Showcasing Sutton's amazing organisations

Sutton is home to many groups and organisations that are part of what is sometimes called the ‘third sector’. These are voluntary and community organisations, including registered charities and other groups such as associations, self help groups and social enterprises. Often supported by the Council - and sometimes providing commissioned services to the Council - they are part of a network that helps make Sutton a friendly, caring and welcoming borough. Today I want to showcase four of these organisations as great examples of what we can do by working together. 

Playwise is a community company that gives help to children with disabilities and their families. Run by the indomitable Pam, Playwise offers a whole range of services for anyone who is supporting a child with an additional need or disability and who lives in the London Borough of Sutton. On Thursday, I took part in some summer fun with the children at The Grove in Carshalton - this included soaking the Leader of the Council with water pistols and balloons!

Earlier in the week I also visited Nickel Support (another community company supporting adults with learning difficulties). You may be familiar with their ‘Interestingly Different’ shop and pop-up cafe in Carshalton. In partnership with the Council, and with support from the Bloomfield Trust, they are now running a cafe at Whitehall in Cheam Village. Providing meaningful training and employment opportunities for adults with learning difficulties, the cafe is currently open Monday to Friday and well worth a visit for a taste of delicious coffee and home-baked cakes.

On Bank Holiday Monday, like many in Sutton, I spent the day at the EcoFair in Carshalton Park. EcoLocal is an independent charity that has run the fair in the park since the early 1990s. With live music and many stalls and activities, it is a mainstay of summer in Sutton.  EcoLocal run a wide range of community and charity projects in the borough, including the Farmers’ Market in Wallington and inclusive cycling at the David Weir Leisure Centre.

On the morning of the EcoFair, you’d also have caught me on the Fairtrade stall. Sutton has been a Fairtrade Town since 2007 and this is through the efforts of the local Fairtrade steering group. All volunteers of the group work hard to promote the benefits of supporting Fairtrade locally. Look out for more from Fairtrade Sutton with Fairtrade Fortnight between the 9th and 22nd September.

These are just some great examples of the partnerships that abound across Sutton that provide help and support to our residents and make Sutton a warm and friendly place to live.   There are many more and if you want to get more involved, click on the links in the article or get in touch with Volunteer Centre Sutton.

Leader of the Council,
Councillor Barry Lewis