Put on your dancing shoes and help to raise funds for the Wonderful Winch
Churches Together in Hampstead is holding a Ceilidh on Friday 6th May to raise funds for an important local community charity – The Winch https://thewinch.org/our-history/ . The mission of the Winch is to help each child succeed regardless of their circumstances, by building long-term relationships from an early age with children, young people and families who are facing huge challenges. They aim to be an anchor and a centre for the community and to work to make a difference to the area by supporting, connecting and championing local people.
The Winch began on 12th April 1972 when a group of 13 local residents reclaimed and repurposed the derelict Winchester Arms pub. The group repaired the building from the ground up with the support of the local community. The Winchester Project was given official charity status in 1973. Since then it has worked with thousands of children, young people and families across North Camden to make the hopes and ambitions of its community a reality.
In 2011 the murder of a local 22-year-old, Milad Golmakani, inspired a shift in how the charity thought about its role in the community. They took a group of young people, partners and local residents to visit youth projects in Harlem, New York City to research ways of making a greater impact. The group returned with several critical insights, which has shaped the way this charity now works.
They developed their Promise Work approach, where youth and play workers form deep, consistent, long-term relationships with children and young people, and help to coordinate interaction with school, social workers and other agencies.
They also established the Promise Partnership, which aims to bring together local partners to work collaboratively to secure more systemic change in its neighbourhood.
In 2012 The Winch took over the Belsize Community Library, an important local space that faced closure due to funding cuts.
To help raise funds for this important local charity buy a ticket for the Ceilidh. The event is at the Rosslyn Hill Chapel on 5th May at 6.30 pm. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children, which also includes light refreshments. To book go to https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk/event-details/ceilidh-ctih
