Testimonials

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

WAC has been a unique location to bring Lambeth and wider London communities together. My personal experience stems from participation in London School of Samba classes since 2009. However, I am also aware of the many other cultural events taking place there, including arts classes and church services. If WAC goes, it cannot be easily replaced and cultural activities and community events will be lost.

What would WAC be replaced with? City office space? Upmarket investment lofts? This does not seem to reflect the post-pandemic zeitgeist of home-office and a general move away from city centres, whereas WAC would provide a space for community that people had to live without in their effort to protect public health.

Lambeth must not join the Super League of greedy councils.

Graham Farrell

Posted on 23 April 2021

I been using the Waterloo Action Centre every Sunday for 16 years and and I looking forward to Post Pandemic to take the Pain of

the last year away by engaging in my activities and meetin old friends that live in disparate parts of the City, Country, and even

overseas.

i came early at 3 pm every single Sunday to take the instruments out and tidy the Rooms for our enjoyable activities that culminated

in the Notting Hill Carnival on ce per year for the Whole community.

i have sometimes used the Legal facilities and the Art Galleries and other community assistance activities .I am sure that I speak for many

community centre users who have been brought Joy and Happiness over the Decades and Years.

I beg you not to desrtroy our beloved Community Centre and beautiful Faciklities,

Yours faithfully, Graham Farrell

Steve Fox

Posted on 23 April 2021

WAC has been home to the London School of Samba for decades. This venue has seen thousands of people learn Brazilian Carnival Arts & has had a huge influence in the development of the Notting Hill Carnival. It is a huge asset to the local community in Lambeth & to Arts in the whole Capital. As the performing arts emerges from the pandemic & Londoners cry out for live entertainment it would be a very short sited policy that saw this venue denied to its users when London needs it most.

Marilyn

Posted on 23 April 2021

I have used WAC throughout most of my life. I went there as a child to the evening drama classes.

A few years ago I also used WAC to gain some advice about a work issue.

I am 37 years old now and think its a disgrace for Lambeth council to impose a rent increase as it is detrimental for those on low incomes and for the community as a whole.

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

Waterloo Action Centre (WAC) has been our rehearsal space and 'home' for many years, and it's an incredible resource for the whole community. Please do not closed down and sell to developers! This is a very important and beautiful space for all the people who needs learning, sharing and feeling warmth and home.

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

I have been attending community dance classes at WAC for 15 years by being a member of the London School of Samba. It’s also a great community space which serves the local community through classes and support. If WAC gets sold it will be a massive loss to this local community

Mbombo

Posted on 23 April 2021

I have been doing samba classes for years there and it has been such a blessing to me.

It is such a help and a light in my life. It allowed me to grow in confidence but also has been given me a sense of community. Like I belong to something.

I build friendships through the classes I had there.

As a school we have been able to prepare for performances and have lessons at WAC.

I also know that a church regularly uses the premises.

Do not remove something that brings so much peace, joy and community in the lives of people.

I believe we found out, especially in these difficult times, that these are things that can not be bought.

Nathaniel Maddux

Posted on 23 April 2021

If proposed development goes ahead, the damage it does to the community will be twofold: the rent bump will have a real human cost as decades-long neighbors and family members on fixed incomes are displaced facing untenable increases in cost of living, and a true community education centre that contributes to the enrichment and overall wellbeing of a critical part of the city will disappear and not be replaced. For what? Material wealth in the pockets of a few who don't live here?

Avron Bernard Olshewsky

Posted on 23 April 2021

For many years I attended the Waterloo Action Centre, playing music and participating in community events.

This place is an Oasis, very accessible and provides a wonderful (if not dated) space for community organisations to gather.

I have many, many very enjoyable memories of my time there and feel it would be a great shame to loose such an iconic community space.

Patrick Wilson

Posted on 23 April 2021

I grew up in SE London and have seen many changes, some great, some not so. We need vibrant spaces like WAC to maintain and sustain a thriving mixed economy and community - people from Lambeth and all over London come to make music, dance, art, sharing and caring. As a member of London School of Samba, I've come to love this space, and what it brings. Please help save it for the community.

