This week, we cover the potential closure of a community hall in Bermondsey, which would leave the local scouts group without a home.
Losing a youth facility in this climate would be a depressing waste of a much-needed resource.
Closing a hall which provides young people with the opportunity to do a weekly activity, that keeps them busy and off the streets seems absurd. Near enough every week we hear of young males especially getting caught up in crime, such as the stabbing of a 16-year-old boy in Burgess Park this week.
Bermondsey scouts could be without a home as community hall is at risk of closure
You have to question whether we would be seeing this as often if youths had places to go to learn skills and be part of something positive. Many kids in Southwark appear to be slipping through the net, and as their community, we have a duty to prevent that from happening.
Not only would the scouts lose a home and some kids be forced to give up scouting altogether, but local residents would also lose the opportunity for making a collective profit by renting out the space. Again, another loss for the community.
The reason Magdalen Hall is facing closure is due to all but one TRA member stepping down and there being ‘no sign’ of anyone willing to take their places.
We would encourage anyone living on the Purbrook, St Saviours, or Aylwin Estate to get involved in keeping this hall open by signing up for the TRA. It’s often the case that as humans we are quick to criticise but when the door opens to potentially do something – we are nowhere to be seen.
As Kyle Simmons, the last remaining TRA member, said – it’s an opportunity to ensure residents’ voices are heard.
Of course, all will become clear when the elections arrive on May 31st, but even if a new board is not elected, the council must surely have plans in place, to ensure another youth facility is not lost.