On Thursday 16th October 2025 we had our Annual General Meeting. It was wonderful to gather with so many friends, collaborators, neighbours and Walworth residents for our annual general meeting (AGM).
This is one of the most highly anticipated events in Pembroke House’s annual calendars, where we give updates on the work we have been doing for the past year and serves as an opportunity to connect which is always part of the agenda!
The evening started with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, hosted by local resident Helen. It was the perfect start to the evening and showcased the diversity of our community.
After people shared coffee and chatted, the AGM began with a reintroduction of our working principles, which was first presented at our last AGM, which are Connect, Grow, Act, and Share. In isolation, these words do not mean much but together they provide a shared language, vision and direction, helping us keep our goals firmly in sight. This year, building on those principles, we gave examples on how our projects highlight these principles in action.
We heard from Tara, the Director of Programmes, about the Walworth Living Room and our new strategy to connect with local residents in a different way. Over the past months the team has been heading out into the neighbourhood and striking conversations with people right on their doorsteps. We’ve been listening to their stories, learning about their experiences here in Walworth, and inviting them to the Living Room as a chance to come together and connect with more local residents.
Sally, the Pembroke Academy of Music (PAM) Project Lead, shared how PAM allows students to grow through the experience of learning new instruments and performing, increasing their confidence and abilities.
From Richard and Isabela shared how the Walworth Neighbourhood food model encouraged growth and also increases potential for community action, through two projects, the Community Chef Pilot programme and the new Walworth Road Opportunity. The Chef Pilot saw chefs from the community engage in a skills share, growing their repertoire and sharing recipes with each other. The Walworth Road opportunity is a new opportunity which could see a physical space for the the Walworth Neighbourhood Food Model and is an opportunity to build wealth in the community.
Juliette, Heritage Officer, spoke about the Becoming Neighbours project, which seeks to uncover and share the stories of Pembroke House’s Residency. She shared some preliminary stories that had been collected and the future plans of the project, which include creating a blueprint for the relaunching of the Residency.
The working principle of connection was seen in action through a connection exercise, which was a highlight of the evening. People had to had to think about their ideal day in Walworth with their table, and share it with the rest of the attendees which was a great way to learn about people’s favourite places in Walworth. And in true Pembroke House style, we shared a meal cooked by Auntie Faye of Kaieteur Kitchen, whose Guyanese food helped in uniting everyone with a shared sense of satisfaction.
It was a lovely evening, full of connection and a chance to share our work with the community.
If you want to support Pembroke House, you can support us here.
If you want to hear more, you can read this year’s annual report here.