Welcome back, everyone. We hope you've had a great Summer? We've had a busy time with our holiday playschemes, staff training and decorating our main hall – now we're all set for the Autumn term and looking forward to welcoming back old friends and making new ones. Lots of fun activities are on their way, so...let's get going!
Find out more about each scheme here:
thelimes.org.uk/services/tanz-toddlers-–-under-5-yrs
thelimes.org.uk/services/family-playtime-–-0-12-yrs
thelimes.org.uk/services/splat-–-5-12-yrs
thelimes.org.uk/services/club-–-10-yrs
thelimes.org.uk/services/go-it-–-10-15-yrs
thelimes.org.uk/services/top-limes-–-16-25-yrs
To find out pricing, to book and for any queries, please contact the team on 0208 5098985 or admin@thelimes.co.uk
Due to a fault at the local exchange, we have had no internet since 25 June.
We have no access to emails, so please bear with us.
If your enquiry is urgent, please contact us by phone, between 11am – 3pm, on the following numbers:
Children’s services (age 0-11): 07927 497 204
Youth services (age 12-25): 07749 340 673
All other queries: 07927 497 202
Engineers are still working to fix the issue and we will let you know when we are back up and running.
Thanks for your understanding.
For now, the playground is silent and our doors remain closed but rest assured... the team are all working harder than ever to make sure that we will reopen and as soon as possible.
Understanding how important our services are, to so many families in Waltham Forest, is driving us all to succeed. We won't let you down.
We will need to make changes and are working on creative ways to safeguard our children and young people while they play and learn.
Measures include: reviewing our safeguarding policy, adapting our space for social distancing – while still providing a fun environment, implementing extra hygiene measures, redesigning services and making plans to provide extra support online.
It's challenging but we will make it work, if we can secure the necessary funds.
We rely on the generosity of people like you. If you can make a donation, every penny raised will help our fight to continue providing vital services to children and young people across the borough.
Thank you. We can't wait to see you and in the meantime, please stay safe.
Job: HR & Facilities Manager
Due to current circumstances, we are extending the application deadline for this post to Monday 18 May, 10am.
New applicants: Please go to thelimes.org.uk/jobs
Existing applicants: Thank you for your applications, we appreciate your patience at this difficult time.
Are you struggling to find the practical help you need? We have put together a list of some local resources that may be able to assist.
We will continue to add contact details, so check back regularly.
#TogetherWeAreStronger #Covid19 #Coronavirus
Job: HR & Facilities Manager
Due to current circumstances, we are extending the application period until Friday 4 May, 6pm.
Existing applicants: Thank you for your applications, we appreciate your patience at this difficult time.
New applicants: Please go to thelimes.org.uk/jobs
As you navigate life during lockdown, we want you to know that you are not alone.
You can contact us between 11am-3pm, Mon-Fri and we will do our best to help you with any queries or concerns you may have.
Click 'more' to find out how to contact us...
IMPORTANT SERVICE NEWS
Please read our statement on how Covid-19 has affected services at The Limes...
Sadly we are, temporarily, taking Zest Kitchen's Lunch at The Mill on Coppermill Lane off the menu.
Due to the current situation, we must do what is right for our young people and the wider community. Your support for this vital project, helping young people with disabilities prepare for employment, has been outstanding. Thank you.
The Zest team will be back to creating lovely lunches for you, as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, take care #Walthamstow.
#Covid19
The Coronavirus situation is a fast-moving one but rest assured we are closely monitoring all latest advice. We will take appropriate measures, as necessary, to protect the children & young people in our care.
For now, we are opening as normal with extra precautions in place... but we are also relying on you to help us, by making sure you do not attend if you or your child is in any way unwell. Please notify us by phone or email but do not come to the centre.
We will keep you updated in the coming days.
Many thanks for your cooperation in keeping the children, young people and staff safe.
Liz Fraser, CEO.
On behalf of all the team at The Limes.
We are looking for a new HR & Facilities Manager. Could that be you?
If you think you have the required skills to join our amazing team then make sure to apply by 6pm, Friday 3 April.
Happy half-term with PlayScheme! The best of inclusive fun for children, age 6-12
Activities: sensory play, arts & crafts, cooking, music, plus trips out.
