SCA's History

History

Southall Community Alliance's History

1981: Unified Community Action (UCA) Established

1981

Ken Anderson, Ealing Council’s Director of Social Services, emphasised the need for a comprehensive community programme at an Ealing Racial Equality Council meeting. This led to the creation of Unified Community Action (UCA), with Yinnon Ezra of Ealing Council securing funding. Ashok Vashudev was appointed as the Southall coordinator of UCA.

1980s

As a response to the inner-city riots, UCA was instrumental in representing diverse sectors, including youth, women, religious groups, and councillors. The organisation operated from Southall Library, later moving to The Green and Southall Community Centre.

1991: Transition to Southall Area Community Network (SACN)

1991

After the closure of UCA by Ealing Council, Ealing CVS helped establish Southall Area Community Network (SACN), based on sectoral representation, with Harsev Bains as Chair and Mrs. Balvinder Kaur Chahal as Vice-Chair.

Early 1990s

SACN played a critical role in community consultation focusing on local issues. SACN had its office in Southall Town Hall and was involved in successfully opposing the first attempted sale of Southall Town Hall by Ealing Council in 1994.

2000: Formation of Southall Community Alliance (SCA)

December 2000

SACN evolved into Southall Community Alliance, established as a company to provide a stronger community voice.

2002-2003

SCA’s operations were boosted by the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, receiving significant funding to address social and economic disadvantages in Southall’s deprived areas.

October 2002

SCA employed its first employee, Jagroop Kaur Dhillon, as Interim Network and Community Development Manager.

2003

SCA expanded its team with Janpal Basran as Manager and Priya Chaphekar as Administrative Officer, furthering its community impact.

2003: Establishment of the Resource Centre

2003-2004

SCA acquired a property at 10 High Street on a 7-year lease, transforming it into a Resource Centre with hot desks, meeting spaces, and back-office support for local groups. The Centre became a hub for community cohesion and collaboration, assisting 25-35 organisations annually. SCA managed to get substantial support from the local business community.

2004-2010: Growth and Expansion

2004: SCA’s membership grew rapidly, with 43 member organisations by 2004 and over 115 by 2010. This growth was driven by SCA’s support for local groups, including fundraising assistance and developmental workshops. 

2004-2008: SCA secured additional funding from multiple sources, including the Big Lottery Fund and Capacity Builders, solidifying its reputation and expanding its reach.

2007: SCA partnered with London Tigers and Ealing Council to regenerate Spikes Bridge Park, culminating in the opening of new sports facilities in 2014.

2010: SCA moved to Southall Town Hall, continuing its mission despite challenges in providing meeting space.

2010-2014: Health Initiatives and Local Consultation

2010-2011: SCA launched health improvement projects in response to high levels of chronic health conditions in Southall, including diabetes and heart disease.

2011: SCA chaired the Southall Project, leading the ‘Big Conversation’ consultation that resulted in the Southall Charter, a community action plan.

2014-2019: Area-Based Work and Consortium Leadership

2014: SCA led a consortium to expand area-based community development across Ealing, benefiting thousands of residents and supporting local voluntary sector growth.

2017: SCA played a key role in securing multi-year funding from Sport England for the ‘Let’s Go Southall’ project, aimed at increasing physical activity and improving health outcomes in Southall.

2018: Successful Campaign to Save Southall Town Hall

September 2017: Ealing Council’s Cabinet agreed to lease Southall Town Hall for 250 years to a private religious group. SCA members, alongside the community, campaigned vigorously against the decision.

2018: The campaign resulted in a major victory at the Royal Courts of Justice, saving the iconic Town Hall for public use.

2019: Southall Resists 40

April 2019: SCA organised Southall Resists 40, commemorating 40 years since the protests against the far-right National Front. The event honoured the memories of Gurdeep Singh Chaggar and Blair Peach, victims of racist violence in Southall. SCA invited the families of Gurdeep Singh Chaggar and Blair Peach, as well as Clarence Baker of Misty in Roots, who was severely injured by police during the 1979 protests, to pay tribute and raise awareness of ongoing struggles against racism.

April 2020: Southall Food Hub

April 2020: Amid the COVID-19 lockdown, SCA launched the largest food distribution initiative across Ealing, supported by The Felix Project and City Harvest. The Southall Food Hub provided essential supplies to residents facing financial difficulties and food insecurity during the pandemic. SCA also distributed SIM cards, laptops, and other devices to help young people continue their education online.

February 2022: Western Road Urban Garden

February 2022: Ealing Council offered SCA a large, derelict site in Southall to transform into a community green space. Over two years, SCA, in collaboration with Ealing Council, Southall Transition, Ealing Allotments Partnership, Feeding Ealing, local schools, and residents, turned the site into an urban garden. The garden now serves as a space for growing fruits and vegetables, supporting those struggling with food poverty.

November 2022: SCA Receives Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

SCA was presented with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service at the Tower of London on 18th November 2022 for their work in the community, particularly during the COVID period where SCA helped people with food support and other assistance. SCA was one of 17 London groups that received the award and interestingly four of these groups were from Ealing. The other Ealing groups were the William Hobbayne Charity, Youth Engagement Programme and Spice World Uplyft. The award was presented by The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE.

2022-Present: Continuing Our Good Work

Despite financial challenges during the pandemic, SCA began receiving grants 2022 onwards for critical initiatives such as anti-poverty support, human rights awareness, community campaigning training, and tackling isolation in Southall. These grants have allowed SCA to continue its mission of empowering the community and addressing pressing social issues.