Oliver Dowden MP visits community project in Borehamwood developed to tackle loneliness and isolation

Last week, Oliver Dowden MP joined local residents at St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Borehamwood as part of the ‘Chatter Tables’ project being delivered by Leecliffe Big Local.

Founded in 2010, Leecliffe Big Local is a resident-led charity funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and overseen by Local Trust. Clarion Housing Group, which owns and manages more than 5,000 homes across Hertsmere, works with Leecliffe Big Local to support and advise on the allocation of funding and the delivery of projects.

Leecliffe Big Local received £1m from The National Lottery Community Fund in 2010, with local residents allocating the funding over 15 years to help improve their community, from training and employment schemes to tackling anti-social behaviour, creating new community facilities or providing activities for young people. Additional funding is provided by other partners including Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group.

'Chatter Tables’ is one of the projects being delivered by Leecliffe Big Local to tackle loneliness and isolation, bringing local residents together over a cup of tea and providing a chance to take part in activities and find out about what’s going on in the community. Local organisations are also invited to attend the weekly sessions, providing information about the wide range of support and advice they can offer.

Leecliffe Big Local is supported by a network of volunteers, enabling residents to make a difference in their community. Volunteers are needed to support the ‘Chatter Tables’ project with opportunities available to give a few hours each month or on a more regular basis.

Mr Dowden said:

"It was a pleasure to join local residents last week at ‘Chatter Tables’, a local project run in Borehamwood at St Michael’s and All Angels Church.

This project, delivered by resident-led charity Leecliffe Big Local, is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and works with Clarion Housing Group to bring communities together.

A network of local volunteers support the Leecliffe Big Local and it was fantastic to meet them and see first-hand the huge difference this project is making to people’s lives, right here in Borehamwood."

Clare Miller, Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group, said:

“Through our charitable foundation, Clarion Futures, we work with our residents to bring communities together and provide opportunities for people, and our involvement with Leecliffe Big Local is a great example of that. I was delighted to meet with Oliver Dowden MP and introduce him to the ‘Chatter Tables’ project which is making a huge difference for people living locally, helping to tackle loneliness and isolation.”

‘Chatter Tables’ is free of charge and runs every Monday except bank holidays from 1:30-3pm at St Michael’s and All Angels Church on Brook Road in Borehamwood.

Find out more about Leecliffe Big Local and the volunteering opportunities available.