Young people from six Thamesmead schools gathered to celebrate the launch of Southmere Lake: Nature Explorer Map and Guide.   

Following on from the Southmere Lake Mapping project, students from the participating schools gathered at The Nest Library and Community centre in Thamesmead to launch the finished artwork.  

Supported by Peabody, the project aimed to engage young people from the community with their local area.  

In the first phase of the project, the students took on the role of ‘Nature Explorer’ in a series of outdoor workshops with Artist Educator Matt Ponting. They were encouraged to discover and draw both the lake and surrounding area. The students discovered native plants and wildlife as well as local landmarks. These discoveries became the subjects of observational drawings made outdoors and back in the classroom.   

Matt then collected the students’ artworks into a gallery of over 1000 drawings and created an illustrated map with a walking trail to explore the lake and local area. The map can now be picked up in print at The Nest or a digital version downloaded from our website.

As a result of this project, locals and visitors can use the map to engage with Southmere with a newfound energy, inspired by the student’s explorations and artwork. 

“[I have enjoyed this project] Because we got to explore the whole of Southmere lake!”

– Participating Pupil

To celebrate the launch of their map, the students returned to Southmere Lake where their drawings were on display. They took the freshly printed maps for a walk around the lake and joined up with Matt once again for a workshop. 

Putting their observational drawing skills into action, the students studied the wildflowers growing around The Nest and make quick sketches. Inside, they used these sketches as a reference to turn sheets of coloured card into a collaborative collage. By the end of the day the wall was blooming with wildflowers! 

“I’ve learnt the amount of things you can do at Southmere!”

– Participating Pupil 

This project was commissioned by Peabody and supported by London Borough of Bexley, as part of the School Superzones Project, which aims to create safer and healthier environments for children in Thamesmead. 

“I think that in years to come the children will be proud that they were part of such a project. They will be able to share the experience with friends and family and get to know the surroundings more.”

– Teacher