We’re thrilled to announce our support for local projects in 2025 through our Community Grant Scheme. We received a fantastic number of applications, and we’re excited to be providing funding for 15 projects that are set to benefit our community.
The range of projects we’re supporting are varied, including music, signing, health and wellbeing, community gardens and one-off cultural events.
It was a tough decision with so many incredible applications, and we want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who applied. It’s clear there’s so much great work happening in our community.
Here are the list of projects we're funding and we will provide more information when the projects begin to launch. If you have any questions about the project or require any further detail, please contact info@norwoodforum.org
- The Shared Gaze art classes
- Unity in Action: Building Bridges with Norwood (Community Sparks Change in partnership with WN Library)
- Portobello Community Garden with Nature Vibezzz
- Holderness Way Community Garden
- Spring activity day with Friends of Norwood Park
- Moore House Farm
- Thurlow Hill Residents Association Community Day
- Elm Wood Primary School Playground Improvements and the Carnac Street Community Garden project
- Sustainable Sew Ins at Elmgreen Secondary School
- Singing Mamas South London: Targeted session for marginalised women
- A Small Studio’s Young Person work experience
- Rosendale Community Engagement Seniors Clubs and Sing4All
- Calm to CarryOn
Scroll down to read all about the projects.
Please note, this page is being updated.
Projects in progress
The Shared Gaze - community art sessions
The Shared Gaze offers inclusive drawing sessions in a bright, welcoming studio, led by a professional visual artist and Senior Tutor at the Royal College of Art, London. These group sessions encourage creativity, focus, and collaboration, providing a supportive space for:
- Young people who feel unsupported in mainstream education
- Women with caring responsibilities (babies welcome)
- Older adults experiencing isolation
Through shared creativity, The Shared Gaze fosters connection, reflection, and wellbeing. More information will be provided when these classes become available.
Community Sparks Change - Building Bridges with Norwood
The Unity in Action: Building Bridges with Norwood project is dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of those who live, work, or study in the Norwood community. At the heart of the initiative is a vibrant and inclusive Community Day, designed to bring people of all ages together through activities that support both physical and mental health.
The event will feature a range of interactive sessions - from boxing and dance to games - all aimed at encouraging active participation, boosting confidence, and promoting overall wellbeing. By creating opportunities for connection and shared positive experiences, the project seeks to strengthen neighbourly relationships and foster a deeper sense of community spirit in Norwood. More information will be provided when this event takes place.
Website: www.communitysparkschange.org/home
Holderness Way Community Garden
Holderness Way Community Garden is a project that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to thrive today. The goal is to repair and improve the existing raised beds by adding fresh compost, ensuring they remain productive for the community. If additional resources are available, the team plans to rebuild a small greenhouse, as the previous one was damaged by strong winds.
The garden is open to the public year-round, and the team welcomes visitors who are curious about what’s growing or who want to get involved. The primary benefit of the project is fostering community connections, with the added bonus of growing fresh fruits and vegetables for the local area.
Address: Holderness Way, Norwood, London SE27 0EU
Instagram: @holdernesswaygarden
Sustainable Sew Ins at Elm Green Secondary School
The project, organised by the Elm Green PTA, aims to improve the pre-loved uniform service for the Elm Green Secondary School community by using funding from Norwood Forum in two ways:
- Purchasing equipment like a steamer, storage boxes, and repair materials to enhance the uniform service and allow for better rejuvenation of second-hand uniforms.
- Facilitating 'Seasonal Sew-Ins' for parents and carers to come together and repair uniforms, promoting reuse and building community.
To contact the Elm Green PTA:
Email: elmgreentesa@gmail.com
Instagram: @theelmgreenschoolassociation
Singing Mamas South London - targeted singing session for marginalised women
Singing Mamas offers weekly sessions in Streatham and Herne Hill, which are accessible to all, though not specifically targeted at marginalised groups. With this grant, from Norwood Forum, Singing Mamas will partner with local organisations supporting marginalised women to provide free singing sessions in Norwood. This welcoming event is designed to create a supportive space for women to connect, recharge, and come together through singing. No prior singing experience is needed - everyone is welcome. Participants will also be offered bursary spaces in existing groups to ensure continued access.
When: Monday 28 April 2025, 11am - 12.30pm
Where: West Norwood Library
Website: https://linktr.ee/singingmamas.southlondon
Email: singingmamas.southlondon@gmail.com
Spring activity day with Friends of Norwood Park
Moore House Farm
Thurlow Hill Residents Association Community Day
Singing Mamas South London: Targeted session for marginalised women
Rosendale Community Engagement Seniors Clubs and Sing4All
Completed projects
Portobello Community Garden with Nature Vibezzz
Since receiving funding from the Community Grant Scheme, Nature Vibezzz has been running free Saturday afternoon family activities at Portobello Community Garden (Nature Vibezzz Hub). The funding has allowed for expanded equipment and tools, enabling a wider range of activities and accommodating more participants.
Originally attracting just a few families in early 2024, attendance has now grown to up to 30 participants per session, with numbers expected to rise. In 2025, 11 weekly family sessions have filled 75 adult and 135 children places, averaging 19 participants per session. A Saturday morning youth club for ages 12+ has also been introduced, with 5 sessions held so far and an average of 6 young people attending.
Address: Portobello Housing Estate Community Garden is located on Lakeview Road, West Norwood, SE27 0QH
Website: www.naturevibezzz.org
Elm Wood Primary School Playground Improvements and the Carnac Street Community Garden project
Elm Wood Playground Plant Up and Carnac Street Community Garden held two Sunday sessions where parents, children and residents planted flowerbeds and carried out playground maintenance. The sessions were highly successful, strengthening community ties and more are planned.
A Small Studio’s Young Person work experience