Jordan

Posted on 23 April 2021

I am a samba dancer from the London school of samba. This centre has been the epicentre of our joy and our Samba community for over 35 years!



This would be a huge loss to our school and the community.

Mr Darren gian

Posted on 23 April 2021

Waterloo Action is a wonderful place where I have made life long friends from the last 10 years through it's wonderful Samba community. I've met so many amazing people from many walks of life and from different backgrounds. It's one of the very few places left in central London where it champions culture, outreach and a sense of community for all age ranges and backgrounds.

Please don't take this away from the local people as this is one of the few bastions of community outreach that is left in central London. You'll be taking away a vital service that is essential for local communities and will have massive impact on the wider Lambeth community for decades to come.

Florian Rosset

Posted on 23 April 2021

WAC provided me with a regular place to go to when I knew no one in London. It provided a community through London School Of Samba and literally changed my life. From knowing no one I suddenly had a million friends, a (often touring) band, sometimes a job when teaching there, a home. I know I can speak here on behalf of many at The London School of Samba by saying that without the space we wouldn't have been able to perfect our arts, rehearse, share, work and maybe more simply evolve as the humans we are today. I will add that LSS is a charity, open to anyone. For some people it was the only place they could find that would accept them with open arms. I strongly believe (and know) that it has bettered people's lives on many more levels than just the time spent at WAC. But none of that would have been possible without the regular weekly open workshops LSS was able to provide there. Save WAC! Keep WAC!

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

In a time of increased mental health issues and after periods of pro longed periods of isolation, for many community spaces are more vital than ever.

Erhan Akhan

Posted on 23 April 2021

I am a Turkish born (British later) and lived in London between 1987-1996. Between 1990-1996 I was a member of London School of Samba and WAC (where we had our rehearsals, meetings etc) was like a second home to me. Please please please do not take our precious place away from us.

Adrian Lewis

Posted on 23 April 2021

Waterloo Action Centre is an incredible space. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else. For those of us who use the space to practice samba, it is unique, it is home and it is much loved.

London School of Samba has been situated here for many, many years - this could spell the end of our school.

Performance space in London is very expensive and very rare. We need WAC!

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

I used to go to the London School of Samba weekly dance classes for 7 years when I lived in London. I always loves the weekly samba classes at WAC and the fact that it was in such a central location. For me going to WAC was always a creative escape and a great place to meet friends and being part of a community.

Cultural spaces like WAC are essential to have a vibrant community.

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

WAC has been a big part of my life for decades, as the rehearsal space for the London School of Samba. The location is very convenient, especially when transporting equipment, and for travel when I have lived in various locations in the city.

Increasing land rates on community spaces has a disproportionate adverse affect on people's mental and social wellbeing. Losing the space now means it will likely be lost forever, so I counsel caution in making a long-term decision based primarily on short-term financial grounds.

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

I have been going to WAC since 2006 to attend the dance classes of the London School of Samba. It has a real community feel and serves different groups and offers a variety of services which help people living in the community. It has been going since the 70s and should continue to do so for the sake of society and the community. We are living in troubled times, society is breaking down, so community centres are vital and life supporting to many people.

Joanna Horst

Posted on 23 April 2021

Wac has been a home for our samba school (London school of samba) for over 20 years. I myself have been part of it from 2009. Every Sunday we have been having dance and drumming classes which have been source of joy and creativity which had been a base for creating a strong community. Loosing this friendly space will be a huge loss for our samba community. Also because finding an equally suitable space for our activities and for reasonable price (price that would allow also underprivileged members to attend the classes) is really hard. I really hope that the council will reconsider their decision and allow wac to carry on their activities

