GRAF & CHAT – UNITY JUNCTION, SUTTON / MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK RECAP
It’s been a minute since I visited Sutton, and if I’m honest, didn’t really have a reason to since spending most of my time delivering work in more central parts of London. But, it was good to stay South and re-connect with an area which used to be quite a spot for going out & clubbing it up back in the day, wayyyy back! It was them endz with it’s own vibe and remember this one spot, forgot the name, think it was a church / community centre venue or something, where all the swagged out folk would go in, then wait for this wall of draped cloth to open up into a full on dance floor & everyone would vibe it out to old skool garage music, proper random…them Ben Sherman shirts & Patrick Cox shoe wearing days, legendary times!
Back to 2026, and I visit St Nicholas Shopping Centre after tiiiiiime, how things have changed as you expect they would, new spots, fresh vibes. I find the Unity Junction space, run by the Duffus Community Foundation (a family run charity setup by Leroy Duffus, who had a passion for supporting people, and who after being diagnosed with cancer, was keen to give back to others & so setup the charity). I meet with Brian Duffus, brother of Leroy, who runs the space and charity to continue the legacy of his brother. I instantly connect with the warmth and community spirit oozing out of Brian in the space he’s managed & shaped over 2 years being there, complete with the familiar youth club setup which took me back my old skool youth club days – ping pong, footie table, stacks of games and tables & chairs scattered about in orderly fashion. I admired the framed artworks & positive imagery decked out across the walls, highlighting a well considered approach to providing a nurturing space for the local youth & it’s community. It was my kinda vibe, I felt, and something which is needed, as I witnessed the youth enter the space and leave in their own good time, connecting with Brian and the activities in between.
I had no expectations on my side delivering the Graf & Chat drop-in session, so was happy to connect with those that stayed & took part in the time that I was there, leaving room for individuals to simply vibe the activity and share whatever they felt to share – was just nice connecting with new folk in new (but old) Endz for me.
Big up Brian for accommodating the session & for wearing the same Carhartt sweat top as me (super random, ha!), Kate (Sutton Council) & Danny (Sloff) for connecting us, and of course the local youth that took part in the session, until next time…
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