After retiring this month, Centre Manager Theresa Tobin reflects on her time at the Grove Neighbourhood Centre in Hammersmith
Residents of Brackenbury Village and surrounding neighbourhoods will all know of the Grove Neighbourhood Centre on Bradmore Park Road, but few will know the key role that this registered charity has been playing in the community since 1973. Here at Horton and Garton, we have long been sponsors of the GNC and all the amazing work they do year-round for the W6 community. We were even due to attend their 2020 Spring Fete but, just like all other public events scheduled for this year, it had to be cancelled with the hope of rescheduling for a later date.
Centre Manager Theresa Tobin first joined the Centre in 2008 and now, twelve years later, Theresa is due to retire in the middle of a pandemic. We spoke to Theresa as she reflects on her twelve years at the Centre, how it has been impacted by COVID-19, and why we all must do our bit to ensure its survival.
I joined the Centre in 2008 having worked locally for a firm of Solicitors. Given my experience as a carer, a legal secretary and that I sat on the Hammersmith and Fulham Alzheimer’s Committee, I felt I met the criteria the GNC were looking for.
What have been the most memorable moments from your time at the Grove?
Too many to mention but the GNC’s Christmas lunches have been great fun and it’s wonderful to see so many people get into the spirit of things and for many, this is the only Christmas lunch they get. Wonderful atmosphere created by all the volunteers and staff and everyone goes that extra mile and of course the food is delicious! Our annual outings to the seaside have also been enjoyable and I particularly remember one trip where a few of us took a couple of funfair rides including the ghost train.
Why is the Neighbourhood Centre so important to the W6 community?
It’s widely used by residents, either for classes or by many to just drop in and have a cup of tea and a little bit of company. We also assist many in filling out forms or signposting them to other organisations to solve any problems they may have. It offers volunteering opportunities for those people with spare time and to share their skills. Many visitors have commented on what a warm and welcoming atmosphere the Centre has.
How was the GNC affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The Centre had to close to the public at the end of March in accordance with Government Guidelines. Sadly, our income stream stopped almost overnight – not being able to rent our rooms or halls and staff had to be furloughed early in May. Fortunately, we have many committed volunteers who continue to monitor the phone, emails and keep the building clean and tidy.
What project is the Centre focused on currently?
The Lunch Club outreach service has been delivering hot homemade meals every Friday for up to 40 residents, and shopping for some of the most vulnerable people in the community. This service is currently being run by volunteers due to the staff still being on furlough and it is a nice way of keeping in touch with our users and local residents and to ensure they are safe and well.
Do you have a final message for your community?
The Centre looks forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as we are permitted to open. Staff and volunteers are keen to get things back to normal as soon as possible and continue to deliver our services and events, which hopefully will include one of our annual fetes before Christmas. I shall miss my colleagues, volunteers, committee members and users, many of whom I have formed a strong relationship with and consider to be friends. However, I will be popping into the GNC from time to time, and am really looking forward to joining Lunch Club one Friday for a nice meal and to catch up with all their news. The GNC is a vital part of the local community and I look forward to watching it grow from strength to strength.
If you would like to support the Centre’s crucial work, you can either donate online here, or send a cheque payable to The Grove Neighbourhood Centre to their address at 7 Bradmore Park Rd London, W6 0DT.
Here are some more photos of the team from last Friday, captured by local resident photographer Annabel Moeller.
