ChART - Chinbrook Estate

Establishing essential services for the long term

Responding to need identified in the community, one of the Chinbrook Big Local partnership’s overarching goals was to help residents experiencing financial challenges through accessible, reliable, long-term support. 

Considering this focus alongside reports from families about challenges faced during school breaks, the partnership established a food bank over the school summer holidays in 2018. They were able to quickly mobilise resources to launch the pilot food bank by adapting templates and processes from an existing borough-operated food bank. Their approach was characterised by a self-referral model, in a welcoming and supportive environment where service users could access additional help. Many of the volunteers working at the food bank were themselves former beneficiaries of similar services. At the start of 2023, an average of 48 families and 100 individuals were using the food bank each week – a rise of 38 per cent from January 2022.

Over time, the service evolved to address other issues, mostly surrounding finances. Recognising the impact of financial instability on mental and physical health, Big Local funding was used for an award-winning advice service, Money A&E, to support residents access benefits, debt management, and budgeting. They reported that this support had been transformational for several residents – such as helping write off rent arrears, open their first bank accounts, and make their first benefit claims. Alongside these services, staff and volunteers were trained to help people reduce their energy bills, while collaborative efforts with Lewisham Council helped residents access essential resources, such as fridge-freezers and mattresses.

In 2024, partnership members and volunteers went on to establish a Community Interest Company (CIC), ensuring the continued provision of essential services beyond the end of Chinbrook Big Local’s funding.

Working to build a fruitful relationship with the local primary school 

The partnership was driven by a commitment to young people in the Chinbrook Big Local area. They recognised the pivotal role of the local primary school in supporting young residents, as most children in the area attended that school. 

The partnership worked to engage the school in collaborative initiatives, adapting its approach over several years to accommodate any constraints the school staff were experiencing. The flexibility afforded by Big Local funding allowed for trial and error in this work, enabling the partnership to refine its strategies and foster more effective collaboration. Key to this success was establishing a relationship between the Big Local project manager employed by Big Local and the headteacher, facilitating a mutually beneficial approach to project development and funding allocation.

Through the collaborative model, the partnership supported the school community in new ways that took the institution’s needs into account. Successful projects included subsidising yearly residential trips, creating a teacher training course to include oratory skills in classes, supporting an existing club for young carers, and funding Nature Club outings in Chinbrook Meadows. By prioritising projects aligned with the school’s capacity, the partnership ensured access to enriching experiences for all 375 of its students.

Funding activities in the newly reopened youth club

The local Grove Park Youth Club had closed in 2013. Despite feeling they lacked the capacity or building-management skills to reopen it themselves, the partnership recognised it as an important site for their goals around reducing barriers to participation for young people in the Chinbrook Big Local area. Once the youth club’s doors reopened in 2021, Big Local funding was used for beneficial activities (such as music sessions) and the partnership invited organisations based in the club to apply for grant-funding opportunities. A range of activities were funded, aligning with their goal of providing opportunities for young people.

Seed funding was allocated to pilot sessions for young people, that served as a homework club and a space for easing the transition from primary to secondary school. This initiative was attended by approximately 45 young people per session during the pilot phase. It garnered positive feedback from parents and carers, who noted its positive impact on children’s interests, academic performance, physical activity, and overall confidence. It also offered young people a safe and reliable space to go if parents or carers weren’t available at the end of the school day. Leveraging the success of the pilot, the programme was expanded to include twice-weekly sessions and holiday club provision.

Creating initiatives to unite the community and combat social isolation 

Developing connections in the community was a key focus for the partnership as consultations showed this to be the biggest priority for residents, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chinbrook Big Local partnership focused on this through organising events aimed at bringing people together, addressing social isolation through small-scale activities, leveraging local green spaces, and working with existing local groups.

One long-standing initiative – a drop-in coffee morning for older people at the WG Grace Centre – highlighted the partnership’s commitment to community cohesion. Offering hot drinks, breakfast, and diverse activities (from crafts to chair yoga), the meetings saw increased attendance after Covid-19 lockdowns, with active participation from around 20–30 residents weekly. Group members took the concept further, with many becoming actively involved in suggesting and leading activities. The sessions went on to include a well-attended monthly lunch club, where attendees brought and shared food, finding they could be more adventurous with what they ate and how they cooked. 

The partnership worked with Chinbrook Community Orchard and Friends of Chinbrook Meadows on community events, like the orchard-celebrating Apple Day and wassailing (a traditional ceremony involving singing and drinking to the health of trees). As part of these days, Big Local funding was used for additional children’s activities, free food, and publicity. These events regularly drew crowds of 200–300 residents, providing opportunities for a diverse mix of people to come together, explore new activities, and foster connections.