SPOTLIGHT ON WALTHAMSTOW: Focus on the Asian Centre (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

SPOTLIGHT ON WALTHAMSTOW: Focus on the Asian Centre

1:27pm Friday 26th February 2010 in

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THE Asian Centre provides services for hundreds of people and is an important hub for community life in Walthamstow Village.

The centre, housed in a Victorian building which has also served as a school, day hospital and social services depot, is used by 300 people a week.

The centre was opened in 1983 by Princess Diana and has since 2006 been run by a charity, Asian Centre Waltham Forest, which provides a wealth of different activities every day of the week, including yoga, badminton, boxing, tai chi, taekwondo, childcare and youth clubs for 11 to 19 year olds.

Musa Ballikaya, manager, said: “ The Asian centre is important for the local neighbourhood because it is the only organisation in the area that develops services with a focus on all Asian communities.

“Although we prioritise the needs of Asian communities we provide services for people from all backgrounds.”

Mr Ballikaya said the centre has a good relationship with its neighbours, the residents of Orford Road and that it enjoys good support from the community.

He said: “I would like to thank all of neighbours, service users and the council for continuing to support us.”

For more information about the centre visit www.theasiancentrewf.org.uk