When: Mon17/Tues 18 Feb. 10.00am -3.30pm.
If you haven't booked, call the team on 02085098985 to check for cancellations. thelimes.org.uk
Making sure half-term is the GOAT!
TeenScheme holiday fun for disabled/non-disabled young people, age 12-17.
19-22 Feb, 10am -3.30pm. Trips out, events & museums, plus cooking, games & more.
If you haven't booked, call 02085098985 to check for cancellations. #HalfTerm #Youth #Activities
Great news! Following a 'technical glitch', we are delighted to announce that all services will resume from Mon 3 Feb.
Until then, Tanz Toddler will run as normal, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9.30-11.30 & Family Playtime will run Sat 1 Feb. 9.30-11.30.
And with half-term hurtling towards us, book now for Play & Teen Schemes. These schemes book up quickly, so don't delay
Email us at services@thelimes.org.uk
We can't wait to see you all and get back to making sure that 2020 is the best year ever for our children & young people.
Find out more about all of our services: thelimes.org.uk/services
#Children #Youth #Play #Inclusive #Activities #E17
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday
9.30am to 11.30am (term-time)
Come and meet other local parents, enjoy our fabulous facilities, planned play experiences, sensory sessions and interactive singing and storytime.
Our facilities include a Sensory Room, Adventure Playground, Soft Playroom and Ball pit!
We apologise that some of our regular services at The Limes are temporarily suspended.
As an Ofsted-registered childcare provider, The Limes is required by law to ensure that it has a manager who is registered with Ofsted as a suitable person on-site at all times when care is being provided for children and young people under the age of 18. This applies to those services where children and young people are attending The Limes without a parent or guardian also being present. We are in the process of registering new managers with Ofsted, so that these services can be re-opened as soon as possible.
This has happened because several of our staff have been unwell over the last few weeks. As a small charity, we rely on a small number of core staff, and illness meant that we have not had enough staff who are also Ofsted-registered managers available to run all our services. We had to suspend some services in December due to staff sickness, and we are still waiting for Ofsted to confirm that our applications for our new managers to be registered have been accepted before we can re-open these. Unfortunately, the Christmas period when government offices are closed has delayed the registration process, and the applications are still being processed.
Staff and the Trustees at The Limes are all working very hard to be able to re-open all our services as soon as possible.
We will update this message regularly, and we will let all our regular service users know as soon as our Ofsted-registered services can re-open. We hope that this will be in the next few days. Our other services for children accompanied by their parents and guardians are open as normal.
We look forward to welcoming you all back to our full range of services at The Limes very soon.
Staff and Trustees of The Limes, 16 January 2020
Come and join us for Family Playtime, Sat 7 March - 9.30-11.30am. We might even provide some sunshine for you!
Lots of fun for all the family – ball pit, adventure playground, sensory room, arts & crafts, games.
Plus, gifts & goodies from our Creative Journeys programme on sale. Teas, coffees etc.
£2.50 – first child, 50p – additional siblings. Parents/carers – free!
Limited spaces. Book now: 02085098985. services@thelimes.org.uk.
#Weekend #Activities #play #e17
As we begin a new year, we're looking forward to new beginnings, new adventures, new challenges and welcoming new friends to The Limes.
All the team would like to thank you for your continued support as we strive to make sure that all children can experience the power of play, in a safe and fun environment.
We couldn't do it without you!
#play #inclusion #disability #community
What a great day we had at The Mill on Coppermill Lane for their Pickle Party. We're chuffed that our King Qasim claimed the crown!
All praise to our Zest Kitchen leader, Stacey, for all the brilliant work she does, preparing our disabled young people for employment.
Find out more about Zest Kitchen, our Creative Journeys programme for young people, age 18-25 with disabilities at thelimes.org.uk/services/zest-kitchen
Santa's coming early with 12 days of giving from Ecclesiastical.com
Please vote for us as, each day, 5-20 Dec, £1k will be donated to the charities with most nominations.
It's super-easy to nominate, just go to https://www.ecclesiastical.com/movement-for-good/12-days/ and enter our charity number: 1099064
Please nominate us ... it could mean more festive fun for our children & young people.
#12days #MovementForGood
Dates for the festive diary...
