Project letter of intent and negotiation to Caring Homes

To:Caring Homes

Norman Dolling
ndolling@caringhomes.org

Dear Norman & Management Group of 'Caring Homes',

We are a community group,who have set up projects since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, we care-take and repair disused buildings to reinvent them as working arts, community and environment projects.

We have begun to set up a project at the Priory on the High Street, Thames Ditton and would like to gain your support and input for this exciting social, not-for-profit enterprise.

The outline for this project is to set up a local community centre running various workshops and activities based on the creative arts, self-awareness and environmental issues:

We would like to:

• provide a creative space to reinvigorate the local community.
• care-take and maintain the building named The House of Compassion and its grounds.
• keep unwanted visitors from damaging the building further and to keep out anti-social elements.
• hold regular workshops and exhibitions.
• raise awareness of the current environmental and social conditions and present solutions to these global and local issues.
• provide access to the gardens and river for local residents.
• set up recycling projects.
• provide space for local self employment and social enterprise.
• provide theatre, cinema, arts & craft and activity space for both young and old.

We are open and willing to work with the local community on ideas and projects that they feel would be beneficial to their local environment and community. We are consulting with people within the local community and so far they have suggested that the following would be a welcomed addition:

• Nursery/day care run by mums.
• Carol singing in the chapel at Christmas and space to rehearse.
• Live music events.
• A gym & exercise equipment.
• A charity shop similar to the one that was within the property to raise money for the community.
• Re-establish the Summer Fete.
• Community access to the gardens and river
• Use of car parking spaces.
• A space for Yoga and meditation.
• Start a community garden project.

In order to be able to carry out these projects we have a large network of volunteers. Who are willing to repair and maintain these local landmark buildings, we have builders,plumbers electricians,qualified First Aiders and Health & Safety Consultants as well as many professionals within the fields mentioned.
So far we have started cleaning, tidying and repairing the premises and we have temporally repaired the roof to stop a major leak. We fully intend to continue to repair and maintain the buildings and grounds.
   
We would like to invite you to an Open Day, tea in the garden, next Friday 29th Oct 2pm-8pm to discuss how you would like the building to be used and any concerns you may have.

We have already liaised with the police in a friendly manner and are building a good rapport , they have informed us that the building has been broken into many times, vandalism has occurred and metals have been removed. Therefore we are providing care-taking, security and maintenance to this listed building.

We also have a relationship with Artspace /Lifespace in Bristol who have provided a successful model of arts groups looking after buildings for property developers – www.artspacelifespace.com; Another of our recent projects in London was care-taking a building owned by the Jewish Community Centre for which we can provide good references.

Please contact Ben Rich from the JCC on 07713509134

We look forward to hearing from you regarding this exciting opportunity, we sincerely hope we can reach a mutually beneficial relationship .

Kind regards,

Priory Community Circle

Contacts on previous neighbours letter.