The Calthorpe Project
Case Studies
Here are some case studies about the work carried out at The Calthorpe Project.
Under 5's
Under 5's Case Study 1
"I have used the centre for about 19 years. My children used to come to the clubs and outings and I found it a great help as a single parent. However in later years I have used the drop-in as a child minder and found it very useful and a great way of meeting people of every culture imaginable.
"We have all made great friends and even socialise together away from the centre. The Calthorpe Project really is a multicultural piece of the King Cross, which in my opinion is very rare. I know of no other centres like this with such a good community spirit. I don't really know why but it does work very well.
"I have introduced other mums to childminding and they are doing very well in the job. I have joined the Management Committee and enjoy the input and listening to other peoples' views and opinions on different aspects of the centre.
"The Calthorpe Project doesn't have the best toys but it does have a soul which other drop-ins do not have and I have use many."
Under 5's Case Study 2
"I first visited to the Calthorpe Project 8 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter Fatima. I started coming regularly when she was 5 months old and took part in all the courses that the drop-in offered. When my daughter was a year old I had my son and started to suffer with depression and didn't go out for 3 to 4 months until a friend visited me several times and made me come to the Calthorpe drop in. After that I came every single day and my children took part in dancing, Spanish classes and all activities provided.
"I also became a Management Committee Member and through the help of another mum I met at the drop in, I became a childminder."
Under 5's Case Study 3
"I have been coming to Calthorpe for 5 months with my two and half year old son. We come on a Tuesday to do gardening (as we don't have a garden at home) and on Fridays to do cooking and my son comes on a Saturday for the creche.
"The drop in is vital to me. I have made many new friends and my son has flourished since we've been coming. We learn new things every week and I am now learning Spanish. I like so much here that I encourage all my friends to come here too. It has such a lovely community feel and the workers are so helpful and friendly, I really feel my week would be much sadder without coming here!"
Children
T.A's family have lived in the Kings Cross area for many years now. Her older brothers have played at the Calthorpe Project since they were small children. One of them, now 23, eventually came to work at the Calthorpe as a play and youth worker. T.A. says that she has always known The Calthorpe for as long as she can remember. She is 8 years old.
T.A's Mother was one of the founding members of the Bangladeshi Women's Gardening Group at The Calthorpe Project.
T.A. comes to the girls group on Wednesdays and says that if the Calthorpe was not here any more, she would probably go to Coram's Fields, but it would not be as much fun. She says that 'here you can play, do gardening, cook food, play sports or just sit around in the sun and chat to your friends'. She says she 'loves the girls group as the boys don't take over and make lots of noise and they are bossy sometimes'.
When asked what she would be doing today, if she wasn't at the Calthorpe, she said she would probably be at home playing with the Wii with her brothers and sister. I also asked if she ever talks about The Calthorpe Project to anyone else. She says that some times she tells her friends and teacher about what she did at the weekends and this is usually something that she did with her family or at The Calthorpe. T.A. also said that she is allowed to come here, as her Mum knows the staff and that she will be safe and taken care of.
Volunteers
Lucy has been coming to the Calthorpe Project on work experience for about three months now. She is currently on a horticultural training course at another project and comes to the Calthorpe one day a week. Since she has been with us Lucy has become a valued member of the team and has really come out of herself. When asked about how she feels she has progressed since being with us she replied that she feels more confident meeting and working with new people. Lucy also said that she would feel more confident about seeking employment in a similar sort of environment.