#WinterHoliday #PlayServices #OpeningHours #E17
Please note: There will be no CLUB on Tuesday 26 Nov, due to staff training. But don't worry it will be back in action on Thursday 28 Nov, 4-6.30pm with lots of fun activities.
Hope to see you then!
#Youth #Activities #AfterSchool #E17
The Club is our free and inclusive drop-in session – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 4-6.30pm.
Find out more at thelimes.org.uk/services/club
Zest Kitchen at The Mill on Coppermill Lane – every Wednesday, 12-1.30pm, where our chefs will be presenting delicious lunch dishes for a tasty £3.
Hailed as being 'what good, solid people-focused community work looks like', our collaboration with The Mill is going from strength-to-strength and providing vital experience for our young people.
DashDotDance at The Limes is proving to be so popular, we're now trialling another new and inclusive dance group!
Junior Dancers for children age 6-11 will run on Fridays 4-5pm, from Fri 1 November. £2.50.
Every child in Waltham Forest should experience the joy of dance and we’re working with DashDotDance, to make it happen!
Book now: admin@thelimes.org.uk or 02085098985
Funded by Waltham Forest Borough of Culture 2019
Our Zest Kitchen team will not be presenting lunch@themill this week but don't worry...they'll be back at The Mill on Coppermill Lane Wednesday 26 Feb, 12-1.30pm with more delicious lunch offerings. In the meantime... happy half-term to you!
Zest Kitchen is the culinary strand of our Creative Journeys programme, preparing young people with disabilities for employment.
Find out more: thelimes.org.uk/services/zest-kitchen
Our Zest Kitchen chefs have prepared a perfect Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta with Side Salad for tomorrow’s Lunch@The Mill on Coppermill Lane– 12-1.30pm. £3.
After tomorrow, we'll be back at the Mill on Wed 30 Oct. Happy half term to you!
Zest Kitchen is the horticulture strand of our Creative Journeys programme, preparing young people with disabilities for employment.
Find out more about Zest Kitchen: thelimes.org.uk/services/zest-kitchen
#LunchLocal #E17
Dash Dot Dance is back at The Limes with a new inclusive youth dance group.
A chance for children and young people – age 12-25 with or without disabilities – to come together, dance and get creative.
Fridays, 5-6pm, during term-time. (£2.50).
For more info & to book, contact admin@thelimes.org.uk or call 0208 509 8985
HURRY, LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE
Funded by Waltham Forest, London Borough of Culture 2019
And...
The sun will come out tomorrow, so get yourselves to The Mill on Coppermill Lane – 12-1.30pm, where our Zest Kitchen chefs will be presenting an awesome Autumn Squash and Apple Panzanella. £3.
Hailed as being 'what good, solid people-focused community work looks like', our collaboration with The Mill is going from strength-to-strength and providing vital experience for our young people.
Zest Kitchen is the horticulture strand of our Creative Journeys programme, preparing young people with disabilities for employment.
#SuperSaladWednesday at The Mill, on Coppermill Lane, 12-1.30pm
This week our Zest Kitchen young people will be serving up a belting Black Bean and Sweet Potato salad served with Tortilla Chips.
Support disabled young people as they prepare for employment... Pop in & tickle your tastebuds for a tasty £3!
Find out more about Zest Kitchen: thelimes.org.uk/services/zest-kitchen
We have a club running every day, Mon-Fri. Packed with games & activities, there's something fun for everyone.
The Club: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday, 4.00-6.30pm. 10-25 yrs Free
Inclusive drop-in after school club. Mingle & make friends. Activities: table tennis, music-making, indoor & outdoor games, arts, baking, chill zone.
Mary is our new Finance & Facilities Officer and we're delighted to welcome her into the team. She's studying Business Management & is taking a year out to gain experience, working with The Limes. She'll be working under the expert guidance of our Head of Finance & Facilities, Abby.
This internship is being funded by one of our great supporters, The Jack Petchey Foundation
#SuperSaladWednesday is back!
Today at The Mill on Coppermill Lane, 12-1.30pm, our talented Zest Kitchen young people will be serving up scrumptious stuffed sweet peppers with halloumi cheese & fresh corn on the cob. Support disabled young people as they prepare for employment – Pop in & tickle your tastebuds for a tasty £3!
