Cherry Tree Community Co-Op

🔈4 years ago, our purpose-built nursery and children’s centre was at the heart of the local community, delivering affordable childcare and vital SEND services. Today, it still stands empty - lived in by a handful of property guardians. Why @lambeth_council?

It’s 3 years today since we met with the CEO of Rosendale School about how we could prevent closure of #cherrytree. 2.5 years since closure, this is what the site looks like today. 🥲 What a waste of a community asset. 😡

So the big news is that we’ve got a meeting with @lambeth_council next week. It may have taken a year but we’re really hoping for a positive response to our proposal. #childcare #community – at Camberwell, London

We’ve had several requests for our proposal for #cherrytree over the past few days. It can be found here: issuu.com/cherrytreecoopteam… #westnorwood #gipsyhill #thurlowpark #westdulwich – at Lambeth, London

Thanks @annamayb for demonstrating how @CherryTreeAG could pioneer a new grassroots approach to childcare in Lambeth. @lambeth_council @helenhayes_ @JackHopkins_Lab @EdDavie – at Lambeth, London

It’s been a full year since #parents were invited to submit a business plan to @lambeth_council. 😔 We thought then #cherrytree would reopen as an #affordable coop by Jan 2020. Since meeting Ed officers, we’ve had zero back in terms of a formal response. #why #howisthispossible – at Lambeth, London

We’re really struggling with where to go next. @EdDavie - would it be possible to arrange a meeting with you? #thanks – at Lambeth, London

With September looming and schools struggling for space #COVID19, why isn’t @lambeth_council (at least temporarily) re-opening Cherry Tree with the hall, classrooms and meeting rooms for use? Gazebos put up on the grass outside? Ideal no? @brixtonbuzz @SE27Parents @WestDulParent – at Lambeth, London

Incredible to think how valuable Cherry Tree could have been to vulnerable families during the #COVID19 crisis. Our co-op was proposed for launch in Jan this year. #WestNorwood needs affordable #childcare and #community services now more than ever. neweconomics.org/2020/04/cov… – at Lambeth, London

Very concerning pics. We have had no further communication from @lambeth_council - a flurry of surveying activity this week is pointing towards redevelopment of the site. @helenhayes_ @JenniferBrathwa @NorwoodPlanning @ThurlowLabour @CllrMeldrum – at Lambeth, London

Great news!! 👏We’ve managed to get the Cherry Tree site listed as an Asset of Community Value for 5 years. Thanks to @CllrMeldrum and @annamayb for following up with @lambeth_council. Post #COVIDー19 #affordablechildcare is going to be more important now than ever. @helenhayes_ – at Lambeth, London

Affordable parent-led nursery could come to West Norwood wandsworthguardian.co.uk/new… – at Lambeth, London

Thanks to @Grainne_Cuffe for the write up in @wandsworthnews! – at Lambeth, London

Read our business plan today! This proposal was given to @lambeth_council on 02/09/19. Six months on, we’re pushing for action!! Help us to help YOUR community!! - issuu.com/cherrytreecoopteam… #transparency #communityaction – at Lambeth, London

Thanks @annamayb #westnorwood @helenhayes_ #letsmakeithappen – at South East, England

Great work tonight team 👍 #action #change #affordablechildcare @Southwark_News @brixtonbuzz

#cherrytree could be used for youth projects, evening classes, drop-in clinics, parenting support and lots more. #knifecrime #socialcohesion #community nurseryworld.co.uk/features/… – at Lambeth, London