Women’s Centre finds new base to mark 35th birthday
Hamstead and Highgate Express, 28 October 2010

STAFF at the Crossroads Women’s Centre in Kentish Town are celebrating a new home and an important birthday this week.

Founder Selma James, who was 80 earlier this year, was proud to witness the organisation’s efforts in securing a new home in Wolsey Mews – 35 years after the centre started life in Euston.

The new premises will be a welcome relief for the myriad groups which use the centre and provide much-needed extra space and facilities. But before they can move in, the organisation needs to raise £200,000 to refurbish the building. Solveig Francis, of Crossroads Women, said: “Buying a centre has been a long-term goal and we very much appreciate
the great generosity and commitment of volunteers, core users and supporters.

“While in recent decades, people have been encouraged to accumulate personal wealth, we are gratified that a number of volunteers preferred to donate or lend from their modest inheritance or savings to help us buy this beautiful building.

“We know money is very tight now but we urge anyone who supports the work at the centre to contribute what they can to help make the new Crossroads an accessible and green resource for the whole community.”

Among the groups providing the centre’s many activities, which include cultural, educational and publishing projects, are the Black Women’s Rape Action Project, the English Collective of Prostitutes, Legal Action for Women and Women Against Rape.