Welcome to our new Community Spotlight interview series!

Walworth is made up of brilliant people who brighten our community and sustain the work we do. In this new series, we want to share their stories and the role they play in our neighbourhood.

For our first interview we are delighted to begin with Kam, a much-loved and bubbly friend and neighbour, who is now also Pembroke House’s new Events and Activities Producer.

When did you get to know about Pembroke House and become involved in its activities?

People kept on referring me to the Walworth Living Room, which I found out was Pembroke House’s baby. I first went in to collect Rose Vouchers as it was the closest pick up point to me, but then they told me about Hot Meals on the Way Home and asked if I’d be interested in coming with the kids. I went in the week after, and I didn’t stop.

Pembroke House was the first place to give me an opportunity to showcase my love for food and cooking, and they also arranged for me to get my Level Two certificate. When they asked me to come in as a temporary chef, that brought my confidence to life. I didn’t see myself as a chef, but they responded, “Well, your food is amazing so you’re a chef.” People would literally come to me on the street and say “Whoa, we snort the food, it’s amazing!”.  

I was really isolated before I moved to Walworth, it was just me and my children. I put my foot in slowly- it started with coming in for the Rose Vouchers, then for an activity, and when the kids were at school, I’d come for a cup of tea. I just started staying longer and longer, and I started speaking to more people. I began to focus more on the beauty that the community offered and became less consumed by personal issues that made me feel alone.

What is it like now being a member of staff?

It’s unreal watching my ideas and suggestions come to life through the activities I’m planning. I’ve always felt welcomed by the team, but now I just feel really hugged. It’s an amazing feeling.

Community is something we speak a lot about- how do you define it and how does it show up at Pembroke House?

Community is about celebrating differences. I’ve moved around alot, and I was never part of a community until I came here. At Pembroke House and the Living Room, we have differences in ages, backgrounds, and social status, but it hasn’t separated us. I love how Pembroke House plays a part in giving people the outlet to have somewhere to feel- and I hate saying safe space- but somewhere to feel like they can be themselves. That’s what community represents, being yourself and being celebrated no matter what your thoughts are. We can have difficult conversations and still reason and laugh and joke about it.

Is there an element of your role you enjoy the most or are especially looking forward to?

Being myself! I used to keep to myself, but now I’m able to go against the norm and give my opinions. People want to hear more about what I have to say and I have the flexibility to work in my style. I’m loving making decisions that will empower generations to come. For example, I’m really keen to have more teenagers and SEN children in the space. My role allows me to do that, and when I’m planning activities it’s always so exciting when it aligns with Pembroke House’s values. 

Pembroke House has now existed for 140 years. What do you think is its role in the neighbourhood today?

Pembroke House acts like a glue for the community and brings out the amazing qualities that we have. It happens through hearing people’s past stories, or having the Monday Lunch Club for example. We have people that have lived in the area for years. So just in sharing those stories, Pembroke House connects the dots and is making a better future for the generations to come. It’s not forced or rehearsed. It just feels so nurturing and natural. 

What are your hopes for the future of the organisation?

I hope that we continue to celebrate, empower and collaborate with the generation to come. I also pray that Pembroke House is a place that my kids want to return to in future. They love coming here now and I can see them coming to PAM and being in the space as volunteers. 

In the spirit of Pembroke House and our love of food, I think it’s appropriate to end with this very important question- what’s your favourite meal?

I have a lunch box in mind. It’s a curry goat with white rice and fried chicken with coleslaw.

We hope you enjoyed reading the first in our interview series! If there are people in the community that you would like to see featured in future blogs, please reach out to Nikita Quarshie.