feature: The ‘A Team'
5 August 2008
Move over B.A. Baracus and Hannibal Smith – Haringey has its very own ‘A Team’.
A group of people who use the Six8Four centre in Tottenham have banded together to do ‘odd jobs’ for vulnerable groups in the local community, including work for Age Concern.
The centre caters for people with mental health problems and the ‘A Team’ helps a number of them to develop skills and improve their self-confidence. They offer a range of low-cost services including:
- office cleaning;
- home cleaning;
- removals;
- basic garden maintenance.
They will also take residents’ recyclable rubbish to the council’s recycling centres for low rates – all residents have to do is separate and bag the items, with the team doing the rest.
Cllr Bob Harris, cabinet member for adult social care, said:
“The team has been in operation for some time now and has been valuable both for the members of the team and clients who get a good service for a very reasonable cost.
“It’s also part of our drive to help people with mental health problems find work.”
Centre manager Diane Clark added: “The team has its own equipment and cleaning materials. We’re always happy to see if they can help anyone who needs some cleaning or maintenance work carried out.”
The centre:
- provides a social environment for people with severe and enduring mental health problems;
- helps service users to identify and develop skills, promote self-confidence, self-esteem and life skills;
- helps people find training and education opportunities and social networks; and
- offers a wide range of social and educational activities run in conjunction with the Clarendon Centre, including a café project, computer club, and a women only day service.
The centre is open Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 4.15pm with disabled access to the ground floor.
Six8four Centre
684 High Road (Argyle Passage)
Tottenham
London N17 0AE
Tel: 020 8489 8950
Fax: 020 8489 8951
Email: 684Centre@haringey.gov.uk
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