Neighbourhood Network SW12 and SW17 is a community group run by local people for local people living and working between Balham and Tooting Bec.

Formed in 2013, Neighbourhood Network holds events and provides activities to bring people together to create a friendly, cohesive and inclusive community where everyone is welcome!

With activities for the elderly and local history group meetings, Neighbourhood Network SW12 and SW17 holds many community events throughout the year supported by a group of local volunteers and a small amount of funding from Wandsworth Council. Two of the most popular events are Neighbourhood Wednesdays and Talk English which are are held on a regular basis.

Neighbourhood Wednesdays take place on the first Wednesday of every month from 10am-1pm.  Located at the Scouts Hut on Balham High Road, this is a drop in event where locals come to chat over coffee and tea, meet others in their community and spend time visiting, making crafts and playing tabletop games.  With patchwork and crafting tables, visitors can enjoy knitting, sewing and creating beautiful greeting cards while getting to know neighbours in their local area.  After requests from mums with babies and small children, there is now a Rhyme Time immediately before Neighbourhood Wednesdays from 9:30am-10am where the wonderful Margo from Blueberry Playsongs leads with a lively and fun musical session!

Talk English is a fantastic initiative that began a year ago on a suggestion from Ravenstone Primary School.  Aimed at carers and parents who do not speak English as their first language, Talk English primarily focuses on spoken English to help with communication with schools as well as everyday situations. Held every Thursday during term time between 9am-10am, Talk English is a fun and informal session run by volunteers to help those gain confidence in their English language skills.

Sincere thanks to @CllrFleur and @ArfurSmith resplendent in his golden, chocolate money, mayoral chain for helping us launch the #balhamtootingtrail on Saturday#community localwalk #localhistory #balham #tooting pic.twitter.com/Tty8e3zA5y

— neighbourssw12sw17 (@NNsw1217) May 3, 2018

Neighbourhood Network SW12 and SW17 have also created the most fascinating podcast “Balham To Tooting Bec Trail”.  This podcast takes you on a historical journey along Balham High Road to Tooting Bec Station and back.  Told by local residents, including the self-styled “Mayor of Balham” Arthur Smith, the stories and history of this stretch of road is compelling and interesting whether you are a visitor to the area or a long term resident! Access the podcast here , download the accompanying map (also available at the local library) and sit back with a cup of tea or coffee to learn more about the history of Balham High Road.

If you would like to find out more about Neighbourhood Network SW12 and SW17 or would like to volunteer to build a stronger community, please visit their website for more information. You can also follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!