Winter Wellbeing Day held to support Waltham Forest residents

We teamed up with Eden Project Communities to hold a Winter Wellbeing Day at our Paradox Centre in Chingford.

Published: 20/12/2022

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OrganicLea and Eden Project Communities offered our residents meals of warming soup and healthy winter salads, as well as affordable recipe ideas, and seeds and bulbs to help encourage people to grow their own produce. 

Those attending were also able to access money management advice and information about volunteering opportunities in the borough. 

Zakia Din, one of our residents from Waltham Forest said: “My mother and I attended the event today and we sampled some of the soup which was very nice. Everyone was just so friendly, you always organise things so well at the Paradox Centre, and it's such a pleasure to come to the event and see everything for myself. 

“My mother absolutely loves the Tuesday wellbeing clubs here at the centre. She loves coming and there is always lots of nice things to do and she's met a lovely bunch of people and the fantastic teacher Penny. I just want to say thank you very much for making it very nice for people like us. Well done to all the team who were involved and thank you.” 

Ellie Ward, our Community Project Lead in Waltham Forest said: “It was fantastic to see the Waltham Forest community brave the snowy conditions to join our Winter Wellbeing Day. The Paradox Centre sits at the heart of the community and brings people of all ages together, with the under-fives attending the Soundcastle and Reading from the Start sessions and also our Wellbeing Café members who come here regularly to meet and share their experiences. I would like to thank all the incredible partners and volunteers who came together to make this event happen and we look forward to doing more events like this in the new year.” 

Lucy Abbott, Community Network Developer for Eden Project Communities, said: “Although times are hard for lots of people right now, at Eden Project Communities we know that by coming together, communities can make a difference. That’s why it was so fantastic to see community spirit in full swing at our Winter Wellbeing event at Chingford Hall Pantry this week. With a great range of community groups hosting activities and sharing their wisdom, the event was the perfect chance for local people to get into the festive spirit and hopefully pick up some inspiration for how to connect with their community in future.” 

Other service providers who also attended on the day included the Local Safer Neighbourhood Team who were on hand to offer crime prevention advice, Clean Slate CIC who were issuing money management advice and resources and Waltham Forest’s public health team who were promoting its sexual health, drugs and alcohol services.