A VIBRANT new space for voluntary groups has opened its doors.
Charities and volunteers across Harrow will have a more spacious and brighter place to plan their good causes after the Carramea Community Resource Centre officially opened its doors on December 16.
The new centre, in Northolt Road, South Harrow, offers office space for up to 100 voluntary organisations to use on a pay-as-you-go basis, with meeting rooms, counselling rooms and an IT suite.
Chair of Carramea and community activist Elmore Purcell said: “We believe that this new Community Resource Centre will be very important for the community in Harrow. Carramea is committed to bringing people together and providing practical, step by step assistance so that all people, regardless of race, creed or circumstance can achieve their full potential."
Following a refurbishment project from SERCO Community Payback Team – made up of offenders carrying out community service orders – the building has more space for groups to use and has been kitted out with modern facilities.
Harrow Council's cabinet member for community and culture Councillor Manji Kara (Conservative) said: “This new centre will offer invaluable space for Harrow’s voluntary organisations to use at affordable rates – keeping their overheads to a minimum and freeing up funds to spend on the vital work they do.
“None of this would have been possible without a strong partnership between the Council and voluntary sector, which we hope to continue building on in the future.”
The opening of the centre is much needed following the ongoing closure of day centres used by charities and voluntary groups across Harrow due to financial constraints.
Councillor Sue Anderson, Labour's shadow cabinet member for community and culture, said: "With the cuts from national government hitting Harrow hard, this centre will be essential in empowering our valued voluntary sector and provide a suitable base for community organisations to flourish, and to support our communities during these hard times for the residents of Harrow."
