To provide funding of £1000 to the above project.
Reason for decision:
Extensive research has previously been undertaken including meetings, interviews and discussions with:
116 households, discussions with the Guildhall (North) Residents Association, Rainbow Centre, Social
Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, Shepway Youth Hub, Christchurch Primary School, Stella Maris
Primary School, Kent Police, Shepway District Council (as it was known then), GP surgery - Guildhall
Street, Guildhall Pharmacy, homeless persons, representatives of the residents migrant communities
(Polish, Roma, Romanian), and church parishioners.
The Parish Hall sits within the Central Folkestone Ward. Central and key issues identified were:
• Unemployment
• Low level of qualifications, or none
• Poor levels of accommodation
• Debt
• Poverty
• Crime
• Health- physical and mental
• Loneliness and isolation
• Resident migrants who fit some or all of the above, and inclusion
• Lack of local facilities and local community provision
There was clear evidence of a need for an accessible, affordable, central facility to serve local people,
and organisations serving the community in an informal environment.
From evidence accrued, the priorities of the community have been identified as:
1) Young people (particularly 13-16 yrs, then school leavers to 20 yrs, not in education or
employment)
2) Elderly
3) Homeless
4) Resident migrant population