Save the Salvation Army Church

Please view the video above...we need to save this valuable space for the Southend community.

The Salvation Army and Southend Council chose private profits over our underserved communities, resulting in the planned closure of this community space in Southend. We need your help to get the Salvation Army and Southend Council to participate in a public meeting so community members can attend or join online to ensure their voices are heard.

We request that Southend Council

• Fulfil Obligations to empower residents and local groups to determine how this building is used and developed. This give communities more control, ensuring decisions reflect local needs and aspirations.

• Prioritise Social Value, Not Just Financial Value, we urge the Council to focus on long term community benefits such as reducing poverty, improving educational outcomes and expanding employment opportunities rather than simply maximising financial returns.

• Enable Community Investment support community driven share offers and innovative financing solutions, helping residents invest in their own neighbourhood to enables true civic participation and localised economic growth.

  
  

Ethical Concerns Poverty, Education and Employment

East of Southend faces significant social and economic challenges

• Poverty & Food Bank many local families relying on food banks, we need ethical, community solutions that extend beyond charitable handouts.

• Low Educational Attainment Providing safe spaces for skill-building, training and alternative education especially those who could enter the youth justice system is essential for long-term improvement in educational outcomes.

• Unemployment The building should become a hub for job readiness programmes, entrepreneurship and networking activities.

A Shared Vision for Community

Preserving the Salvation Army building is not just about maintaining architecture; it is about ensuring that the heart of our community remains strong. By working together, we can transform this space into a multi-use hub that addresses food insecurity, hosts educational initiatives and creates pathways to employment.

Ethical Investment

Ensure that any proceeds from the sale and any council funding remain dedicated to local community enrichment.

Sign Our Petition

Please follow the link below to sign our petition. Your voice matters.

Sign The Petition