Zest kitchen is the culinary strand of our Creative Journeys programme, teaching young people with disabilities valuable life and employment skils
Welcome back, everyone. We hope you've had a great Summer? We've had a busy time with our holiday playschemes, staff training and decorating our main hall – now we're all set for the Autumn term and looking forward to welcoming back old friends and making new ones. Lots of fun activities are on their way, so...let's get going!
Find out more about each scheme here:
Could you be a trustee of The Limes?
If you have the necessary skills and would be interested in joining the board of our dynamic and creative charity, please apply at thelimes.org.uk/trustee-registration-form
This 12 month paid internship, is a newly created role that is funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation Internship Programme. As well as supporting -– while being supported by – the Limes, you will receive direct support from the Foundation through a series of events and be able to apply for your own training fund to support your professional development (with our help!).
Applications close 5pm, Friday 30 August.
For more information about this exciting opportunity and to apply, go to:
Look what's happening at The Limes... Staff from the Walthamstow branch of Sainsbury's are busy painting our main hall. Yay!
We're chuffed to be chosen as this year's #Sainsburys150 community cause. Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who have been working so hard, in the middle of a heatwave, to transform the hall for our children & young people. They are going to love it.
#Community #Kindness
Do you have green-fingers and time on your hands?
Edible Forest Garden is a space on Mission Grove where disabled young people, age 16-25, learn about horticulture in preparation for employment. We really need volunteers to help us to maintain the garden – don't worry if you don't have the expertise, enthusiasm is all you need. Thursdays are preferable but we're happy to be flexible if that doesn't suit you.
If you would like to get involved and support an inspiring community project, it would be bloomin' marvellous!
Dance Is Freedom is the newly released film by Waltham Forest Borough of Culture 2019. It shows DashDot/YouthDance working with children and young people at The Limes, alongside the aspirational Stopgap Dance Company. A truly inclusive and inspiring project.
Watch the film here: http://youtu.be/Mq0LIseCiNo. It's a thing of beauty!
If you would like the chance to see #DashDotDance in action, they will be performing at the Walthamstow Garden Party this Sat 13th July 3pm on the News From Nowhere stage
Super Salad Wednesday is taking a little break and will return after the summer holidays.
Thanks to all of you who have supported this popular initiative by Zest Kitchen... our culinary programme, preparing young people with disabilities for employment.
Creative Journeys is a programme designed to prepare young people with disabilities for employment.
On Wednesday 10 July between 6-7pm, we invite you to come and meet the team and find out how this entrepreneurial scheme guides young people through the transition to adulthood and gets them ready to enter the world of work with confidence.
Throughout a 16 week journey, participants learn valuable life and employment skills, enabling them to take their rightful place in the community.
Another great community event on Saturday 6 July. It's the St James Community Cultural Day and The Limes will be there, pop by our stand and say hello.
And don't miss this... Our esteemed youth lead, Gavin Foster (aka DJ Gav) will be joined by a group from our Top of The Limes youth group as they play a banging set from 2-2.30pm.
Get ready to bust some moves!
It's all go at The Limes... our young people are busy making lots of goodies, for our stall at the Walthamstow Village Festival.
Come and visit the stall on Saturday and meet Qasim, a past participant of our Creative Journeys programme.
Find out more about how the scheme prepares young people with disabilities for employment, through three strands:
Edible Forest Garden (horticulture)
Make & Create (Crafting)
Zest Kitchen ( Culinary)
The latest data from NCVO.org shows that the public remains the largest income source for the charity sector. Which makes you our heroes!
In 2016/17, the public represented 45% of the sector’s total income.
Without the generosity of our supporters, we could not continue to provide services, which the children & young people of Waltham Forest desperately need.
To all of you who have donated, a great big thank you. So many children and young people's lives have been enriched because of your support and belief in the work we do.
We're hiring sessional workers.
Do you have the necessary skills to work with children and young people, age 5-25 years, with and without disabilities?
If the answer is yes, we'd really like to hear from you.
Don't delay... apply today
It's #VolunteersWeek and our young people want to say a big thank you. From building, painting and fixing to supporting and entertaining - you've done it all and they ❤️ you for it as much as we do!
Bakers & cakers... We need you!
