Clapton Commons

Mike’s mum

Actually what happened was this.

Mike’s mother was in her 90s and he wanted to find someone to help her go for a short walk each day. Although Jewish by birth and atheist by inclination Mike decided to reach out and ask the local vicar, William, if there was anyone in his congregation who might like to help.

No one came forward. But at the same time both felt that there must be people who lived locally who could. Some might call this the crisis of adult social care, but at a very human scale it set up a puzzle that needed to be solved – the challenge of Mike’s mum.

Liberty Hall

They recognised that people did not really know each other as neighbours and consequently local ‘need’ was not in touch with local ‘resource’.

To attempt to build these connections, together with a few neighbours, they set up Clapton Commons.

At the same time when they looked around the area they realised that there were very few local spaces where people could come together to get to know each other and access the untapped resources available across the community.

Just at this moment Hackney invited expressions of interest for the abandoned toilet block on Clapton Common, which seemed like a perfect opportunity to turn this derelict building into a community asset that would be open to everyone. The plan for Liberty Hall was hatched.

Over the last six years, Clapton Commons has been working to deliver this project, whilst at the same time building its network, supporters and vision along the way.

Clapton Commons became a registered charity in 2020.

OUR MISSION TO DISCOVER, CELEBRATE AND CONNECT THE ASSETS PRESENT IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS.

Building Community and bringing together assets for a just , environmental, economic and social Transition since 2013