A positive change has come! After years of a failure to invest in communities by the Conservative party when they ran Westminster Council.
Labour-run Westminster City Council has opened another Community Hub in Westminster on the Brunel Estate in Westbourne. The Hub is in a previously abandoned council building. It has now been renovated and brought into community use. A welcoming space has been created with 14 bookable room for community groups. The hub was co-designed with over 400 local residents. Like all of the hubs so far, resident decisions are at the heart of their creation.They decided they wanted a space for residents to come together, to get support with health and wellbeing, housing, benefits and advice, and to provide local grassroots community groups with spaces to run activities.
At a time when too many community spaces across the country have been closed, sold off or left to decline, The Labour-run Westminster Council has chosen a different path, putting public money into places that bring people together and in putting opportunities to make their lives better.
Flourish CIC worked with residents and community groups to bring their designs and intentions for the space to life. Local community organisation Happy Lizzy Event Planning were awarded the contract to manage the space on behalf of the council. After the successful running of the meanwhile space for the Happy Hub in Queens Park.
The Brunel Happy Hub is the fifth Community Hub that Labour have delivered across the city since taking over the council in 2022, delivering on our manifesto pledge to support community organisations and enable people to access face to face support in their local area.
There are now Community Hubs at Victoria and Charing Cross Libraries, The Exchange at Ernest Harriss House and Lilestone Street, with another opening in Pimlico this year.
The Brunel Happy Hub includes
- Carab Café, a new community café serving Carribbean/Arab food
- Advice and support from Westminster services and Citizens Advice
- Culturally informed counselling from Shifaa Healing Hearts
- Community activities run by Brunel Bangladeshi Women’s Group, Brunel Bangladeshi Men’s Group, Kulan Women’s Group, MEWSO Women’s Group, and Kongolese Information and Advice
- Children, family and youth provision such including Wildkittens Baby Drop-In, Community Classroom Homeschool, Kulan After School, Wildcats Afterschool, and coding for gaming
- Affordable activities from zumba, yoga and exercise, to arts and crafts, sewing and crochet (SKC Space), drama, chess and board games, bingo, film and music nights, gaming parties, escape rooms and more
Cllr Concia Albert, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“This is what Labour leadership looks like, investing in shared spaces, bringing services closer to residents and building stronger, healthier communities.”
Cllr Adam Hub, Westbourne Councillor and Leader of Westminster City Council said:
“I am so proud that we have been able to work with residents to create a new Community Hub on the Brunel Estate. This hub will provide much needed community space in the area and offer new opportunities to residents – from employment support, health and wellbeing groups, a new community cafe, spaces for children and young people to spend time together and a baby drop in. This Labour Council promised to deliver more support for our communities and I am so pleased that we now have 5 community hubs across the city to do just that”
The Brunel Happy Hub is located on the Brunel Estate in the building which was formerly the Brunel Contact Centre. Brunel Estate, Westbourne Park Road, London W2 5UZ.
It is open:
Monday–Friday: 8am–9pm
Saturday–Sunday: 10am–9pm
Find out more about the Brunel Happy Hub here: www.brunelhappyhub.club