Published: Tuesday 7 June 2022
A package of financial support and ongoing engagement has been put in place by the Council to help those organisations who have been operating from The Curve ahead of its closure.
A total of 11 organisations were using The Curve to offer a range of programmes and activities to the local community. Since the start of April, seven have been operating from alternative venues, supported by the Council, with three still using The Curve.
We have begun, and pledged to continue to support, all of these organisations with a nine-month plan that includes financial assistance and advice for them to run their programmes at alternative locations, fundraising support and access to organisational development guidance.
Since April, all the youth and sport providers previously delivering from The Curve have continued to deliver activities at their usually scheduled times at Fit for Life, 151 Freston Road, which is just around the corner from The Curve.
You can access a copy of the timetable on the Fit for Life Instagram @fitforlifeyouth, by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 8213 7281.
Eri Stars who deliver supplementary classes for children and young people in maths, science and Tigrinya, North Kensington Young People’s Music Academy, a charity working to give access to musical instruments and lessons to children and young people, and Dehlia, who offers health cooking, are continuing to use The Curve as local residents by using the bookable space system. They are currently receiving dedicated support to help them find alternative venues when The Curve closes.
The Sewing Group has moved to MCWG at 19 Golborne Road as a temporary solution and we are working with them to find them a permanent home. You can get up to date information about the sewing sessions by calling MCWG on 020 8964 9926.
The Council stepped in and supported Rise CIC, an after-school programme for disadvantaged children, following their displacement from the Lancaster West estate during last July’s floods. We will continue to work with them to find alternative accommodation that includes returning to their original home, Lancaster West, if this is feasible.
Cllr Sof McVeigh, Lead Member for Communities said: “Following considerable local discussions and consultation on the future of The Curve, we have been working hard for a number of months with the local organisations and communities who have been using The Curve to listen to their needs and find locally agreed solutions.“We have been implementing a substantial package of support and it is hoped this package of training, financial support and guidance will help the organisations to flourish in the future. We know how vital these services are to many North Kensington residents and we will continue to support these organisations and individuals who have been working hard to provide them.”
Following The Curve’s closure, which was agreed after extensive community consultation facilitated by an independent organisation funded by the Council, we have committed to establishing a Curve Legacy Fund from the remaining £1.3m Curve budget.
This means local Grenfell-affected residents will get to decide how the new Fund, designed to fund projects that serve the North Kensington community, will be spent. We are currently recruiting to a Steering Group which will then establish the new independent Community Trust who will oversee how the Fund is spent. This is to ensure that the community can continue to lead and provide projects that local community want and need.
Visit The Curve web page for more information or if you are local community member and interested in booking The Curve please email [email protected] or call 020 7221 9836.