Ameena Berkowitz

Posted on 23 April 2021

I first went to WAC in 2002 for a community music class. It was easy for me to get to from where I live in Lambeth, and fully accessible with a wheelchair accessible loo and step free access. As a wheelchair user I hadn't found another group that I could easily join - others are too far away and not easy to get to on public transport or not wheelchair accessible. From then on it became my Sunday afternoon home as I attended meetings and classes every week. Being able to make music as an adult with no musical background or lessons as a child is a fabulous thing and the group I was part of became my family when family are far from London. WAC is a vital part of our community music group. - it has the space needed and we don't disturb residents, unlike other places, and it importantly shares the community values of our group. WAC is a vital resource for community groups and residents in an area that is becoming more and more developed: whether it be for advice sessions, Church, art classes or dancing. The Cut and Lower Marsh are a little oasis with WAC in the middle. Every village needs a village hall, and just because Waterloo is in the middle of a city it is no different.

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

I have been coming to WAC for years on Sundays to take part in London school of samba's dance classes and it is perfect for what the school offers. The dance and drum classes would not be the same in another space and I'd be sad to see it change if it came to that. This space has such a lovely community feel to it and without spaces like this you would be taking that away, and the spirit of what it's purpose is. We need places like WAC to continue as they create so much opportunity and a difference to the community.

Surmaya Talyarkhan

Posted on 23 April 2021

I have been coming to WAC since my first samba class with London School of Samba in 2009. It has been a place for dancers, church meetings, advice and many other functions in the community. WAC hosts a diverse group of users and meets many needs. The London School of Samba has held classes here for many years and it would be a great loss for the people of Lambeth if WAC didn’t open its doors to us.

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

The Waterloo Action Centre is an invaluable space that supports many activities and helps to keep the community energised and alive. The size and flexibility of its spaces is a scarce resource for central London and it would be criminal to remove them.

Personally I have played drums there on many Sunday evenings as part of the teaching classes organised by the London School of Samba. These introduced me to an amazing group of supportive musicians who have patiently helped me and hundreds of others to learn instuments to a level of proficiency that has allowed us to perform in Notting Hill Carnival. Without WAC then this opportunity would not have been available to us. Please keep WAC as it is so that we can offer this opportunity to others

Dr Deborah Eklund

Posted on 23 April 2021

WAC has been an important part of my life, since I moved back to London 10 years ago. I can see from others using the building while I'm waiting for our sessions or in walking past the building other times, what a vibrant part of the community it is. I've seen all ages including children and elderly, disabled, many races and cultures, all enjoying the facilities. Transport is easy and to date, it's been affordable. I'd feel as if one of the things I value most in Lambeth had been ripped out of my life, if WAC was no longer available at an affordable rate. Please serve the community and let it continue at a price our community can afford!

Name Withheld

Posted on 23 April 2021

I do my samba dance and drumming class at Waterloo Action Centre and it would have nowhere else it could go if Waterloo Action Centre closes

Albert Edwards

Posted on 23 April 2021

I have enjoyed Saturday afternoons at WAC participating in the drumming and dance workshops of the London School of Samba for the past 5 years or so. This hobby has developed into me becoming a drummer performing with the London School of Samba at the Notting Hill Carnival, and recently, on television in the London New Year's Day Parade. This all started by attending workshops at WAC and it represents a fraction of the activity WAC provides for the local community and Londoners in general.

I wholeheartedly support the continuation of WAC with a reasonable rental charge.

Mike Ryden

Posted on 23 April 2021

I am one of the early members of the London School of Samba (40years+), a registered charity dedicated to introducing Brazilian music, dance and carnival arts to the people of London. The school has been at Waterloo Action Centre for many years, providing music, dance and costume design lessons to local people and a base for rehearsals leading to their participation in Notting Hill Carnival and in public performances around the world - an enormous opportunity and experience for people from all walks of life who find hope, inspiration and fellowship together in our activities.

What the LSS does is truly important, (i) as a means of integrating people from a wide variety of backgrounds to achieve a common goal, (ii) teaching and enthusing the public about Afro-Brazilian performing arts and culture, (iii) providing ordinary people with the means to take part in extraordinary things and develop their outlook on the world.

