2024 SO FAR…
We started this year excited to see what the year would bring for Philo as we had found our new home and were planning our big move. In many ways, we knew the project would look and feel different this year and in knowing the Grove Park Youth Club would be our new spot, we felt confirmation that placing art at the forefront would be a key extension of the play offering, encouraging ourselves and families to discover and be empowered by the artist in them.
So we moved and anyone that's moved house before will know what an ordeal it can be especially with a lot of things (think we’re still recovering from our move with 2 kids, a baby and our fish earlier this year!) It takes time to prepare, time to pack, time to move, time to settle and time to learn how to fill and move in your new space.
As we re-opened our doors, we knew that change would bring a new excitement and freshness to the project and of course amazing new families - we were now open from 10:30am - 5pm! Each week we’ve seen children run straight through the front door to find their space to play with their adults kind of catching up behind them. We’ve seen friendships budding in the art and games rooms, water fights and kids proudly winning football against the adults on multiple occasions! Babies and toddlers in every room exploring all there is to offer and really deep and thought provoking convos in the kitchen. It's all been beautiful and has taught us a lot already about what the work of deep community building looks like.
Our first collaboration was with the wonderful artist, Kiera - Philo’s first ever art facilitator who found us and we found her at the same time and it was just the perfect combo. Her creativity knows no bounds and each week the artwork and creations that flowed out of the art room brought so much joy and healing. We were SO sad but happy to hear that Kiera and her family were moving on to really exciting things outside london and feel so blessed to have shared this time with her. Kiera we love you and you will always be a member of the philo fam - we’ll miss “that big girl”! Keep updated with what she's up to next!
Of course with anything new(ish), we’ve had our fair share of challenges but they've only reminded us we’re on the right lines. Setting up each space within the building and outside each week became easier as we grew to understand our strengths and what worked in the space - we still needed lots of help and are incredibly grateful to the families who cleaned up the kitchen, packed toys and carried boxes back to storage so we could reset the space each week.
"Go fast, go alone - go far, go together."
SUMMER FUN, BBC RADIO & GO KARTING RACING!
A major highlight of our year has to be the Go Kart Build & Race event by London Play which we were excited to be a part of this year. Our team pulled up to Mudchute farm on the sweltering first day in August with 12 other teams and from start to finish, they designed,created, built and raced their very own go kart! We’re pleased to say #12 passed the engineer checks, got to the finals and is now safe and sound back in blue borough!
Our amazing young people worked so so hard and were even featured on BBC Radio London sharing their experience of the day - so proud. Well done to everyone involved - we’ll be back next year!
WHERE ARE WE NOW
Firstly we want to thank every single person that has contributed to our crowdfunder - we have raised and are continuing to raise over £2400. Through sharing and speaking with the community, we know and believe that Philo is essential space and will continue to work to keep it’s doors open. Even this week, the kids are still raising funds and have amazingly raised £120 towards the crowdfunder through their own lemonade stand!
At the present moment, we for-see that Philo will be able to open monthly from October but this really depends on what we are able to raise from this point on. We are still very much welcoming donations through the crowdfunder and are planning fundraisers through September which you can be a part of!
The best thing about this year is how many unexpected surprises we’ve encountered and we just know there is more to come. So THANK YOU for your support, prayers, contributions and encouragements towards the project - it makes all the difference. Keep watching this space!
If you have any ideas to help keep Philo alive, whether it's fundraising ideas or links to funding, please contact us - we'd love to connect with you!
LOVE
Team Philo