Residents of all ages in Waltham Forest will soon gain a permanent place to meet, learn and spend time together, as a community space at Salisbury Manor Primary School (a member of the United Communities’ network) becomes a long-term hub.
Since September, part of the school on Burnside Avenue has hosted a wide range of local activities. Established activities moved there from the nearby Paradox Centre and have been used by families, young people and older residents for classes, workshops and community gatherings.
Work is now under way to transform the temporary hub into a permanent community space shaped by those who use it. This will provide a dedicated home for activities and events throughout the year.
United Communities and Salisbury Manor Primary School is working in Partnership with Peabody Community Foundation (PCF) on the transformation.
The hub provides a space where local people and groups create activities that support health and wellbeing, learning, family support and bringing neighbours together.
Sessions have included tai chi, yoga and ballroom dancing, as well as English and maths classes. Children and young people have taken part in dance, performing arts, play groups, youth clubs and karate.
Improvements shaped by local groups
Nineteen local groups already using the space have helped shape the plans to make it work better for long-term use. Their ideas have led to improvements such as a separate entrance for the community hub, new kitchen facilities and toilets, and a redesigned layout.
PCF has worked together with corporate partners to carry out the work at no cost to the school and is also providing grant funding to help furnish the hub and support ongoing running costs.
The work is being completed with support from a range of PCF’s social value partners, including Greyline, FFT, Peabody Group Maintenance, Purdy Contracts, Milverdene, Bluelime and Fixatex.
To allow improvement work to take place, the hub will close for around eight weeks from Monday 16 February. It is expected to reopen during the week beginning Monday 13 April. While the hub is closed, alternative venues have been arranged where possible for some sessions. Other activities will pause and restart when the hub reopens.
Sarah Morton, Community Investment Manager at Peabody, said: “Ching Way has such a strong community spirit. It’s built by local volunteers and partners who really care about this neighbourhood. Having a permanent hub here means people will have a welcoming space to come together and keep that spirit growing. It’s amazing what can happen when the school, Peabody, local partners and our social value partners all come together for the good of the community.”
Emily Curtis, Principal of Salisbury Manor Primary School, said:
“We're proud of all that’s happened here so far and excited to see what we can achieve together once these works are completed. The upgrades will help make the Hub brighter and more accessible. They’ve been designed with the groups who use the space and will support an even wider range of community sessions in the future.”
Charlie Chan, Director of United Communities, said: “We love seeing what becomes possible when schools, communities and local partners come together. It’s a joy to support Peabody and Salisbury Manor as they develop a space for residents to connect and take action on things they care about.”