Waterloo Action Centre is essential to all this, as it provides an accessible, affordable location, where the noise from our activities does not unduly disturb neighbours (next to Waterloo station!). Space for performing loud music is at a premium in London and a dwindling resource, so I and many in the school see the proposed plans for Waterloo Action Centre as an existential threat. The school may quite possibly cease to exist.

Zuleika

Posted on 23 April 2021

WAC is used by our samba school which I have been attending since 2014 and is a community organisation that promotes Brazilian culture and performs at Notting Hill each year. It gives a place to get fit, promotes diversity, is a place for people to meet friends, have a sense of belonging and is a powerful antidote to the loneliness and isolation that so common in big cities like London. Because we play drums and need space for two dance classes, it’s difficult to find a space in London to meet - WAC gives us that and without it our school will struggle to find a home and therefore continue. This is a time when we need our community organisations more than ever and WAC makes the difference for so many. The many community groups held there will help people recover from the pandemic and pushing rents up so it is forced to close will have a backlash effect that will have it’s own costs to the council in the long run.

Charles Pelham

Posted on 23 April 2021

To whom it may concern

I love the Waterloo Action Centre. I am a member of the ‘Old Guard’ of the London School of Samba, and , as such , have been able to see the critically important rôle that this marvellous centre plays for the community bringing us all together. I do not know what I or others would do without it. Please please allow it to continue flourishing.

Nuala Hamilton

Posted on 22 April 2021

I am a local resident, living very close to Waterloo. I have regularly attended samba music and dance classes at Waterloo Action Centre continuously since May 2008. The activities at WAC have benefited me in several ways. For a large part of my adult life I have been under the care of mental health services and have been unable to work, following a long period as an inpatient in psychiatric care. But my involvement in samba at WAC has been central to a slow ongoing improvement in my condition. So, being able to attend WAC has been important for both my mental health and my physical health. There's another way in which I think WAC has been good for me: although I have lived here for over 25 years, I don't know many of my neighbours because I suffer from severe social anxiety. But often, when I walk through Lower Marsh, I see members of staff or volunteers from WAC and they recognise me and say hello and that's important to me. So, both as a local resident and as someone who attends samba classes at WAC, the centre is really important for my quality of life and I would feel devastated if I could no longer go there.

Michael de Selincourt

Posted on 22 April 2021

The WAC is home to an amazing music community, who sorely need the rehearsal space, the storage space, and even the location out the back of the station (so we can make noise without upsetting anyone!) Don't take away one of the community's few remaining centres unless you're going to replace it!

John Hicks

Posted on 22 April 2021

I have been coming to Wac for music classes since 1995 ; this wonderful place of lifelong learning and community support has had a real impact on the lives of everyone who has passed through her doors. As a current trustee of one of the resident groups at WAC I support whole heartedly the good folk who keep this place running and implore those in Lambeth council to avoid letting greed win the day by selling off this site for speculative development. Stop killing old London !

Dave Potter

Posted on 22 April 2021

WAC has been the home of the London School of Samba for many years. LSS' mission is the teach, perform and entertain an art form from 8000 miles away. It also serves as an outlet for people for many different backgrounds and circumstances. This beacon can't exist without a base and there are so few community "project" centers remaining. While it is true that redevelopment will add to short term cash, the removal of culture is irreplaceable. The closure of WAC would leave a hole in Waterloo.

Cynthia

Posted on 22 April 2021

I am saddened and disappointed that the WAC is in fear of permanent closure due to the excessive rise in rent. The WAC is a vital cultural community hub which I benefit from in my mental and social wellbeing.

I would like the Lambeth council to reconsider the rent increase proposal in order to keep the facility open for the community as a refuge for maintaining cultural identity.

BEN WILSON

Posted on 22 April 2021

I have had some great experiences in WAC. It is a great location and the London school of samba has been there for 20 years plus. I have been going since 2015. It is so rare to have a space in the centre of London where you can run a community event and bring together all sorts of different people in one location. It is so rare and special to have as every council just sells off these sorts of spaces to property development with no consideration to history and community.

