Support and Save Howbury Friends Petition

Howbury Friends are a registered charity based at the Howbury Centre in Slade Green, (London Borough of Bexley) that provides activities six days a week for the elderly, children, individuals with disabilities and families from the local community.

Howbury Friends have been supporting their community and providing various activities for the past five years, and they are currently being threatened with 'downsizing' their activities by an organisation from the local authority. Howbury Centre has recently been taken over by a local organisation that want to take away the rooms, hall and space which is currently used by Howbury Friends.

Howbury Friends have over 400 people a week who are actively using their services, and if they are 'downsized' they will not be able to accommodate the majority of people on week to week basis. During the holidays the number of local people coming to the activities organised by Howbury Friends rises up to 1000!!!

'Downsizing' would mean that their daily activities will need to be significantly cut, leaving hundreds of children, elderly and their families with nowhere to go, as there are no other organisations within the borough that provide regular weekly activities for such a broad range of people, young and old. Some of their activities include:

- Supportive Reading
- Numeracy and Literacy Club
- Cookery Club
- Sports, Girls Football
- Drama and Street Dancing, Singing, Song Writing, DJ Workshop
- Tai Chi and Ballroom dancing for the eldery
- Photography
....and much more

We want you to support this petition and support Howbury Friends, and stop this from happening!

In the current climate when we are all faced with cuts, community organisations and their good work are essential to keep all communities from falling apart. This is your chance to help and make a difference.

Please sign this petition and help Howbury Friends to keep all rooms, hall and space that they currently use at the Howbury Centre, so they can continue to do their fantastic work, so everyone can take part, and be active.

Every signature counts! The petition will be presented to the Local Authorities, Councillors, and MPs with a request that they take action and stop this from happening.

Thank you for your support.