Local charity makes a big impact in Thamesmead

11:11am Thursday 10th January 2008

A report published by one of south east London's leading development trusts shows that it is making a significant impact on the community it serves.

Trust Thamesmead's latest annual review highlights the significant progress the charity has made as it works towards building a brighter future for people living in Thamesmead.

The organisation's Chief Executive Mick Hayes said: "A number of significant developments would not have happened without the Trust's active participation and many organisations, initiatives and projects would have been sunk without our help. This makes me feel very proud."

One example of this was the rescue of the Archway Project, which is a Thamesmead-based youth service.

Spokesman John Milton said: "Archway has gone through some very troubled times recently and without the Trust's invaluable support it is unlikely that we would have survived. This in turn would have meant that many disadvantaged young people would not have got the support, education and training they deserve. Additionally, the whole area would not have benefited from these youngsters being given a purpose in life and having greater respect for their community."

The Trust's Chair, Jackie Smith said: "What has pleased me most over the year is the progress we have made in building a shared consensus with others on how we all want Thamesmead to develop.

"The substantial work we all put into agreeing the Thamesmead Vision 2016' has been handsomely rewarded by the willingness of Bexley and Greenwich Councils to develop a joint regeneration strategy for Thamesmead. This is a landmark achievement, the importance of which cannot be underestimated. However, these are still only the foundations and we will all be judged by what we construct upon them."

The Trust's annual review also shows that Thamesmead residents have a high regard for the Trust with 80% of those surveyed believing that the charity does a good job whilst 85% of clients accessing the Trust's free training and jobs project Building Futures' said the advice and guidance they received was just what they were looking for.

One of the Trust's key roles is supporting local community groups and the report states that thanks to the Trust 90% of these groups have been able to either continue or expand their activities or services.

Other highlights in the year being reported include staging the Trust Thamesmead Summer Festival, discovering some fantastic talent in the Trust Thamesmead T Factor contest, celebrating Thamesmead's rich diversity with events to mark Black History Month and Chinese New Year, bringing an evocative and dramatic interactive exhibition on what life is like for asylum seekers during Refugee Week, gaining Investors in People status for the organisation, achieving an Outstanding' Ofsted report for one of the Trust's childcare settings, Acorn Pre-School and having the Vision for Thamesmead 2016' accepted.

Copies of the 2006/07 Trust Thamesmead Annual Report can obtained by contacting the Communications Department, Trust Thamesmead, 19a Joyce Dawson Way, Thamesmead Town Centre, London SE28 8RA. Tel: 020 8320 4470. The report can also be downloaded from the charity's website: www.trust-thamesmead.co.uk

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