Harmony Hall is well established in Walthamstow as an inclusive community building hosting a plethora of education/employment & social welfare support providers, faith communities & local resident events (over 34,200 person visits per year) The current owners wish to sell the building & there is significant risk that this valuable community resource will be lost at a time of local population increase, economic & political uncertainty & rising concerns regarding youth violence, mental illness & social isolation. We want to retain this asset within the community (through a governance structure comprising 4 local organisations to own & manage the building) to continue providing important support and also widen our offer, maximising & enhancing the space available, ensuring all sections of the community continue to use the hall.

What we'll deliver:

• The purchase of the building by Crest Waltham Forest, keeping it in community ownership
• Look at a community share scheme (based on GLA funding and support), looking at mechanisms to give the community a voice

Why it's a great idea:

In summary there are an estimated 34,200 person visits per year, the majority of groups serve Walthamstow or the wider borough residents (76.7%), Groups’ main areas of work were health and wellbeing and community development. All the groups that responded felt that the closure of Harmony Hall would affect their work, with most citing the impact on their participants (particularly more vulnerable people), but other citing the impact on the future viability of their organisation/group itself.

Steps to get it done:

• Secure GLA Good Growth Funding, after successful stage 2 application
• Establish governance of new local consortium who will help drive the strategy of the community and cultural offering
• Review a community share scheme with GLA support to give the community a say in the running of the space
• Use funds to help purchase building, with funding also from GLA (TBC) and Big Local groups

As the letters of support attached demonstrate there is significant support for the retention of Harmony Hall as a community building. as noted above the loss of the building could impact on vulnerable members of the community. CREST is working with Waltham Forest councillors on Harmony Hall’s emerging proposals and also with the LBWF regeneration team. MP Stella Creasey recently met with Livability to discuss the future of the hall and her letter attached supports the retention of this community asset within Walthamstow.