Students from our Art, Textiles, and Health and Wellbeing programmes have taken part in the Giant Dolls’ House Project — a social arts initiative encouraging people to reflect on their home and environment by making a dolls’ house in a shoebox. Along with 200 people across Wandsworth, 18 Share students had their work featured in the Voices of Wandsworth installation at the Battersea Arts Centre, part of the London Festival of Architecture. 

Each shoebox-sized space represents a unique perspective and experience. Linking the boxes with ropes and ladders turns these stories into a tapestry that symbolises community connections.

Led by architect Catja de Haas, the project aims to raise awareness of homelessness and the experience of refugees, and remind us of the importance of a home and community for all. 

We first took part in the Giant Dolls' House Project after lockdown, a time when connections and home were especially meaningful. So we were delighted to reconnect with the project and be part of this thought-provoking installation.

We'd like to say a massive congratulations to Share student, Georgia, who completed the TCS London Marathon MyWay in April, finishing with an impressive time of four hours and 40 minutes. 

Georgia chose to run in support of Share, raising an incredible £2,521 for our charity! This will make a real difference to the work we do at Share and we're deeply moved by her commitment and generosity.

Running a marathon is no small feat. It takes great strength, a huge amount of dedication, and countless hours of training. Georgia committed wholeheartedly, training weekly with running buddies from her club, Wimbledon Windmilers, and putting in extra miles in her own time.  

Reflecting on the marathon, Georgia told us, 'It was a really good day and I really enjoyed the run'. She shared her race-day strategy, explaining how she kept a steady running pace throughout and finished strong with a sprint. Georgia said she felt 'proud and relieved' when she reached the finish line. Thank you Georgia, not only for your generosity to Share but also for inspiring us all through your hard work and determination.

Share has been selected to take part in Culturally Mindful, an innovative professional development programme that brings together global majority creative practitioners, healthcare providers, and grassroots organisations to transform health and wellbeing support in Wandsworth. 

Our art facilitator, Mowbray, will attend training sessions and work with an acclaimed artist to co-design culturally competent creative health programmes which we can then deliver to our students.  

Funded by the Mayor of London as part of Wandsworth's London Borough of Culture programme, Culturally Minded focuses on developing culturally relevant approaches that make mental health support more accessible and meaningful across Wandsworth's diverse communities. 

Eve Bradshaw, Share's Creative Programmes Coordinator commented,  'We at Share Community are absolutely delighted to have been selected to take part in the Culturally Mindful Programme. As a service that aims to empower adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs, we believe this inspiring initiative will bring immense value to our students, enriching their lives through inclusive, culturally responsive and expressive experiences that promote wellbeing, confidence and joy.'  

Two Share students were celebrated at the Wandsworth Moves Together Awards ceremony at the Civic Suite in Wandsworth alongside over 200 people from across the borough, including nominees, local councillors, and representatives from key London sporting organisations. Daniel and Jodie were each shortlisted for the 'Sports Person of the Year' award in recognition of their commitment to physical activity and community spirit. 

Previously known as the Active Wandsworth Awards, the event reflects the council’s growing focus on movement to boost wellbeing, encourage physical activity and strengthen communities. The Wandsworth Moves Together initiative, in partnership with Enable Leisure and Culture, also aims to make sport and leisure more accessible and affordable for all.

Daniel has made excellent progress in our sports programme. He's always kind and compassionate to other students, supporting them in sessions and offering great instruction. He's also demonstrated strong skills across a range of sports, including basketball, football, hockey and cricket to name a few.

Jodie has been leading weekly dance fitness sessions at Share Clapham Junction, which have become very popular with both students and staff. She also led a dance fitness warm up at our sports day last year, as well as at our Awards Day, showcasing her passion and confidence.

Congratulations Daniel and Jodie on your amazing achievements. Keep up the good work!

We've been working with the Wimbledon Foundation as part of their 'Work at Wimbledon' initiative that offers supported pathways into employment. A group of students on our Steps into Employment programme have been part of a journey that has culminated with six of them securing paid jobs for the championships in 2025.

The group first visited the championships last year to watch a spot of tennis, get to know the site and see what happens during the tournament. They then attended workshops and open days. All 13 students who applied online for various roles were offered interviews. To help them spruce up and look the part we worked with Smart Works, a charity who provide free interview-appropriate clothing to unemployed women. Our group also benefitted from interview practice and preparation with Smart Works and during our regular Steps into Employment sessions.

Student Charlotte told us a bit more about her interview, 'We practised in Steps for it with Alice – practice runs. They asked me why I want the job and I said I like tennis and I'm always on time and reliable. I showed her [the interviewer] my folder with all the Steps work in it, and I took my certificates to show her and the different work placements I've done.'

Charlotte, together with fellow students Michael, Anna-Marie, Chloe, Shammah and Joseph have successfully secured paid jobs for the championships this year, working in retail and guest services, and we're incredibly proud of them!

Charlotte said, 'I’m excited to work in the big, massive shop, working with customers and serving customers around the shop. And they're giving us all our uniform for free and free lunch - what else could we ask for?' 

And Michael told us that he's looking forward to, 'Helping people to come into Wimbledon...ticket scanning, helping people in. Maybe helping the royal family in!' 

Leading up to the championships, they'll take part in training days and we're also providing training and support to their line managers to help them understand how to best support people with learning disabilities and autism at work.

Daniel has been a student on our Steps into Employment programme which aims to prepare our students for the world of work. The group have been working closely with supported employment specialists, Status Employment, who worked with Daniel to help him volunteer at the Lion Vibes Record Shop in Brixton.

With support from his Status Employment career advisor, Jahida, he set up a meet and greet with the record shop staff, showed them his one-page profile and had a chat. Daniel successfully secured a placement, and has since been offered a paid role. 

Reflecting on how it all began, Daniel said, ‘Volunteering was really good’. At the shop, Daniel has taken on a range of tasks including, ‘Sell[ing] the records, stamping, and bagging things up to send to different countries.’ When we caught up with him, he’d just finished a shift the day before, ‘Yesterday I played music. I played one jazz and one hip hop,’ he said. He also shared a few of his favourite artists, ‘I like Michael Jackson so much... Cliff Richard, and Boy George.’ 

Music has always been a big part of Daniel’s life. He told us, ‘I have a DVD at home. I put it in [the computer] and dance to it in my bedroom.’ He also plays guitar and sings, sharing that his favourite thing about working at the record shop is being able to listen to music and sing while he works. 

When he's at the shop, Daniel says he feels, ‘Excited. I like the people there, they love me so much.’ He enjoys learning new skills and likes the freedom that comes with earning money, often using his pay to ‘go out with my friend’. Of course, every job has its challenges. ‘The computer is hard’, Daniel admits, but he’s never afraid to ask his manager Ben for help, ‘Ben is good!’