Testimonials

Name Withheld

Posted on 27 March 2021

I have been attending dance classes and events at Waterloo Action Centre for many years. It is a vital part of our little dance community, somewhere for people of all ages to meet, mix, socialise and stay active. I'm always amazed at the range of other activities going on there too- everything from community meetings to tango to fencing! It is so important to keep community spaces like this alive and affordable to all.

Name Withheld

Posted on 27 March 2021

I only know Waterloo Action Centre through the Paris Rock Club and I haveenjoyed scores of wonderful times there, learning and practising various dance genres. I would be very sad were it to close, as I know that my many friends who attend those same classes (and others who attend other functions there) would be also.

It is obvious that the Centre provides a wonderful resource, mainly for the elderly of the area. Loneliness is a condition that has been highlighted

during the pandemic and it is very important for those living by themselves to have somewhere to meet up with others of similar ages and

interests. The Centre also offers them legal advice (which I'm sure is well used) and other leisure and cultural activities (including dance and exercise classes to improve fitness, and thus hopefully reduce some burdens on the NHS). It is obvious that it is well used at present, but perhaps there could be more opportunities to introduce other features, especially aimed at the elderly - a hairdressing salon; nail clipping service; appointments with a nurse; reading groups; etc.

If the rises mentioned cannot be avoided (and I hope they can) I hope consideration could be given to using the building even more productively to help to improve income.

Personally, I would be very sad to see the Centre close and would greatly miss the dance sessions which are a pure joy to me, my husband and many friends.

Name Withheld

Posted on 27 March 2021

WAC should be able to continue to support various groups with their excellent activities. The community has been made a very positive impact to our society through various activities for so many years. It’s a great loss and disappointment for local residents and other regions of the country if they no longer benefit from it.

All the activities which the WAC offer to different needs of residents are very useful and supportive to many people. Before the lockdown due to the COVID-19, this is the place I come to enjoy line dancing and Rock & Roll classes. This is my only hobby to help me stay healthy and happy after a long day sitting in office. I would be sad and disappointed if I won’t be able to attend these classes anymore due to either the classes no longer opened or the prices are going up which many of us won’t be able to afford.

I really hope that the Council’s will reconsider their decision to help the WAC carry on its activities to benefit many people.

Richard Moody

Posted on 27 March 2021

Waterloo Action Centre is so important to the local community and going to weekly ROCK’N’ROLL classes and the monthly social is really important for us.

Name Withheld

Posted on 27 March 2021

My name is Sam and I firmly believe that the Waterloo Action Centre should be kept going. Before lockdown, I was a regular attendee of the centre to take part in the rock n roll dance classes hosted by Jean Leclerc. Attending these dance classes is the biggest highlights of my week, it does wonders for my mental health and allows me to socialise with a wide range of people with similar interests. I also believe that it does wonders for other people as some of the people who attend these classes are elderly which means that they can socialise and given that elderly people are amongst the loneliest in Britain, then this makes the centre and its activities all the more important. The location of the centre means that it allows me to conveniently attend my dance classes as it is very close to my workplace and Waterloo train station which means that I can easily travel home from there also.

Angela Warren

Posted on 27 March 2021

It would be criminal if the community lost access to WAC. Too much has already been lost to the ordinary people of London (many of whom are extra-ordinary). Non-profit making community resources are of enormous value - offering community spaces for those who are not on high incomes to enjoy relationships with the environment and other people, offering a sense of belonging and camaraderie - so important for good mental health and physical well-being. If the WAC is lost to us ordinary people it will count as a stab in the back by the councillors, politicians and moneyed people who spend their time elsewhere rather than in the community over which they hold power.

Shame on anyone who doesn't support sustaining this historical and valuable community resource.

Christine Hartland

Posted on 27 March 2021

The Waterloo Action Centre is such an important place - it offers a breathing space that is key to our busy lives. For me, knowing that I will be able to go back to the dancing in an accessible and affordable location available for when the world goes back to a more normal state post Covid, keeps me going. The community built over the years is a big part of my life which I have missed tremendously. The WAC is part of our London lives. Keep it alive for our sakes, for our physical & mental health.

frances ewing-press

Posted on 27 March 2021

Hi whilst looking forward to the end of lockdown so that the dance classes will reopen, I am so shocked to read that WAC may have to close.

So many happy days, not only at the dance class but also looking forward to the jolly times spent with the other dancers. Friendships made, stories shared, family worries discussed, birthdays celelbrated in this safe place at Waterloo. And now to learn that all this goodwill may be lost forever is so distressing. So many of us live alone and just knowing there is a happy place to go and join in a fun activity surrounded by smiling, laughing faces from all over London and the world, was better than any medicine. When mental health is a headline topic, I realise I am not alone in being needy for companionship. I know that l feel stronger, kinder to myself and others, safe with the knowledge that there is a safe happy place to visit without fear of rejection or attack where it wont cost me too much money. Please continue to support this project and recognise it for its important mental health work in the community. It is not merely an old building. It is central to many lives including the many volunteers who make the building happen.

Jean Leclerc

Posted on 27 March 2021

I have been using WAC for more than twenty years and it as been always a welcome place.

Along the years i have delivered group activities by giving voluntary work, training, organising activities for Waterloo residents (Ready steady cook, Upholstery, Art and dance classes, catering and event caretaker when needed.

The free legal advice on Thursday is very useful and i thoroughly recommend. it and I have used it twice during those years.

By kipping most activities free or at very raisonnable prices, we have maintained a good social network around waterloo area.

I hope that will be able to continue for years to come.

Jean Leclerc

Jennifer Wood

Posted on 26 March 2021

The enormous increase in rent is a devestating blow to WAC who work so hard to help the local community with activities, legal advice, learning facilities and local information. Throughout the pandemic they have keep in contact with all who attend the centre to ensure their wellbeing, offering advice on computer skills and general information and keeping people connected. Many attendees derive enjoyment, friendship and happiness from the facilities and if Waterloo Action Centre would have to close many people will lose out on their invaluable services.

I, for one, have attended many different classes and I and others would be devistated if WAC were forced to close. It's been a dreadful time dealing with loneliness during the pandemic, and it's after effects will continue for a long time to come, the toll on mental wellbeing would be enormous if the community were deprived from enjoyment and stimulation which WAC offer, building up problems for the future.

Mary Prince

Posted on 25 March 2021

I retired when I was nearly 69. I knew I had to find some social activity and new friends (especially friends) to keep me motivated and keep me going. Waterloo Action Centre was just the place! The staff were so happy to help and show all the activities that were there for you to choose from. I now have been with WAC for 4 years now. One morning I do gentle exercises which is so important for people’s health. Another morning I play table tennis which I absolutely love playing. There are so many opportunities for us at WAC, it would be so upsetting and inhuman to take all this away from us now.

I have always had respect for Lambeth for looking after their older generation, I do hope that I’m not wrong in this situation.

Mary Prince.

Chris Dann

Posted on 24 March 2021

Waterloo Action Centre is great! I have made lots of friends there and there is always great community work going on. The charity shop is fantastic too and always a great place to find an interesting bargain!

Franck

Posted on 22 March 2021

As a volunteer in WAC for the last two years, I witnessed how helpful, if not essential, the center is to the Waterloo community: elderly members love to meet up every Thursday and for many is one of the highlights of their week. Others love the activities they are part of (knitting, dancing and many others). And of course, working on Thursday I receive so many calls about the Legal Advice clinic, free to people living in the south London boroughs....and a true lifeline for many....