Launch of "Out of Sight, Out of Mind - Abuse, Neglect and Fire in a London Children's Workhouse, 1854-1907" By John Walker

Thursday evening I went to the launch at Newham Bookshop of this work by local historian, John Walker. I haven't read it yet but I know that the story of this Victorian workhouse for children (which is only 10 minutes walk from where I live) is pretty horrific. There were similar institutions at the time up and down the land. 

After signing copies of the book outside, John gave a talk about the book and what he found while investigating the achieves. He also pointed out the irony that the lodge (or gatehouse) of the workhouse was used to "allow" parents to see their children for an hours or so every three months (yes every 3 months!) which is now used by the local charity, "The Magpie Project" which supports families and children who are denied access to public funds outside institutions. The new so called "undeserving poor". 

Check out https://www.newhambooks.co.uk/ where you can also order the book (Pub 26 Aug 2021 ISBN 978-1-7399142-0-2. £12.99 from all good bookstores). 

Picture of John with our local London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai, holding his signed copy of the book. 

Afterwards a number of us went to the famous East Ham pub, The Boleyn, which has recently been refurbished and carried on discussing local Labour movement history. 

"Newham residents raise £1,600 for the Magpie Project"

Hat tip Newham Council Website "Money was raised through a collection at Newham Council’s music extravaganza Under the Stars with many residents providing generous donations. Additional donations were also collected through Newham Council staff participating in Christmas Jumper Day on 14 December.

The Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz and Councillor John Gray, Deputy Mayor (statutory) and Lead Member for Housing Services, presented a cheque to the project for £1,600.

The Magpie Project provides a safe and fun place for mothers and under fives who are in temporary or insecure accommodation. They provide art activities, messy play, nutritious snacks, a healthy lunch and other refreshments. The project also works with other services such as housing charity Shelter, health and law organisations and Newham Council’s Workplace to help mothers who visit get the advice and support they need.

Mayor Fiaz said: “I am a huge admirer of the Magpie Project and in awe of the volunteers – many of them mothers themselves – who give up their own time to provide this service. A service such as this should not be necessary. I am committed to tackling homelessness with compassion and care and I am looking at how we can provide different forms of temporary accommodation which is more appropriate and provides some stability as well as increasing the number of homes at social rents.

“As that work is still in the early stages, I am grateful for what the Magpie Project provides which is a lifeline to many and I would like to thank those residents who have made generous donations so we can present this cheque. We are looking at how we can help the project in other ways too – we have undertaken an assessment of the Lodge, the building the Magpie Project uses, to see what improvements we can make. I will also be meeting with the project in the new year to deal with issues raised around how mothers in temporary accommodation are treated by Newham Council.”

The Magpie Project is located at The Lodge Forest Lane Park, Magpie Close and is open Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am and 2pm during school term times only. For more information visit www.themagpieproject.org​

Magpie Project

I spent some time this morning at the Magpie Project in Forest Gate talking to families using the centre & volunteers. I was so impressed. A fantastic respite & haven for mums and children living in temporary accommodation in and around Newham London

Check out :-

Welcome to the Magpie Project

We can’t solve the housing crisis, but we believe in making children’s lives better during their time in temporary accommodation.

We provide practical support and advice to mothers and children under five in temporary or insecure accommodation in Newham.

We believe all children have a right to a secure, safe place to play, healthy food, engaged parents, and access support no matter what their family circumstances

A Christmas Story. East London. 2017 (In one of the richest countries in the World)

I have just donated £50 to the Magpie Project in Forest Gate in lieu of xmas cards to friends and colleagues.

"Welcome to the Magpie Project

We can’t solve the housing crisis, but we believe in making children’s lives better during their time in temporary accommodation.

We provide practical support and advice to mothers and children under five in temporary or insecure accommodation in Newham.

We believe all children have a right to a secure, safe place to play, healthy food, engaged parents, and access support no matter what their family circumstances".

I admit to being somewhat hypocritical since I like getting xmas cards myself and to being disorganised and a little lazy with sending cards but I do prefer donating (and then sending daft e-cards).

I know people who volunteer to help in this project and I think the above caption about "this is a crisis" says it all.

It also reminds me why we need a proper Labour government in this country.

Magpie project https://themagpieproject.org/

Donate here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/magpieproject