ALL SAINTS PRE-SCHOOL

All Saints Pre-School (formerly St Giles Playgroup) cares for around 50 families in the local area, having re-located to North Leatherhead in 2012. Lucy Townsend, their Chair since 2011, explains what the proposed community hub means for them: 

"We have become an integral part of the community in North Leatherhead, specialising in being inclusive and caring, with tailored support in place for families who need us. We were graded Outstanding in our last two Ofsted inspections which we were delighted with.  Being part the LCH enables us to do more for families locally. With the extra space, we recently set up The Hummingbirds Toddler Group, extending our provision to offer a play space and family support for 0-2s and their carers." 

THE HIVE

Born out of B@titude and run by the same dedicated team, The Hive is a creative arts project that was based at the former Children’s Centre prior to lockdown. The Hive, led by Marion Stanway, is now welcoming adults to its new home at LCH to enjoy and explore art, colour, sewing, knitting, drawing and more.

Taking time to learn new skills or discover the unique creative gifts in us all builds confidence and self-esteem and can help with loneliness or anxiety. As well as making space available for people to drop in and try new things, The Hive also runs classes in a number of specific skills.

THE FOODBANK

Epsom & Ewell Foodbank (now part of Good Company Surrey) runs five distribution centres across this part of Surrey, including one in North Leatherhead. Since opening in 2012, they have distributed over 50,000 food parcels to people across the local area. Jonathan Lees, its founder and manager, explains what the community hub means to them: 

"Our long term goal is to reach a point where no one needs to use a food bank. However, to make that happen, we know we have a lot to do to address poverty in our community. We need to provide support, encouragement and access to many services to those people using the centre. This space will be brilliant, bringing together various community groups and those who want to make a difference, so that people can rebuild, move ahead and have hope for the future." 

THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE

Mid-Surrey Community Fridges take good quality, surplus food from supermarkets and food producers and make it available to anyone. Clare Davies, their Chief Executive, shares her vision for the community hub: 

“We used LCH to distribute about 200 bags of food every week during lockdown to residents of North Leatherhead. As things  return back to normal, we are based here for two afternoons a week operating from the front of the building, and we are also hoping to run to cookery classes and food education. We will be encouraging as much community input as possible.”

CITIZENS ADVICE MOLE VALLEY

Citizens Advice Mole Valley offers free, confidential, impartial advice and support to the people of North Leatherhead, saving them around £300,000 a year in reduced debt payments and increased benefits.  Alison Boyd, their CEO, explains how the community hub is making a difference: 

"Having a regular drop-in Advice Cafe at LCH ensures that free, high quality, face-to-face advice is available for everyone and that no-one is being left behind in this increasingly digital age."

THE MOLEBRIDGE PRACTICE

Since taking over the practice, Dr Hilary Floyd, has become aware of the significant community health challenges in this area, including high rates of teenage pregnancy, obesity, drug dependency, social isolation, and mental health problems.

Traditional GP responses to these issues are often just a 'sticking plaster', as what is really needed is holistic health care that meets people's social and emotional, as well as physical, needs. The Molebridge Practice is, therefore, keen to partner with LCH to offer community services, such as postnatal baby checks, social prescribing, and a well-being café. Dr Anna Barham, one of their GPs, has already helped to design the well-being garden at LCH, where people can spend time with nature to benefit their physical and mental wellbeing.

THE GATHERING

The Gathering Church grew out of a loose network of Christians who were either living, working, or praying together in North Leatherhead for a number of years.

The Gathering has now moved into their new home at LCH for regular services every Sunday, as well as having a presence there throughout the week. Being firmly rooted in the local, The Gathering is committed to seeking the good of their neighbours and the flourishing of the whole community.

THE LINKS CENTRE 2030

Recently founded by Eddie McArdle and Bill Donnelly, The Links Centre 2030 is a not-for-profit organisation bringing skills development and business start up opportunities to young unemployed adults in the North Leatherhead area and beyond.

Bill and Eddie have already created a neighbourhood allotment for therapeutic gardening and horticultural skills development, and are negotiating for a North Leatherhead training facility to engage young adults in multi-skilled construction work and bicycle refurbishment.

As a registered Community Interest Company, they aim to create significant added value to the area over the coming decade of exponential workplace change.