Here are the stories of some of the people we worked with during the project. They include local residents, Westbourne and Church Street Community Champions and the Church Street and Queen’s Park English Speaking groups.
Many years ago, we moved into our flat close to Meanwhile Gardens & the Paddington Arm of The Grand Union Canal. We used to love to see the narrowboats cruising to and fro, never dreaming that we would ever own one. We used to spend lots of time walking along the towpath and liked the idea of experiencing boating for ourselves. So, we hired a boat for a long weekend and really enjoyed it. Shortly after that weekend, spent on the Aylesbury Arm we met a cool guy named Mitch who lived on his boat with his three kids. We became friends and had a few trips out with them. Before we knew it, we had bought our own boat, ooh ‘eck!
Once we became boaters, we were soon aware of the delights of the canals and towpaths, which over twenty years later we still enjoy. The wonderful thing about boating is the whole new world usually unseen by motorists, many of the canals were in fact built to be hidden from view due to their industrial nature; imagine the sheer horror of having to see hard working families living on boats! One doesn't have to cruise (or walk) far from Ladbroke Grove to suddenly realise that the 'country' isn't that far away and to enjoy all the boats, flora and fauna that the canal boasts.
I'm from Japan. My husband decided to move to London for his job. That's when I got married to him and we came here. What I like best about London is the diverse community. At the same time, I miss Japanese food.
My grandfather and grandmother used to live in Brazil. When they came back to Japan, they started living in a rural area which was close to a river. Now my parents are living there. The river is not a canal, but when I visit the canal, it reminds me of my parents’ house.
I'm from Japan. I was born in Kyoto - Tokyo. Moved to France in 1996, got married and my first son was born in France. We then moved to Tokyo where our 2nd son was born. I always lived by the river or canal. I have lived in London for 3 years.
I love to live in London because we've got so many parks. We can enjoy culture, city life and nature. I like to live in weather that is not too hot or too cold. And there are no earthquakes or typhoons.
I live in front of Regent’s canal, and I came here today walking along the canal. The scenery is beautiful, so it makes me calm and happy. My home in Japan is situated in front of Meguro River, Tokyo. In the summer season, when the typhoon comes, I'm afraid about flooding. But here the Regent’s Canal always stays the same so I'm happy and calm.
I was born in Northern Japan, called Aomori. It is a very cold place in winter. I moved to Tokyo when I was 18 and lived there for nearly ten years and then came to London.
I like multiple cultures you find here. It is very interesting because in Japan we don't talk so much about politics. I miss Japanese public baths, hot springs, and Japanese restaurants.
My favourite canal places are Little Venice, Regent's Park and canal and the place where I live front of the canal.
I was Born in Damascus, the Capital of Syria. After the revolution in 2011, I fled in 2013 to France then Turkey where I lived for 3 years! After Turkey I came to the UK. What I like the most about the UK is the culture and diversity and the people. But I miss my country, my city, and the social life with my family. I live in little Venice which is amazing area. I like living near the water and my favourite ‘canal place’ is my house and Grand Junction Cafe.
I am from Sudan, born in a small village called Elobied. It's a beautiful village, it has a lot of mountains and big trees. When I was five years old, we moved to the capital of Sudan, Khartoum, which has the river Nile. It is near my house, and we always used to go for a picnic to the river. I came to London before I was eight years old to Marylebone.
I live in London near to the canal, Little Venice, Paddington. I joined the PDT organisation, where I learned a lot of things. At the beginning of my life in London it was difficult for me to settle down and participate with the community, but after two years, I joined the organisation helping people like me and now I’m comfortable with my life.
I love Canal because I have very nice memories with the river Nile in my home country. Then when I moved to London, I lived near the canal and can enjoy picnics and boat rides on it.
I was born in Dakar Senegal. I come from a modest family of ten children. My father is an accountant, my mother is a housewife, and we had a field. When I was young, I liked to play and run in the field.
I came to the UK in 2020; it was in the time of lockdown. I felt lonely when my husband goes out to work, so he helped me discover Little Venice and I often go out to walk around. One Sunday we took a boat trip to Camden from Little Venice; it was very nice.
