Community project revived to benefit St Luke's (From Echo)

Community project revived to benefit St Luke's

10:30pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News

A COMPANY set up to improve the health and wellbeing of a deprived ward has folded but in its place volunteers at a church are taking over the ambition.

St Luke’s Healthy Living Community Interest Company (CIC) has closed with a handful of staff made redundant but they are now working for free on the scheme which has transferred to St Luke’s Church in Southend.

A vision for a new health and community centre in St Luke’s ward was hit by the recession and cutbacks in health budgets.

The St Luke’s Healthy Living Centre project based at Temple Sutton school grounds had to be scaled back and in its place two separate sites were funded and established earlier this year - a business surgery in Cluny Square and an extension to St Luke’s Church hall in St Luke’s Avenue to offer clinical and community space.

Gareth Gault from the project, now known as St Luke’s Project, said: “It’s sad the CIC had to close but there is a silver lining. We still have the heart and soul to take this forward.”

The Cluny Square office has been handed back to the council but its at St Luke’s church where all the work is happening.

The CIC handed all its assets to the church to continue the dream with workshops being held in jobs and skills training so needed in the area.

South Essex College use the site for dance and drama classes, while Cecil Jones College use the education and computer rooms for children at risk of being excluded, so they can learn in a more relaxed setting.

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