Sharing the vision
In a nutshell:
The shared vision of local Priest, Head teacher, residents, family liaison officers, health services and congregation is the creation of a ‘centre for St. Barnabas’ community, in St. Barnabas’ Community and owned by S. Barnabas’ community’. This vital facility will be built on the site of the present church hall, creating a new café area, kitchen, modern toilets, c playground, storage, office space, counselling rooms and purpose built consulting room for use by health services. The creation of such a facility would allow the whole community to gather together and access a range of services that are sorely lacking at present.
Setting the scene
Current developments
The creation of a community centre also allows for a more varied programme of adult education courses, to add to those currently operating on site. A new development will bring education to the people who need it most. It is also hoped that we can also run parenting courses in due course. The community currently benefits from the support of family liaison officers, now based on site. Such a team has been highly effective but they desperately need better office space which the new centre would provide.
To address the need for early years provision the Church has established a parent and toddler group- 'the Barnababies'. This group meets on Thursday’s mornings and has built up a strong and loyal membership in its first year. Indeed the  success of this group, regarded by many as the friendliest in town, is an indicator that our pre-school will flourish.  Not just because we have gathered harder to reach children, but because we have also held onto young professionals. Such an inclusive mix is vital to the long term success of our community. We want to build a community in which everybody matters, where rich and poor, professional and working class live alongside one another- to the benefit of all. A community where values and standards are high.
SOLVING THE CRISIS IN EDUCATION: The Barnababies
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SOLVING THE CRISIS IN EDUCATION: The Barna-bus Pre-school
Since early 2007 the Head teacher, Parish Priest and volunteers have worked tirelessly to establish a Pre-school. The LEA support the project alongside OFSTED who highlighted the need for pre-school provision in the latest report. St. Barnabas’ school has been in special measures in recent years and one of the major reasons is the low level of education children demonstrate on entry. Situating a pre school within the community centre allows it to remain separate from school and yet united. The Pre-School committee is fully inclusive ensuring all parties are fairly represented. It will be owned and run by the Church on a non profit basis. In order to flourish the pre-school requires a playground, modern toilet facilities,  storage, modern kitchen, sink area and buggy park. The Pre-school opens its doors on 6th May 2008 due to the urgent need but this can only be a temporary measure as the children deserve more than leaky roofs, grotty lavatories and poor wiring in their facility. The fact that the children are already in place highlights the urgent need for a speedy fundraising campaign.
SOLVING THE CRISIS IN EDUCATION: Adult education & office space
SOLVING THE CRISIS IN HEALTH CARE: The baby clinic
The new community centre is being designed to house the local clinic for new born babies. The site is in easy reach of S. James and S. John’s communities and an easy walk from the town centre. There are several car parks nearby - as well as disabled parking on site. Basing the clinic within the community ensures that our most needy mothers access the support they require. When the consulting room is not in use by the baby clinic- it is hoped it house alcohol, drug, smoking and obesity clinics. In addition we plan to build two smaller rooms ideal for counselling and small group work.
SOLVING THE CRISIS IN COMMUNITY FACILITIES: Space for the whole community.
Our hall is already used by the community. The renovation will benefit pensioners lunch club, West Kent Hindu community, Rainbows, Adult Education, dance clubs, OAP fitness, badminton clubs, majorettes, private hirers, church groups, mother and toddler group, pre-school & groups not yet accessed. We have also asked Jon Oram, local theatrical artist, to run a community play in the parish. This will help residents build confidence and find their voice.
SOLVING THE CRISIS IN COMMUNITY: Uncosted benefits
The creation of a community centre puts a building of significance at the bottom of Camden Rd. This will give people a reason to visit the local shops and boost the economy. It will also be of huge benefit to those people moving into the new housing developments as it places good community facilities on their doorstep. Such a facility is entirely self financing once built as it runs on volunteer power - easily provided through the partnership and oversight of the local church. This vision is strong for it is certain to succeed and will bring genuine and lasting benefit to many of the town's most underpriveledged people.