Building Work Commences On New Youth Centre in Golders Green

 Guest Blog post by Vera Litvin

Youth Manager Laurence Field at Groundbreaking



Last Thursday, on a cold and blustery day, something special was happening at the LJCC. Our patrons, board members, volunteers and staff, as well as charity heads, journalists and the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, Mike Freer, all gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Catherine Lewis Youth Centre.

This 2,500 sq.ft. Youth Wing will be built on the LJCC’s existing site at Golders Green and will house the activities of the Fusion youth programme. Fusion includes activities such as filmmaking, cartooning and cookery for 8-17 year olds and has been steadily outgrowing the capacity of the main building.

Speaking to LJCC Youth Manager Laurence Field about the significance of the Youth Wing, he explained that research has shown that there is a demand in the community for a secure youth space which is unaffiliated. The aim of the Youth Wing is to allow children to enjoy creative skill based activities without promoting any particular one kind of “Jewishness” above others. He also mentioned the importance of having a space which young people could “call home” and have “ownership” of: from having a lounge room to relax in to a screening room in which to show the films they have created.

MP Mike Freer placed his support behind the project and spoke of the importance of instilling confidence in younger members of society through creative activities. LJCC Chairman Michael Marx thanked all the funders who are making the building possible, including, among others, the Catherine Lewis Foundation, the Jewish Youth Fund and Natie Kirsh.   

“We’ve been talking about it for so long, it’s exciting to finally see it happening!” commented LJCC trustee and Kindertransport survivor Joanna Millan as the first clod of earth was being ceremonially turned.

With the aim of having the Youth Wing built and running within a year, this is going to be a very interesting time for youth provision in north London!

To see the latest Fusion activities, click here.