The Acton Alliance is a coalition of Acton residents who have come together with the aim of providing community support and events within their local area. Through a steering committee made up of chairs of residents’ associations, the Alliance will oversee the introduction of a community café in East Acton that will double as a meeting place for local people, for community events  and to support outreach work by local charities, the police and health organisations and to be used in the evening by resident groups for no more than twice a week.

The café has been conceived as a genuine community project, rather than as a purely profit-making venture, with the ethos of a social enterprise. This will allow the voluntary sector, including local charities, carers’ groups and English language classes, to flourish in the facility, with a designated co-ordinator, who is committed to training volunteers and young apprentices in the disciplines of hospitality and food and drink.

The Alliance believes this innovative model will offer reasonably priced, delicious snacks and drinks, as well as creating a welcoming environment that will help to reduce loneliness and isolation and, will, in time, become a cherished community asset.