We aim to support any local resident who is having any kind of crisis by helping them to look at their problem or problems and either coming up with a solution or signposting them to a service that can support them.

We have successfully supported people (families, couples or single people) who are:-

•  in danger of losing their home
• in rent arrears / debt
• struggling on a low income / have no income
• having landlord or disrepair problems
• feeling depressed due to losing a loved one
• experiencing a mental health problem and are not sure where to turn
• having problems talking to their GP about a health problem, including chronic illness
• being sanctioned by the Job Centre
• having problems filling out a form – including benefits and appeals
• having relationship problems – husband / wife, children, neighbours, etc
• feeling lonely and lacking energy to go out
• having problems at work or school / college

We offer a professional, confidential service which is delivered by trained staff who have experience of working in social care and mental health.

This service runs on Thursdays from 11 to 4.00pm at Lee Green Community Centre.

You can drop in to make an appointment whenever the community centre is open or call us on 0207 998 1004 / email support@lgl.org.uk. We can also offer phone support for residents who cannot leave their home.

No problem is too big or too small and if we can’t help you, we probably know someone who can!

How do you get it published? Not easy if you have no track record, can’t find an agent or can’t afford to buy a publishing house. Or at least that used to be the situation. Now new digital technology has put publishing within reach of almost anyone who has anything to say. If you have a book in you, then that book can reach its public in both printed and digital form.

At Lee Green Lives we run classes to help the novice writer to prepare their manuscript, format it for publication in digital and print modes and submit it to publishing platforms like Amazon and Lightning Source so that it is available to anyone who wants to read it.

The classes are held on Monday mornings from 10.00 to 12.00 at the Lee Green Community Centre. You can join at any time. There is a charge of £2 per session which goes towards the running costs of the Centre.

The classes are run by Pat Coyne, who has managed a number of publishing companies, including the magazine New Statesman. He is currently Chief Executive of The Electric Book Company, which operates online libraries and publishes books in print and digital formats.

LGL financial accounts 2018-19 (PDF)

Members of the Trustees of Lee Green Lives

Laura Cheek

Pat Coyne, Chair

Simon Higgs

Simon Hooks

Jim Mallory Chair

Caroline Mayow

Frances Migniuolo

James Rathbone Treasurer

Maureen Russell

Ralph White

Fundraising for Lee Green Lives has been ongoing and we have fortunately gained some small pots of funding from several trusts, including the Foyle Foundation, the Cooperative Community Trust, Awards for All, The Small and Faith Fund and the borough’s Neighbourhood Community Development Partnership (NCDP) which has enabled us continue to support and develop our program. The essential work covered has been the Advocacy Support Service, the Benefits Advice session and towards the payment of some of the sessional teachers. 

Last year we lost our Knitting teacher Julia Gemie after eight years of voluntary teaching (now replaced by Amanda Allen) and our Sewing teacher Clemencia Pacquette, who has been unwell (replaced by Karen Huggins) plus we’ve a new literacy teacher Alex Peach. All the classes are thriving with good attendance especially the seniors’ seated exercise which has doubled numbers, with the extra session being supported by the borough’s Neighbourhood Community Development Project grant.

Amanda has been responsible for developing a mural project with the Knitting class which will be decorating the windows of the project at the beginning of the autumn term. We were able to display the ‘results so far’ at both Manor House Gardens Festival and Lewisham People’s Day.

Helen Nicholas

Our ‘Mission Statement’ was drawn up in activities and discussions by users, volunteers, workers and trustees to put into words the values we all feel the Community Centre should be about.

Our vision
Our vision is for a safer, stronger and more cohesive community with opportunities for self-development and growth accessible to all.

Our mission
We aim to offer opportunities, advice and support for local people to work, play, think and learn together, and to address economic and social disadvantage for mutual benefit, health and well-being.

