A Lewisham family is aiming to fundraise £15,000 to create a weekly pop-up play space and supper club for local families in the borough.

Jason Shields and Tash Shields, both 34, launched Philo in Downham as a free after-school play space for local children and for families to connect at the supper club.

They have fundraised £13,817 at the time of press, but are looking to raise a total of £15,000. The target has been stretched from £12,600 to subsidise culturally-appropriate therapeutic services for up to 10 families.

“We feel so grateful for the generosity of over 80 donors so far who believe in the vision…of creating a space for the community by the community,” said Jason Shields, a trainer in equality, diversity and inclusion.

The money raised will enable Philo to equip the play space with toys, prepare nutritious meals, create a library, train volunteers and contribute towards utility bills and transportation.

Tash Shields, a former teacher, spoke to ELL about how the “growing levels of deprivation” in the borough, limited funding, and the “lingering isolation post-covid” has pushed the family of four to “step out and do something different” by providing some relief to busy families once a week.

Since launching in early November, all weekly slots for the month have been fully booked by local families from a variety of backgrounds.

Jason said: “We’ve seen a lot of our Afro-Caribbean community who have been looking for more diverse spaces come and visit Philo….and we will continue to engage with local partners and get the word out as we would love to become a hyper-local community that represents the Downham area well.”

Currently, Philo sessions are being held at Barn, a local event space in Downham. Venues for upcoming sessions will be confirmed when slots are open for booking.

If you would like to contribute towards The Shields’ fundraiser, which ends on November 18, click here.