To raise money for specialist toys, we're having a bake sale at our Pirate Party, 15 Jun - 12-2.30pm.
We need cupcakes and we're hoping you can help?
Drop off your cupcake donations by 8pm Fri 14 or bring them on the day and stay for the party!
Thanks for your support.
The Limes Community & Children's Centre has reached its 15th year and we've loved every moment of the journey.
We really couldn't have done it without you... so, let's celebrate together.
Pirate Party – Saturday 15 June 2019, 12pm-2.30pm
We promise you a fun-packed family day, so dress up as your favourite swashbuckling pirate and join us.
Games – check out our pirate ship adventure playground, while Captain Ana leads the fun & games.
Each Wednesday our talented Zest Kitchen young people serve up a scrumptious salad or soup, at The Mill on Coppermill Lane. 12-1.30pm.
Lovingly prepared healthy food a very tasty £3. It's guaranteed to sell out so get there early.
Zest Kitchen part of our Creative Journeys enterprise programme designed to prepare disabled young people for employment.
To find out more about Creative Journeys or any of our services, contact the team at admin@thelimes.org.uk or call 0208 5098985.
This year's E17 Art Trail is approaching fast and The Limes is delighted to be taking part in this fantastic community event.
Our talented Creative Journeys' young people have created a photographic study – Light and Shade – which will be on display at our Edible Forest Garden site, Mission Grove, for the duration of the Art Trail. Make sure you swing by, between Saturday 1 June and Sunday 16 June... we think you'll be impressed!
Tomorrow's Super Salad Wednesday at The Mill on Coppermill Lane features Fabulous Feta, Veg & Couscous with a lemon dressing.
Made for you by our Zest Kitchen young people, as part of our Creative Journeys enterprise programme. They'll be serving up a storm between 12-1.30pm... but at a very tasty £3, you'd better get there early! Everyone welcome.
Zest kitchen is part of our Creative Journeys programme, preparing young people with disabilities for employment.
Stopgap Dance Company is screening a trio of dance-based films to local residents Thursday 23 – Saturday 25 May 19, 202 Hoe St, as part of Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019. One of those films features disabled children & young people working with the super-talented Vicki Busfield, artistic director of DashDot/YouthDance, right here at The Limes. It's been such an uplifting project to be involved in. Don't miss the chance to see these joyous films. NB - CLUB will finish at 5.30 pm, Thurs 23 May, to enable the team to attend the screening.
You can read more about the films below…
We are unable to run our Tanz Toddler group on the following dates:
Tuesday 7 May
Thursday 9 May
Friday 10 May.
We look forward to seeing you for more fun and games from Tuesday 14 May, 9.30am - 11.30am.
Join us for our May Sunday market and see what our disabled young people have been busy making for you:
Fabulous flower bombs
Groovy Greetings Cards
Luscious Lavender gifts
Sassy Samosas with Chilli Sauce
Totes amazing tote bags
Summer loving seedlings
Trailblazing T-Shirts
While you're browsing you can try our Zest Kitchen's delicious cakes, salads, chutneys, jams, hot drinks and more.
PLUS you can check out a selection of handcrafted goods, created by local designers while enjoying some live music.
The Royal Court Theatre in collaboration with the National Trust are running Listen Local’s Mini Forest Cinema Tour, as part of Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture.
Our Creative Journeys young people were delighted to be involved, helping the team to transform a humble carvan into an enchanted forest cinema, on our Edible Forest Garden site.
The Listen Local caravan is showcasing over 50 short films by local residents, as it tours the borough. Find out more about the project here: http://bit.ly/2L7xhtS
The Limes will be back in action on Tuesday 23 April with Tanz Toddlers, 9.30-11.30am.
Until then we wish you sunshine and easter eggs!
As part of The Club, our after-school scheme - open to young people aged 10 and over – we have been running a ‘Building Connections’ workshop, tackling the issue of youth loneliness. From spray paints to word play, music and video our young people have been exploring the issues surrounding loneliness.
It’s our Easter Sunday market, pop in and browse the array of fabulous products our young people have been busy creating.
