What's on
From family support, fitness classes and learning to art exhibitions, festivals and talks, our activities are wide and far reaching.
On 7 September, 19 dedicated runners, including those from Turner & Townsend and CBRE, will take on the 13.1-mile Big Half challenge, aiming to raise £4,800 to support Coin Street in combating loneliness and enhancing the lives of older adults in Waterloo and North Southwark.
Each year, over 230 older people use our services, from art groups and coffee mornings to community singing and gentle gardening. With local offices and strong ties to the area, our fundraising partners are not only training hard but also working to support the community we serve.
We sat down with two runners, Ben and Will, to explore what motivated them to sign up:
Ben Moon
Ben recently joined Turner & Townsend as a graduate in their Energy and Natural Resources team, having moved to London in 2023 to pursue a master’s degree. His connection to the Big Half goes beyond just the run; during his time as a student, Ben lived near Coin Street: “I’ve spent a lot of time around Coin Street. I’ve been to the Oxo Tower, Gabriel’s Wharf, and I even ran through the area just recently.”
When he learned that Coin Street was offering places in the Big Half, it felt like a natural fit. Ben first heard of the opportunity through Turner & Townsend’s “One London” network, where a colleague shared the event. His two teammates, Holly and Elle, are also running, and the trio decided to take on the challenge together.
“It felt like a great thing to do as a team and for a local cause we care about”, Ben said. Growing up in Bradford, Ben was involved in a local charity alongside his mum, supporting disadvantaged children through sports and youth clubs.
“From Year 10 until I went to uni, I was helping get kids off the street and into safe spaces. Whether it’s younger or older individuals, they’re both at-risk groups in society. They need support, and it’s nice to give back. Community charities and enterprise have always been part of my life, so running for Coin Street felt like the right choice.”
Ben noticed that, despite being in central London, there is a contrast between the commercial buzz and the quieter communities that call our area home: “It’s a very busy area, and sometimes you forget that people live here. Often, we come into work from areas on the edge of London and think that it’s just an area for working, but it’s not, so it’s nice to support local people.”
With his first half-marathon ahead, Ben is training hard and aiming for a competitive time. Training hasn’t been without its hurdles and Ben is currently managing some minor injuries to his shins: “I’ve been doing physio and lots of calf raises to help with it.”
With the Big Half approaching, Ben is working hard to balance work, training, and injuries with a commitment to supporting older adults, getting him through.
Will Casasola
For Will, running is more than just a physical activity; it’s a mental reset: “It’s a really good way to get a bit of a release. Being out in the fresh air, away from the desk, it’s something I genuinely enjoy.”
A keen runner, Will encourages others to give it a try and discover the benefits. Running for Coin Street has given Will motivation to continue training: “I’ve come to understand what Coin Street is all about and why it’s so important. Even in a city as busy as this (London), you can feel isolated. Having a place to go, where events are organised and people can connect, is great for both mental and physical wellbeing.”
Thinking about the time spent with his grandparents, Will appreciates the value of community and social interaction: “It’s about having that spirit, being able to talk to like-minded people, and having a social outlet. That’s important for everyone, but especially older people in our community.”
One of the things Will finds most eye-opening is how hidden community life can be in central London. As someone who didn’t grow up in London, he admits it’s easy to overlook the fact that people live in the heart of the city.
“Some of the places where older people meet are tucked away in small houses and community centres, right between office buildings. Most people wouldn’t even know they’re there, so it’s nice to know in between all the office blocks, there are still places committed to supporting older people. You just see central London as a place to work, but people have lived here their whole lives, it’s important not to forget that.”
Will also praised Turner & Townsend for supporting initiatives like this. “Not all companies give you the chance to get involved in things like this. It’s great that they’ve partnered with Coin Street and encouraged us to give back to the community we’re part of.”