Jenny Hinds

Posted on 22 April 2021

I worked for Blackfriars Settlement at Waterloo Adventure Playground (Now The Livingspace) from 1987 - 2017, across the road from WAC. We worked together with other delivery partners to extend the community offer. I continue to deliver services for children & young people and social activities for over 30's from WAC. These spaces are community assets and are generally viewed as an oasis in what could be viewed as a concrete jungle. There are opportunities for social, physical, creative, educational activities, Community engagement, development and support across the demographic, accessible to all. The Legal/Citizens Advice is second to none. It would be a great loss at a time when such. services are needed more than ever as we rebuild and come out the other side of a devastating pandemic.

Rachel Mercer

Posted on 22 April 2021

I am an artist and art tutor, I work for London Drawing providing life drawing and life painting classes for adults and age school children at Waterloo Action Centre. The large, well-lit rooms are perfect for large groups activities and rare to find at low cost. Public spaces for large group activities are vital for communities, with larger groups the cost of tutors/ facilitators can be spilt between more people. London drawing has been providing low cost classes for 15 years in this venue. The classes are open to everyone and participants are from a diverse range of cultural and economic backgrounds. Loosing WAC would be a tragedy for the immediate Waterloo community and the wider artistic community that travel to the area to top quality life drawing classes.

Name Withheld

Posted on 22 April 2021

Without Waterloo Action Centre I'd be homeless.

They've saved my life countless times, Waterloo Action Centre is invaluable.

Harrie Notton

Posted on 21 April 2021

Waterloo Action Centre is a legendary local institution that offers a lifeline to SE1 residents, workers (and anyone in between) in need of escapism, rehearsal space, legal support or a cup of tea. Run by the local community, for the local community, its future must be must be protected.

FRANCES SULLIVAN

Posted on 21 April 2021

I was horrified to read the news that the Waterloo Action Centre is threatened with an unsustainable rent increase from LB Lambeth. I have known the WAC since the early 1970s, when the housing and homelessness campaign I was part of moved into a small office in Blackfriars, and I became aware of the powerful community support provided jointly by Blackfriars Settlement in Nelson Square and the Action Centre in Waterloo. At the time I was fairly clued up on public policy and legal frameworks around housing issues that affected our members, but very lacking in knowledge about social security matters, so I quite quickly became a user/trainee/volunteer with the advice service -- mainly working at Nelson Square, but helping out with admin/reception etc at the evening legal sessions at the WAC as well. Although my main activities became focussed further east when I became the organiser of a new advice centre in Bermondsey from 1976 onwards, I continued to have some involvement with the SE1 community for many years, and was aware of the precious asset the WAC's existence has been to the local community, not only advice and practical help to older &/or more vulnerable people with individual problems to deal with; and useful communication tools, including meeting spaces, photocopyig and computing facilities to groups who were coming together around wider issues affecting their community; but also acting as a focus for celebration -- a venue for community theatre/music; space for organising festivals etc. Its loss would be a grave disservice to a community that has had to deal with enormous changes in the local environment over the past 50 years, and has been able to look to the WAC for solid support in making the adaptations to accomodate and survive successfully in the fringes of London's fast moving West End.

Please don't let this happen!

Vanessa Clarke

Posted on 21 April 2021

When Lambeth Council was in charge, the building was derelict. We refurbished it with our bare hands, plus help from all manner of groups and organisations. In the nearly half a century since then it has been well used, well run and well maintained. Lambeth Council’s record in the area is appalling – property neglected and even damaged by their operatives, meanwhile attempting to bleed residents of huge sums of money. My own street had to take them to court for this recently and won hands down. No wonder they hate the Legal Advice Centre!

The Action Centre generally is a friendly place where local groups can afford to meet and where individuals can come together for a multitude of affordable and even free activities. We also chip in whatever way we can to help keep it running and some very talented people give their skills for free. Lambeth would let the whole place fall down the way they did before. All they want is money.

Let Lambeth fix up their existing properties and leave this great local institution to the great local people who use it and run it.

