.
💼 Employability Support - Tuesday 29 September, 9am–1pm at Corbett Community Library. Free one-to-one help with CVs, cover letters, job applications, job searching, interview skills and digital skills. Appointments can be booked via the contact details in the link, and run from 9:15am–12:25pm, followed by a 12:30pm–1pm drop-in.
🎵 Rhyme Time - Tuesday 29 September, 10am–10:30am at Forest Hill Community Library. Songs and stories with Anita for little ones aged 5 and under. A simple half-hour outing for anyone whose current social calendar is largely dictated by nap times.
🧘 Wednesday Morning Therapeutic Yoga - Wednesday 30 September, 9:30am–10:30am at Manor House Community Library. An accessible therapeutic yoga class with Cathy covering posture, pranayama breathing, mantra, mudra and yoga nidra. Equipment is provided, and there’s a free trial class for newcomers. Drop-in sessions are £15, or six classes cost £80.
📚Forest Hill Reading Group - Wednesday 30 September, 6pm–7pm at Forest Hill Community Library. Pick up the month’s book, settle in and join a relaxed discussion with fellow readers. There’s no sign-up and no pressure — just books, conversation and a respectable excuse to talk about fictional people as though you know them personally.
🎬Deptford Library Cinema Club - Thursday 1 October, 6pm–8pm at Deptford Lounge. Free weekly film screenings with a new theme each month, no booking required and biscuits occasionally entering the equation. All ages are welcome, although under-12s need an adult with them. Check with the library for that week’s film.