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A Wheely Good Listen

A Wheely Good Listen

By Wheely Tots

Join a North London Charity and special guests with behind the scenes chat and Q&A. A must listen for anyone trying to do something good .

Wheely Tots believe all children, families and communities should be healthy, confident and resilient.

We approach all this social integration and community development stuff by listening and learning from everyone we meet.

Thanks for listening. We are a small charity with big ideas. You can support us with a donation at www.givey.com/wheelytots all funds raised go to helping those that need it most.

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Currently playing episode

The 'Big Clean Up' Volunteering Day at Broadwater Farm Community Centre - June 2023

A Wheely Good Listen Jun 20, 2023

00:00
24:16
The 'Big Clean Up' Volunteering Day at Broadwater Farm Community Centre - June 2023

The 'Big Clean Up' Volunteering Day at Broadwater Farm Community Centre - June 2023

After a busy and very eventful day of cleaning at the Moselle Community Project at Broadwater Farm Community Centre, David, Nicolette, Venuse and Kate reflect on the importance and value of community spirit and connecting with each other. Towards the end of the podcast we were joined by the amazing Phee Kingshott from Haringey Council who is normally based at Northumberland Park Resource Centre.



Jun 20, 202324:16
Season 4 Episode 3: Hello Nicolette

Season 4 Episode 3: Hello Nicolette

In this episode, Kate and Nicolette reflect on the previous episode, talk about how the Friday sessions in Broadwater Farm Community Centre are developing and discuss some future plans.

Our Friday activities include:
Age Friendly Walks - 10am  and 12.30pm
Monday Walk for Broadwater Farm Residents - 1pm
Adult Learn to Ride and Improve Skills - 11am
Food, chat and activities in Broadwater Farm Community Centre - 11am to 12pm
For more information and to book for a session go to https://www.wheelytots.com/sessions
For more information about LSAC and to book for the Monday walk go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/lsac-53839203643

Follow us to keep in touch

Feb 27, 202321:02
Season 4 Episode 2: Hello Kate
Jan 20, 202319:51
Season 4 Episode 1 : Hello World, we're back

Season 4 Episode 1 : Hello World, we're back

Wheely Tots is back with a new series of podcasts.
First up we have a visit to the community kitchen at Broadwater Farm Community Centre.
To join our Friday activities, click the links below:
Age Friendly Walks Friday 10am
Adult Learn to Ride and Improve Skills Friday 11am
Food at the Community Kitchen Friday 11am - 2pm
Click here for a short video of the community kitchen.
Jan 13, 202318:59
Season 3: Episode 7 - Volunteers at our community-led foodbank on Broadwater Farm Estate: a place where you can find new friends, new people and new ideas

Season 3: Episode 7 - Volunteers at our community-led foodbank on Broadwater Farm Estate: a place where you can find new friends, new people and new ideas

In this episode, Lydia, Wheely Tots' Project Manager, takes you to our weekly foodbank on Broadwater Farm Estate in Tottenham on a sunny and windy May Saturday morning. The podcast features the stories of some of the dedicated volunteers who support the foodbank: who they are, their connection with the estate and why they help out. 

The foodbank began quite organically in March 2020 as we continued to distribute food from the Felix Project to residents after having to cancel our bike maintenance sessions with young people, which we originally organised the food for. Over the last 14 fourteen months, the project has evolved into more than a foodbank. As well as reaching over 50 households a week, it has become a source of valuable social connection and community support. As Renate, one of the volunteers, points out, "It's a place where you can find new friends, new people, new ideas. It's a great place. I love it." While Esther comments that if everyone has enough, everyone in the community will feel safe and comfortable.

Lots of thank yous for this episode: all the volunteers, past and present, including Esther, Renate, Aaron, Grace, Jacob, Natalie, Meg, Richie, Ganna, Leticia, Judith, James and Cynthia; the funders who have supported the project these past 14 months -
Segro and the City Bridge Trust, via the London Community Response, Haringey Council and Haringey Giving; Roxanne Williams of Impact Cuisine who brings hot food and cakes each week; and, of course, the staff and volunteers at The Felix Project


May 11, 202123:33
Season 3: Episode 6 - Women's History Month: Sonja Camara
Apr 13, 202131:43
Season 3: Episode 5 - History Month: Feeding Tottenham W/ Roxann Williams

Season 3: Episode 5 - History Month: Feeding Tottenham W/ Roxann Williams

In our third instalment for Women's History Month, we speak with the Broadwater Farm Foodbank chef and all round lovely person Roxann Williams as she shares how she's kept in touch with friends, how she stays active and what makes her food taste so amazing!

