History

Cliftonville Community and Training Centre was established in 1996 by St. Paul's Community Trust primarily to serve the deprived community   within the Cliftonville area.

The Trust currently runs a low-cost Cafe, we also run a drop-in Day centre, which is the first "port of call" for many clients seeking advice, as well as a safe and friendly place to meet others.   These include the long term unemployed, single parents, pensioners, those with mental health problems, those with drug and alcohol problems, the homeless and those in temporary accommodation.   This facility is especially important for those who are socially isolated and/or in low-quality housing. We also run a Pre-school in partnership with Thanet Early Years Project.   The large hall is used by a number of community groups and private clubs for leisure and sport activities, private parties, meetings and conferences.   An Open Christmas event for the homeless is held in the hall each year.   The Trust also operates a free clothing,   food parcel and free meal's scheme for those in difficult circumstances, including the homeless and those in temporary accommodation.

In July 2000 the Cliftonville Open Learning and Resource Centre, located opposite the Community Centre, opened as a dedicated building for the many accredited courses being run by Thanet College in partnership with St. Paul's Community Trust.   This has allowed the courses to be expanded to include many more students and a wider variety of courses.   In its first year over 300 students gained qualifications.   Courses include basic IT, First Aid, Build on Your Skills, Arts and Crafts, Modern Languages, and Basic Skills.   these courses are free and designed to be easily accessible to the disadvantaged and long term unemployed.   Parents may obtain free pre-school places when attending courses.   This building in now in the process of being purchased by Cliftonville Childrens Centre (Surestart).

We have established partnerships with a number of statutory and voluntary agencies who hold surgeries and group sessions within the centre.   These include; Shelter Kent Housing Aid and Alcoholics Anonymous.   We also have close links with other agencies including: Migrant Helpline, Unity Group, Thanet Volunteer Bureau, Kent council for Addiction and Oasis Women's Refuge, Case Kent.   We work with local churches who donate most of the clothing and food parcel items for our free distribution.

We currently employ three staff and also have some regular volunteers.   We have appointed a full-time Welfare Officer to expand our services to clients.   We also participate in local government schemes working closely with the Thanet itec Business centre and the YMCA to help the unemployed back into work.

We are currently fundraising and developing a resettlement programme for those who have successfully come through drug or alcohol rehabilitation.

On average, we have over 350 client inquires per month and have several hundred people use the hall, pre-school and the Cliftonville Children's centre (SureStart) as well as various advice surgeries.

IMPORTANT MILE STONES:

Year 2007/08 - Refurbishment of hall by the S.S.C.F

This Web Site was built and designed by John Shaw (Computerjohn)