I was born in Manchester. My parents came over to the UK in 1960. I am the first child of four. I was educated in Manchester. My parents were in the rag trade and had factories there. I lived there until I turned 20 then moved to London. Everything was unfamiliar here. We almost started from scratch, as it seemed back then. We have always made regular trips to Manchester as we have lots of family there.
I love living in London. I love to watch old movies from the 50s, 60s, 70s to spot the location and compare to how they are now. London is forever changing. But I also love the melting pot side of where I live in London. I have learned of many cultures and people around the world. It is always to learn and experience the food from around the world by mixing with my friends who are so different from my culture. The world seems a smaller place living in London! I used to work in Little Venice on the canal for many years. During lockdown the canal became my safe place to walk around. I have many friends that live on narrowboats. It's never boring living near the canal, you meet people from all walks of life. Whenever I have been away, coming back to London and walking by the canal is very grounding.
I was born in Damascus, Syria. In my city there are many famous rivers that go through the city's streets. I grew up near Shom by these rivers. These rivers were clean and clear but nowadays they have become dirty because of pollution from sewer drains. The water of these rivers used to rise in the winter and flood and became dangerous for the people who lived there.
In Syria we have lots of rivers which are located among beautiful mountains when we used to go for family trips, especially in spring and summer. I miss sitting near the big water wheels in Hama, which is a city in Syria. In London, I like to ride in Uber boats in the Thames or sit near the canal in Merchant Square near Paddington station.
Now I live in Westminster near the Little Venice area. I usually go to walk on the roads along the canal. I like walking there; it helps me to relax and makes me feel comfortable. Besides, it leads to Regent’s Canal which takes you to Regent’s Park Mosque, London Zoo, and Paddington Station.
I was born in Bangladesh in 1984, came to the UK in 1993. I am the youngest in the family of five brothers and one sister. I Went to Gateway Primary school in Lisson Grove. I have lived in Lived in NW8 since arriving in the UK. I went to North Westminster Secondary School. And then Westminster College to study IT. In 2011 I got married and later moved to Shalford and then moved back here.
I have family in Bangladesh, so I do miss them but don’t remember much about my childhood when I lived there. I love where I live now, there are lots of parks nearby and it’s very central to everything. I have two boys, aged eight and four. I love walking by the canal to Regent’s Park. I like Little Venice, especially in the spring and I take my children to see the ducks and the wildlife near the canal. The bridges are all so wonderful to look at.
My name is Josephina, I am the youngest of six children. I was born in Whittington hospital and lived on the Camden Road until I was 17 years old when our house was taken by Camden Council because my parents could not afford the council taxes. I have always lived in London. My mother is of German, Russian, Polish nationality and my father is Greek. I met my husband who was of Italian parents (north of Milan) in a little village called Valdena. We have three children, two boys: one of 46 and one of 44 and a daughter of 52. My daughter lives in Tenbury Wells and had a canal boat in Ruislip before she had children.
I love London and live in Marylebone although I feel the streets could be a bit cleaner. The best thing about the UK is my freedom.
I love the canal and find it peaceful. I feel that we should be able to use the canal ways as they do on the Thames to travel. I have taken many boat rides, and it has the best walks.
I am originally from Nigeria, and I came to the UK in Oct 1998 and went to North Westminster Community School. I studied BTEC level 3 in health and social care. I lived in Inverness Terrace, which is part of Bayswater, for ten years before moving to Kilburn Lane in 2008, where I continued to live with my family. Then I moved from my family home in 2013. In between that time, I got my first part job in 2001.
I am a mother to three and counting! I live very close to the canal. My oldest and I used to walk along the canal when he was much younger. He loved the boats and watching the swans. Since living in this area, I have built a new family through my involvement with the volunteering team. I love Westbourne because everything is local and still close to my previous locations. There are some lovely walks with the children along the canal. Often, we walk all around London Zoo at Regent’s Park.
My name is Celware, I was born in Hull hospital and lived in Withernsea. I have six sisters and one brother. I lived in the UK until 1986 and went back to my home country Libya and lived and studied at university and got married. There we had three boys. I have two boys now and have lived in the UK since 2018.
I lived in Libya for a long time. Actually, I miss my family and friends there, but this is life. We had to go and see what is best for my children and the future, so we decided to come back to live in the UK again.
I love the canal in general, the place I love the most is Little Venice where I used to walk around every day. I miss it because I don’t live near it now - I now live in Barking, East London.
