Burnham community centre celebrates a decade of service

In April, a Buckinghamshire community centre, the Burnham Oasis Project (BOP), held an event to celebrate its tenth anniversary. A ribbon-cutting ceremony also marked a re-launch of the centre following a recent refurbishment. The event was attended by many of the people who have volunteered in or used the centre over the past ten years.

BOP was established in late 2000 in response to local issues around social deprivation and a lack of community facilities in North Burnham Close, Burnham. L&Q provide the flat which houses BOP, and have funded the centre’s recent refurbishment, which includes a complete redecoration and provision of new furnishings.

In the last decade the centre has hosted a number of community initiatives, many of which are still running today. These include Mother and Toddler sessions, adult education classes, Computers for All, an after school club, and police and housing surgeries.

BOP also started a Breakfast Club hosted at the local St Peter’s school and, along with L&Q, was founders of the annual Picnic in the Park events. Furthermore the centre also runs BOP Kids, a ‘bring and buy’ shop which attracts over 30 visitors a week and supplies clothing and equipment for the under 5’s.

The majority of BOP’s funding comes from L&Q, and the centre also receives contributions from the Buckinghamshire Community Foundation. Other than the Adult Learning courses, all of the services offered at BOP are free of charge, although the centre welcomes donations.

Margaret Ringer, manager and founder of BOP, said, “It’s great that BOP provides somewhere for local people to meet others on the estate. We have been able to help local residents develop a sense of belonging and have been able to signpost people to training and housing options.” Margaret was joined at the ribbon cutting by Les Sheldon, a founding member of Buckinghamshire Community Foundation (now retired), and Tim Mulvenna, L&Q’s Neighbourhood Services Director for the West.

Tim Mulvenna said, “For ten years BOP has been a valuable community resource and this event marks the real achievements made by all those involved with the centre. L&Q are delighted to fund the refurbishment as we are committed to investing in communities and meeting the needs of our residents. We look forward to continuing to support BOP in the great work they do.”