Mar 16, 202117:21
Season 3: Episode 4 - Women's History Month: Tottenham's History W/ Joanna Yeung

Season 3: Episode 4 - Women's History Month: Tottenham's History W/ Joanna Yeung

In Today's episode, we explore the historical beauty of Tottenham and discover Joanna's many talents.

Mar 16, 202143:03
Season 3: Episode 3 - Women's History Month: Dancing W/ Shenika Blygen
Mar 16, 202122:42
Season 3: Episode 1 - Wheely Tots' Winter Rides

Season 3: Episode 1 - Wheely Tots' Winter Rides

In today's episode we discuss Wheely Tots' latest project, Winter Rides, that'll be calling on the brave among us to brave the cold and warm up by being active.

For further details on the project, visit http://wheelytots.com/ride/ where you can find all the information you need to participate from wherever you are in the world

Thanks for listening and please keep your comments and feedback coming in - we love hearing from you!

The Wheely Tots team


Feb 12, 202122:29
Season 2: Episode 7 - Our most socially distant walk with Mark Longbottom
Jan 26, 202135:40
Season 2: Episode 6 - Cassie Williams, Federated 4 Health

Season 2: Episode 6 - Cassie Williams, Federated 4 Health

Lydia and David get to chat with the awesome Cassie Williams from the Federated 4 Health the GP federation based in the London Borough of Haringey and we learn about its work and how Wheely Tots are helping deliver Covid Kits around the Borough - obviously by bicycle….

Even though the three of use were in completely different places,  we still marvel at the fact that we can still go for walks together at the same time and have good quality chats  -almost in the way that we would if we were all in the same place….

Its was recorded in December 2020 outdoors one of those days,  so unbelievably cold, we decided to share some “pro tips” for staying warm  so that even when the weather is too cold you can still get out and about comfortably

You get to learn about bottles, clothing tech , gloves, socks, layers , and the all important "huddle" as demonstrated by David or Esme

Take care and stay safe

The Wheely Tots team

Jan 04, 202126:19
Bonus episode: A surprise change of of plan, a fear of heights and the Gruffalo gets a mention

Bonus episode: A surprise change of of plan, a fear of heights and the Gruffalo gets a mention

Esme and David get asked to run some parent & toddler sessions south of the river.  

NB in 2021 these sessions will operate "virtually" and this means you can join as individual families, groups of families from literally anywhere in the world!  Sign up to our newsletter (in the right hand sidebar )  to be the first in the know about all this :)  And, yes, we'll post bikes out to you if you need them!


What could be more straightforward, strap a few balance bikes on the back of regular bikes , walk them (because there are lots and they aren't necessarily tied down optimally,,,,,) down to the nearest overground train station, get the overground to Peckham (ish) run the sessions and pedal/train it back....

This was recorded pre lockdown (around the time of the Jonathan Jenkins, air Ambulance one) and we've been saving it....like a good cheese or nice wine....or a meal that you've been meaning to cook but because the oven has got ideas of its own you need to wait till it will let you....

Its got some great train noises (if you like that kind of thing ie you're a 2 year old that doesn't know any better or you're an adult and want to hark back to those days when you were a 2 year old and everything was "big" and "exciting" and there were so many "firsts" )

You can also get a sense of what its like getting 2 bikes on a (relatively quiet) train......

And David was (for reasons he can't remember) absolutely not in the mood for any kind of a bike ride and was really, really looking forward to sitting on the train and having a nap all the way to Honor Oak.....

And the main learning is that if you're going anywhere....ever.... always be with a Scout Leader (which Esme is) because they are not only always prepared but thoroughly good company and will get you to your desination and back because that's just the kind of awesome people they are! 

The canal without a canal 

Seabass Cycles - we don't know these people but love the name and  - like all bike shops - are bound to be great

Citymapper  - free and very, very good! and of course other apps are available but we do think this is the best ;)

The Gruffalo - other childrens tales (and gloves) are available

Wishing you all a relaxing and peaceful Christmas and hope you get a walk or two in and for ideas wheelytots.com/walking for those in North London.  And for everyone else you can find similar on your doorstep (if you can't just send your postcode to info@wheelytots.com and we'll curate a route for you)

Dec 23, 202011:15
Season 2: Episode 5. Clasford Stirling MBE. A walk around Broadwater Farm aka "The Farm"

Season 2: Episode 5. Clasford Stirling MBE. A walk around Broadwater Farm aka "The Farm"

Listen to Clasford Stirling MBE who evokes memories of the days of being at loggerheads with the Council and whether we think much has changed. We planned to find out what’s going on at the moment and look to the future and as both are so uncertain we retreat to the comfort of the past and learn some snippets of history about the mosaic and the mural of Broadwater Farm.

