THE WANDSWORTH PHOTOGRAPHER

Unmasking the local heroes among us

Spending more time at home during lockdown had its ups and downs but one positive was a new appreciation for this fabulous area we live in, and in particular, the wonderful people we call our neighbours.

I want to highlight our local superheroes – be they individuals, small businesses, local enterprises, charities – with portrait photos and a short interview. They deserve the limelight!

I have a long list of potential interviewees but would be so grateful for suggestions from you all. Anyone or any business that goes that little bit further to make our corner of London a better place. Or even someone you don't know that well, who manages to make you smile on a regular basis. Send your nominations to alexandravanotti@hotmail.com and follow me on Instagram at @thewandsworthphotographer

The Wandsworth Photographer: Welcome

LYNNE, ESTATE ART

Talking to Lynne is a humbling experience.

She was named as winner of ‘Best Contribution to the Community’ at the Women’s Enterprise Day hosted by @wandsworthbusinessteam. ‘I didn’t think I’d win. I thought ‘please just let me come 3rd’. I nearly snuck out when they announced 3rd and it wasn’t me’.

Read more about Lynne at @thewandsworthphotographer

TERESA, LEARN 2 LOVE 2 READ

On the 8th birthday of Wandsworth charity Learn 2 Love 2 Read, founder Teresa explains how it all began. ‘My daughter found learning to read so challenging and difficult. My husband and I are avid readers but she didn’t seem to click with it. That’s the first time I became aware of the limitations of not being able to read.’

Read more about Teresa at @thewandsworthphotographer

ANGELO, DOVER HOUSE LIONS BOXING CLUB

Whilst running after-school football, Angelo witnessed a dramatic change in a boy with severe autism. “This boy used to cry every morning before school. After a year of sitting on the side line, he started taking part and even scoring goals. And his parents tell me now he’s now going to school smiling.

Read more about Angelo at @thewandsworthphotographer

SAMMY, SOUTHFIELDS WINDOW WANDERLAND

Should you venture down to Southfields after dark this weekend, you'll find it transformed into a Window Wanderland, a festive outdoor gallery of window displays.

Sammy organises this event for the Southfields Grid & surrounds and when I spoke to her on Friday morning, she’d been running around doing last minute tasks. It’s a huge amount of (unpaid) work but manageable with her trusted group of mums who help out each year.

Read more about Sammy at @thewandsworthphotographer

JEYANTHY & PUSHPA, RYAN'S NEWSAGENTS

Meet Jeyanthy and Pushpa who run Ryans Newsagents on Merton Road.

This lovely couple were 'absolute stalwarts, particularly over lockdown', according to my source.

Read more about Pushpa and Jeyanthy at @thewandsworthphotographer

KIDS TEAM, ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH SOUTHFIELDS

I’m starting off the series with a look back at one of the ingenious ways in which the Kids team at St Michaels Church in Southfields provided a safe, fun and meaningful celebration for their younger congregation on Christmas Eve. The St Mikes Nativity Trail was hugely popular.