Our goals
To provide activities for the benefit of local people, especially the elderly, young people and people experiencing social or economic disadvantage with a focus on wellbeing, health, mental health, learning and opportunities to socialise

For several years Lee Fair Share’s theme has been Health and Well-Being, taking the holistic view – including mind, body and spirit. The First Aid course proved extremely successful with over 20 people attending.

The Pilates classes have continued and Lee Fair Share hoped to facilitate a Chair Exercise for elders after Coffee, Cake and Company but unfortunately we have been unable to find a qualified tutor.

Lee Fair Share runs two walking group for the Lee Green Community: the Monday afternoon Tortoise Stroll around Leegate for the less able with mobility problems, and the Hare Walk on Thursday afternoons, walking faster and further afield. Thanks go to Linda Mallory who continues to be a support at Coffee, Cake and Company and Lee Green Lives for supporting the Lee Fair Share activities.

Lorraine Spenceley

Lee Manor Society takes an active interest in the Lee Manor Conservation area and its immediate surroundings which include Lee Green and Leegate.

We have positively supported the Lee Green Community Centre from the outset and some of our members have contributed time and energy to the work of the Centre’s Committee (Trustees).  We have also valued our access to the Community Centre facilities for our occasional evening meetings – it is readily accessible, conveniently local and is offered at a very reasonable rate – a surprisingly rare mix of attributes in the locality!

The Society actively supports the move to establish the Community Centre as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and some of our members have offered their services as Trustees of the new organisation when it comes into being.

Ralph White

Seventeen local organisations work together under Lee Green Assembly’s banner of “Our community, our say” to create a safer, healthier and better environment while providing activities and services for local people.

Founded in 2016 by Friends of Manor House Gardens, Lee Manor Society and Lee Green Lives, the Consortium has looked for ways of supporting the dozens of volunteers who give their time freely to support local activities that enable people to enjoy healthier lives while having fun, and others to overcome loneliness and isolation, or advice and information for people in need.

Before the COVID pandemic, the groups organised the annual Showcase event at Manor House Gardens Festival, with funding from Lee Green Assembly. The Gardens Festival, held annually, regularly attracted more than a thousand visitors, many of whom passed through the marquee.

Since then, the Consortium’s members have stayed in touch through email exchanges and the occasional remote meeting. Its work is facilitated by Lee Green Lives. It has recently expanded with the addition of Arts Network and GRACE joining in 2021.

Members of the Consortium
Friends of Manor House Gardens
Lee Green Lives (LGL)
Lee Manor Society
Users and Friends of Manor House Library
Friends and Users of Staplehurst Shops (FUSS)
Lee Fair Share Time Bank
Lee Forum
Lee Green Open Studios
Lee Green Women’s Institute
Lochaber Hall Association
Manor House Library
Manor Park Friends
Newstead Tenants and Residents Association
Soul Refresh Café, Leegate
Leegate Traders Forum
Arts Network
GRACE (Greenwich Refugee Aid & Community Enterprise) Charity Shop, Leegate

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Who’s who in Lee Green Consortium

Friends and Users of Staplehurst Shops (FUSS)
FUSS was formed some 15 years ago to reinvigorate the run-down Staplehurst area in front of Hither Green. Volunteers liaise with the Council and shops, planted trees, installed planters. FUSS runs the successful annual Christmas Fair – featuring a giant tree, community activities and stalls – and other fairs to raise money and to sustain the area. Contact: fusspot100@gmail.com

Friends of Manor House Gardens
A group of volunteers whose purpose is to increase use and enjoyment of the park, consulting regularly with Lewisham Council and Glendale to make improvements that benefit the whole community. Their work includes developing and hosting community events, including the massive annual summer festival, maintaining a community garden, reporting and resolving user issues and encouraging better biodiversity. Contact: friendsofmanorhousegardens@gmail.com

Lee Fair Share (LFS)
A Time Bank in the Lee and Hither Green area, offering local people the chance to make friends and know their neighbours. Every hour you spend helping someone gets you a Time Credit entitling you to support with something else. Helping someone in their garden might get you help with your computer. Activities include Coffee, Cake & Company featuring games, refreshments and friendships. Contact: leefairshare@hotmail.com

