Fitzrovia Impact Report 2015

Impact Report 2015 s h o w i n g

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We see every member of the community as a potential user and contributor to the Fitzrovia Centre, whether of time, skills or money.

15,676 visitors

Edward Turner, Fitzrovia Centre, Chair of Trustees

Who we are

Welcome to the Fitzrovia Centre’s impact report for 2015. Tucked away on Foley Street, we pride ourselves on helping create real connections between Fitzrovia people and places.

So, for visitors new and existing, we decided to produce a little snapshot of last year; a glimpse at our impact for 2015 as we look forward to projects ahead. We’re sending out this report because you’re our neighbours and we want to get to know you better (as we hope you’ll get to know us).

Please enjoy reading about our year and we’ll extend a warm welcome to you during 2016 at 2, Foley Street.

Fitzrovia does not fit neatly into ward or local authority boundaries; rather it is an ‘imagined community’ bordered by the Euston Road to the north, Gower Street to the east, Oxford Street to the south and Great Portland Street to the west. Although Fitzrovia is not a deprived neighbourhood, there is a disparity between living standards, which is compounded by high levels of transient populations.

The Fitzrovia community encompasses many cultures and nationalities, residents and workers, businesses and community groups. While this diversity enriches the community, at the same time these different groups may have contrasting concerns or aspirations for the area.

Our vision is for an inclusive and integrated community: we believe that in bringing these different groups and communities together, we can shape local identity and increase a sense of belonging for everyone.

annual centre usage

Some of you may already be enjoying our lively buzz of business and community space, our wellbeing and exercise classes, our outstanding arts programmes and our children and families sessions. Others may not have visited our community centre or possibly not even heard of us.

The Fitzrovia Centre was established in 2012 at 2, Foley Street as a community facility open to everyone living and working in Fitzrovia.

Front cover: Dancing regulars enjoying nifty footwork in our lovely garden.

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We host artist-in-residence programmes and a fantastic exhibition space.

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Our aim is to promote the health and wellbeing of the people who live and work in the area by being:

We have been absolutely delighted with the service we have received from the Fitzrovia Centre. In particular, a great team, who are polite at all times, give a fast response to any queries and are always smiling.

Our anonymity has been respected with total integrity. We’ve been holding weekly meetings at the centre for the last 18 months.

an independent, robust and sustainable organisation, which provides high-quality space and services for local people, communities and businesses.

an organisation that understands and articulates the needs of the community and plans services that reflect local needs.

adaptable and always looking at more effective and efficient ways of working.

1,306 visitors

David G, Gamblers Anonymous

What we offer We provide a safe, warm and welcoming environment for all visitors to the centre. We also house a small adults’ and children’s library, as well as table tennis and football tables that have been donated for public use. During the summer months, our community garden is open to the public and provides a tranquil place to visit.

In order to embrace and reflect the diversity in the area, we have assembled a team that between them speak and/or understand the following foreign languages: Czech, Slovak, German, Italian, Russian, Bengali, Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Portuguese.

Our rooms are hired by individuals and organisations such as: resident groups, social groups, creative industries, theatre production companies, architects, musicians, self-help groups, construction companies, developers, local businesses, wellbeing professionals, and public institutions like the NHS and the BBC. The money that is raised through room hire is put towards developing community services and maintaining the building. In 2015, we provided free, lowcost and affordable ongoing space to around 26 local resident and community organisations, making the centre a place to socialise and hold consultation, planning and board meetings, classes, councillor surgeries, children’s parties and annual general meetings.

on average every month

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Our aims

Free space is also made available to other service providers such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Job Centre, community colleges, youth organisations and local schools. With over 15,000 visitors every year and over 40 regular activities operating from the centre each week – including health and wellbeing, children and family services, community education provision, welfare and advice sessions, and arts and culture programmes – the centre is well used.

If you’ve visited the centre, you’ll have been struck by the light in all its spaces.

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Contact bookings@fitzroviacentre.org if you are interested in hiring our space. c e n t r e

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I am so grateful for the advice and support I have received from the arts team at the Fitzrovia Centre. Without their guidance, I would never have been able to get my idea for a local community music festival off the ground.

Dan Bates, Fitzfest

Fitzrovia has long been recognised as a Bohemian and artistic district, housing well-known artists and writers, and we want to build on and enhance that tradition. We believe that arts, culture and local heritage should be available to the whole community.

Our community arts programme is committed to providing a platform for emerging local artists, as well as bringing established artists into the area.

