Nick Raynsford, local MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, recently opened the New Leaf Centre on the Cherry Orchard Estate in Charlton. The brand new centre offers Charlton Triangle residents free advice on employment, training and volunteering. Advisors also provide support and information for those struggling with benefits or experiencing debt worries, as well as free counseling sessions. Bookings are also being taken for reiki sessions, a Japanese technique similar to massage for stress reduction and relaxation.

Before cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening, Nick paid homage to the hard work of all the staff at Charlton Triangle Homes. Nick says: ‘I have been involved with Charlton Triangle Homes since it was first established eleven years ago. The initiatives and hard work of Charlton Triangle Homes has restored confidence to the area and the Cherry Orchard Estate is a neighbourhood where people are proud to live. The New Leaf Centre is one more asset to this thriving community, to enable tenants to come and seek free and impartial advice about everyday issues on their own doorstep’.

Nick was joined at the opening by Charlton Triangle’s Chief Executive, Andrew Kimmance, and local Labour Councillors Janet Gillman and Allan McCarthy.