Agenda item

The board will be updated on the positive work that takes place by the Centre Project.

A Trustee of the Centre Project delivered a presentation on the Charities history, objectives, support work etc. It was noted that:

• Centre project was established in 1996, in response to a local community survey carried out by retirees of Central Baptist Church, Charles Street.
• Through the survey, it was discovered that many single accommodation occupants were lonely and isolated. Hence, the Centre was established to provide holistic services that promote social inclusion in the city and enhance the quality of life for a diverse group of people. The primary aim of the centre was to deliver client-centred services that were responsive to the changing needs of the community.
• In the past year, the Centre had supported approximately 1,100 individuals across different demographics and genders, with 4/5 of clients being male.
• The centre provided three major activities, including:

­   Day Centre which provided open-access and a mix range of activities that catered to social, physical and emotional wellbeing e.g. 1:1 support on mental health, creative sessions, feel good events etc. Support was also provided through other means like preventing homelessness, signposting, digital support etc. Last year, about 763 individuals were served.

­   Food bank which was done through partnership with Leicester South Foodbank Reaching People. The food bank provided almost 3700 food parcels to people in crisis last year.

­   The Freedom Youth Club served young refugees and unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. Last year, 235 young people from 20 countries/nationalities were represented. The club also provided a venue where asylum authorities could speak to the boys in a suitable environment.

• The centre had partnerships which aided in the provision of space, financial support etc. The centre also provided placement for local colleges and university students.
• A case study discussed a young male who had just gotten refugee status, this year, and had nowhere to live, but was provided with accommodation, GP registration, Universal Credit setup, travel documents, feeding, a social network etc. to emphasise the sort of holistic support that the Centre provided. It was therefore expressed that the centre welcomed partnerships.

Members were invited to make comments, and the following was noted:

• The importance of collaboration and funding opportunities was emphasised, with partnership potential being offered with respect to:

­   ICB’s willingness to collaborate with partners to provide cancer screening to the service users, because they always maximise opportunities to get members of the public screened.

­   Vaccination opportunities, given the potential for the group to be under-immunised. It was acknowledged that the service users were a particularly vaccine-resistant group which made this offer very welcome.

­   Sign-up on offers at the Central Library

­   New Walk Museum group visit and engagement.

• These collaboration opportunities were to be further explored outside of the meeting, including the holistic role that the Council could play in supporting the Centre.
• The fact that the services were predominantly offered to males was commended, given the potential for them to be underrepresented.
• There was a suggestion for a meeting to be organised to discuss some of the issues with wider services for people who are often unheard, including sexual health., funding etc. and how support can be provided.
• The service offer was commended because of impact on young people in redirecting their lives.
• It was clarified that there were currently 5 paid staff, and around 30 volunteers who support different aspect of the services.

AGREED:  

 That the board notes the report