Category: News

There’s an array of events and activities taking place here at Mycenae House this summer, including Live Music, Engineering, Theatre, Coding, family fun day & more! Enjoy our Family Friendly Café Bar, Free Wifi and the great outdoors in Mycenae Gardens!

Live Events include:
4 July – A Celebration of Summer
Two astonishing folk/roots acts, The Kimberleys and Robert Vincent, performing in the beautiful woodlands of Mycenae House.
25 July – BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions
A panel of four speakers who answer questions from the audience, providing people with the opportunity to challenge politicians, policy makers, writers, and thinkers.
3 August – PARKSfest Family Fun Day
A free community event for all set in the beautiful grounds
of Mycenae House & Gardens, a perfect for a summers Sunday outing.
For details about all Live Events visit www.mycenaehouse.co.uk/event/events-shows/

Plus check out the programme below of clubs and activities for children running throughout the school summer holidays:

12 July 2-4pm (4-17 years)
Art & Design Workshop
A fun and creative session where children and teens can explore art and design
techniques through hands-on activities. All levels welcome!
www.meetbellamung.com

23-25 July + 28 July-1 Aug 10am-4pm (6-12 yrs)
Engineering Minds
On this fun Summer STEM club children will learn Engineering, Coding,
Robotics, Animation and Graphic Design with a different focus each day.
www.engineeringminds.org.uk

Fridays 25 Jul-15 Aug 10.30 + 11.30am (Babies)
Baby Sensory
A world of sensory delights where babies and their carers can relax & have fun.
www.babysensory.com/woolwich-greenwich

28 Jul + 5 Aug + 11 Aug 10am-3pm (9-11yrs)
Young Writers’ Workshops
Learn how to write dazzling stories at these themed creative writing workshops, perfect for 11+.
www.jacquelinewheelertutor.com

29-31 July + 12-14 August 9am-3pm
JK Performing Arts
3 day Matilda + Wicked Workshops learning the official scenes & musical theatre songs and dances from the shows – plus themed arts and crafts and lots of fun!
www.jkperformingarts.com

31 July + 21 August 11am (All Ages)
Bach to Baby
Critically acclaimed classical concerts for babies, toddlers and their carers. Tots revel in the wonder of live music, while you enjoy performances by outstanding musicians.
www.bachtobaby.com

13-15 + 20-22 + 27-29 Aug 9.30am-3pm (7-14 yrs)
Code Ninjas Camps
Turn your child’s love of gaming into real-world STEM skills! Let kids explore coding through hands on game development in popular platforms like Roblox & Minecraft.
www.codeninjas.com/blackheath-ldn-uk

15 August 10am (All Ages)
Baby Broadway
Sing & dance along to well-known songs from hit shows in this fun family concert performed by West End singers.
billet.to

20-22 August 9.30am-3pm (7-11 yrs)
Design Camp
A hands on camp for creative children with activities including sewing, stop-motion, sketching, Zumba kids, clay art & more!
www.studia-on.media

Mondays + Wednesdays 10am (1-5 yrs)
diddi dance
Action packed, fun and funky preschool dance classes for boys and girls, ages 16 months – 5 years.
www.diddidance.com

South-East London Artist Xavier White is exhibiting his work at Mycenae House from 3rd March – 30th April 2025.

‘Footsteps’ are a visual journey over the last decade as an outside artist. Much of his work is defined by the brain injury he sustained in a cycling accident in 1985. This journal explores the successful decade creative process and development research behind the stained glass sculptures, wall hangings, performance and installations.

After attending an adult education class in stained glass, Xavier White had begun to realise he wanted to further his understanding & capabilities in a creative field. Fate overtook, as he experienced a near fatal brain injury at 18 years old, just when he had been planning a return to education.

After years rehabilitating, upcycling and creating in an outsider artist wilderness, he finally got to realise his formal artistic education with the support of 1990’s Labour mantra of ‘education, education, education’. This provided the encouragement and study support that gave with his learning difficulties, ‘I wanted to learn how to learn, exploring what’s my style?’

