In praise of … Bromley by Bow Centre

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/06/in-praise-of-bromley-by-bow-centre

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Last month, Lord Mawhinney described it as "one of the most impressive displays of social entrepreneurship anywhere". Bringing together a GP surgery, employment and housing advice, language learning, a church, arts organisations, and buzzing cafe, the centre offers a one-stop-shop in one of the poorest areas of the country. Here the GP deals with the damp bedroom as well as the child's asthma. Here the Bangladeshi mum is inspired to be an artist as well as learn English and find a job. Like John Lewis, you go in for one thing and get something else too. And while this model is rarely short of praise – no fewer than 12 secretaries of state have come calling – Westminster and local council funding think in silos, with narrow performance indicators. The added value of an integrated approach fails to register. Places like Bromley by Bow deliver in spite of these restrictions and offer new ways to deal with poverty.