What is the vision of your Organisation?
Our vision is to be a vibrant, caring and hope-filled community where everyone matters and belongs.
Why has your Organisation signed the ‘End Poverty Pledge’?
We signed the Pledge as a way of demonstrating our commitment to tackling poverty and in recognition that North Leatherhead is one of the most deprived areas in Surrey. People living there don’t have the same opportunities as those who live nearby. There is a difference of 8 years in life expectancy between residents of North and South Leatherhead. We are here for the whole community, but we have a particular passion for those who are struggling financially and in other ways.
What examples can you give of your Organisation putting the ‘End Poverty Pledge’ into practice?
Leatherhead Community Hub is a base and a referral partner for the foodbank and community fridge to deliver emergency food to local residents.
We set up an Advice Café with other local charities and agencies, to help people get the support they need to address the underlying causes of financial hardship.
We are a registered Living Wage Employer.
We employ an apprentice café assistant and have helped them to build their confidence and skills.
We advocate on behalf of the community, e.g. campaign against cuts to GP services, closure of the Bridge Youth Centre etc.
The staff team are more than café staff – they look out for people who are struggling, have lots of rich conversations and provide a safe space and a listening ear as well as referring them on to support in times of bereavement, financial crisis etc.
We run a ‘pay it forward’ scheme which allows free food/drinks to be offered to any clients from the foodbank/advice café who might need it
The café offers subsidised, affordable prices and a range of menu choices in order to encourage equal access to all for food, drinks and social activities.
Poverty is at the heart of our mission – to create a safe, beautiful and welcoming space in the heart of North Leatherhead where people of all ages can connect, learn, have fun and find the support they need to thrive.
We provide affordable community activities, such as film nights, summer BBQ’s, fun days to build community and strengthen people’s support networks.
We have established two new community-led activities as a direct result of feedback from local residents, including non-contact boxing classes for years 3-8 and a youth football project.
We run a ‘back to school’ project every year, offering free haircuts, school uniform etc for children & young people.
What would you hope to be able to do more of in the longer term?
We have recruited a Community Engagement Worker, who will be setting up a Residents Panel to ensure that we involve those with lived experience in our decision-making. We want to find out what people need and want for their community, and then support them to make this happen.
We would like more ownership of the Hub from the local community, such as through representation on the Trustee Board.
We will conduct a Community Survey to ensure that we are reaching all the different parts of the community and find out ways to let more people know about us.
We will continue to engage with local businesses, to encourage them to invest back into the community that they are a part of.
We will continue to build links with local schools, including Trinity (Primary), Therfield (Secondary) and Foxgrove (Special). For example, we co-hosted a gathering with Therfield for parents of new year 7s on free school meals, so they could find out what support is available from the school.
We will continue to advocate for local residents and work with partners and those in positions of power to influence local decision-making e.g. on a replacement for The Bridge youth & community centre, which is about to be demolished.