Labour supports local community project with £1m funding

A flagship local community facility is celebrating the news that a bid for £1m funding has been successful. The Streatham Darby and Joan club is one of the council's key projects in the Communities First Programme, which aims to give local people a greater say in how their communities are run.

The £1m grant from the Government's Community Assets programme will enable the club's existing premises, which are currently owned by the Council, to be refurbished to a high standard, and the adjacent coach house will benefit from restoration. These changes will form the heart of new and improved community spaces and services that will be known as the Streatham Communities Hub. This will involve the council devolving ownership of the building to the local community to manage.

The bid was the result of partnership work between the Streatham Darby and Joan Club, Age Concern Lambeth, the Make A Difference Club, the Lambeth Asian Centre and Lambeth Council. The scope of the bid also meant that there was an opportunity to provide carers with information, advice and support from one place - something that carers said was important to them.

Following the refurbishment, older people and carers across the borough will have access to a wider range of health, social and recreational activities in a relaxed, comfortable and informal atmosphere.

Councillor Lorna Campbell, Labour Cabinet member to Health and Care Services said: "The Streatham Darby and Joan Club is a well used and well loved local facility, and this successful bid shows what positive work can be done when local organisations work together with central government.”

Development of the hub will see the council adopting a fresh approach to service delivery through the increased involvement of third sector organisations and greater partnership working.

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