South London Changemakers: Nike Animashaun, Angels Breakfast and Afterschool Club

This conversation is part of South London Changemakers, a series celebrating the impact of the Community Leadership in Motion (CLiM) programme, that funded community projects across Lambeth and Southwark. Learn more about CLiM here. 

In this conversation, we sat down with Nike Animashaun who is part of Angels Breakfast and Afterschool Club, a club that supports children and young people in Peckham.

We spoke about what inspired Angels and the incredible impact it’s had so far.

Can you tell us a bit about Angels Breakfast and Afterschool Club?

Angels Breakfast and Afterschool Club is a grassroots, community-based organisation and we reflect the local residents we support. We work to give children and young people in our community the same opportunities and security that others benefit from, who are not affected by poverty. 

All children and young people have the right to healthy food, safe spaces and a sense of community with their peers and wider community. We support children, young people and their families who are underprivileged or struggling financially. We offer fun, engaging and stimulating activities such as games, sports, cooking, arts and crafts, music, dance and homework support particularly focusing on Maths and English. We also offer a food and hygiene bank.

We work in partnership with local authorities too. We refer people to Southwark Council for cost of living assistance as Community Health Ambassadors. We are also Mindapples Champions, and we deliver mental health and wellbeing support to children and young people on the Free Southwark HAF programme, which is designed to support families on low incomes and the FSM (Free School Meals) programme.

What’s the need for the project?

Peckham has high levels of socio-economic deprivation and food insecurity, as well as a high risk of youth violence and gang activity. In part, we hope to respond to parents’ concerns about their children’s risk of involvement in drugs and violence, by offering a safe, nurturing space that families can trust. That’s particularly important when so many are struggling with childcare costs and the rising cost of living. 

What’s been the impact of it so far?

We’re extremely proud to see the direct impact we’re having on the children and young people we serve, especially on their confidence and self-esteem. The space makes them feel valued and like special members of our community. 

We help children to develop new friendships with their peers, that in other circumstances might have become rivals. We help young people to develop skills for their futures. We’ve been able to achieve an environment that promotes inclusion for children and young people with disabilities. 

Our success is proven by the over-subscription of the club, with barely any advertising or promotion. We have so many positive testimonials from children and their families. They speak of the club as a vital lifeline, allowing parents to work knowing their children will have safe and stimulating care. 

“Angels is a home away from home, my children love this place, professional caring staff, the lunch time meal was fantastic according to my kids, they get to go on outings. I really appreciate the love and care my kids get from this club.”

“Thank you thank you thank you, for creating this club… My son is so happy, he is still talking about his new friends… Without you the world would be a sad place.”

How was your experience being part of CLiM and being fiscally hosted by The Social Change Nest?

We got a lot of support through the CLiM programme, including access to funding and the opportunity to develop our communication and leadership skills.

We didn’t know about fiscal hosting or The Social Change Nest before being part of the CLiM programme, but we would 1000% recommend it to other community groups. It allowed us to access funding and be part of a network of other local community groups. This has cultivated a sense of belonging and purpose and motivated us to keep making a tangible, positive difference in the lives of others. 

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If you want to support Angels Breakfast and Afterschool Club, you can donate via Open Collective here.