Clasford has been a "social entrepreneur" for over 40 years but was doing positive sports and community  development, particularly through football, way before it had this modern title along with so many others.  So if you think that organisations with a social purpose are somehow a "new thing" then rest assured there are countless examples in recent and distant past in the community, public and private sectors.  

As always it's lovely to get your feedback and we hope you enjoy the listen as it re awakens memories or gives you a pause for thought and reflection before you head back to your regular routine.

Take care and stay safe,

The Wheely Tots Team

To entice you to listen or if you would like some reading notes from which to do further research there here is some of what's covered:

Community development at Broadwater Farm 

History of Broadwater Farm

Clasford is absolutely still a pillar of the local community and this is backed up by the 20 or so people who pass us and wave or smile as everyone knows Clasford

Clasford mentioned George Meehan  and George Meehan House 

And a real understanding of the value of community development work and specifically the need for this type of work to be regarded as the domain of professionals ie properly resourced and remunerated

The history for equality and the issues with policing in the past

May Richards 

Bishop Frimpong 

Photo of Clasford back in the day 


Nov 17, 202036:40
Season 2 Episode 4: Getting Outside
Oct 30, 202032:09
Season 2 Episode 3: Leading in a crisis
Oct 13, 202038:01
Season 2 episode 2 - A socially distant walk....in extremis...the plodcast “live” continues

Season 2 episode 2 - A socially distant walk....in extremis...the plodcast “live” continues

Lydia & Rhiannon (Finsbury Park ) go for a walk with Rahima and her laptop (Southwark). You literally can’t make this stuff up...Trash Racks, Neighbours, Mallards, Herons, Swans, Fluffy dogs, Lydia’s tech set up, Rhiannon’s secret love of walking & maps and a brilliant insight into Clarion Futures digital work around improving physical and mental health & wellbeing all feature...in what we can only write up as a bumper episode about the launch of a new digitally inclusive walking project by recording a digitally inclusive walking project... Links in this episode include: Southwark , New River / Finsbury Park, Clarion Futures, wheelytots.com/walking
Oct 05, 202026:57
Season 2 : Bonus (part 1) The Running Man

Season 2 : Bonus (part 1) The Running Man

Jer makes an incredibly kind offer that Wheely Tot's gratefully accept....David and Esme head off to say thank you and be supportive and have a slightly challenging experience that takes them out of their comfort zone....We will loop back in (bonus part 2 ....coming soon)  and chat with Jer about his experience and find out about how his run actually went and how far out of his comfort zone he went....all this "slightly challenging stuff" falls within our theory of change.....

This is all about the Virtual London Marathon , what its really like to support fund raisers and how to make all this seem effortless and well prepared so that it all runs like clockwork.  Obviously its all about what actually happened and we hope you enjoy the listen and we will keep the fundraiser open a bit longer so if you enjoy the podcast and would like to support Wheely Tots then here is the fundraising link

https://www.givey.com/jeromahony2020 and please consider to donate generously.  All proceeds go directly to;

 - buying extra balance bikes for wheely tots kit library so more families can participate in our sessions without having to buy a bike 

and any excess  beyond the target will go to

 - The foodbank 

Links

This is the video for the elephants bit....and also Esme's huddle which we will incorporate when we get the right file!

Alexandra Palace (Pally Pally)

Uber

Virtual London Marathon

Oct 04, 202017:37
Season 2 - Episode 1 Walking & Talking Finsbury Park to Green Park

Season 2 - Episode 1 Walking & Talking Finsbury Park to Green Park

After the “failure podcasts” we figured you needed a break. So after those cliff hangers we’re up for some autumn & winter activities!

