Parents ‘left in limbo’ as community centre supporting families for 40 years closes

Hundreds of families say they have been “left in limbo” after a much loved community centre announced it will close at the end of the month.

St Andrew’s Centre, run from St Andrews Church in Brockley Road, has supported children and parents in Brockley for more than 40 years through its nursery, afterschool club, holiday provision and community services.

But, on August 30, parents were told that the non-profit community nursery and afterschool club would shut at the end of September, due to an “unsustainable financial burden” from running costs.

The day before, nineteen members of staff were informed that they would be made redundant.

The letter from Deborah Douglas, chair of the board of trustees, apologised for the “inconvenience and stress” the closure would cause and said the centre had been left with “no other choice”.

But, parents say they have been left with little affordable childcare in the area with after school places at the three schools the club serves – Gordonbrock, Beecroft and John Stainer’s – all oversubscribed.

Sharon Shamir, 38, of Breakspears Road, has worked at the Feed Hill foodbank since 2020 and said she relies on the centre which her twins Anna and Sasha, aged two, attend.

She said: “Finances are tight and my shifts are erratic. I worry that I won’t be able to work the hours I need, with a knock-on impact on finances.

“It’s very difficult to find nursery places locally, let alone for twins and near impossible on such short notice.

“If the provision shuts, the greatest impact will be on the most vulnerable in our community.”

Now, a group of more than 100 parents from the area have come together to fight the centre’s closure. Their petition, on Change.org, has already received more than 771 signatures.

Catherine Ames, 48, of Chalsey Road said: “Our son says that he is part of the family at St Andrew’s. 

“He feels so safe and happy there and has really gained self confidence being with the other children and all the staff who take care to know everyone personally. 

“I can’t tell him it may close, he will be distraught.” 

The campaign is urging the trust to provide more details about the closure. While fees for the centre went up earlier this year citing rising costs, parents say there was no suggestion that the centre was in trouble. 

Parents have raised the opportunity for the board of trustees to apply for a charitable fund available to Lewisham charities through the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy with a deadline for submissions of September 23.

Kate Powdrill, 46, of Ivy Road, said: “My two children are devastated at the loss of their brilliant afterschool club and I rely on it to be able to work. 

“I don’t understand why the trustees won’t talk to us and let us work with them – the clock is ticking to save the centre but you can see by the response from the community that we won’t give up until its future is secure.” 

Parents have also taken issue with the lack of consultation, claiming the decision to close the club was made by the board of trustees “behind closed doors”.

Despite repeated requests, they say that the trustees have not responded to “countless emails” requesting a meeting to discuss the closure.

St Andrew’s Centre has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: Sharon Shamir with her two-year-old twins Anna and Sasha outside the centre (Picture: Sharon Shamir)