Win the perfect Mother's Day gift, A beautiful handloomed Tibetan shawl – courtesy of sparkleohara.strikingly.com. To enter, just got to our Facebook page and find our competition post. www.facebook.com/@thelimese17. In the comments, tell us your mother's most memorable words of wisdom - in no more than 30 words. Add hashtag #TheLimesLovesMums. Like our page and... job done! The competition closes at midnight Friday 22 March 2019 and the winner will be announced Saturday 23 March 2019, on Facebook and Twitter. Your prize will be presented at our Mother's Day Sunday Market, 24 March 2019, between 12-3pm. If you cannot collect at this time, please contact admin@thelimes.org.uk to arrange an alternative time. Full terms and conditions are below. Good luck!
Join us on Sunday 24 March, 12-3pm and find the perfect present for Mother's Day. Browse unique gifts, lovingly created by our talented young people – plus delicous cakes, soups, chutneys, jams & hot drinks.
We'll also be joined by some wonderful local designers, including Anmol and her glorious greetings cards, Jacqueline Foxley - handcrafted bags and Keresztes Hajnalka - homemade cakes.
Plus... Waltham Forest Community Choir will be serenading you from 1.30-2.00pm.
We're thrilled to announce that DashDot/YouthDance, a Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 project by Artistic Director Vicki Busfield, is coming to The Limes! Vicki Busfield, is partnering with us to provide creative dance workshops, for the SEND children & young people of Waltham Forest and the workshops will take place, right here, at The Limes.
Taster dance sessions will run every Wednesday from now until 3 April.
Find out more information below...
Would you like to be our new Zest Kitchen Coordinator?
Zest Kitchen is part of our Creative Journeys programme, designed to prepare young people with disabilities for employment.
Our participants learn valuable catering skills, including cooking and baking, as well as how to package and sell at our Sunday Market.
If you have good culinary skills and have the ability to engage and encourage young people with disabilties, this could be the perfect job for you.
Click HERE to find out more about these exciting opportunities and to apply.
Closing date Monday 1 April, 17.00.
We're looking forward to hearing from you...
Would you like to be our new Edible Forest Garden Co-ordinator? Or maybe, our Zest Kitchen Co-ordinator? Or how about both?!
Both jobs are part of our Creative Journeys programme and can be offered as indiviual positions or combined into one role, for the right person.
Click HERE to find out more about these exciting opportunities and to apply. We're looking forward to hearing from you...
Pop in to our Valentine's Market @ The Limes. Sunday 10 Feb 2019 - 12-3pm.
Browse gifts and goodies, lovingly created by our talented young people – plus delicous cakes, soups, chutneys, jams & hot drinks.
We'll also be joined by some wonderful local designers. We'd love to see you
More excitement for The Limes!
Vote for us before 24 Feb and we could win £500 – thanks to Taylor Wimpey's national Proud campaign, which makes positive contributions to local communities.
To vote, please email: ProudEastLondon@taylorwimpey-pr.co.uk and put The Limes Community & Children's Centre in the subject line.
Thanks for your support #walthamstow
We are delighted to be in the running for a Bags of Help grant from Tesco. With your help we could be awarded up to 4k, to help our disabled young people prepare for employment. If you're in Waltham Forest shop and shop at Tesco you can vote for us, until midnight 28 Feb. Just ask for a blue coin, at the till and pop it in the box marked The Limes. See 'More' for a list of participating stores. Thanks for your support!
Wishing all of you a wonderful new year.
We've got lots of excitement planned for 2019, so watch this space for announcements.
In the meantime, if you need any info or would like to chat to the team, call us on 0208 509 8985 or email admin@thelimes.org.uk
Thank you so much for choosing us as your Co-op local cause
Eat, drink, be merry and cross off your Christmas list at our fabulous Christmas market.
Come along to our Sunday Market, Sunday 25 November, 12-3pm. Christmas shopping made fun!
Thanks to all of you who joined us for our Big Play Party. It was so much fun.
It was 'something kinda ooooh' when our special guest, the fabulous Nadine Coyle from Girls Aloud, turned up to find out how we promote the power of play – supported by BBC Children in Need & @asda . The children loved Nadine and so did we!
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/2NP0FEpwYY0
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT BUT CALL 02085098985 FOR RETURNS. Please call between 10am-5pm. Booking closes 4pm, Thurs 8 Novmeber