Lee Forum
Run for and by local people. You can influence the future of our area – help protect green spaces or guide building of homes and community spaces for example through Lee’s Neighbourhood Plan, drafted by Lee Forum and now in its final consultation stage. Once agreed, the Plan will be adopted by Lewisham and Greenwich councils, and guide their planning decisions. Contact: leeforum@info.org.uk

Lee Green Lives (LGL)
A group that runs the community centre in Leegate, SE12 8SS. They transformed an empty unit into a vibrant hub of activities for all needs, ages and backgrounds. Activities include computer and literacy classes, sociable tea-and-chat, sewing, exercises for older people, and a drop-in advice & support service. A major community resource, providing skills and experience for volunteers while supporting local groups throughout the area. Contact: info@lgl.org.uk

Lee Green Open Studios (LGOS)
Studios celebrating high-quality artists based in the area. Local homes, businesses, library and hall are open to the public with a chance to see and purchase amazing artwork created in the area, including paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, sculptors, jewellers and more. Held annually usually over two weekends in November. Contact: leegreenopenstudios18@gmail.com

Lee Green Women’s Institute (WI)
A friendly group of local women who get together to create, chat, draw, drink, listen, protest, get inspired, read and learn. Come and join us to learn new skills, to get involved with our neighbourhood – and have a laugh. Meet monthly. Website: www.leegreenwi.co.uk

Lee Manor Society (LMS)
Lee Manor Society was established in 1976 to care for the conservation area of Lee Manor – a well-preserved example of a planned Victorian suburb with homes, schools, shops, a pub and a church. It has since widened to include much of Lee Green. Central to the society is the 18th century Manor House and its grounds, now a community library and park. Contact: ralphmailing@gmail.com

Leegate Traders Forum
Group of traders in Leegate shopping centre, formed by businesses occupying units on short-term leases, promoting their services and working to ensure developers recognise their strengths and commitment. Contact: hugh@se12woodworks.co.uk

Lochaber Hall Community Association
Community Centre, Manor Lane Terrace, SE13 5QL, is a Grade II listed building managed by a small committee of local volunteers. There are two halls, one large and one small. Both are available for hire and have disabled access and toilets. Contact (for enquiries or bookings): lochaberhall@gmail.com

Manor House Library
34 Old Road, SE13 5SY. Georgian building, extensively refurbished, now a community library – open seven days a week – with access to over 5m books. Hosts community activities, reading groups for children, book groups for adults, printing and photocopying facilities. Contact: 020 8463 0420; www.mhlibrary.co.uk

Manor Park Friends (MPF)
Manor Park Friends works for all its users to improve Manor Park, which features River Quaggy, a small woodland, play area and arts cafe. We fundraise for improvements (drinking fountain, plants and gardening equipment). Activities and events include picnics, arts and crafts, litter picks, gardening sessions and other fun environmental education. Contact: manor parkfriends@gmail.com

Users and Friends of Manor House Library
The group was formed in 1999 to withstand threatened closure of Manor House Library. The successful campaign resulted in massive public investment to renovate the building. Since then, it was on the Mayor’s Commission for Libraries and Learning 2008/09 and continued to campaign for local and other libraries. Contact: mhlibraryusers@yahoo.co.uk

Arts Network
Located in Leegate, Arts Network provides a supportive welcoming space for individuals and workshops and other activities to explore their creativity, socialise and feel part of the community. Our free service is primarily aimed at people who have severe mental illness, and focuses on those who are isolated and have little or no resources or support. Contact: info@artsnetwork.org.uk

GRACE (Greenwich Refugee Aid & Community Enterprise)
Charity Shop, 18 Leegate SE12 8SS. Drop off in-store from Tuesday-Friday 9:30am -2pm
Clothes for people of all ages, particularly children, domestic appliances, etc. Contact: 0208 062 8741 (please call during shop opening hours); aid@graceaid.org.uk