Throughout the Art & Design Foundation he was required to produce sketch & visual research workbooks to ‘show his thinking’. Xavier the outsider had always had sketch book but this pulled his doodles into a more presentable approach to research for a specific purpose. This visual research continued during his BA degree in Swansea.

During his final year in 2008, a fellow student recommend he go for an autistic spectrum test. After returning to London he eventually got a referral for an Autistic Spectrum Test (AST) at the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) Hospital. The outcome was inconclusive but since returning to SLaM, he found an arts supportive umbrella. Xavier has exhibited in a number of exhibitions at SLaM, which led to being offered an artist in residence at London South Bank University (LSBU) and with Outside In. For which he has continued the visual research workbooks as part of his method. 

FOOTSTEPS displays selected pages from these extensive research journey books, offering a chance for the viewer to follow and retrace emergent ideas behind projects traced across a successful decade, as imprints from a creative journey.

Ukrainian Arts Hub‘s new exhibition is now on display for Jan + Feb 2025 on the ground floor corridor at Mycenae House. Featuring work from Yaroslava Bespyanska, Natalia Popravka, Iren Turcanas, Yana Turtsanash & Olga Girymaslo – Smith.

Ukrainian Arts Hub (UAH) was created after Russia’s large scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Hundreds of families fleeing the war arrived to Greenwich and surrounding areas. It was clear that many of the children would not be able to continue their extracurricular education in Schools of Art, so abundant in Ukraine. At the same time, many Ukrainian artists and musicians were also coming. Hence UAH was founded, to provide a platform for these two groups of people to meet and benefit each other.

As the 3 year anniversary of the war in the Ukraine approaches, this exhibition is a reminder that despite all the difficulties and hardship, Ukrainian culture survives and develops; that despite the ever more raging war, its people aim to remain resilient and positive.

Our January-June 2025 What’s On Brochure is due back from the printers soon, pop in and pick up a copy once it arrives or read online now via issuu.com

Find out more about:
– the latest news and updates
– the regular programme of activities
– venue hire
– our Reach Out Projects
– upcoming live music events

We are delighted to welcome back the Aperture Woolwich Photographic Society members for an exhibition of photographs of the finest quality.

The Society who meet weekly for training and mutual support have long set the standard for the best possible work made at a local level.

Come and enjoy their work during opening hours on the Ground + 1st Floor corridors at Mycenae House throughout November + December 2024.

Visit www.woolwichphotographic.com to find out more about the Society.

Earlier this year in April 2024 Charlton Chess Club hosted well-known rapper musicians Guvna B and Barney Artist and their camera crew here at Mycenae House, filming for their new Youtube series – Rappers Try Things.  They have now released the video – Rappers Try Chess!

They were filming their adventures trying out new things and had no previous experience of playing chess.  Following individual training sessions from Nick and Andrew and practice games with Tony and Alan they were ready to play a face-off game of chess!

Everyone enjoyed the experience.  To see what happened and know the result of their game, watch the video! www.youtube.com/@RappersTryThings

If you’re feeling inspired and are interested in joining Charlton Chess Club you can find out more here www.charltonchess.org.uk

New Exhibition now on display: 60 Years of Vanbrugh Park Estate.

2024 is the 60th anniversary of the building of Vanbrugh Park Estate and to celebrate this the residents of the estate have put together a show of art inspired by the Estate made by the residents of the estate.

The contributors are a broad range of artists from beginners to professions but the common theme of living in this modernist gem ties all the art work together. The brutalist architecture features heavily, the softening impact of the gardens, the estates unique original colour scheme and the joy of family life there draw this diverse exhibition together.

Pop in during opening hours this September and October to view the work on display on the ground floor.

Thank you so much to Polly Morgan and the Westcombe News for this incredible article about our Reach Out Project in the current March 2024 issue!

