What a journey!
I can’t believe it’s almost 2025. It’s been over three years since my initial idea to build a community hub in Laleham Park, Surrey.
This vision was formed through my lived experience of 15 years in the charity sector as a volunteer, trustee and co-founder of a cat rescue charity called ‘Here for Cats’.
I discovered that running an animal charity was more about people than pets, and I constantly came across people with mental health issues, and those suffering from loneliness, isolation and even grief. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but also one of the most rewarding.
I learnt there is a real need to create strong connections to support the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of people in an outdoor setting. I also learnt of the need, in the Spelthorne area, to support other local charities, organisations and provide a safe place for people to meet.
This is where the idea for a community hub, which was owned by the community for the community, within a green space, was formed.
Whilst engaging with the local community, park users and stakeholders, it became clear there is a real demand for such facilities, especially toilets and somewhere for a tea or coffee! Through carrying out this research I recruited a small team of volunteers who all want to make a difference to where they live.
Making a difference
Through this journey I’ve met some amazing people on the way, all doing their bit to make a difference. It’s great to know, if you look beyond the bad news, we are constantly fed these days, there is a great deal to feel positive about. There are people out there who want to help, given the opportunity.
Whilst we are working on the long-term plan of the proposed building, we wanted to start a series of small charitable outdoor activities in the park to support the local community. Our kids' nature play day, adult yoga and forest bathing in the park received great feed-back this year.
It has been lovely to meet the park community, including the many four-legged friends during our pop-up tea and coffee lounges. We have also been focusing on protecting the green space and river by carrying out water testing of the river, as part of the Water Rangers Citizen Science scheme.
The team and I have a lot of work to do behind the scenes to make our vision of the community hub come to life. This vision has some big hoops to jump through and we are grateful to everyone that has helped us along the way. It can be quite overwhelming at times. It feels like I’m spinning plates and doing a jigsaw puzzle at the same time.
This proposal has to be fit-for-purpose though, making sure it’s viable and sustainable is going to be the biggest challenge, especially during these tough times. We’ve been very fortunate to receive support from professionals along the way.
I’d especially like to thank The Litmus Partnership, Clara Griffin for the yoga session, Debbie and Chloe from Nature Makers, John and Aroma at dn-a Architecture, Madlins Construction & Property Consultants, The Ethical Property Foundation, FTI Consulting, C&C Catering Equipment Ltd, Hogan Lovells, Heaward Solutions, Bio Pak, Ken Winch, Aidan Ross, NTR Planning Ltd, Shepperton Matters, Nick Wood-Dow, Andrew Broadbent and our committee, Michelle Perrett, Sandi Goddard, Sharon Opare, Karen Sherry and Maqbool Ahmed for all their support this year.
We will be applying for grants to fund the build, but there are other costs such as securing planning permission that need to be paid for. You can help make our vision become a reality by getting us some free cash at no cost to you by signing up to ‘Easy Fundraising’. We get a free cash donation when you shop online, to quote Tesco, ‘every little helps’.
Best wishes for the holiday season and please watch this space.
Michelle Eden
Founder & Trustee
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