2025 at Oru: What a year it’s been
The Cost of Community is Frustration, but Isolation & Loneliness are Far More Dangerous…
Hello from Vibushan, The cost of community is, at times, frustration. Not because community is a bad thing, but because being surrounded by people (especially relevant at Christmas!) means hearing opinions, expectations and ideas that aren’t always aligned with our own. I was reminded of this during my grandfather’s death anniversary; it was a beautiful moment to cherish, during which we cook, we chant, we pray, we reflect, and most importantly, eat. And it's these moments, in community and coming together, that allow us to forgive and mend those relationships. Family gatherings, festive tables, long conversations, they ask something of us. They stretch us. And yet, the cost of not having community is far greater. Isolation and loneliness are far more dangerous and increasingly common, and loneliness is an epidemic we are now struggling with.
So as we move toward Christmas, I’ve been reminding myself that I don’t have to listen to every opinion, and I certainly don’t have to agree with them all! So, I thought I’d share a few of my personal coping strategies for this time of year:
Taking what you can from interactions and lowering expectations
Forgiveness
Forgetfulness
Irish exits - the art of leaving without awkward goodbyes (a skill learnt from a colleague… you know who you are)
Saying no, possibly the least British strategy, but incredibly effective. I even practise this with our Front of House team. We look at each other and say “…NO”. It’s surprisingly easy.
As the year draws to a close, I also feel a huge amount of gratitude. This newsletter is just some of the highlights, but a personal few that stand out.
We ran our first-ever teacher training, led by Stevie and what felt like the Avengers equivalent of yoga teachers. Watching the vulnerability, growth and confidence that emerged in such a short time was genuinely moving.
We continued to invest in making wellness more accessible, particularly through our online classes, because not everyone has the time, childcare or flexibility to be physically present. Over half of our classes are now available virtually across both sites, including over the Christmas period, and they remain included at no extra cost for wellness members.
We've hosted over 300 events this year, but a recent milestone was hosting the launch of Sutton’s Economic Growth Plan, bringing together over 250 business leaders, entrepreneurs and public figures, including the Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber OBE. For one night, Oru became a bustling marketplace, showcasing 30+ local businesses and members, with food and drink from Trinco. The energy was electric! It was a privilege to host this event and to be front and centre of the Economic Growth Plan as a landmark project.
My message on the night was simple:
Diverse ecosystems are the most RESILIENT ecosystems. Retail alone has never been enough to create a thriving town centre. Resilient economies, like resilient ecosystems, rely on diversity. Diversity of people, ideas, uses and businesses. That's how nature survives, and high streets are no different. That belief sits at the heart of Oru.
So as you read on, this newsletter is a little like our own Oru Wrapped, a reflection on the year we’ve shared, the milestones we’ve reached, the numbers behind the moments, and the community that continues to shape what we’re building.
If you want to get in contact and discuss anything I’ve mentioned in this newsletter, please email me at vib@oruspace.co
Thank you for being part of it, frustrations, differences, karaoke, Irish exits and all.
Sustainability, Seasonality & Key Moments
What a year it’s been for Oru events!
Across both sites, we truly expanded what events at Oru could be! From intimate wellness workshops, full-house talks, panels on all aspects of culture, and packed summer dance floors, it was all about bringing people together in meaningful and joyful ways.
We began the year with intention-setting in January, moving through the seasons with events that marked change and renewal, welcoming the Spring Equinox in March and hosting a Sustainable Supper Club exploring the future of AI. We also hosted a powerful International Women’s Day panel, where local Sutton creatives Tide Adesanya, Jade Pearl and Samia Tossio explored art as a force for change, resilience and expression. It was a reminder of the creativity and talent that exists right on our doorstep here in Sutton.
Throughout the year, our Inspired Conversations series became a real cornerstone of the Oru events programme. Some standout moments included:
Dr Katrina McMullen’s talk on ADHD, myth-busting, practical and deeply resonant, with the lounge filled and bursting at the seams!
Dr Hannah Brownlee’s fascinating exploration of quantum physics, spirituality and healing. Part 2 of this is coming in early 2026!
Sarina’s Science of Sleep talk was extremely popular (I suppose we could all do with a couple of extra hours of sleep!)
And of course, summer brought its own magic. We can’t talk about events without mentioning our glorious Summer Sessions on the roof… This summer, we opened our rooftop bar and restaurant at Sutton, welcoming a variety of talented DJs every Saturday throughout the season!
