Parents campaigning to save the St Andrews community centre and nursery have called for the resignation of the St Andrews Centre chair of trustees, Deborah Douglas.
In an open letter, the parents’s group complain of mismanagement afer it was announced the community centre in Brockley, which has been running for 40 years, would close at the end of September.
The disappointed parents believe that Ms. Douglas, as chair, has failed to act in accordance with the nature of the charity.
They say she failed to raise the alarm or seek help to avert the closure of the centre, and failed to respond to Lewisham Council this month when they contacted the centre to discuss potential funding options
Parents also say Ms Douglas has ignored repeated requests from parents, council members and local MPs to provide documents such as meeting minutes and financial records about the reasons behind the closure.
Some parents have also filed a complaint with the Charity Commission, arguing new trustees should be allowed to step in and work in the best interests of the community.
The group is in contact with St Andrew’s church, local councillors and MP Vicky Foxcroft and hope to avert the closure of every community service at the centre.
Parents launch campaign to save St Andrews community centre and nursery
More than 100 parents have launched a campaign to save the St Andrews nursery and community centre in Brockley which is set to close at the end of September.
The community hub, a vital provider of community services in the area for 40 years, is to be shut down because of an “unsustainable financial burden.”
The centre, part of the local United Reformed Church’s buildings and a focal point for the area, provides a wide range of services to the local community – a non-profit nursery, after-school club, sports, drama and pensioners’ clubs.
Some 19 staff members have been told they will be made redundant at the end of September.
Angry parents say they are being left in limbo as there is very little affordable childcare in the area.
Fees at the centre went up earlier this year because of rising costs but parents say there had been no suggestion that the centre was in trouble and might close.
The decision to shut the St Andrew’s Centre was made by trustees. Parents say the decision was taken “behind closed doors” and without consulting the hundreds of families who have children at the nursery and after school club.
Deborah Douglas, chair of St Andrews Centre board of trustees, says rising costs have impacted the centre’s ability “to maintain the high standards of service and care” that it strives to provide.
“Over the past months, we have faced escalating costs in utilities, staffing, and essential resources. Despite our best efforts to manage these financial challenges and explore alternative solutions, it has become increasingly clear that continuing to operate is no longer sustainable.
“We understand the impact this closure will have on families and the community, and we are committed to working closely with parents and local authorities to support the transition.”
Parents say they have tried to talk to the trustees but so far they have failed to respond to countless emails asking for a meeting. Parents want to know why the centre is shutting, and to find out if there is any chance of reversing the decision.
“My two children are devastated at the loss of their brilliant after school club and I rely on it to be able to work. I don’t understand why the trustees won’t talk to us and let us work with them,” says Kate.
Catherine says her son “feels safe and happy at St Andrews and has really gained in self confidence being with the other children and the staff … I can’t tell him it may close, he will be distraught.”
A group of parents has now come together to fight the centre’s closure, and has set up petitions, facebook pages and is contacting media outlets..
“The clock is ticking to save the centre,” says Kate. “You can see by the response from the community that we won’t give up until the centre’s future is secure.”
