What we do…

Since 2017 Grove Park Carnival helped nurture a thriving community and improve wellbeing in our corner of South Lewisham. The Carnival provides a chance for residents to let their hair down and enjoy a day together for free. Residents make new friends, enjoy outdoor activity together in a local green space and try new activities including arts, crafts, sports and dance. The Parade and Dog Show invites residents to take part and generates pride and confidence in our community. Our volunteers young and old work together, learn new skills and take on new responsibilities – making parade floats, erecting tents, managing attractions. We provide free stalls to local charities and community groups and involve groups that support young people including Scouts, Cadets, youth clubs and football clubs.

Grove Park Carnival built on the success of Chinbrook Dog Show, started by dog walker David Higgs in 2012, adding markets and attraction each year which established a clear demand for a bigger community event in the area. In 2017 the growing group of Dog Show volunteers restarted the Grove Park Carnival Parade which last took place over 30 years before.

Now, over 1000 attend annually and many more engage in workshop and activities in the lead up to the event and with the parade through the streets. We also provide a chance for networking, consultation, outreach, recruitment of volunteers and signposting of local services during the event which amplifies the benefits offered by other local community groups throughout the year.  

This is a grassroots led project, our committee is 100% local volunteers of all background, abilities and walks of life who commit spare time and raise funds every year to make this event happen for benefit of their neighbours, community groups and local charities.