The Castlehaven Community Association (CCA), a registered charity (no: 295829) and company limited by guarantee (no: 2069107), was established in 1985 as a community charity that provides activities, classes and facilities across the age ranges. It is set in four acres of public open space which includes three buildings, two community gardens, with an enclosed children's play area, flood lit sport facilities for the local people and the wider Camden communities.
CCA is a popular and successful community association and this is reflected in the wide use of its activities and facilities. The centre is open 9.30am to 9.30pm for projects, service and activity delivery during the week, and, during the weekend it is accessed by other organisations delivering services to the community.
CCA aims to inspire and empower people of all ages, cultures and abilities to strive, both mentally and physically to achieve their full potential.
CCA staff have worked hard to gain a reputation for delivering quality services to local people and a willingness to try something new by piloting new projects; these have included the first role out of the Sure Start Project, the Youth Inclusion Projects, work with vulnerable older people and many more one off locally responsive initiatives.
Evaluated by Youth Justice Board - Quality Assurance - and received top marks for the 3rd year in succession.
Hosted the Unity (football) Cup and Community Festival. This is the third year the project has hosted this ever growing event designed to challenge racism.
The independent evaluators 'educari' wrote a very positive report on this unique child-focused project that promotes social inclusion.
Not only did it run the very successful trips, theatre outings, tea dances and a New Year lunch which attracted over 100 elders, but a small group of members and the project manager had an opportunity to meet the Queen! HELPS has now also had a very positive independent evaluation. Along with very positive feedback from members, partners and other agencies the evaluator concluded “I just hope there is a HELPS project near me when I’m old enough to join up”.
Ran successful intergenerational projects including the Community Tile, Fruit Picking and arts and crafts projects and, in partnership with Family Learning in Camden, delivered ‘Talk and Play’ and ‘Family Cook and Eat’ courses which proved fruitful for both the participants and the partners.
Time banking is a new project here at Castlehaven. It is for everyone - individuals, families, HELPS members, organisations, and companies! Time banking is a system of volunteering one's skills, abilities and services throughout the community and is based on the currency of time. In this, everyone's time is equal: one hour of your time earns you one time credit to spend on a service you may need or can be put towards a reward activity. Services can range from simple DIY projects to letter writing to cooking. Essentially, if a community member has a need, we match another time banker to the need to perform this service. Time credits can also be spent on reward activities. Such rewards can include theatre tickets and planned group trips! The time banking project is in the beginning stages but growing rather quickly here at Castlehaven, nevertheless. New members are always welcome and encouraged to join in our cause.
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