Becoming a Community Anchor

St Luke's is transforming itself from being seen as principally an older person's charity with a community centre, to an organisation that serves everybody in our neighbourhood. A term that is becoming more frequently used to describe what we do is “Community Anchor”.

What is a Community Anchor?

The characteristics of a community anchor are that it will be:

• Independent and community controlled
• Multi-purpose in what it does
• A physical hub
• A provider of a ‘leadership' role in the community by supporting less formal groups
• A focal point of community services
• Owner and manager of local assets.

St Luke's is already well on the way to becoming a community anchor organisation.

What does a Community Anchor do?

We already carry out a lot of what a community anchor organisation does but have a vision to do much more.

Resourcing – helping to bring money into the local neighbourhood from the local authority, external funders and other agencies. Resourcing in-kind through provision of space. 

Service Provision - providing local services (e.g. older person's care services, community café) and acting as a gateway to helping people get access to the other services they need.

Community Representation - acting as a catalyst of  and vehicle for change in public services and community development; helping people to get involved in groups and have a say about local issues and services.

Supporting Community Organisations - through community capacity building, helping groups develop their skills, organisation, representation and involvement.

Strengthening Community Participation – supporting active citizenship and contributing to civil renewal.

Provision of a Community Resource – community centres and general public access resources inside or externally (e.g. café, IT space, cultural activities).

St Luke's Centre | 90 Central Street, London, EC1V 8AJ
Tel: 020 7549 8181 | Fax: 020 7549 8182 | Email: info@slpt.org.uk | Reg. Charity No. 207497