Pembroke House

Development Appeal

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: Big Lottery Fund Award
On 3rd June, it was announced that the Big Lottery Fund has awarded a grant of £500,000 to the Pembroke House Development Appeal. This major grant is a huge boost to the overall Appeal and means that the architects plans can be firmed up with a view to starting actual work early in 2009. Of course there is still more to be raised, but this significant investment from the Big Lottry Fund's Community Buildings programme is a great encouragement. Pembroke House is grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for this serious investment in the community here in Walworth.

Development Appeal Background

It has become clear in recent years that Pembroke House has outgrown buildings that fail to meet 21st Century standards. In this time the number of people using the building each week has expanded from 80 to more than 400, excluding outside groups using our facilities such as the Aylesbury Centre for Therapy. In addition, a detailed social audit of our area commissioned by the Charity revealed demand for a broader range of community projects, something that is clearly beyond the scope of our site as matters stand.

We anticipate that without refurbishment many of the activities we currently offer may have to close, affecting scores of local residents in what is one of Europe's largest social housing projects. We need greater flexibility in our building in order to allow us to adapt and meet demands for new services. And we need to offer modern premises that live up to the requirements of partner organisations if we are to continue to offer them the use of our site.

Our refurbishment plan has been costed at £1.75 million and would involve the renovation and restructuring of the interior of our main building on Tatum Street, making it fully accessible and resourced. Our fundraising plan also envisages the creation of a new full-time post of Centre Manager, allowing us to offer longer opening hours and new services. Altogether the improvements would permit:

The continuation of our existing community and social activities
New educational work in the Youth Club, especially in the area of criminal justice
New partnerships with local Muslim groups, becoming a focus for interfaith acivities
New drop-in services for local residents such as parents with young children and pensioners
Enhanced work on our site with the expressive arts, including dance and music
The provision of free information technology services for our users, many of whom do not normally have access to computers
A broader range of local groups to continue to use our facilities where appropriate
The creation of a single office for all staff, freeing up space for work with clients
Access to all areas for both disabled people and those with restricted mobility

The refurbished Pembroke House would be a place of welcome and opportunity, attractive and inviting, and a symbol of real investment in the lives of the people of Walworth. It will be a building fit for the needs of the 21st Century.

Of the £1.75 million needed to complete this work, £0.5m has been raised already, and a further £0.7m has been applied for, including to the Big Lottery Fund. Phase one of the Campaign has been successfully completed, which saw the refurbishment of the boiler house, and installation of new boilers. Any support to secure this vital facility in Walworth for the years to come, will be very gratefully received.

To find out more about the Development Appeal or to donate please be in touch with the Warden, the Revd Mark Williams

If you would like to donate online, you may do so by clicking the donate button below. This will take you to the PayPal website where secure online donations can be made using credit or debit cards. You do not need a PayPal account to make a donation to the work of Pembroke House using this method.

80 Tatum Street, Walworth, London SE17 1QR Tel: 020-7703 3803
Registered Charity Number 211025
Copyright 2005 Pembroke House
Created by Cyberpoint Limited