Supporting the whole community

-       African Community Partnership

Deprivation in the New Cross area is significantly worse than the nation average. Eight out of the ten output areas that measure deprivation are in the 20 per cent most deprived nationally (www.lewishamdata.org.uk). However, the tide is starting to turn thanks to a number of groups who are working where the community needs them most. One of these groups is African Community Partnership (ACP).

Who are ACP?

ACP have been providing a vast range of services to the local community for three years. They are based in the Resource Centre, 2 Wildgoose Drive in the heart of the New Cross New Deal for Communities (NDC) area. Despite the name, ACP are not an exclusively African organisation. They target the African community, but their services are available to anyone who needs help.

Current projects focus on health, youth and information and advice (e.g. housing benefit). ACP also provides a community legal services, temporary office space for small community organisations, so that they can use computers and the internet when they need them, and a small meeting room, which can be used by groups.

What projects do ACP offer?

ACP’s Building Healthier Communities project has been running since April 2006. Run by Dr love Ngenda, the projects provide 1-2-1 health advice, a support programme and well being classes. The next programme starts on 12 September. Anybody is welcome at the free classes. Activities include walking, swimming, Pilates, health screening and salsa dancing.

Activities for young people aged 8 – 19 are run by Bridget Kombe, youth coordinator. During term time there is a home work club (Weds, 3.30 – 6pm), an ICT club (Thurs 3.30 – 6pm) and a Friday drop-in centre, which provides 1-2-1 support with education and employment. A six week summer programme concentrates on social and personal development and leadership. Activities include arts, residential trips, youth exchange trips, cinema, bowling and ice skating.

Gerson Oloo, Service Delivery Manager, oversees the business support project, helping with start ups, enterprise and the financial side of business. Dr love Ngenda, Bridget Kombe, Caroline Shumba and Gerson Oloo (from left) outside ACP’s office.

What about Africa?

ACP also provide help to oversees projects. For example they have helped some deprived schools in Africa to construct classroom and provided resources.

Key achievements

Elizabeth Adongo, Programme Coordinator, believes that focusing more on putting systems in place and growing their organisation has helped ACP succeed. The groups income was £34,000 in its first year: it now receives £230,000. What was once a volunteer led organisation has been now employs seven staff . Elizabeth has been widely rewarded for her work with the community – she has been named a local hero by the Home Office and received awards form the NDC and from the Mayor of London for her contributions to London life.

What about the future?

ACP already has a diverse membership. The Organisation is currently working on a strategic plan and in the future they aim to become better equipped to contribute to the wider community.

Tel: 020 7635 9000

E-mail: africap@btconnect.com