During 2015, we collaborated with over 30 artists. Our ambitions include staging themed events at seasonal times of the year, exhibitions and developing permanent performance and exhibition space for community arts in Fitzrovia.

Contact Rose on arts@fitzroviacentre.org to find out about our arts after-school clubs.

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number of new services developed

Our arts, heritage and culture programme

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services

Young artist at play. c e n t r e

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3,948

During 2015 we hosted:

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• Exhibitions: including Hidemi Nishida with the White Rainbow Gallery.

• Quarterly-Art-Programme: alongside our events programme, we regularly run participation workshops, monthly family days, workshops and quarterly arts programme, partnered with local schools and theatre companies.

We developed: • New Art Services: launched in 2015, we host social dances for older people; arts, craft, music and dance for under-fives, the young Fitz Artist after-school club, performing arts for 7-11 year olds and provisions for vulnerable adults, including supporting Upbeat Music and ArtsFitzrovia.

Community engagement projects include: • Mural Restoration Project: The aim of the project is to engage a new generation of local people with the spirit of Fitzrovia, ahead of the physical restoration of the 1980s iconic Fitzrovia mural, situated in Whitfield Gardens, Tottenham Court Road.

• Christmas Fitzrovia Led by one of our residents with a small team of equally passionate volunteers, the centre is given over on 25 December to anyone who is alone at this time of year. We would like to especially thank Georges Sokol, Dewell & Ladd, and the generous contributions from local Fitzrovians in supporting this event.

number of hours centre was open

• Artist-in-Residencies: Sinead Thorpe explored the vibrant characters of the area and her communication tower work can be seen at the centre. She also facilitates schools and family projects. Mir Gwilliam-Parkes has a residency and Helena Henderson, associate artist, leads on the monthly family days.

During 2015, we worked together with Eazl on the exciting Fitzrovia mural restoration project.

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Thanks to everyone at the centre. It’s a welcoming space to hold our business networking advice events and is centrally located with great facilities.

Phil Pearl, local resident and business owner

2,175 hours

Our work with business Over the last year, we have been committed to developing a community programme which is designed to provide benefits locally and to inspire businesses and local people to work together.

Community Garden

The John Astor House [JAH] is made up of over 350 bedsit type studios, and is home to key-workers, students, doctors, and nurses. Many of them work in shifts, have limited communal areas in which to socialise and no access to outside space. With the help of Derwent London, Sir Robert McAlpine, other construction companies in the area and a team of volunteers, we developed a community garden in the grounds of JAH last year and continue to work with Genesis to engage its residents, many of whom are oblivious to the fact that they have a community resource that they can access for free on their doorstep!

There are around 15,000 businesses in Fitzrovia

There are currently around 18-20 small business and community enterprises operating from the centre, many delivered by local people offering services ranging from yoga and pilates to children and family services. These initiatives serve people living and working in the area as well as from further afield.

volunteering hours

There are some 15,000 businesses in the area, the majority of which are small to medium sized. We believe that by working with businesses, we can help them create a positive social impact in their communities. We also recognise that the business sector is well placed to help find solutions to some of the key challenges faced locally.

In 2016, we will see our business relationships develop further with collaborations with Arup, the Fitzrovia Partnership, Just Clarity and the development of Postive Ways and Link4Growth, a community network, bringing together skills and talent in the area. This will assist the Fitzrovia Centre together with local businesses, to help build our community through appreciating that everyone is important, and has skills and a contribution to make.

About 20 small businesses and community enterprises use the centre

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Contact business@fitzroviacentre.org to find out about our business offer. f i t z r o v i a

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Our work with communities

The case studies on these pages show the human stories behind our work. As you read through them, we hope you’ll see our impact and the extent to which we have been proud to have really made a difference.

Child poverty can be found concentrated in pockets of even relatively affluent areas. There are areas of Fitzrovia which experience some of the lowest levels of income deprivation affecting children in England.

We help reduce child poverty

We were able to improve life chances: a single mother of a two year old boy, diagnosed with depression and feeling completely isolated, was introduced to the centre by a West End Children’s Centre outreach worker.

The mother accessed a number of services based at the centre: she joined the English for Speakers of other Languages classes, she used the Citizens Advice Bureau services. She also spoke to an adviser from the Job Centre and was helped to find part-time employment.

She has now become very active, more confident and regularly attends our children and family events at the centre.

