A Wheely Good Listen

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. 

In the last of our special episodes for Women's History Month, Antoinette talks to community organiser Sonja Camara in a wide ranging conversation covering Haringey and beyond.  Links: This video shows some of the activities on offer on Care to Challenge Women's History Month in Haringey Haringey Women's Leadership Summit Sewn Together Windrush Square War Memorial

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!

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

Today we catch up with Shenika Blygen for our first instalment of our four part series for Women's History Month.  Shenika shares how she came to rekindle her love for dancing, the changes she's seen in the area and how others can get involved.  To check out more of Shenika's dance classes visit: defineme.net or enquire at shenika@defineme.net or visit her Instagram @define_me__ To join our classes every Friday @ 6pm, email: Antoinette@wheelytots.com

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

In this episode, David and Lydia go for a walk with Mark Longbottom. In our most socially distant walk yet, it's a snowy winter morning for David and Lydia in North London while it's a late night stroll to the beach for Mark in Auckland, New Zealand. David was a guest on Mark's podcast in November 2020 so we thought it was polite to return the favour and ask Mark some questions about life in New Zealand and other things.  Links Purposely Podcast David's interview on Purposely Podcast Heart Kids New Zealand Devonport Wheely Tots Walking Projects

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

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)

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 

In this episode of the plodcast, Rhiannon talks to Rebecca Lees, an OS Get Outside Champion about, well, getting outside, local walks, getting teenagers outdoors and more.  Click here for photos. Links Ordnance Survey Get Outside app Get Outside Champion: Rebecca Lees Rebecca's website: Girl on the Trail Rebecca's walk to the fort Rebecca's books Rebecca's Instagram Brynn's Challenge Your Bike Project Walking Connections David's Box Hill Walk

The plodcast continues and today's plodders are the inspirational Jonathan Jenkins, CEO of London's Air Ambulance Charity with Rhiannon and David who all talk about leading in a crisis.  David is on a Wednesday day off somewhere in the Chilterns with some lovely views and uses the excuse of recording the podcast to have a nice rest. Jonathan is taking a stroll out of the office whilst recording the podcast and drinking in the fabulous London skyline and the activity on the Thames by Tower Bridge.  Rhiannon was recording from home and went for a walk in Epping Forest later that day so all is good for getting out and about. Links London's Air Ambulance Charity  The School for Social Entrepreneurs Your Bike Project Wheely Tots Foodbank David's Walk Route shared by The Chiltern Society, a small charity (like us), check them out If you like what you hear, please share and continue to send in your thoughts and messages and subscribe to the podcast - thank your for your support :)

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

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

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. 

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 :)

In episode 7, Rhiannon and Lydia talk to Bjoern , loyal supporter of Wheely Tots and great friend of David, about his family's epic trip from London to Cologne by bike last spring. We give an update on the Space Race mileage and funds raised, and discuss the benefits of giving yourself space to fail - and ultimately learn. Links mentioned in the podcast: Family Session wheelytots.com/Family Space Race wheelytots.com/spacerace Sponsor the Space Race givey.com/wheelytots

In episode 6, David is away on a well deserved holiday.  Rhiannon talks to Angela and Esme about all things Wheely Tots and updates on the Space Race mileage for week 1 of the challenge. Angela uses her editing skills to cover an awkward pause.  Links mentioned in the podcast:  Your Bike Project Foodbank  Family Session Space Race Sponsor the Space Race  Send us a voice message

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....

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....

In episode 4 David chats with Rhiannon and Armagan.  After listener feedback the team try writing an advert. Rhiannon updates on the Space Race and Armagan thinks she might sign up.    There are some long pauses in the playback and we apologise in advance. To join the Space Race please click here to sign up or to support the team click here.  As a message to you, our listener  - thank you so much for listening and please keep sending your feedback via the message function at https://anchor.fm/wheelytots 

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?

Rhiannon introduces the fabulous Laura from Sage, our Sage Foundation Ambassador who had an idea that is totally brilliant.....so brilliant that we politely asked if we could also share with our families..... David then introduces Lydia and they both reflect on the Space Race......We'd love to know what you think and  to join the Space Race  please visit http://wheelytots.com/spacerace/ to sign up.   Then we'll get straight back in touch with your fundraising pack and, more importantly, help and support you with your walking, running and cycling....cake baking or lemonade stalls We'd love to have you on the podcast so send us your audio via the message function at https://anchor.fm/wheelytots

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!

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. 

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.