Written by Sarah Carroll, Communications Executive, Wimbledon Community Association (June 2025)
When I think about what drives me – both professionally and personally – it always comes back to one thing: PURPOSE.
For me, purpose is about more than a job title or a task list. It’s the sense of meaning you feel when you know your work is contributing to something bigger – something that helps others, builds community, and supports a healthier, fairer world. That’s exactly why I feel so at home here at Wimbledon Community Association (WCA), having been part of the team for a couple of months now, and why I believe so deeply in the work we do through Wimblecomm.
Wimblecomm, as the website is known, is about ‘Connecting People, Places, and Passions‘ across Wimbledon and surrounding areas – spanning throughout the Borough of Merton. It’s a platform rooted in social purpose – helping local people to engage with the spaces, groups, and events around them. Whether someone is looking to connect, contribute, learn or belong, Wimblecomm is here to make that process easier.
The WCA has a rich history, founded in 1946, going from a ‘place to be‘ (until the closure of the St George’s Rd Community Centre in 2012) and evolving into an online hub in 2016 – essentially connecting people with ‘places to go‘. As a registered, independent charity, there’s a genuine sense of inclusion behind everything we do. Access to opportunity and community should never be limited by background, budget, or circumstance, and for that reason the online hub Wimblecomm is free to interact with and enables free uploads and free membership (including a free monthly e-newsletter packed with the latest news and events).
Here’s a flavour of the activities promoted through our What’s On pages for this/next month:
- Free entry to the Windmill Museum for an opportunity to watch the sails go round – a family-friendly day out.
- Chess Club at William Morris House – quiet, thoughtful connection for people of all ages and experience levels.
- Music and theatre groups – for participating or watching – across multiple venues from church & school halls to studio & stage – uniting people through arts and culture.
- Merton Art Society’s Summer Exhibition on display at the Stable Yard Gallery, Morden Hall Park.
- Mitcham Drum Ensemble and Freeform Drum Circle – a fun and social group where no experience is necessary.
Click here for the full suite: https://wimbledoncommunity.org/events-24/
Some events might seem modest at first glance but are part of a much bigger picture. Combined they reflect a thriving, grassroots community that values health & wellbeing, creativity, and social inclusion – key elements of social sustainability and the broader ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles that many organisations strive to embed. We believe that meaningful change happens when people and organisations come together. That’s why we actively collaborate with other local organisations and charities to share ideas and amplify each other’s impact.
Having completed a qualification with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), I’ve developed a strong belief that sustainability isn’t just about climate action (albeit Wimblecomm promotes Sustainable Merton’s efforts alongside other green initiatives, and I’m personally involved in the Merton Garden Streets volunteers’ group) – it’s also about how we build more equitable, compassionate societies. It’s about supporting people and the planet in equal measure, and through Wimblecomm we can share news of local groups and spaces that reflect the needs and values of everyone in the community.
I’m also lucky to work alongside a deeply committed Chair and Board of Trustees, whose many years of volunteering stretch well beyond WCA; their experience brings such richness to our purpose and decision-making.
Through Wimblecomm, we shine a light on groups doing amazing things, give visibility to event spaces that might otherwise go unnoticed, and celebrate the voices that make Merton so vibrant. It’s not just a listings platform – it’s a place where people find purpose, connection, and opportunities to take part in something meaningful.
That, to me, is what social impact looks like on a local scale.
You can also find us on Instagram at @wimblecomm, and on Facebook at Wimbledon Community Association. And if you run a group, manage a venue, or are simply passionate about people and places, I’d love to hear from you at sarah.carroll@wimbledoncommunity.org
