Growing the Alternatives at the Albany - 1 Minute Highlights
“You are part of us standing up against hatred and those who would seek to divide us”
Thanks to everyone who led workshops, stalls, came along or took part in any way at Growing the Alternatives at the Albany on 13 September.
We couldn’t have put it better than London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities & Social Justice Debbie Weekes-Bernard, kicking off the event:
“To come together to do something interesting… is such an antidote to a lot of the negativity that exists out there at the moment. So for those of you who are here, who are part of an event like this, you are part of us standing up against hatred and those who would seek to divide us, so thank you so much for what you’re doing.”
Together we are stronger 💙
Music in the video is One World, One Chance by Cynthia Cockburn, performed by Quaggy Community Choir & friends following their workshop at the event.
Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund & the Mayor of London who supported this event, as part of the Mayor’s Community Weekend 2025.
Below: an introduction to the event from our founder Giovanna, and a preview of one of the kids’ activities:
Growing the Alternatives was a family-friendly day of community building, skill-sharing, and learning – creating the alternatives we need for people and the planet.
This is your chance to connect with others, discover local initiatives, and gain practical skills to help our communities not just survive, but thrive together.
Growing the Alternatives will include:
💡 Interactive sessions on renewables, retrofit, low carbon cooking and tackling climate disinformation
🌱 Workshops on land justice, housing, decolonising economics and more
😊 Child friendly activities, art and crafts
🚲 Fix your bike at the cycle repair station
🎵 Sing with a community choir
Plus more TBA!
This event is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and the Mayor of London, as part of the Mayor’s Community Weekend 2025.
Full Schedule for the Day:
Selce Workshops in Full – Blue Room
11.15-11.45 Change to Save – Cost/Carbon Saving Energy Bootcamp – Michael Ochser, Selce
11.45-12.15 Beginner’s Guide to Retrofit- Alex Woodcraft, Selce
12.15-12.45 Solar & Heat Pump Essentials – A Guide for Householders – Renewables Engineer, Jason Blanchard
13.00-14.00 What does a fair and caring retrofit look like? A creative workshop Maria Salaru, Lewisham Council / UCL
14.00-15.00 Songs for a Brighter Future – Jake Alexander / Quaggy Choir
15.00-16.00 Tackling Climate Disinformation Dorothy Stein, Salamander News
16.00-16.45 Mindfulness for the Climate – a Guided Meditation – Giovanna Speciale, Selce
Maz Koshika’s Workshops – Red Room
11:15-12:00 Reimagining Housing – Sav Fishel
12:15-13:15 Alternative Economic Systems – Neil Walker
14:00-15:30 Palestine and Climate Justice – MAKAN
15:45-17:00 Herbal Medicine Making – Esme Greenway
& in the Garden or Cafe
12:30-14:00 Queer Ecologies + Nettle Cordage – Ali Graham-Brown
16:00-17:00 Land Liberation Zine Making Land in Our Names
Stalls – Throughout the Day
Dr Bike from Lewisham Cycles (12-5), Selce Energy and Retrofit Advice, kids’ arts & crafts, eco games, Climate Action Lewisham, Parents for Future, Esme Greenway (Herbal Medicine), Lewisham Divest Campaign, Asthma + Lung UK, Choked Up, The People’s Ark, Mushroom selling, Plant and Seed Swap, Clothes Swap.
Highlights from our last event:
