Act now to save Great Croft Resource Centre

FIRST we would like to express our sincere thanks to the New Journal and its readers, for support and help through the difficult time since December 2010.

The newspaper was instrumental in securing our future until March 2012. You gave people from all over Camden, the opportunity to express their views about how important Great Croft Resource Centre is to older people and the wider community.

As we all know Great Croft is a true reflection of the diverse and rich community which it serves. It is well integrated and a welcoming haven for everyone.

However, our situation and our future is very uncertain.

We have full funding until September 2011, and some cash (but not enough) for the year until September 2012.

We do not know what is going to happen after this time.

We are looking for alternative funding but, unfortunately, our application to the Equalities and Cohesion Fund was unsuccessful. This is a major blow to us.

Therefore, we would like to express our sincere thanks to both the leader of Camden Council, Nasim Ali, as well as Councillor Pat Callaghan, who both attended our inter-generational garden party last week and who gave their reassurance to the members, that they would try everything within their powers to save Great Croft.

We urge all our local councillors to come and visit Great Croft.

We need their advice, support and expert guidance on how to keep this valuable centre open for the local community.

Since the closure of Hillwood Resource Centre in Euston, we have taken the most vulnerable older people, assessed by adult social care as having substantial care needs.

But what will happen to old and new members, and those members from the Bengali and Asian communities (many displaced, and not for the first time in their lives) if Great Croft were to close?

All of us, as a community, need to act now if we are to stand any chance of saving Great Croft and keeping it fully functioning from March 2012, and open post September 2012.

Great Croft is a centre of excellence.

It serves the needs of many vulnerable older people and Bengali carers; constantly evolving and striving to improve the quality of life for all who enter.

We cannot allow Great Croft to die!

According to Michelle Hanson (Guardian journalist): “Great Croft is a little oasis in the middle of King’s Cross.”

Without substantial support from Camden Council our days are numbered.

It is the beginning of the end; in March 2011 we won a battle but we did not win the war!

Please do not destroy our community; our centre; our lives!

It has taken years to get to where we are now. Without council support and financial commitment, the effect on the local community will be devastating.

This will be a man-made disaster for us.

So does the council really want that on its conscience?
Members’ Committee
Great Croft Resource Centre
Cromer Street, WC1