Meeting Gemma and Jeni their enthusiasm and energy is infectious and their motivation and a commitment to finding ways to Make Tooting a better place for all residents is inspirational. With an ethos that creativity, in whatever form, creates connections, the projects they have created and facillitated have touched thousands of Tooting locals. To find out more please visit their website https://meetandmakespaces.co.uk/ or pop by Love Art in Tooting market to meet Gemma.

It was a pleasure to speak to local historian Geoff Simmons who has more knowledge of Tooting than anyone I've met. As well as being passionate about the area campaigning for blue plaques to mark people and places of interest, he regularly runs free local walks which I highly recommend you check out. To find out more please check out Geoff's website www.summerstown182.wordpress.com and his social media.

Meeting Issy was a delight as I personally wanted to thank her and her predecessors for the invaluable resource that is the Tooting baby website https://tootingbaby.co.uk/, now also promoted on Instagram @TootingBabyand Twitter @BabyTooting.

The site provides a diary of tried and tested events for parents and caregivers of children up to school age - which are drop in and often free. The site also provides options for parents and caregivers.

A delightful conversation where once again the sense of the Tooting community resounds strongly and the energy of people like Issy working behind the scenes supports local residents and businesses alike.