The Vineyard Project closed in May 2011 after 33 years of serving the homeless and the disadvantaged of the borough. A consortium of local churches are now working to reopen the premises under a new charity: the Vineyard Community Centre.
BACKGROUND:
Friday May 13th was the final lease day of the Vineyard Project after 33 years of
serving the homeless, those with addictions and the socially excluded.
Following the ‘outcry’ in the local press the Vineyard Project’s landlord, the
Vineyard Congregational Church, has gathered support for a continuation of the
Project’s service and extended the vision of how their premises should be used.
The Vineyard Community Centre will be a new registered charity whose purpose is aimed at meeting local needs which have been acknowledged by the council, police and borough agencies.
PROPOSALS:
1.MORNING DROP-IN
This will differ from the previous work of the Vineyard Project in that it will have a reception and be aimed at specific needs of body mind and spirit for those who are in crisis or homeless. We can continue to offer clothing, showers, food and comfort on the premises and in addition we will signpost to external agencies and have visiting agencies such as SPEAR, solicitors, drug and alcohol teams and benefit advisors who will be able to conduct their specialised clinics and use our premises for appointments. Opening hours are expected to initially be Mon- Fri 8.30 to 11.00 am
2. COMMUNITY CAFÉ
There will be opportunities to progress from crisis to community through the afternoon community café. This is expected to open from 12 noon to 4.30pm and will encourage social inclusion and be used by groups and individuals who are marginalised. In addition, members of the local community are expected to frequent and volunteers will be recruited to meet social and spiritual needs, offer practical learning opportunities and informal mentoring and advocacy. The newly equipped café at the heart of the centre will provide opportunities for volunteering, training and accreditation, as will our adjacent charity shop helping to support this initiative and now open 4 days/week. For opening times please contact Desiree Shepherd 02089481865
3. YOUTH CAFÉ
Richmond Council had recognised the total lack of youth provision in Richmond for those under pub drinking age. Their 2009 strategic plan included a youth café beneath the Old Town hall opening in Sept. 2010 but funding was cut in the current climate of constraint. Our own live music café, the Basement Door, has been operating successfully once a month for three years and we now see an opportunity to extend this work to a fully functioning youth café for 14-17 year olds, initially open from 7 to 11pm Thursdays to Saturdays, with prospects of extending to after school drop-ins for the remainder of the week. The youth café will be a drop-in for responsible socialising in a safe alcohol and drug-free environment and for informal mentoring. Regular live music nights providing young local bands with opportunities for gigs are planned to take place fortnightly and we will encourage other partners to bring suitable activities.
MILESTONES ACHIEVED SO FAR
In order to achieve these objectives significant milestones have been achieved :-
a) A charitable Trust, ‘The Vineyard Community Centre’ with appropriate competent trustees is in process of charitable registration.
b) Steering groups to shape, promote and manage each of three aspects are now meeting to develop the services offered. They are comprised of members from 11 local churches.
c) The Centre manager’s post has been appointed and Desiree Shepherd has been recruited to develop and manage the centre and is expected to start full time in late August.
Kevin Westbury, an experienced borough youth worker who also currently manages the Basement Door monthly live music café, is expected to be appointed to the part time role of managing the Youth café.
d) Construction project manager Phil Worsley is overseeing the necessary renovation work and Simon Yauner of Greenarchitects is providing design input. The opening is hoped for in October 2011.
e) Zac Goldmith MP and cabinet councillors are supporting the centre. Zac Goldsmith has spoken to us concerning promoting the centre supporting with a charity Cricket match in the Spring of 2012
f) Fundraising is taking place for approx £120,000 capital and £60,000 annual revenue costs after income. As at December 2011 £20,000 has been raised for revenue and £85,000 for capital/renovation.
The Vineyard Community Centre expects to be open in January 2011 following a complete refurbishment.
For all enquiries, including volunteering opportunities please contact
Desiree Shepherd, Centre manager: 02089481865
or send an e-mail to: Vineyard Community Centre
The Vineyard Community Centre is a company limited by guarantee
Registered in England and Wales no. 7669793. Registered charity no. 1143951
|
