I visited, with Councillor Irene Kimm, The Palace community hub, in Streatham. This visit was part of the resident participation commission that I am currently chairing.
The Palace is the result of a two year partnership project involving the Tenants and Residents Association at Streatham Palace Road estate, with the council, contractors Morrison and the Streatham Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team. We met members of the committee that were clearly the driving force behind taking an unused, derelict building – to create an amazing centre with huge potential.
They are looking to provide services for the whole community including Youth services which they currently have a bid in for funding projects during the coming holidays.
There was a real buzz about the place, with lots of people coming and going and everyone really enthusiastic about the possibilities that the building could provide. As an organisation they seemed to be very inclusive wanting to encourage as many as possible to get involved to ensure the project worked.
What was particularly inspiring was that people came from far and wide to get involved with the project. I met a guy from Fulham who was very passionate about the project and I was told that young people came from all over not just the estate or Streatham.
This project is a shining beacon of what community ownership of a project can deliver. With the right funding and support they will deliver real benefit to the local area.
On their website they describe themselves as ‘We’re just a group of ordinary people who shared a dream to open a local, derelict community centre and do something positive for the young people in the area. Thanks to a lot of time, hardwork and money we now have the Palace.’ I would disagree. My experience is that they are very special passionate people who really want to help others in their community with a vision and passion which I am sure will drive through all that they strive to achieve.
