Barnet disability charity’s future secured with move to Friary House

14 November 2013: Barnet charity Community Focus will move from its current location within artsdepot to Friary House in July 2014.

Community Focus has been serving vulnerable sections of the local community for over 30 years. It runs a wide range of arts courses and projects for over 1500 local adults and children. Projects include a multi-arts programme for over 600 adults, many of which have learning or physical disabilities, or mental health issues. In 2010, the charity set up GoldDust Arts, a social enterprise that has worked with hundreds of disadvantaged young Londoners.

“We are delighted to announce our move to Friary House, which means our long-term future is secure,” Tim Balogun, Director of Community Focus. “Friary House is a lovely building for an arts organisation with interesting architectural features and plenty of light. The building is fully accessible and is on local bus routes, so will be easy for our clients to reach. Friary House is nestled in the grounds of Friary Park, which will enable us to make use of the beautiful gardens for various arts activities.”

Friary House, on Friary Road, Barnet, is owned by Barnet Council, which will be helping Community Focus adapt the accommodation for its use.

“We are grateful for Barnet Council’s support,” said Tudor Spencer, the Charity’s Chair of Trustees. “Staff at the Council suggested the building and have agreed to assist us financially with adapting the accommodation.”

Community Focus has had one of its busiest years ever running more projects and reaching more people of all ages.

Some of the projects run over the last year include an animation film project for young people, the results of which were screened at the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley; a circus project for young people where they learnt a range of skills such as plate spinning, devil sticks and clowning; and a printmaking project for adults with disabilities. The charity has continued running its in-house multi-arts programme and outreach programme for adults, many of which have disabilities or mental health issues. Courses have been run on a wide range of topics, from watercolour and drumming to dance and jewellery making.

For more information on Community Focus’ projects and courses, visit www.communityfocus.co.uk