Down to just one boiler working, Salmon Youth Centre thought that their 100-year run might be at an end – until Veolia Environmental Trust came along.
With the winter months approaching, the broken boiler system would have made it illegal for the centre to open.
A successful funding application to the Veolia Trust meant that the Centre was awarded £14,603 through the Landfill Communities Fund toward their repair bill.
Centre Patron, Mr Gordon Izzatt, donated £10,000 and the Centre made up the remainder of the £40,000 bill themselves.
“The contractors who did our new building seven years ago have since gone into administration,” said centre director, Sam Adofo.
“When things went wrong, we had nobody to go back to. If we hadn’t got this money, we’d have had to have closed. The kids would have had to have found somewhere else to go.”
Salmon Youth Centre is based on Old Jamaica Road, Bermondsey. Its model of youth work focuses on health and well-being, positive community engagement, education and work preparation. It employs 22 youth workers and supports around 500 young people each week.
With 110 years under its belt, Sam pointed to Salmon Service’s importance in the community. “In a time where everything’s changing for people, it’s fantastic that we’re still here. People need some constants – it’s reassuring.”
Executive Director of the Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, said: “We support community and environmental projects across England and Wales. It is great to hear that this important one is now complete, just in time for the colder months. I hope the new boiler serves the centre for many years to come.”