From an empty building to a space that welcomes the community

The Warm Welcome Space at Earl’s Court in West London is based in a community centre on the West Kensington side of the Earl’s Court development site.

‍

The building that houses the space was previously left empty for many years by the previous site owners, and the Earl’s Court Development Company, tasked with creating a new plan for the site, transformed it into an asset for the community.

‍

The Community Hub serves local residents and people from across Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea, from a variety of different backgrounds and of different ages.

The people running the space want it to be the best community centre in London, driven by a spirit of excellence and this approach has helped the Hub and its team develop strong connections throughout the local area.

‍

A key part the offer is a wellbeing hub, promoting physical, mental and social health. Hub Manager Wasim says: “I love watching friendships develop. People who didn’t know each other become friends outside of our activities.”

‍

He adds that people “come back again and again” and class leaders and the team are regularly complimented on the culture of warmth and welcome in the space. The Hub is pleased to be part of the Warm Welcome programme.

‍

Because the Hub is backed by The Earl’s Court Development Company, they focus on giving opportunities to smaller start up organisations as well as putting on a range of events that benefit the whole community.

‍

Key to the success of the space is the involvement of local people in the development journey, keeping them up to date with workshops for residents to hear their views on the future of the site, and a focus on better understanding the history and heritage and how local people think the site can be brought back to life.

‍

Wasim feels the sense of a wheel coming full circle. He grew up in a house just opposite the development site, and remembers the demolition of the old Exhibition Centres and the development plans which did not go ahead. Now he gets to support the community by providing this space that encourages a sense of belonging and connection.

‍

Earl’s Court Community Hub's garden, which is maintained by a group of volunteer gardeners, has recently won a Royal Horticultural Society ‘London in Bloom’ award and has even featured in the BBC’s Gardeners’ World programme.

It’s also proud to host a mixture of 12 established and up and coming portrait artists, working in a range of media in a partnership with the National Portrait Gallery through a series of free workshops open to all.

‍

From talking to Wasim, it is clear that this is a vibrant, well used community space that is making a real difference to many people’s lives.