About Us
Some History
Brixton Advice Centre was founded in 1966 as a 'Family Advice Centre' by a group of volunteers from the then Children's Department of Lambeth Borough Council. The Centre moved to its present Railton Road shop front premises in 1974 and added regular general advice sessions to the exiting, predominantly legal, evening sessions. Lambeth Borough Council increased its funding to reflect the Centre's growing reputation for good advice and legal work.
In March 1999 six of the seven organisations in central Lambeth in receipt of Lambeth Borough Council grants for the provision of advice and legal work had their funding withdrawn. This caused five centres to close, leaving Brixton Advice Centre as the only funded centre serving central Lambeth. While the Council's reflected confidence in the work of the Centre, and the high level of community support, it increased the pressure on the Centre's resources.
Status and Funding
The Centre has charitable status and is a company limited by gurantee. About half of our income derives from a grant from the London Borough of Lambeth with the remainder coming from the LSC (Legal Services Commission). The LSC funding is for two 'not-for-profit' franchisee contracts, one for Welfare Benefits, and the other in Housing and Debt. The Centre has a voluntary Council of Management which meets monthly. The Officers are highly experienced, all having served on the committee for more than ten years.
Refurbishment Works
In 1996 funds were raised for the purchase of our building and the subsequent savings of rental expenditure were then available to be spent on the direct provision of services. This enhanced the Centre's efficiency and attractiveness to other funders who like to see the direct application of grants and donations on services.
In 2000 £125,000 was raised for the purchase of the adjoining building, and a further £350,000, including £250,000 from a lottery grant, was then raised for the renovation and integration of both buildings. This work is now in hand and will create a spacious building, tailored to our specific needs, designed by architects with recognised experience of public sector projects. Contruction will commence later this month and is scheduled to take six months. The Centre will move into good quality temporary offices immediately across the road for the duration of the refurshment works.
CLR James
165 Railton Road was the last home in England of the great West Indian historian and cricket writer C.L.R James. English Heritage has awarded the Centre a Blue Plaque to commemorate this, which will be erected on completion of the works.