Jemima Bruin-Bland

Posted on 21 April 2021

As a former trustee of WAC , I am very proud to say, and as a former local resident association rep in Waterloo, I am horrified to see yet another attack on WAC. Waterloo Action Centre is an essential community hub including social activities for isolated people, a lifeline for many across the area. WAC helps people across our community - such as those who need to access the benefits system but have no computer, people who may not have enough English to navigate it. When legal aid was slashed, WAC picked up a vastly increased case load of people with nowhere else to turn, people subjected to random rent increases, sudden job losses, unexpected illness or debt. WAC has survived for 50 years despite constant attempts to redevelop the building. Please join the fight to save it.

Helen Webb

Posted on 21 April 2021

Waterloo Action Centre is the beating heart of our village community in Waterloo. It has provided support, activities, information and advice freely to all who seek it. In our current situation access to legal advice, cheap clothing and contact with friendly faces is more important than ever and the increase in rents which is proposed is nothing short of scandalous. This valuable resource is vitally important and should be maintained as a free service to all.

David Dickinson

Posted on 21 April 2021

Waterloo Action centre is an unusual entity that deserves public support, not to be challenged with rent rises that it cannot afford. The work that goes on at WAC is evidently treasured by hundreds, maybe thousands of south Londoners. My own experience of drawing classes at the WAC has been great for my self-esteem and other aspects of mental health, providing high-quality tuition at an affordable price. The people I've met at WAC have been universally friendly and committed to an ethos of help and service. As a resource on which many small enterprises depend, WAC makes a big difference in Lambeth. Please see beyond the balance sheet and preserve this precious resource.

James Fearnley

Posted on 21 April 2021

I have used WAC as a local resident, when I had legal problems. The Thursday evening legal advice surgeries are a lifeline for local people on low incomes whose legal problems associated with critical social welfare issues such as housing and employment cannot be supported under the current Legal Aid regime.

I also worked at WAC for eight months as a volunteer advice worker, and can testify first hand to the vital role that WAC's advice services play in meeting the needs of the local community, and in particular its most vulnerable members.

WAC must be supported to continue its critical, vitally-needed role in supporting the community, which in addition to being impacted by years of central government underfunding, percolating through to the withdrawal of local services, is also reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

WAC really is a special case - please do not 'level up' rental costs and put the Centre under terminal threat!

The Revd Br GJHHBM van der Weegen, OC

Posted on 21 April 2021

I served my Title, which means I was a curate, in the Waterloo parishes, under that extraordinary wonderful Vicar, David Wickert in the early 1980’s. Then, as now, WAC served as a vital commodity in SE1 and beyond. Without WAC the Coin Street development - David and I were activity involved at the time - would have taken a very different and adverse turn! WAC must be spared further increases by Lambeth Council. In fact I am of the opinion that all rates’ fees ought to be cancelled! WAC must survive if the Waterloo community is to survive and able to continue from strength to strength..!

Alison

Posted on 20 April 2021

WAC has been an Integral part of the Waterloo community due to the wide ranging services they provide, to everyone in the community regardless of social status, culture, or beliefs.

- Single parent have limited income WAC provide play support for child groups,

- pensioners can use it for birthday parties, events and get-togethers,

- Folks on hard times can use the free legal service provided by junior solicitors.

- community Groups / organisations provide classes for keep fit, education & well being here - especially mental health

It’s important for the well-being of the WHOLE community and further afield that this WAC facility is kept open. If you generally want to show that you care about the mental health and health IN general of your constituents you WILL keep the centre open. Remember we are judged & remembered for our actions.. Elections are coming. . .

Name Withheld

Posted on 20 April 2021

Waterloo Action Centre provides a vital and precious resource for so many small independent businesses and charities. My association has been via London Drawing, a wonderful enterprise which makes art and its accompanying benefits accessible to all members of the community. I am so hopeful that a council such as Lambeth, which I believe would wish to protect the aims of such an inclusive community resource, would do their best to protect the Centre from huge rent increases which will make it impossible to continue. Thank you.

