In 2024 our donations included £1000 to the Irish Community Centre in Bexleyheath.
We sent our graduate trainee, Mehak Gupta, along to meet the director and some of the people. Mehak has written the following article based on her visit and experience.
During a recent visit to the Irish Community Centre in Bexleyheath, I had the pleasure of meeting Shauna Mulligan, the Director, who told me about the centre’s important work in supporting the community. The centre has been around for over 40 years. It mainly serves the Irish community, but it’s open to everyone.
What stood out to me right away was the friendly, welcoming vibe throughout the building.
“We’re here for everyone, but especially for our Irish community members,” Shauna explained. “The latest census shows that Irish people are one of the oldest minority group in the UK, and those over 70 are more likely to be living alone. That’s why what we do is so important.”
The centre’s highlight is Aggie’s Cafe, a warm and cozy spot that’s now open every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. It’s not just for a cup of tea; it’s a place where people make friends, share stories, and feel less lonely. The new Saturday hours were made possible by funding from the London Borough of Bexley, through the government’s Household Support Fund.
But the cafe is just the start. The centre also runs regular lunch clubs, an annual Christmas party, and a Wednesday advice drop-in service. These activities, along with the new Saturday openings, are all supported by the Bexley Winter Campaign for Older People, in partnership with Irish Community Services.
As we walked through the centre, I had the chance to talk to both regulars and newcomers. Their stories were all quite similar – they spoke about finding connection, purpose, and happiness in this place. “This is my outlet,” one older man shared. “I don’t know what I’d do without it.” Even though the centre has a big impact, it still faces challenges. Rising costs make it tough to keep services free. Shauna and her team work hard to continue to secure grants and donations to cover the costs and ensure services remain free.
Recently, our foundation, The Ten Percent Foundation, gave a boost with a £1,000 donation. The funds were used to purchase refurbished IT equipment. The centre offers IT training sessions to help seniors build confidence with technology, enabling them to stay connected with loved ones, access vital information, and participate in community activities that increasingly depend on digital platforms.
“We’re always looking for volunteers,” Shauna said. She emphasized how important they are to the centre. “Having regular, dependable help is key to keeping our services running.” This is a recurring theme across a lot of the charities we support around the UK – keeping volunteering levels up to sustain a charity can be harder than attracting funding.
As our visit came to a close, it was clear how much this small building means to so many. In a time when loneliness and isolation are all too common, especially among older people, the Irish Community Centre offers hope and connection.
