Trustee Julia Hines on the work of the Finchley-based charity and why it’s closing

Staff, volunteers and clients of Barnet Lone Parent Centre — Staff, volunteers and clients – (Credit – Barnet Lone Parent Centre)

It is with much sadness that Barnet Lone Parent Centre (BLPC) is closing, after 17 years serving our community.

We wanted to give children the best start in life. We have always understood that to achieve that it is more than just supporting children, it is about supporting their families, neighbours and communities.

Finchley Toy Library, a stay and play space for children aged 0-4, with their parents or guardians, gave children a chance to experience toys, books, messy play, singing, a warm space in winter and a garden in summer. It gave their parents the chance to get support from each other, and the dedicated, caring staff. It gave those grappling with trauma, from poverty or abuse, a space to be themselves, and enjoy their children, fitting in with everyone else. Last year we proudly supported 94 families and 130 children.

As clients said: “We are so glad we have found this place. It’s amazing! We feel safe here”; “I don’t feel so alone. I finally feel that there are people in the world who give a **** about me”

Our ‘Help with Money’ service has provided people with benefits advice, with the same non-judgemental, caring and high quality approach. Our amazing advisers were never phased when someone turned up with a bag full of unopened brown envelopes, because they knew how scary those can be.

We have used our expertise to include up-to-date case law in our applications, for example for PIP, cutting off potential refusals at the earliest stages. Last year we put £478,361 into the pockets of local people, with 41% of our cases involving PIP – a benefit for disabled people.

As other clients have said: “Don’t know what I would have done without you. You changed my life”; “You have been such a diamond. You gave me strength”; “Great legal, financial and emotional support.”

Our funders have been amazing, with Trust For London highlighting the quality of our work as one to follow and emulate.

We know they recognise that early years support and information and advice are vital. However, there is a massive call on all funders, which means that they are forced to turn down more or put narrower restrictions on what can be applied for.

Whilst in the past, we could expect to be successful around half the time we applied, recently we have seen closer to one in ten of our applications being successful. As a small charity, the amount of work that involved was just not possible or sustainable.

We are proud that we were able to support families through Covid-19, and in that difficult period afterwards, when young children had had limited experience of playing with others, and mothers had also been isolated.

We have been fighting this for some months now, but we cannot see our way through the current cash flow crisis, with costs up and income always a struggle. The trustees want to thank the indomitable Nina Gentry, who has been the heart and soul of BLPC for so many years, and her wonderful staff and volunteers. We wish all the best to them and our lovely clients.

Goodbye, everyone.

To read Trust for London’s case study on the work of BLPC go to: https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/barnet-lone-parent-centre/

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