Name Withheld

Posted on 19 April 2021

I look forward to Wednesday Drawing Classes at the Waterloo Action Centre and they mean so much to me.

Not only is the instructor really great and helpful, the coordination of poses, timing and variations of models/lighting/poses make it fun.

Its also a place where one can find community and also forget the stresses of the day. Would be tragic to hear it shut down.

Name Withheld

Posted on 19 April 2021

WAC is a good place to be and I would like to save it for future generations. It helps a lot of local people and beyond.

Aiste Butleryte

Posted on 19 April 2021

I really enjoy coming WAC to London Drawing workshops and its an important place for very varied groups of people accross London. Let's not have another chain or boring office space instead of a lively community which have been there for a long time. Is this a future of London thousands of offices and chain eateries with no living soul and real story to them ?

Name Withheld

Posted on 19 April 2021

Waterloo Action Centre provides such vital services to those who attend their classes; community, education and fun. As a young person living in London it can be quite isolating, the life drawing classes at WAC gave me a sense of community and relaxation at an affordable price in a central location, something that is a rarity in London.

Iris Sebba

Posted on 19 April 2021

Places like WAC are a lifeline to keep London a beating heart for people who value diversity, culture and the accessibility of possibilities. My time at WAC during Lockdown was a real beacon moment - please don’t erode any more of the real London.by pricing it out of existence.

Lucie Mussett

Posted on 19 April 2021

I attended WAC for life drawing classes when I was first thinking about returning to art several years ago, as a test drive to see if I still liked it. The accessible sessions, friendly team, and high quality organisation reminded me what a joy life drawing can be, and gave me the confidence to restart my practice. It would be a shameful loss for the community if this space became unsustainably expensive for all the activities it currently hosts, and Waterloo will be the poorer for it.

Name Withheld

Posted on 18 April 2021

Joining classes at the Waterloo Action Centre has enriched my life.

I have learnt new exercise and relaxation techniques from well run professional classes provided at an affordable price. In the classes I have made new friends.

Since the pandemic began class tutors have put considerable work into providing virtual classes. This has provided structure and contact during this anxious period.

The Centre administration provides a very valuable newsletter keeping us all up to date with Wac activities and the many sources of help it provides across the Lambeth community.

They have continued to provide access to welfare and legal advice through the pandemic. In addition they help the community to increase their IT skills to stay connected.

The Waterloo Action Centre activities very much reflect Lambeth Council’s current ambitions of helping Lambeth Communities thrive, helping residents live well, independently and have better lives so it should continue to be supported by the Council as it is now.

Josie

Posted on 18 April 2021

Whilst teaching at WAC since 2016 I got to see a small part of all the incredible things they have on offer. For example on Tuesdays they have groups doing painting, sewing, knitting and crochet with support and materials. i got help amending jeans i had brought from the 2nd hand shop situated within the hallway of WAC . I was very much looking forward to joining in with the crochet'ers after lockdown. In addition its got a beautiful architecture for drawing and an important location. its a desperately needed gem of respite in this city.

Sophie

Posted on 17 April 2021

Such an important service to the local community! It would be so tragic if this centre was lost!

Emma Warren

Posted on 17 April 2021

I came to dance classes at WAC. This is an invaluable place which creates a huge amount of social profit. It is essential that this profit remains with the people who run it and the people who use it, not profit-making property developers who make millions of pounds a year and do not need to turn this amazing community resource into shareholder profit. I have written about WAC in my forthcoming book because the story of how the community and Lambeth council worked together to create this space is a powerful one - and it must continue. Need is even greater now, and will only increase over the next few years, which will be difficult. Maintaining the peppercorn rent will pay Lambeth Council pay many times over in terms of the safety net it offers. Please maintain this wonderful example of council and community collaboration.

Name Withheld

Posted on 17 April 2021

Waterloo Action Centre is a huge part of the Waterloo Community and a vital source of support and community activity. I have been there countless times for help and advice. It is a much needed resource in this ever changing environment and, after 50 years, we need it more than ever.