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We strengthen communities

It is estimated that the neighbourhood is made up of approximately 10,462 residents; this together with its immigrant and student population is subject to high levels of change.

Fitzrovia is also distinctive due to the relatively high daytime population (around 5 million people visit the West End and its environs each week). The majority of the resident population is not native to the area, with 55% born outside the UK. The largest migrant group comes from across the EU.

Slovak Learning UK have been using the centre for the last 18 months.

Based on the model of a traditional supplementary school, it provides education, heritage and cultural links for 60 Eastern European children and their families from the Czech and Slovak community.

While the main focus is on reading, writing and grammar, the school also provides a dance club covering traditional dance and costume, which performs at Eastern European gatherings. A library is offered as well as language classes for parents. Two classes are run at primary school and younger level.

Older people in Fitzrovia are more likely to live independently and without family, exhibiting markedly higher levels of deprivation. In the south-easternmost ward in Camden 50% of people aged over 65 live alone and 33% of housing benefit claimants in the area are aged over 60.

We help reduce social isolation

We were able to help support a family: an 83 year old non English speaking Chinese woman was introduced to the Centre by a West End Children’s Centre outreach worker. The woman was the full-time carer for her two year-old grandson, following the hospitalisation of her daughter for a severe mental health condition. Owing to the nature of the condition, the daughter was only allowed contact with her child through supervised visits at the centre, where social workers were able to support both the grandmother and the daughter.

After a year of intense work and support, the family is now independent and the mother is able to provide daily childcare.

Our best community asset is our volunteers, who inspire and motivate us every day.

We enable local people to give something back

“I was introduced to the centre by another organisation. I just wanted to do something on a practical level which is why I joined the centre.”

John, our longest-standing volunteer, enables us to provide a service in the evening and at weekends. John has lived in the area for over 35 years, and is in his seventies. He is a carer for another local resident who is now disabled and in his nineties. John became involved with the centre because he wanted to ‘’give something back’’.

His contribution as a carer was recently recognised with a Westminster Carer Award, where he received a highly commended certificate — a testament to the quality and commitment of his standard of care. John also serves on the centre’s Board of Trustees.

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Working at neigbourhood level

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Over the last few years there has been a push for increased community and voluntary action to mitigate the impact of cuts to local services and welfare provision. Between 2012 and 2015, funding for the West End Children’s Centre service which operates from the centre, has been reduced by 50%. In previous years, we also assisted in the development of the FitzWest Forum, a newly established local planning group, and prevented the closure of the Chinese drop-in service in 2015.

We help broker access to mainstream services

We were able to provide free space to the NHS Speech and Language Therapy team, enabling them to work with a local child of two with a hearing impairment and his family, which included two further children under five. The family were socially isolated, in debt and living in overcrowded conditions.

“The Fitzrovia Centre has a wonderful atmosphere and the children really love the arts activities here,” Harriet, volunteer

With our support the family were able to use the West End Children’s Centre’s Stay and Play drop-in service based at the centre, seek advice from our Citizen’s Advice Bureau service who helped assist the family in obtaining suitable accommodation, settle debts and secure their right to benefit entitlement.

The mother was able to attend our locally provided English for Speakers of Other Languages session and as a result of the progress of the speech and language therapy, her two year old child was able to secure a part-time place at a nursery.

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My experience of the centre has been really lovely, and we feel lucky to have a place like this so near to where we live. All the workers are fantastic, very welcoming, always smiling, and always happy – it feels like an extension of home. I have no trouble recommending the centre to anyone.

Kadidiata Choi, French-speaking parent

One of the first things that often strikes you is the really happy sound of children playing at the centre.

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Working across two local authorities, Camden and Westminster, our work has been impacted by the Localism Act. The Act seeks to devolve decisionmaking powers to a neighbourhood level by establishing new forms of local representation, including neighbourhood forums.

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Community case studies

groups

It is widely recognised that strong and cohesive neighbourhoods are linked to a decrease in crime, improved physical and mental health, and better outcomes for children. Crime on the whole is above the national average, which is why as a centre we seek to prioritise vulnerable people.

We help people into employment

Whilst Westminster exhibits a higher degree of overall economic deprivation, the Camden section of Fitzrovia is more strongly impacted by environmental issues and the lack of green space. In addition, 6% of households have no central heating (against Camden 4%) and 15% of households are in fuel poverty (Camden 9%). 12% of residents cannot speak English or do not speak English well (Camden: 3%).

