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Manor Gardens announces return of familiar face as new CEO

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We’re delighted to welcome back Hekate Papadaki who has assumed the role of CEO at Manor Gardens as of November 2022. Hekate previously worked as the Advocacy Service Manager at Manor Gardens between 2008 – 2013 where she founded our notable FGM service.

After leaving Manor Gardens, Hekate took on leadership roles at Rosa Fund UK and Barnardo’s leading advocacy and policy work around FGM, work for which she was recognised as one of the most influential Londoner’s by the Evening Standard newspaper. She later led Hestia’s policy work on modern slavery leading a number of influential research publications and launching a landmark police super-complaint on modern slavery in 2018. Hekate laid the groundwork for the Trussell Trust’s flagship Pathfinder Programme to end the reliance on food banks before returning to Manor Gardens.

We are delighted to have Hekate back at Manor Gardens, bringing with her a wealth of expertise and commitment to our charity’s cause.

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Manor Gardens partners with Islington Council to launch the North Access Islington Hub 

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At the recent launch of Central Access Islington Hub, our CEO, Hekate Papadaki, unveiled plans for a new partnership between Islington Council and Manor Gardens for the delivery of the North Access Islington Hub at Manor Gardens in early 2024. The Access Islington Hubs act as one-stop-shops, offering early intervention and prevention services for local residents. These hubs will deliver advice and support in the domains of work, money, food, home, family, wellbeing and safety. This exciting collaboration between Islington Council and Manor Gardens Welfare Trust recognises the unique socioeconomic challenges facing North Islington residents and marks a shared commitment to ensure equitable access to services and support. Alongside hosting the hub, Manor Gardens will provide bilingual advocacy and outreach bridging both linguistic and cultural barriers. Through this collaboration, Islington Council and Manor Gardens will ensure that local residents in North Islington will receive the services they deserve in a place they trust.
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Council Leader visits Manor Gardens

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The Leader of Islington Council, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz visited Manor  Gardens on the 5th of May to talk about the Islington promise, following the  launch of the Islington Together 2030 plan. Cllr Comer-Schwartz used to  volunteer for our charity.

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Garden Party for everyone

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Manor Gardens put on a special Garden Party for all its clients on Tuesday 23rd May as part of Mental Health Awareness Week celebrations. Clients and staff mingled in our beautiful gardens and had an excellent meal prepared by staff.

It was an excellent opportunity to share stories, meet new people and get away from cares. The event was an addition to our weekly activities at our centre, which include two coffee mornings, chair yoga, conversation cafe and painting class as well as special groups to explore mental wellbeing called It’s OK not to be OK.

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Closure of Manor Gardens’ Nursery marks the end of an era

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After nearly six decades dedicated to providing the best start for its children, Manor Gardens’ Nursery will be closing its doors at the end of the academic year.

Established in 1964 the Nursery has played an integral role in the local community, providing exceptional care and education to thousands of children over the years. Run by Manor Gardens Welfare Trust the Nursery has long been recognised for its commitment to excellence, as demonstrated by its current Ofsted inspection, which rated the nursery as “good” with outstanding features. The passionate and highly skilled staff have tirelessly nurtured young minds, creating a safe and stimulating environment that fostered growth and development.

The closure of Manor Gardens’ Nursery has become an inevitable consequence of the challenging circumstances faced by childcare providers in the cost-of-living crisis. Islington is also experiencing low birth rates, which means that there are increased vacancies in early years settings across the Borough. The funding for supported 15-hour and 30-hour places in nurseries is also very tight and has made it increasingly difficult for childcare providers like Manor Gardens Welfare Trust to sustain nursery provision.

‘We are deeply saddened to have made the decision to close our nursery,’ says Hekate Papadaki, CEO of Manor Gardens Welfare Trust. ‘It has been a privilege to serve the families of Islington for almost sixty years, and we are grateful for the trust and support bestowed upon us. Our dedicated staff members have worked tirelessly to ensure that each child received the highest quality care and education, and we are immensely proud of their accomplishments.

‘Although the closure of Manor Gardens Nursery is undoubtedly a loss for the community, as a charity we remain committed to providing vital services for children and families in the borough. We are actively exploring opportunities to develop new initiatives and expand our offerings from this space, aiming to address the evolving needs of the community. We know the importance of early childhood development and are determined to play our part in supporting the growth and well-being of children in this vibrant community. I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the families, staff, partners, and supporters who have contributed to the nursery’s success over the past six decades.’

The organisation remains committed to its mission of providing exceptional care and educational opportunities for children, and will continue to explore avenues to achieve this goal.

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Manor Gardens Welfare Trust CEO awarded British Empire Medal

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For the first time, these new guidelines launched with the help of our Dahlia Project, provide recommendations for psychological therapists and counsellors working with women who have undergone female genital mutilation / cutting (FGM/C).

Islington Gazette article