Alford House

The time has come when I stand down as Chair of Governors of Alford House.

In 1977 I attended an open evening at AH and after expressing an interest and meeting Dick Walker, the then Chair, for lunch in his club, I found myself attending my first management Committee Meeting on the 22nd September. In those days we had Group of Governors and a Management Committee. The Warden at that time was “Mick” Saunders.

The Management Committee evolved into the Executive Committee, reporting to the Governors, in 1990 and I was asked to Chair that. As time moved on the decision was taken for the protection of the Governors and Executive to become a Company Limited by Guarantee and bring the Executive and Governors together as one body. I was asked to become Chair of Governors. This is the position we are in today. We try to look after and entertain about 440 young people, both boys and girls. Most notably Mick was succeeded by his son, Tim Saunders. A succession that the Governors are eternally grateful for in the light of his extensive knowledge of how local youth work should be done. Appropriately last year, Tim was made an Honorary OM for his work.

When founded in 1884 the club was for men and it provided help in all aspects of living in Lambeth so you could say, education in its broadest sense. The club evolved and became known for its strong sporting activities and we have now evolved into a more educational and supportive role in the challenging and difficult present time that our young people are growing up in.

Not completing the full redevelopment of the site has been a disappointment, but the successes have easily outweighed this. We have seen refurbishment of many areas of the Club, including setting up a then state of the art ICT centre, a music studio and the building of a new fitness suite. Most importantly we have

Nigel Baker (Burton Bank 51-56)

seen the delivery hours of services to young people increase greatly over the past two decades. When I started I would not have thought that we would be working in schools to try and prevent school exclusion, nor be delivering mental health resilience training. I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with AH, and I hand over to Nick Priestnall as Chair and William Maunder-Taylor as Vice Chair in October and I will continue on The Board of Governors.

The work continues and it is in good hands to continue the amazing work that is done by all the Governors, the full time, part time youth workers and volunteer helpers.

Nigel Baker (Burton Bank 51-61) nigel@alfordhouse.org.uk