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About Us |
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The
impetus for the Café West initiative arose from the work of
the Allerton Health Project, augmented by ongoing consultation
over 4 years through the Allerton Health Project Steering
Group, Saffron Dean Community Association (SDCA), Allerton
Regeneration Residents' Association (Allert), Allerton Regeneration
Office, and Barnardo’s Community Project.
A
report Whose Health Is It Anyway? was compiled
on the basis of a qualitative survey of local residents. Five
local volunteer community researchers were recruited and trained
to undertake this survey which involved one to one interviews
with local people, aged 16–75, and hosting three discussion
groups. The survey identified a number of key issues of local
concern, including:
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a lack of community
meeting places |
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drugs |
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facilities for children |
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facilities for young people |
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lack of consultation |
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lack of information |
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inadequate
community involvement in the regeneration process |
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stress,
isolation, depression, and the need for proactive health initiatives. |
| Café
West has been designed to meet these locally identified concerns.
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| As a community led
organisation, Café West is structured to ensure that community
residents steer the organisation to reflect community needs.
The management (Board of Directors) is designed
to keep the development of the work in the hands of local residents
who know what the locality wants and needs to support its health. |
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| The
Team |
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| Michaela Howell is the Healthy
Living Co-ordinator and is responsible for making sure that
there are lots of health-improving activities for the whole
community. |
| Dot Nicholls is the Centre Administrator
and makes sure that everything in the Healthy Living Centre
runs smoothly. |
| Seam Khan is the Children and
Young People’s Health organises workshops, drop-ins and
other activities aimed at improving children’s health |
| Natalie Depass is the Catering
Manager and is responsible for the Community Café. |
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| Ruth Lindsey is the Business
Co-ordinator and is responsible for anything financial and the
actual building. |
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