In the midst of the bustle, cities can be lonely places to live, and a more connected society is the starting point for tackling loneliness.
Endlesham Hall has a rich history of bringing local people together, with a vibrant programme of activities for the community to enjoy.
The new hall will enable us to continue to offer a meeting place for local people to come together, socialise, enjoy shared interests and activities. A safe, inclusive and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and walks of life to connect and find a sense of belonging.
Young people have played a key part in the hall’s history, as well as strongly advocating for redevelopment and improved facilities today.
We recognise the challenges facing young people in London and see the new building as a way to invest in the next generation.
By focussing our affordable housing provision on the 20-35 age group, we want to provide young adults with a stable and supportive place to live as a stepping stone to a long-term home.
Meanwhile, under-18s in the local area will greatly benefit from the improved facilities, and we hope to welcome a range of youth activities that will provide a safe, nurturing and fun environment to learn, connect, be inspired and grow in confidence.
Among the pressures of urban life, we are rediscovering how connecting with nature can heal and nurture our bodies, minds and souls.
Maximising green space is a top priority in the new hall, and we hope the new garden area will offer a place of rest and sanctuary for residents, visitors and wildlife.
The current concrete playground will become a green outdoor classroom, nature playground and community garden, shared between the residents and the local community.
Green walls and a green roof on the main hall will help reduce the carbon footprint of the building. We also hope to grow plants, flowers and vegetables that can be shared with our wider community.
Our desire is to make the arts accessible for everyone, and especially for young people, by offering affordable facilities to support a range of creative activities.
The new hall will include rehearsal space for music, dance, and theatre, studio space for photography and filmmaking, as well as the potential for public film screenings, performances and exhibitions.
We want the new hall to be a space where creative expression, collaboration and innovation will flourish, inspiring and empowering artists of all backgrounds with access to a high-quality, versatile and inclusive space.
While the western world has seen a general decline in traditional religion, the deep human need to know our significance and purpose in life is ever-present. We are seeing a renewed interest in exploring paths to spirituality beyond religious institutions, for example, through practices such as mindfulness, yoga and meditation.
In the new hall, we want to honour our Christian heritage as we imagine a new expression of ‘Church’ for the 21st century.
Our hope is to create an open, inclusive and safe space, welcoming people from all walks of life to explore the role of spirituality in their lives if they’d like to.
Endlesham Hall attracts a broad spectrum of families from the community, with plenty of activities aimed at children and parents. This includes school holiday clubs, nursery and pre-school, football, drama, carers and toddlers groups, baby massage, and more.
With plenty of families living in the surrounding area, many would benefit greatly from the improved facilities and wider range of activities offered by the new hall.
The new building will bring more opportunities for local educators to use the new indoor/outdoor spaces for a wide range of activities, with an emphasis on outdoor learning. We hope the new hall will bring local families together, providing a place for children and parents to play, learn and connect.