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Home > News > Archive 2007 > June > Launch of new Southend programme

Date:  4 June 2007

Southend & Westcliff Community Centre launches an exciting new programme of activities for adults

Jewish Care’s Southend & Westcliff Community Centre launched its first-ever programme of adult education and leisure activities – as part of the charity’s planned expansion of the range of services it offers to the 3,000-strong local Jewish community.

Members of the local community had a chance to sample some of the activities at taster sessions held at the centre in Cobham Road, Westcliff-on-sea on Sunday 23rd September, when the programme was officially launched by Southend’s Mayor, Councillor Daphne White.

Included in the programme – called ‘Something for Everyone’ – are activities aimed at adults of all ages, ranging from computer classes to flower arranging, Indian head massage, yoga and creative writing. Some of the course tutors are from Southend Adult Community College whose principal, Ali Hadawi, was present at the launch, as was Neil Taylor, Jewish Care’s director of community services.

Centre manager, Richard Shone, explained that the launch followed a survey of the local community’s priorities – and could be followed by other activities at the centre, such as youth leadership training.

He said: “We are mainly known as a day centre with some 16 residential flats – but that means we are currently closed for many hours each week and we wanted to put that spare capacity at the community’s disposal.

“Earlier this year, we set about asking people attending the two local synagogues and communal events what they would like to see in the way of new services. The adult education programme is the first fruit of this consultation, as we estimate there are up to 500 people who might like to get involved. Next we’ll think about how we might attract more young people through our doors, perhaps by offering to train the community leaders of tomorrow.”

Speaking at the launch, the Mayor praised the contribution made by the Jewish community over many years. She said: “By offering this type of education programme, Jewish Care is helping local people to develop new skills and in doing so enriches the whole community.”

Southend Adult Community College principal Ali Hadawi described the project as a “model of partnership with local community groups” – adding: “Schemes such as this enable us to find out what local people’s priorities are – and to get out into the community to help meet these needs.”

Bernard Lazarus and his wife, Leila, from Shoeburyness, were planning to sign-up for a computer class. He said: “I’ve got a computer but don’t really know what to do with it, while my wife knows very little about them. We’re hoping that becoming computer-literate will open a whole new world for us because so much is done over the internet these days – and we’re fed up missing out.”