Friends of St James Park

20/06/2026

24/11/2024

On Thursday afternoon I found a boy tucked in the back of Seamus ( my campervan) when I returned to the car park from shopping at the supermarket.

As I put the shopping inside I thought the back shelf of the van looked more dishevelled than usual & the blankets & cushions looked just a bit different. I gently patted the cushions/blankets felt something round and hard & there he was.

We both scared each other. He was as shocked as I was. Then I thought well maybe it wasn’t such a shock for me after all- it’s freezing cold here today.

He climbed out when I went round & opened the back door. He’d managed to open Seamus rear door, but there was no damage.

He seemed embarrassed and was so very sorry. It was clear that he spoke very little English so I used Google translate to try and talk with him.

He told me his name - he’s just 16 from Sudan & has been here in Calais for 30 days. He was very specific about how many days. He was young and thin.

I showed him a New Arrivals guide that sets out all the support that exists for refugees here- it’s not enough of course. We have it in Arabic. He seemed to know about it and about Care4Calais. I explained I was a volunteer with refugees & he kept saying the words ‘thank you’ & ‘sorry’.

I feel very sad about him - especially as tonight there was another vigil. A vigil to remember two more people who were found dead on the beaches in France yesterday.

I am thinking about his mum too. How worried she must be for the safety of her child.

I guess at least for a short while he was snug and warm in Seamus. On top of a comfy mattress topper underneath teddy bear blankets.

Please. Tell people.

Care4Calais Volunteer

Please donate to support our work. Your contribution helps us provide warmth, care, and hope to people seeking safety: https://help.care4calais.org/page/148309/donate/1

04/07/2024

Don't miss the Memorial Park Chingford Playfest and Progress event this Saturday, 6 July! There will be:

🖌️ face painting
🎈balloon modelling
🎳 lawn bowls and a chance chat to the bowls club located in the park 🛹 Everyone On Boards will be hosting skateboarding and cycling taster sessions as part of Enjoy Waltham Forest

You can speak to council officers and find out about the improvements coming to Memorial Park soon.

We are also looking for expressions of interest for an operator to run the Memorial Park Pavilion. The space offers a significant opportunity for community uses and the generation of income from hiring out for functions, events and activities.

06/05/2024

Come and join us at the Lloyd Park Mayfair and learn more about our volunteering sessions across Waltham Forest!

31/03/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/nxzqnz55B41qHenT/

23/03/2024

Come along to Paula’s Pre-Love Pop Up Shop, 228 Chingford Mount, on Wednesday 27 March between 2pm and 4pm for an exclusive meet and greet with the fabulous Heather Small, former band member of the legendary M People! 🎤

It's your chance to mingle with a music icon while browsing through Paula’s curated collection of pre-loved treasures. Heather has graciously donated clothing items to the shop, and all proceeds will go towards supporting community-driven initiatives. Join us on Wednesday 27 March from 2pm to 4pm.

228 Chingford Mount is a Council-run space that allows us to support local groups and businesses to provide exciting activities for the community.

Dates and times of Paula's Pre-Love Pop Up: https://orlo.uk/2TxHE

23/03/2024

18/02/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/2VmmyoegVPZFvdPo/