The Mill

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About the approach

The project will establish a space for the whole community within a former library building. The community hub will be community-led and community-owned. It will offer project incubation space which is accessible to both individuals and groups. The groups will also have the opportunity to benefit from micro-grants. The approach has been designed to use a physical meeting space for individuals and groups to develop community projects, combined with the incentives of microgrants and project support to get new ideas off the ground.

Support will be offered to enable successful activities and groups to achieve sustainable funding. A community organiser will be appointed to work alongside the volunteers, to deliver targeted outreach activities and oversee the project activities.

It is also felt that a hub will provide the opportunities for crossfertilisation between groups to create new initiatives and a base for cross-community events and activities. The creation of a community hub also has the potential to attract bigger groups and networks that have typically been underactive within the neighbourhood.

About the organisations

The lead: Blackhorse Action Group

The Blackhorse Action Group (BAG) is a community-led Residents' Association for approximately 1,500 homes in North East London. Founded in 2006, BAG has organised a number of community events and campaigns and has been instrumental in enabling some neighbourhood improvements. The St James Street Library Campaign has been a particular local campaign to keep the hub building (a former library) in community hands.

BAG are experienced campaigners and have challenged a number of council proposals successfully and built a local coalition of committed and enthusiastic organisations and individuals. Good links have been established with the local councillors and MP who are supportive of the work that BAG is doing.

About the neighbourhood

This ethnically diverse neighbourhood lies within the High Street ward of Walthamstow in North London. It is situated near to shops and transport links. Although there have been some very successful small-scale community initiatives within this neighbourhood, community activity can be fragmented. The potential to bring in new residents and connect people and groups together is hampered by a lack of community space that is open to all - with some community activities, organised by individuals, tending to take place in private homes.