What a testimonial this is from a Reach Out family member:
“For us as a family, Reach Out provides a service that is invaluable, giving us the comfort of knowing mum has a happy place. Mum now has a wider circle of friends and friendly faces that she engages with and consistently feels part of an ever-increasing group that is mutually supportive. My mum is happier, more engaged and more fulfilled thanks to Reach Out, Mycenae House, the staff and people that make use of the opportunities on offer. Our thanks are only matched by how grateful we are that Reach Out exists, helping keep my mum and so many others away from loneliness and isolation

The award winning Westcombe News is a free, monthly newspaper written, produced and delivered by The Westcombe Society to over 4,000 homes and businesses by local volunteers.

Read the article in full on page 5 of the Westcombe News here https://westcombesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24_03-WNMarch24.pdf

Our January-July 2024 What’s On Magazine is due back from the printers soon, pop in and pick up a copy once it arrives or read online now via issuu.com

Find out more about:
– the latest news and updates
– the regular programme of activities
– venue hire
– our Reach Out Projects
– upcoming live music events

Incredibly proud of Deborah, our Reach Out Projects Coordinator, who will be receiving The British Citizen Award in the January 2024 Roll of Honour.

Deborah, along with School Community Librarian Jennifer Allen, will be honoured with The British Citizen Award for Services to Community, receiving the coveted BCA Medal of Honour for their partnership work to develop intergenerational projects between Mycenae House and The John Roan School, as well other local schools.

Read the full press release below.

THE 2024 NEW YEARS ‘PEOPLES HONOURS’ TO BE RECOGNISED AT THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Deborah Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Allen, from London are two of 28 remarkable individuals to be recognised at the Palace of Westminster with the prestigious British Citizen Award (BCA) in recognition of their extraordinary endeavours. The British Citizen Award in partnership with One Stop, is now in its 10^th year and recognises exceptional people who positively impact their communities throughout the country. Dubbed ‘The People’s Honours’ this programme recognises true community heroes for their divergent endeavours and positive impact on society.

Deborah and Jennifer will be recognised at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday 18^th January 2024 and honoured with The British Citizen Award for Services to Community, receiving the coveted BCA Medal of Honour and invited to use the post-nominals BCAc as a legacy of their achievements.

Jennifer, a Secondary School Community Librarian and Deborah, who runs The Reach Out Project at Mycenae House (Community Centre) worked in partnership to develop intergenerational projects between Mycenae House and The John Roan School, as well other local schools.

The joint partnership benefitted those who are isolated or lonely, with poor mental and physical health and those with learning disabilities. The Project challenged assumptions and broke down barriers between generations. Older adults also had a sense of purpose and the Project resulted in younger people having a value and respect of older adults. The pupils gained a better understanding of their own older family members’ challenges.

The impact of students’ involvement had a profound impact on those they met and their confidence grew in ways that could not have been foreseen, helping them grow into the young adults they are today. The pupils developed activities for those with complex needs and dementia, creating a happier environment. With guidance these enthusiastic youngsters spread their positive energy throughout the community. With this dedication they achieved some awesome successes including: becoming Dementia Friends, visiting Care Homes, establishing a school lunch club, reading and poetry in Care Homes; and teaching French.

“This year’s medalists have reminded us of how many amazing people are supporting our communities, especially during such a challenging time. At One Stop we serve many communities across the country, and we know how important voluntary work is to support those in need. We’re proud to be partnering with the BCA again and to play a small part in helping each medalist to be recognised. Our congratulations go to all honourees”, said Stephanie Wood, from BCA partner One Stop.

The Medal presentation will be hosted by TV presenter Matt Allwright, and attended by BCA Patrons, Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers, and The Rt Hon Lord Dholakia. The British Citizen Award was established in 2015 to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and society.

Each medalist is presented with their BCA at the Palace of Westminster by Senior Representatives from official partner One Stop, Places for People, Specsavers, Objective HR, and Uniserve who all support this unique programme. Medalists then board an Open Top Lap of Honour tour provided by Big Bus London, before attending a certificate presentation at the prestigious Church House to complete their recognition.

The British Citizen Award is widely viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday people from all cultural backgrounds from across the country for exceptional endeavor. The Medal presentation is held twice annually, to nominate an outstanding individual from your community to be considered for The People’s Honours visit www.britishcitizenawards.co.uk.