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Barnes in Commonthe magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
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Visit to the
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Marie Ellis, Kim Willson, who manages the art side, and Shukria Nuri, who teaches English as an adult language, and the attractive welcoming mosaic |
There is a dynamic feel to the new Castelnau Centre, of people working together well and with immense enthusiasm. Meeting Marie Ellis, you are with one dynamic lady who has all the facts at her fingertips and is spot on the ball.
Marie originally came from Lancashire, where she managed an arts and regeneration project. She moved to London in 2003 to work at the Diabetes UK charity, organising holidays for children with diabetes.
She has a partner and son of 10 months. They live outside Barnes, which she feels is a good thing because she is not involved too much out of hours or with local politics. Marie works at the Centre for three days a week and has been project leader for 18 months.
This has been a time of great change for the Centre, which culminated in the open evening on Monday July 10 when it was used to celebrate Hazel Levy's years of trusteeship. Hazel and John Levy worked tirelessly for years for the Centre, recognising the need for something like it in that area of Barnes and managed the refurbishment of the building while youth group services continued to run.
Since January 2005, the organisation has grown and now employs an adult development worker, a youth worker and Marie as project manager. The trustees put together a business plan to develop services for the Lowther Estate, looking at people's needs.
There are a number of ethnic families, immigrants and refugees who are incredibly isolated, creating a large mix of cultures. This can lead to tension. The trustees worked hard in planning and consulting people to find out how they could offer more to those who live in the area. They work with Lowther School to represent their community on a borough level.
Marie is engaged at many levels with wider social networks, with the aim of raising the profile of the Castlenau Centre Project (CCP).
As always, there is a great need for funding. A Barnes project usually
is not seen from the outside as being needy because it is situated a
comparatively wealthy London area. The CCP, however, is preparing a
Lottery application.
The building itself is large and bright with several rooms on two floors.
There is a spacious ground floor with a stage, which Ed Cottrill uses
with the Youth Theatre Group. It is also hired out for badminton on
a regular basis. There are many activities and groups: a playgroup (for
parents and toddlers), an infant after school club, junior Monday for
after school. These are led by staff but with volunteer support, sessions
costing £2.50.
There is also a lifestyle club, active participation in sport, cooking, healthy eating, allotment gardening and environmental art.
On Thursdays there is an Inters Club, which encourages teenagers to interact and take part together with all sorts of activities to prepare them for the youth club. There are Learning and Keep Fit groups, with a crèche for both.
The Centre also has a partnership with the Albert and Friend Instant Circus, through Lowther School. This is a three-year Lottery project, which has been very popular. Weekly sessions at Lowther School teach circus skills, which kids love.
There are family learning projects and with the extended schools coordinator at Lowther School, where parents are encouraged to work with children at cookery and art based courses.
Yes, it is a vibrant and active place, with so much going for it. The enthusiasm this generates among those who run it is incredibly infectious. What a great place to have in Barnes.
They are launching a new membership scheme this Autumn - watch this space!