HoSB Update - I'll let you lead me...
Firstly, thank you to everyone who liked and commented on my last (rather angry) post regarding the sudden closure of the House of St Barnabas, and an especial thank you to the many more who reached out directly to offer support, to share the sentiment that I expressed and to point me in the direction of many others who felt the same.
I am very grateful for your wisdom and perspectives.
This post seeks your help again, but first a story...
My foster home in Suffolk as a teenager was the working farm of Annie and Roger Stearn. Roger Stearn was (and, though now suffering dementia, still is) an incredible man. In my time there in the 1980s Roger stood for the Ecology Party (the UK precursor to our Green Party) every local election. He always lost his deposit. But he never lost faith, and continued to fight for a cause he believed in, and to support those who succeeded him.
In 2023 Mid Suffolk became the only majority controlled Green Party district council in the UK.
Fighting for the cause that the House of St Barnabas represents has only just begun. And it could take a while, but I believe it's worth fighting for.
Since I wrote my last note, I've been contacted by a lot of people who have offered support. The plan we came up with was to gather a small group of members, supporters and life members in the Chapel of the House of St Barnabas next Wednesday 21st February at 7pm, to explore options for the future of the House and its charitable use.? As a place of worship, we would start the meeting with prayers, led by Rev Dr Adam Scott OBE, one of the two great great grandsons of Dr Henry Monro who, in 1846 then in his twenties, initiated what became the House of St Barnabas.?
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All we needed was permission and an unlocked door, the gatekeepers of which are the outgoing leadership of the now defunct charity.
They have not been willing to offer us support with this.
So this is where I need your advice and wisdom. Which of these would you do?
I'll keep fighting, but will abide by your advice. My foster dad, Roger, would have expected nothing less.
You can comment beneath, write to me on LinkedIn directly, or, alternatively, if you would like to be part of a more sustained campaign, email [email protected] so you can be contacted directly as plans develop.
Response 2 of 2 "I would really appreciate, having missed this opportunity before the club closed, if the outgoing leadership could just, at least, offer us this opportunity.? And it might turn out that all we are really doing is being given the opportunity to say goodbye to a beloved friend. But we weren't even given that opportunity. And the outgoing leadership granting us this small concession by giving us access to the space next week (we have the time to do it - it's not as if there are other events that need to be cancelled to accommodate us) would be greatly appreciated.? Any help you can offer, similarly, will be highly appreciated."
Response 1 of 2 "Thanks so much for getting in touch.? Points taken and appreciated.? If you're in direct contact with anyone there, I'd really appreciate it if you let them know that I'm open to talk at any time. I'm realistic that the likelihood of resurrecting the club is remote. I'm realistic that the business model that they were previously operating with was very hard to make work. I appreciate that, using the experience and skills they had and gave themselves access to, they wholeheartedly did what they thought was right, and tried to make the club work.? In common with other members who feel the same, all we want is the opportunity to try and see if we can find a way to save the project. Because we weren't given that opportunity. I agree with you that it does, indeed, seem "very punitive" to not be given that chance."
I just received a direct message from a long-term supporter of the charity whose advice was to go with option 2 (delay the meeting, and try to negotiate directly with the outgoing leadership). For transparency, I've copied my response here
Musician, Filmmaker, Curator and Youth Consultation Manager
1 年Good on you Andrew ????
I have 14 yrs experience in setting up a successful social enterprise - it’s hard work but so possible with the right team and skills. Good luck and happy to support if needed but live in Revon so can’t make the meeting. Andrea Berkeley