Parents are fighting to save Southville Children's Centre from the closure of its much-loved services.
Hounslow Council's proposed changes to children's centres across the borough have caused uproar among families, and under new plans the Southville Children's Centre in Southville Road, Bedfont, will be solely used to provide additional childcare places for two-year-olds.
This means a number of its popular activities could cease to exist including children's dance sessions; antenatal parenting classes; a baby club; crèche facilities used while parents attend adult education services such as the job club; and holiday activities, attended by up to 80 families a day.
Clare Davey, who lives in Bedfont, said: “I came into the area having fled violence.
"Without Southville I honestly believe I would have become isolated, my depression would have spiralled out of control, and I would have lost my children to the care system.
"I truly believe Southville Children Centre saved my life, gave me a career and my children a happy life.
"I continue to use the centre for my family now the boys are in school, we always go to their events, enjoy fun in the holidays and my boys attend a drama club there.”
The Southville Community Centre was provided staffing and funding in 2008 for a children's centre delivering services for under fives and their parents.
Today, it is one of the busiest in the borough.
Retired manager Noveen Phillips, who continues to provide her support, said: "If, as suggested in the U5’s proposal, the children’s centre building is handed over to provide funded places for two-year-olds, the remaining capacity in the community centre would be reduced to the main hall and one small meeting room which would seriously limit the community offer.
"There is no capacity anywhere else in the west for the number of families who attend Southville.
"What will happen when 40 families from the Southville reach area turn up at Alf Kings, the only proposed full-time children centre (in the area)?
"There are other under used/misused buildings in Feltham that could be adapted for use for funded places for two-year-olds: Feltham Assembly Halls, Stoney Wall Residents' Club, Bedfont Residents' Association Hall."
According to Ms Phillips, there are 1,142 under fives in the Southville reach area who will lose out under these proposals to only 49 two-year-olds possibly wanting to take up a funded place.
Terri Creaser added: “I have been regularly coming after my daughter had cancer - a particularly low and lonely time for me and my family.
"Through coming here we’ve built ourselves back up, made friends, gained new skills and improved as a family unit.
"The Southville Centre and staff have also helped me launch a business and I am now feeling like I can give back to the community that gave me a place. The centre staff are one in a million.”
Proposed changes to children's centres will see four full-time children's services provided at Alf King's, Beavers, Brentford, and Cranford; four centres will be closed including Norwood Green, Chiswick, Syon, and Feltham Hill; while the remaining 10 will be used to offer children's centre services, additional childcare places, or both.
Isabelle, from Feltham, who is almost three, said: "I come every week to messy play where I spend time with my friends Jessica and Jack getting messy - I love the Southville Centre."
Taylin, aged three and from Bedfont, added: “I love the Southville Centre, it’s helped me grow in confidence and now I can speak.”
Rachel Fung, who lives in Feltham, said: “When my daughter was born I knew no one in the area and felt overwhelmed and isolated.
"I came along to the health visitor session at Southville and was told about the baby group.
"I started going along to the group and found friends, support and expert advice.
"Southville was the one children’s centre in the area where I felt welcome and at home.”
