Help Harmony Hall
Donation protected
Help save Harmony Hall for the Community!
Andy Munton is organising this fundraiser on behalf of Harmony Health Hub service users.
Harmony Hall has been managed by CREST, a small local charity since 1999. Just off Walthamstow High Street, Harmony is a unique and vibrant community centre acting as a hub for many local community activities at the heart of the borough. But what makes Harmony really special is the particular welcome it provides to people experiencing mental health issues. As a consequence, it provides the base for several support groups, a weekly lunchtime drop-in for those experiencing mental health issues, and regular exhibitions throughout the year of those who use art as part of their recovery. Harmony is also home to a whole host of faith communities, and the borough’s Adult Learning Service delivers training throughout the year for socially disadvantaged groups from the centre.
The Hall’s current owners have served notice on CREST of their intention to sell the building, giving the charity as preferred provider the first option to buy. CREST is in the process of raising the necessary funds, but time is running out. CREST’s tenure has historically been rent-free, but the current lease expires at the end of August and the landlord is unwilling to allow more time on the same basis. They have however suggested that, were CREST in the position to offer some rental for the immediate future (i.e. 3-6 months) they might well allow more time. This would help give the charity additional time to explore long-term funding opportunities to purchase the building. The assessment is that £15k could well give them a breathing space until March 2021. CREST is a small independent local charity, with limited assets, which has been hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 crisis, resulting in the drying up of its main funding streams.
This fundraiser has been launched with the aim of raising £7,500 – half the total needed –as a first step in helping to preserve Harmony Hall for the community of Walthamstow. Before the lock-down there were 32 user groups and a weekly footfall of 1,300 – if those who love Walthamstow and its community generosity, and if past and present service users were able to make a donation, however small , we believe this target is achievable. Harmony’s closure would be devastating for our service users – it represents their one safe haven during difficult times, a place to meet people with similar experiences, where they will not be judged, and a space where creativity in terms of arts and crafts can flourish.
We would like to give a big thank-you to everyone who makes a donation.
Andy Munton is organising this fundraiser on behalf of Harmony Health Hub service users.
Harmony Hall has been managed by CREST, a small local charity since 1999. Just off Walthamstow High Street, Harmony is a unique and vibrant community centre acting as a hub for many local community activities at the heart of the borough. But what makes Harmony really special is the particular welcome it provides to people experiencing mental health issues. As a consequence, it provides the base for several support groups, a weekly lunchtime drop-in for those experiencing mental health issues, and regular exhibitions throughout the year of those who use art as part of their recovery. Harmony is also home to a whole host of faith communities, and the borough’s Adult Learning Service delivers training throughout the year for socially disadvantaged groups from the centre.
The Hall’s current owners have served notice on CREST of their intention to sell the building, giving the charity as preferred provider the first option to buy. CREST is in the process of raising the necessary funds, but time is running out. CREST’s tenure has historically been rent-free, but the current lease expires at the end of August and the landlord is unwilling to allow more time on the same basis. They have however suggested that, were CREST in the position to offer some rental for the immediate future (i.e. 3-6 months) they might well allow more time. This would help give the charity additional time to explore long-term funding opportunities to purchase the building. The assessment is that £15k could well give them a breathing space until March 2021. CREST is a small independent local charity, with limited assets, which has been hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 crisis, resulting in the drying up of its main funding streams.
This fundraiser has been launched with the aim of raising £7,500 – half the total needed –as a first step in helping to preserve Harmony Hall for the community of Walthamstow. Before the lock-down there were 32 user groups and a weekly footfall of 1,300 – if those who love Walthamstow and its community generosity, and if past and present service users were able to make a donation, however small , we believe this target is achievable. Harmony’s closure would be devastating for our service users – it represents their one safe haven during difficult times, a place to meet people with similar experiences, where they will not be judged, and a space where creativity in terms of arts and crafts can flourish.
We would like to give a big thank-you to everyone who makes a donation.
Organizer
Andy Munton
Organizer
