News

Community Kitchen supporting refugees

Ahlam Akram, Founder and Director of BASIRA, British Arabs Supporting Universal Women’s Rights, is supporting the reopening of the Highgate Newton Community Centre and the work of Mikhail and Ahlam in the new Community Kitchen. Ahlam hopes to mentor some of the recent arrivals from Afghanistan living around the centre in the new community cookery school. Mikhail and Ahlam intend to gather the community together to participate in the joys of preparing and sharing food alongside the sharing of stories.

There will also be talks and encouragement about breaking down barriers and anxieties that may exist for women. All women refugees are most welcome.

If you are interested in joining us when the centre opens please get in touch

Find out more about BASIRA and about Ahlam Akram 

Christmas lunch at La Sainte Union

On December 5th, Highgate Newtown Community Partners partnered with La Sainte Union School to host a delightful Christmas lunch for elderly residents in our community. This wonderful event, now in its second year, was made possible through the generous support of La Sainte Union School, who provided the venue and collaborated with us to ensure a memorable experience for all attendees.

The meal was expertly prepared by Harrison Catering Services and served by enthusiastic students and staff from the school. The atmosphere was filled with festive cheer, featuring Christmas music, joyful dancing across generations, and a heartwarming performance from the sixth-form choir. Guests also enjoyed a fun game of bingo after dessert, adding to the spirit of celebration.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to La Sainte Union School for their commitment to fostering community connections and making this event a cherished tradition. We look forward to continuing this partnership and spreading joy in our community during the holiday season!

More photos on La Sainte Union website >

Concert in aid of Highgate Newtown Community Partners and Food Bank Aid

On Saturday the 25th January at 7:30pm, St Michael’s Church, Highgate, 7:30pm

Guy Johnston Cello George Jackson Conductor 

Schumann Symphony No. 3 Rhenish 

Dvorak Cello Concerto

£30, £25, £20 reserved phone 020 8340 5643 

£15 unreserved at www.hco.org.uk

Last year the concert raised £10,000 for HNCP and £5,000 for Food Bank Aid. Your support through musical enjoyment is much appreciated.

HNCP support anyone facing a challenge or a disadvantage

Older people, people living on lower incomes, families with young children, people facing discrimination inequality and those in our community facing loneliness and isolation.

We do this by providing a range of services to meet the needs of communities, including daily lunch clubs across a range of venues which provide affordable, healthy food and company for older people, those facing isolation and those on a low-income.

By offering daily play activities for the under 5s, we help younger children socialise and develop healthily, whilst also offering essential support, advice and connection for their mums, dads and carers. We also work with schools offering free education to those struggling.

For families and individuals living in insecure housing or who are reliant on state benefits, we support them with form filling and accessing additional food or clothing.

Our services are a gateway for additional support, and they help us engage with those most in need within our community. Bringing people together and supporting them to access the support and services they need to thrive.

We welcome your donations to help us meet our target of £85,000 each year to maintain our services many free to those in the greatest need and free children’s meals for under fives.

Please donate to help us improve peoples lives. By setting up a monthly donation to HNCP, you can be there for people who need free stay and play children services and free children meals and our low cost lunch clubs.

DONATE NOW

If you would like to find out more about the difference your support will make or arrange a visit contact Andrew andrew.s@hncp.org.uk

The Highgate Newtown Community Centre in Bertram Street has undergone a remarkable £35m-plus transformation. After five years of refurbishment, this revitalised space is set to become the heart of the neighbourhood once again.

With a diverse range of facilities, from arts and crafts rooms to sports halls, the centre aims to rebuild the sense of community that many residents feel has been lost. Centre manager Eiren Kelly envisions a welcoming space that offers affordable services and brings people together.

Click here to read the full story courtesy of the Camden New Journal (see page 9 for the story, Page 5 for our advertisement) and join the HNCP club!

The Annual General Meeting of the Highgate Newtown Community Partners will be held at St Anne’s Church, 106 Highgate West Hill London N6 6AP on Tuesday 24th September 2024 at 11 am. All are welcome.

The Highgate Newtown Community Partners team really know how to have fun!

Donkey rides, animal petting, soft play, decorative stencils, a tombola, food, ice-cream, music and sunshine. Everything came together to make the end of term summer party at St Michael’s church a great success with many under 5’s parents and carers there to enjoy the fun. 

Don’t forget that this event may have been an ‘end of term’ but also marks the start of out summer holidays scheme. Find out more.

SOMETIMES things do not go fully to plan, and I would like to say sorry on behalf of Highgate Newtown Community Partners to residents for the issues this has caused.

We have been working extremely hard with Camden Council officers each week to create a fabulous new centre for you all.

Over the last two years we have raised over 400k from private trusts to fit out the building. This week alone Mercers a grant trust approved 100k for new services and private donations continue to come in.

The new Centre will have an Italian Restaurant which will also offer work placements to young people and those with disabilities, it will offer affordable food and a place for people alone to have company in the evenings.

Loneliness is a real issue for people local who want a safe place to walk to, and to feel part of the wider community. The hairdressers nail bar will allow people to have haircuts which improves mental health for people on low incomes.

The new pottery complex and cook school will support all ages. The low cost laundry will have fully commercial machines for those larger items.

A range of services for community wellbeing are being created for our community.

Highgate Newtown Community Partners now works across Camden providing free children’s services and lunch clubs, also much needed services for young people as in adverts in paper today.

Camden Council and HNCP do not go to work each day not to try and make our community better and where no person gets left behind, we are creating services you all ask for and care about.

I am truly sorry for the delay in the building opening, and I fully support Camden’s ambitions with us to create a world class Centre.

Many thanks,

Andrew Sanalitro, 

Director Highgate Newtown Community Partners

3rd July 2024

Under 5 ‘stay ’n play’ session every Tuesday in the Kings Cross area. 

A structured children’s music programme that encourages children, parents and carers to explore, learn and play together in a fun and interactive musical environment.

Mabel’s Monsters uses a range of percussion instruments to help explore basic rhythms with singing, dancing, mini-monsters, parachute play and not forgetting bubble time. The programme has a strong theatrical feel, encouraging children to explore their musical, creative, physical and social skills.

Where: 

Pancras Square Library N1C 4AG

When:

10am to 11am every Tuesday in term time.

Contact:

Nadine Reynolds: 07415 200 614 Email: Nadinehncc@outlook.com

Are you looking to start your own hair and nails salon, or relocate in N19?
Hairdressers and Nails space in a brand-new build RENT FREE

Our fabulous new centre will open late spring, and we are offering 12 months rent free, which includes utility bills and council tax covered to help get you started.
You would be a self employed community minded team able to provide affordable haircuts for all ages in a unisex space. We also welcome people to offer a mini nail bar.

We know that when people feel good about how they look this improves mental health, well being, and life chances.

You should be able to work with customers in a multi cultural setting.

You may already have a space and are looking to relocate.

This is a fantastic opportunity in a brand-new build. For more information
Email: Andrews@hncp.org.uk