A lifetime offer of support in Holborn, London

Holborn Community Association (HCA) operates three community centres in the heart of London. For more than 35 years, they’ve provided welcoming, accessible opportunities to the community in the Holborn and Covent Garden Ward (and beyond).

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While Holborn is famous for its upmarket shops and businesses, the area is home to around 15,000 residents, of whom a high proportion live in social housing. HCA is passionate about working to help ensure that all residents in Holborn have the opportunities and relationships they need to thrive. HCA talk about a ‘lifetime offer of support’ – they help make people’s lives better through four programmes of work: Play, Arts, Movement and Care.

Play: If you walk through the doors any weekday morning from 9:30 to 11:30, you’ll hear—before you see—more than 20 under-fives and their parents at their free play sessions. These play sessions are attended by families from the local area, of whom more than half are in the top 30% of deprivation impacting children. During the past four winters, as the cost of energy has skyrocketed, there’s often a queue out the door of young ones and parents. When the doors open, everyone is met by a warm welcome, lots of soft play toys, ample space for kids to run free, and free drinks and snacks.

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Arts: Inclusion is at the centre of everything that HCA does. Their arts programmes work with everyone from carers to young people. Their young people’s art programme provides opportunities for individuals of all abilities, including those with social communication difficulties, to gain skills, build confidence, and perform. For young people like Jamie, taking part in HCA’s arts programme was transformative; bringing them out of their shell, helping them make friends, and even perform in front of an audience.

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Movement: HCA is well aware of the importance of exercise for mental and physical wellbeing. Running more than 900 activities each year, they support people of all abilities and ages to exercise for free. Those activities, and the spaces they run them in are inclusive and accessible – they adapt activities to include all levels and abilities and the atmosphere is as important as hitting a personal best. Coming together with others helps people continue to take care of themselves.

Care: For the elderly residents of Holborn, their activity classes and community meals are run on the power of friendship, connection and tea. Of the people who attend, 88% are among the 30% most deprived nationally. HCA’s individual-centred approach with this group means they aren’t left to face medical and economic challenges alone, but instead find community and receive additional support to help them get the assistance they need.

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For this overlooked community, tucked away in the busyness of central London, HCA is a hub providing connection, fun and warmth every day. The amazing team, along with local, student and corporate volunteers, provide a warm welcome to over 2,000 individuals each year.

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