Facility in Chalkhill Road obtains self funding status on its fourth birthday

Chalkhill Community Centre in Wembley is celebrating four years as the heart of the community by announcing its self-funding status.

Managed by Metropolitan Housing Group, who also look after the Chalkhill Estate, the centre’s popularity with businesses and residents means it can now operate as a small enterprise.

Sandra Ferguson of Metropolitan’s Community Regeneration said: “It’s important to have communities not only using the centre but actively engaged in running services. “This is about real ownership and decision making as well as utilising the talent within communities to provide connected and well-managed services.”

Hundreds of residents rely on CCC’S services and Metropolitan believes recent welfare reforms have made it busier than usual.

Chair of CCC, Gloria Travers, has been a familiar face for 40 years on the estate and during that time has seen numbers increase.

At a time when anti-social behaviour and community cohesion can be a challenge for many neighbourhoods, Gloria says CCC has been instrumental in bringing people together.

A youth group called Cre8 is helping teenagers develop their creativity through sports, cooking and fashion while the Parent & Baby Group attracts more than 70 parents.

Gloria added: “The centre has been a constant in all our lives and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“For many, the centre is the first group they turn to if they’ve a problem or query and we’re very protective of them.

“Whether a newcomer to the estate or a long-term resident, the one thing we share is that we are all neighbours, so we can all relate to each other.

“I am so proud of what we’ve achieved in reaching self-funding status – it means we’re being invested in and that’s a tribute to the staff, volunteers and users who make the centre what it is.”

Visit www.chalkhillcentre.org or call 020 8385 1836 for more information.