What is Create Without Borders? Create Without Borders is a non-profit organisation dedicated to making spaces centred on refugee creatives. These spaces range from physical events such as the Lewisham Refugee Festive Market to online galleries – all intended to recognise, celebrate and promote the incredible creative output of people with lived experience of forced migration. These spaces also create opportunities for paid work, as well as collaboration and networking with the wider community. Speaking to creatives we quickly realised that one of the common barriers to practising art i ..read more

T A P E is a collective fighting for a more inclusive film industry. They are hosting a free pop up exhibition, CEREMONY, on Saturday 24th October, with moving image, photography and illustrations, plus a market, with all work by Black creatives and creators. We talk to founders Angie Moneke and Isra Al Kassi to find out more. Firstly, how was your lockdown? Isra: I was very fortunate to be able to work from home during lockdown, while home schooling at the same time had its own difficulties, it was nice to be at home with my son. It also offered me the head space and opportunities which has l ..read more

How has your lockdown been? Full of highs and lows! I was home-schooling two young children which was a challenge as I think a lot of parents found. I was constantly Googling things like how do you do long division without a calculator? And what exactly happened in the Stone Age? I was also very lucky as the Primary school I teach at wanted the continuity of dance lessons for their children during lockdown so I created and filmed three lessons a week in our attic! We were able to play these through our YouTube channel which reached many children at home. What’s your background and what was you ..read more

What’s your background? Tell us about chef-ing, writing and which came first? Before food, I studied economics, but found myself gravitating towards sociology and cultural anthropology. It was a really broad insight into the world of social sciences; the way we interact with one another and the way we build social relationships. It definitely sewed a seed of interest that eventually led me to work in Brazil for an NGO for favela children, as well as with children and young people in Foster Care in east London. Cooking was something I turned to when I was feeling lost and deflated on both perso ..read more

What is Wasteless Market and how did it come about? The Wasteless Market CIC is a pop up market championing vendors of consciously made goods that are environmentally responsible. We bring some of the best Zero Waste vendors together under one roof, helping the community to reduce plastic waste and fight climate change by offering sustainable eco-friendly goods and services. Just over three years ago, my sister lost her battle with breast cancer – she was diagnosed at only 36 years old. I started to worry about the chemicals in every ..read more

What is Successful Mums? A training company to help mums back to work or start a business after having children. The majority of our training courses are funded by a range of companies that support the work we do, therefore free to local mums! When and why did you set it up? What’s your background? I created Successful Mums in 2014 when I saw a gap to support mums after a career break. I understood how it felt to have children and lose your mojo, so wanted to provide a solution. I’m a trainer and career advisor and had worked with hundreds of different industries, so had a broad understanding ..read more

How did you become a musician? Anna – I began writing music when I turned 11. My family moved to beautiful Cape Town, South Africa and I vividly recall sitting on Hout Bay beach with my mini guitar, writing, staring out to the sea. Many years later I reached an imperative realisation that, if I was going to choose music, I had to wholeheartedly devote myself to it. So, with that, I left the UK and travelled the world for 9 months and wrote as many songs as I could, before moving to London to properly pursue a career in music. Tell us about your career highlights so far Anna – Some of my career ..read more

Tell us about how Take A Seat came about. Take A Seat Productions started 5 years ago. I [Chantelle] was actually working in the city at the time and the company I worked for was organising a Family Day. I was keen to get involved and put my Musical Theatre & Drama training to good use. I knew that I wanted to create a day where families could spend time together taking part in different activities but all with a performance element to them. I wanted the events to be interactive; a chance for everyone to be involved and entertained. What can people expect from the Christmas Panto? W ..read more

Peter runs The Pedal Inn, a mobile bar events company with a special affection for gin. On 7th December they host Beckenham Christmas Gin Party at the Mansion.  The Pedal Inn Tell us a bit about your background I’ve worked with a range of people and in a number of sectors, but one thing keeps me going; I love working with people and adding value to their life – whether that be from a new drink they’ve tried, to giving them a great experience, it’s what makes me tick. I’ve got a mixed background, having worked in Secondary Education, Corporate Customer Relations and Hospitality.  I wo ..read more

What’s your background and how did you become an artist? Having spent my childhood in Italy I was surrounded by a variety of beautiful things which attracted my attention. Looking back, I was like a magpie; collecting images of all sorts of sights and sounds. When I eventually came to live in this part of London, I continued to be fascinated by my new surroundings. I received my degree in Fine Art Sculpture & Ceramics from Camberwell. Upon graduating, I began working on large scale sculptures and public commissions. I eventually fell into teaching, after a year-long commission at a local ..read more