Response Community Projects
A few minutes from Earl’s Court Tube and opposite Brompton
Cemetery, Response started life in 1976 as a second-hand bookshop.
Although it is now very much more than that, there is still a
display of well-thumbed paperbacks sitting outside the front
entrance.
Inside, a volunteer staffs the reception while centre manager
Linda Ogbuehi helps an older woman photocopy some documents. There
are computers available for people who need internet access or word
processing and a couple at the back of the room are chatting over a
coffee.
Linda sorts out the cash for the photocopies (10p a page) before
explaining that she began working at Response in 2002 when she took
over the running of the homework club. Nine years later, up to 30
children from eight to 16 attend for 90 minutes after school. They
are supervised by Linda, the club’s IT Officer, Francis, volunteers
from London’s universities and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
and retired local residents.
'After my degree in Egyptology at UCL I worked at a homework
club in Brixton and then eventually heard about the role here,' she
explained. 'I’ve been involved in everything from bleeding
radiators to applying for grants.'
As well as the internet cafe and homework club, Response runs
Tai Chi lessons, yoga, art and IT classes, language classes and
small business start up workshops. It also hires rooms to an
Albanian community group, health trainers and self help groups.
The Council provides approximately one quarter of Response’s
funding, which means that it can pay its staff and bills and
provides specific grants to make sure that services such as the
homework club are provided.
Linda is proud to point out that almost 500 people used the
centre during January 2011. She is also quick to admit that the
Council’s involvement has extra value.
'When I’m applying for funding to cover the rest of our
expenses, the fact that we are funded by Kensington and Chelsea
certainly means something to people. It’s a mark of approval.'
By now the centre is busy. Volunteers and visitors are up and
down the stairs, health trainers are in the room next door to
Linda’s office and all the computers are now in use.
'We’re one of the only community centres in the south of the
borough', Linda said. 'The internet, especially, is a great
resource for people who can’t afford it at home but can come here
and look for jobs or keep in contact with family by email.'
'The centre is for everyone, though; we had someone come in and
spend the day doing their work here because their own web
connection had gone down. It was great – that’s why we’re here, to
serve everyone in the community.'
Response is located at 300, Old Brompton Road, SW5 9JF and is
open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Find out more by visiting the Response Projects
website, or tel: 020 7370 4606 or email: info@responseprojects.org.uk