Lydia, Rhiannon and David go for a walk...Wheely Tots have a number of walking initiatives e.g. wheelytots.com/walking and the idea to walk from our homes near Finsbury Park or Tottenham to Town past so many other people’s homes...including the Queen...was slightly challenging but only took 2 hours.  It fits in well with our beliefs around health, confidence and resilience; and themes around planning, being comfortable and doing stuff all core to YourBikeProject.uk and the foodbank we help out with.
If you’d like the route map email us and we’ll send it out to you otherwise the links below give good enough clues! Finsbury Park -> Gillespie Park -> Paradise Park -> La Taverna Roman -> London Green Cycles -> Hammerton Brewery -> Granary Square -> Pearly Kings & Queens -> Indian YMCA (open for take away!) -> wheelytots.com/toddlers, @Victoria Pendleton, @Prince Louis, @YourBikeProject, @Frank Lowe - Thinking Space, Tavistock Centre -> Green Park

Click here to see some photos from our walk. 

Sep 26, 202020:55
Episode 8 - failure... again, although we all know it’s called “learning”

Episode 8 - failure... again, although we all know it’s called “learning”

This episode contains Magical Turkish tea from Armagan & Esme’s bike ride , a cameo appearance by Wilson and the teams second attempt at an advert where a jingle randomly appears. Lydia asks David about failure and to prove we’re “failure experts” this was our third attempt at a failure podcast ( the first was a genuine unbroadcastable failiure ! ) and so was recorded before we found out about calling failure “learning” in the last podcast. So basically this should be episode 7 and we suggest listening to that one again if you need a sense of order before the next one :)
Sep 04, 202016:28
Episode 7: Family cycling adventures and the merits of failure
Aug 25, 202021:16
Episode 6: Space Race update week 1
Aug 11, 202017:27
Episode 5: What the Space Race really means for us

Episode 5: What the Space Race really means for us

Lydia talks to Zemichael and they - for reasons only known to themselves - have decided we're going to the moon and back....The shortest one way trip is 240,000 miles....so quite honestly we're all up for a challenge and all that.....but maybe next year.....!
Find out more about Zemichael and Tottenham Cycling Club here and here.
David talks to Merna about the Space Race and end up having a chat about unconscious bias and we hope that the chat gives you pause for thought.
And thank you to you, our listener, reporting that your bike shop was out of Spoons premium grease but fortunately a nearby cafe had loads so all was good. We will attempt another advert....as you asked about how best to clean a bike......
If you need a song then try this....
Aug 05, 202020:07
Balance Bike pre session chat

Balance Bike pre session chat

This is specifically for SE23 balance bike sessions as we couldn't figure out how to email a massive audio file (100MB......) and make it easy for potential participants to listen to....

Aug 01, 202026:15
Episode 4: Preparing for launch
Jul 30, 202017:53
Pre session information

Pre session information

wheelytots.com has all the information and you can also  listen to David and Armagan talk you through what you need to do :)

Letting us know you have listened to this podcast means that you can come along to an in person outdoor session.  It also means that you know the answers to  the following questions;

1. Do I need to bring a bike and helmet?

2. If I don't have a bike and helmet , what should I do?




Jul 23, 202006:20
Episode 3: Volunteering....again....this time join the Space Race to the ISS...and back!
Jul 21, 202018:45
Episode 2: Insight into volunteering (part 2.....the view from the other side)

Episode 2: Insight into volunteering (part 2.....the view from the other side)

In Episode 2 we talk with David and Rhiannon who both felt the need to respond to Episode 1.  

Our new words are "learning agility" and "value exchange" which, with hindsight and as I type, sound very corporate....probably because they are.....

That said it was a lot of fun making the podcast and I think we need to borrow some microphones as the sound quality is a bit ropey but we hope you enjoy the listen!

Keep your topics coming in as we've had some brilliant suggestions for future content and your feedback will help get these podcasts more polished!

Jul 17, 202015:24
Episode 1: Insight into volunteering (part 1)

Episode 1: Insight into volunteering (part 1)

In Episode 1 we talk to Stephanie and Angela, who both decided to use their new found free 'furlough' time to volunteer with Wheely Tots

Volunteering from home without meeting anyone face to face is a unique and interesting situation which has turned out to be pretty good fun too.

Both Stephanie and Angela found their volunteering opportunities on Do It. Current volunteer roles at Wheely Tots can be found here

Jul 14, 202011:47
Walk to the Lea Valley with Muf Architecture and Park Lane Children's Centre

Walk to the Lea Valley with Muf Architecture and Park Lane Children's Centre

Muf and Wheely Tots delivered two walks from Northumberland Park to the Lee Valley with families and staff from Park Lane Children’s Centre. The walks were designed to test how easy people find it to get to the Lee Valley Park and explored their expectations once they got there.


Feb 02, 202014:35