Lee Green Lives – who we are

Lee Green Lives (LGL) is a community group that aims to support the local community in Lee Green, Lewisham. We run activities and services targeting the economically and socially disadvantaged at a community centre.

We began life in 2010 in an old disused unit in the declining Leegate shopping precinct to help breathe some life into it before it was pulled down by the developers. We succeeded, thanks to the hard work of a small band of volunteers and part-time workers, and by working with other traders and services to keep the precinct open. Thanks to a partnership with St Peter’s Church, we continue to host a wide range of activities and services in a community hall (Weigall Road, SE12 8HQ).

What we do

Our “doors always open” ethos has largely targeted the needs of people experiencing economic and social difficulties. The Cost-of-Living crisis impacts on many, affecting not just their finances, but also their mental health. Numbers, which dropped during and after Covid, have risen again to over 2000 visits annually and to over 400 individual visits to the centre a year. This reflects an ever-growing need, particularly since the economic downturn.

The range of activities and services include exercises for older people, sewing and healthy cookery classes, and a digital (computer) walk-in. In addition, Lee Fair Share, the local time bank, runs a Coffee & Chat session and a range of social and physical activities.

All these have operated around a Support & Advocacy service that helps several hundred people annually with benefits, housing and other issues that overwhelm them. This service is held at the same time as our Warm/Welcome Space project that helps people keep warm while overcoming loneliness and isolation, so often key to their sense of well-being.

Lee Green Lives, because we believe that “a stronger community is an engaged community”, also facilitates a local network of community groups, Lee Green Consortium, consisting of 15 organisations ranging from park user groups and a refugee support group to other community halls, the library and arts groups.