When a father was injured in a car accident, his family of six children were left without an income. The Citizen’s Advice Bureau adviser, based at the centre, was able to advise on Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. The mother signed up for English Speakers of Other Languages classes and Get Into Learning sessions.

She is now preparing for work and will be assisted by the Job Centre adviser, who runs regular sessions at the centre.

Contact community@fitzroviacentre.org

Our beautiful garden is a great spot for summer children’s activities and creative fun.

Building stronger communities is at the heart of the Fitzrovia Centre.

We help people develop social and language skills

Supporting vulnerable adults

A Syrian mother of two boys, with little to no English and based in the area for 6 years, was brought to the centre by an outreach worker.

She enrolled on our English for Speakers of Other Languages classes, and attended the weekly Get into Learning sessions. From there she started using the Citizens Advice Bureau and Job Centre services. As a result of her growing confidence, she is now able to attend the West End Children’s Centre drop-in sessions with her boys.

With your support we were able to improve quality of life: a regular visitor to our West End Children’s Centre drop-in service with two children under five, confided she was experiencing domestic violence. With the support and intervention of social services she was helped to move out of the area and make a new start.

community & resident groups supported

Unemployment is higher among women, a significant number of whom are out of work owing to caring responsibilities. 1,686 women report that they have never worked.

Our pilates classes are the real deal. Expect to be challenged!

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35,220

Thank you

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We would like you to join us in supporting the efforts of all our contributors, those who have made donations — our volunteers, patron, trustees, staff, funders, local businesses, partners, service providers, local authority, councillors, groups and residents — who together are making a vital contribution to the area and to leave you with the following endorsements from our visitors and service users:

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Suhad Shehada, parent and learner, Get Into Learning

I am a local resident of East Pakistan descent, who has lived in the area all my life. I find the sessions extremely motivating and of a high quality, as you can interrupt and ask the tutor questions. Most training available now is computer based, which does not work for me. I feel as though I am getting one to one support. The sessions are easy to understand. I am looking for employment and keen to get back into work.

Parveen Khaled, Learner, Get into Learning

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I found out about the session from another parent at the school. I am Arabic and my English language is limited. The sessions helped me write my own CV. I would recommend it to other people. I know of two other women who would like to come but who are unable to do so because they do not have childcare.

number of website visits

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Community Education/ Social welfare. Get Into Learning:

Enjoying a moment in our lovely community garden.

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James Ford, Buddhist Ceremonies

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Nigel Chard, SRM

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As they say time flies when you are enjoying yourself, and it did when we were living below stairs. It is hard to believe we were there for almost a year. The accommodation was perfect for our needs, and everyone felt at home even when times are hard out on site. So thank you from all your tenants.

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We have been booking rooms twice a month at Fitzrovia for nearly two years now for meetings for a small Buddhist group and we have been really happy with the facilities offered. The centre staff are friendly and efficient with bookings and always do their best to meet our needs.

Mario, our designated volunteer when we hold events, has been a helpful presence for whom nothing is too much bother.

Fitzrovia village social dance and more nifty footwork

Collaborative artwork by Young Fitz Artists

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number of different type of activities offered

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As a resident of Fitzrovia, renting a room at the Fitzrovia Centre has been a wonderful opportunity for me to run my yoga classes right in the heart of the my local community and I look forward to continuing what for me has been a happy and productive relationship over the past two years with the wonderful team at the centre.

Ed Jones, Kundalini Yoga teacher

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Summary of our achievements Number of visitors using the centre

15,676

Website visits

35,220

No of volunteering hours

2,175

Average number of weekly visitors

333

Number of hours the centre is open

3,948

Average number of visitors per month

1,306

Different types of available activities

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Number of voluntary, community & resident groups supported

26

Number of services developed

8

Number of collaborations

38

Monthly family days

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Neighbourhood-wide social events

If you are interested in volunteering, wish to join our board of trustees, or are a business who would like to support and know more about us, please contact Pat at the centre, on 020 7580 8680, or simply sign-up to our e-bulletin for regular updates.

Photographs by Joyce Nicholls and Minh Tang Le. Design and Print by Kall Kwik 020 7631 4053.

Lots of fun with arts and crafts during the summer.

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Fitzrovia Centre 2 Foley Street London W1W 6DL T 020 7580 8680 info@fitzroviacommunitycentre.org www.fitzroviacommunitycentre.org

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@FitzroviaCentre

Registered Charity Number: 1104135 Company Registration Number: 4755140

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