Some History…

It’s Mahnaz again. So much has happened with the Discovery Space since it’s inception in 2017. Here’s a little glimpse :

• My very first Discovery Space (DS) was in summer of 2017 around my dining room table with Nat, some school mums and 2 others I did not know. My 85 year old neighbour (Charles Levoir) welcomed the invite and told the group he sometimes went 3 weeks without human contact and after the session no-one wanted to leave. I knew then how important this was. I then ran DS sessions in Walthamstow (where we lived before) and then went local to Highams Park and in South Chingford Community Library soon after.

• Ghazalla started her first DS in December 2017 for 18-25 year olds in Harrow. She has gone on to create Evolve Initiative and runs some brilliant projects for young people.

• Steph ran her first DS in January 2018 for those who were recovering from Cancer in Walthamstow. She then created Life After Cancer and has gone on to do some incredible work with people across the country with her work.

• SICK. Created and organised by Lemzi, Amelia and Tells. An event for young people run by young people with the venue sponsored by Waltham Forest former leader, Clare Coghill. Project leads coached by Mahnaz.

• Lock Down 2020 - 2021. William Morris Big Local funded a project to run DS sessions for young people who were struggling with lock down. Project led by Mahnaz and facilitated by young adults in the borough.

• William Morris Big Local funded an athletics event for local young people in 2021. Run and organised by secondary school students across the borough who were coached by Mahnaz.

• Waltham Forest Council are currently funding three DS sessions in Waltham Forest for Walthamstow with Andy, and South Chingford and Highams Park with myself and Emma between October 2023 and June 2024. Their funding has also supported us in the hosting of our website.