Inspire Community Trust has been selected to manage Northumberland Heath Library and Upper Belvedere Library.
The Trust has a vision to provide an inclusive and diverse offer to the community. As well as providing traditional library services, it will be providing events and activities for the community to get together and find support. This will include drop-in sessions for sensory support services, access to care assessments and a range of inclusive events, activities and groups.
The two libraries were previously looked after by Eco Communities, which has taken the decision to step back to focus on its operation of Slade Green and Howbury Library and Community Centre.
Inspire Community Trust took over management of Bexley Village Library in October 2023 and also manages the Blue Badge scheme on behalf of the London Borough of Bexley.
Councillor Sue Gower MBE, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:
I am delighted that Inspire Community Trust have been awarded the opportunity to manage Northumberland Heath and Upper Belvedere Libraries, having been identified as the strongest bidder. I am confident that local residents and library users will enjoy accessing the new, enhanced range of activities and services that will soon be on offer in these much-loved community libraries.
I would also like to thank Eco Communities for the great job they have done in running the libraries since 2016 and I wish them continued success in their management of Slade Green and Howbury Community Centre and Library. We will work with Inspire over the coming weeks to finalise handover and will announce once they have taken over management at both libraries.”
Vinod Kumar Khanna, Chief Executive, Inspire Community Trust, said:
On behalf of Inspire and our board, we are excited to add these two libraries to our offering and look forward to further enhancing the library service itself alongside our other services.”