Love has been in the air, too. This year, we hosted engagements, wedding receptions, photoshoots and hen parties, sparked new connections through Cosmic Connections, and we’re already looking ahead to something very special, our first-ever Oru Wedding on the rooftop next year.
None of this would have been possible without you. Thank you for showing up, dancing, listening, learning, celebrating and building this community with us.
Here’s to an even bigger and better year ahead.
100kg and Counting of Produce Harvested on the Rooftop Garden!
Impact has been kept at the front of our minds this year and has been woven into everything we’ve done! Our rooftop garden has taken on a life of its own and continues to bloom as we step further into the winter months. This year we have harvested over 100 kg of fruit and veg! That’s 45kg of courgettes, 14kg of cherry tomatoes, as well as 450 eggs courtesy of Rashmi, Chickpea & Shanti! Garden-grown produce has been incorporated into the menus at both Sutton and Dulwich wherever possible, as part of our ongoing efforts to close the loop.
Our community initiatives have continued to thrive, with Chatty Wednesdays and Chair Yoga in Sutton contributing to the blossoming of deep friendship and connection and over at Dulwich, our Chatty Wednesdays have taken an exciting new life as each week a practitioner has been coming to explore a wide variety of exciting topics from ‘How to really slow down through recalibrating your relationship with time’ to ‘Integrative Yoga Psychotherapy’. We’ve had over 3500 people join us this year for our community classes and events!
From Strength to Strength 😉
Wellness has gone from strength to strength this year, with over 9,000 classes being offered across both sites. We’ve introduced Hot Yoga onto the schedule, allowing you to spice up your practise! We’ve also taken our classes off-site with our Yoga on the Green at Dulwich Bowls Club this summer and our new Yoga in Amazing Spaces series, where we partnered with Dulwich College. Next year, we are going to be partnering with the incredible Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House to bring you a series of Yoga & Sound classes surrounded by awe-inspiring artwork! This is going to be popular, so we recommend signing up before it sells out!
In August, we challenged ourselves with Active August: 1 month, 20 classes! Over 70 people participated and/or completed the challenge, and we all celebrated across both sites. There were 20 prizes up for grabs from our amazing practitioners! The power of community and a collective challenge!
And the winner is…
Trinco has been busy, day and night, all year across both sites! Whilst you continued to enjoy your favourite dishes during the day (with Paratha’s truly getting their moment to shine), we have been working hard to weave as much produce from our rooftop garden onto the menu, particularly in our lunch specials, which were new to Oru this year! A different special every day, offering a new nourishing and warming meal available to everyone. It started with a little lunchtime jealousy. Members and customers spotted our staff lunches and were disappointed to learn they were for staff only. So we opened them up to everyone, and they’ve been flying ever since! These meals are only £7 for members, allowing them to enjoy a different dish every day and are available to the public too! Join our lunch special channel to see what’s on the menu each day. These lunch specials support our commitment to sustainability, allowing us to make the most of our ingredients while giving you something new and exciting to enjoy each day.
This year at Trinco, both Sutton and Dulwich have hosted some fantastic events! From wine and coffee tastings to Trinco Nights at the Listening Lounge, we’ve celebrated music from around the world. These events have allowed us to combine delicious food, great drinks, and unforgettable music, exploring how these elements can come together to elevate your dining experience. Whether it’s discovering the world of wine, beer, and coffee or enjoying global music alongside authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, we’ve shown that Trinco is about more than just great food; it’s an experience for all senses.
We are so grateful to everybody in our Oru Community!
We are so grateful to continue to grow our Coworking community across both Sutton and Dulwich. It means so much to us to have such a vibrant, active, and warm network of members. Coworking at Oru is so much more than just a desk; it’s an opportunity to meet people, network, collaborate, and we continue to see so many friendships fostered within our community.
To celebrate the end of the year, we hosted our Members’ Christmas Party last Friday, and wow, what a night! With over 100 people in attendance and the party going strong until 1 am, ending with sparklers on the roof, it was an evening to remember! From karaoke in Suryan to the Nativity Photobooth in Sanctuary, and a lively dance floor in the members’ lounge, there was something for everyone. To all who joined us, it was a joy to celebrate the year with you!
This December, we’re offering special discounts on our Coworking, Wellness, and combined memberships. Head to the link below to check out our festive offers.
P.S: A robot did not write this newsletter. Seriously, none of it. We’re THAT good.