Church End is one of the most deprived areas in Brent, it is an anti-social behaviour hotspot, with the highest concentration of criminal activities per business (186/69) and highest high street vacancy rate (16%) in Brent. Church Road had the highest death for the first six months of Coronavirus pandemic in 2020 (ONS) which was 3 time higher than the average in the UK.

In May 2021, SAAFI (Somali Advice and Forum of Information) with Brent council and other community organisations including religious groups secured Stage 1 funding application to the Greater London Authority to improve Church Road for putting our high street in the map (Putting your street in the funding). It was followed by stage 2 – which was a wider consultation in the all the sectors of Church Road community, businesses and organisations made possible to secure 300000 in The High Streets for All Challenge will provide £300,000 funding to support the project.

With Brent’s council matching fund of another 700000 into Church Road aims to build upon an existing council-led regeneration project. It’s a community-led partnership that focuses on:

supporting young people

· community cohesion

· addressing deprivation and wellbeing