Fern Street Settlement

Registered Charity No. 250500

The Fern Street Settlement is a charity located in Bow, east London serving its local community. The object of the Settlement (as set out in the charity’s charter) and the means of achievement are set out below.

Object of the Settlement

The object of the charity shall be to provide for the material and moral needs of persons resident in Fern Street and the neighbourhood thereof who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.

Means of Achievement

The Settlement runs a pensioners’ day centre and arranges children’s and family holidays. Through these activities it comes into contact with all aspects of the community and is able to identify those in need and thereby help them. It also takes referrals from statutory bodies.

Work of the Settlement

The Settlement was founded in 1907 by Clara Grant OBE, headmistress of Devons Primary School in Bow. One of the first things she did, which gave the Settlement its most famous tradition, was to have a small wooden arch made. Any child who could pass under this, without bending their knees, would receive a parcel of toys for a farthing. The ceremony became known as "Farthing Bundles".

Now the Settlement runs a day centre for pensioners which provides adult education classes (such as art, singing, keep fit and basket work), social activities (such as darts, short mat bowls, bingo, whist, parties and outings) and a lunch club. We also arrange shopping trips to local supermarkets. The Settlement has its own handicapped-equipped minibus which can collect pensioners from their homes. The experienced staff team is always available to help with problems such as form-filling, pensions, personal matters, etc.

The Settlement also serves families by providing summer holiday camps for young people, outings and the provision of presents for children at Christmas. We help upwards of 350 children, families and pensioners annually - work which is continually growing.

How You Can Help

As a charity Fern Street Settlement is always in need of support. We are always pleased to hear from anyone who may be interested in our activities, and to receive donations or legacies to help us continue expanding our increasingly important work in the community.

To Contact the Settlement

Postal Address: Fern Street Settlement, Fern Street, London E3 3PS, UK

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7987 1949 Fax: +44 (0)20 7538 3148

Email: rfm@fernstreet.org

Photographs of Fern Street Settlement then (1934) and now (2005)

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