The idea
Please help us carry out urgent repairs to our Sunday School Hall and its 140 year old roof. This vital project will allow us to revitalise an underused and forgotten hall and create a 200 capacity, community space. A space which can be a home to participative arts, learning and heritage activities where people can come together and share ideas.
We'll also create a permanent home for our nonconformist collection so it can become a resource for study and research.
The room itself was built in 1877 it has lofty ceilings, a wrap around balcony, study booths and mini library. It could be a beautiful space but before we can start to use it we need to get it usable and top of the list is the repairs to the roof.
Once completed it will be a great local asset, we'll be able to make the most out of the space and our wide communities can fill it with activities!
Our project will cost about £400,000 in total, this campaign will cover the basics to get started. We have already most of it!
What we'll deliver
- Repair the failing roof and brickwork
- Make the room accessible
- Repair the library and study booths and create a publically accessible collection
- Add refreshment areas
- Run activites for families and school children with a particular strand of programming for local vulnerable families
- Hold classes in paper conservation and book making
- Provide training in public speaking and tour guiding for all ages
- Introduce a training in cataloguing and digitising old documents and objects
- Provide seating, lighting, desks, PA and other equipment needed for a range of uses
- Allow free use of the space from local groups from migrant associations to primary schools
Why it's a great idea
This project will bring our Sunday School Hall back to life and help meet local needs.
Islington Council and Islington Youth Council have helped us identify activities that are in short supply in the area:
• Provision for primary schools and under 13s
• Space for art exhibitions and pop ups - to be available for different uses
• Opportunities for young entrepreneurs – for example regular markets with stalls run by and for young people
It's also a unique opportunity to share our social justice heritage. The stories in the collection housed in the Sunday School Hall will provide inspiration for a wide range of activities with links across the borough.
This will include an annual free festival, in partnership with Islington Museum, with art exhibitions, public speaking competitions and readings & performances.
Together we'll create a space that Islington can be proud of and the community can truly help shape. We are so close to our total fundraising target!
Steps to get it done
- Roof and external repairs completed
- Study booths and library conserved
- Fundraising target met
- New staff appointed
- Activity plan agreed with partners
- Community consultation
- Opening launch event
- Contractor tendered and appointed
Local groups we are consulting with:
Local schools for under 13s special projects
New Unity Church - www.new-unity.org - a non religious church
Islington Council and Islington Youth Council for local services
Refugee Council for migrant and refugee groups
Islington LGBTQ archive for archival partnerships
Islington Parks for day trips
Islington Museum for heritage connections
Salter's Hall for heritage connections
We have drawn up and costed in detail a three year activity and business plan that includes continual local consultation and relationship building with local schools, youth groups and other relevant organisations.
We will review and evaluate the project annually.
We have drawn up a detailed fundraising strategy which includes public appeals, crowdfunding, trusts and foundation applications and sourcing other donations. We will be continuing with this vital activity alongside the crowdfund campaign.
