"The power of community to create health is far better than any physician, clinic or hospital" Words spoken by Mark Hyman, an American physician, scholar and New York Times best selling author. At first glace, these words look like utter nonsense - a hyperbole at most. But if the concept of being a good samaritan or reaping what you've sowed can be understood by many, then this should be no more complex. What’s London without a sense of community? The truth is, it just wouldn't be London. Whether it’s going to pray in your religious building or attending a charity event, as Londoners it’s our goal to make newcomers feel welcome. What better way to start then in your local community centre.

I had a chat with Russel King, the service and facilities manager of Chestnuts Community Centre. He gives an insight into the history of the community centre and most of all, gives us motive to go there. Below is a transcript of the very insightful interview I had with him.

How long have you worked here and what is your role in the community centre?

My role is that I am the community service and facilities manager. What I do is I look after this building and the surgery across the road. The organization that run the centre is called The Bridge Renewal Trust. The Bridge has existed since 2009. I’ve worked for them since 2011. In terms of the centre itself, it’s been here long before we were. We started managing the centre in 2015. Haringey council own it, but we’re the leaseholders.

What was it like when you first came here?

When we came here first, it was as it was. The structure was here and certain activities took place. When we took over, we did enrichment and put on new activities as well as trying to maintain some of the activities they had before.

What activities are there to do in the community centre?

It’s split into different areas. There are activity spaces which are used for different things. Different dates have different activities. You get a combination of people that live in the area and businesses will hire space . We've got loads of different rooms which are used by different groups. For example, on Mondays this room is used for a sewing club. We've got a dance studio upstairs for things like martial arts ava dance groups meet here for rehearsals. There are churches that meet here as well. And then we have office space for local groups that base their business in this building. Programmes for young people, maths and science classes for example. People that don't have work will get sent here by the job centre to get training so they can go on and get apprenticeship.

That's the business side. And then there's what we do. We help community programs with things like cooking, for example. So we say, if you know where food comes from, you can learn how best to prepare it. Instead of frying it, you grill it – the healthier option. How we operate is we will apply for certain projects. At the moment it's educating young people how to eat healthier. After school on Friday, children will come and cook a meal, as there parents will come in and eat it with them. They have a chance to, not only enjoy a meal together but it’s family bonding time. We also do birthday parties, wedding, funerals and it will all cost accordingly.

If you could change anything about the community centre, what would you change?

I’d make the building more energy efficient because it costs a lot of money. If we had things like installation and a heating inspector, it’ll definitely help with the cost.

It is no exaggeration that being part of a community centre will change your life. No decent employer could turn down rows and rows of experience. Nevertheless all from one building. Believing that nothing worth doing could ever be a waste of time is just one way to live as an optimist. So don't waste your time and join in your local community centre. Who knows, it could be the start of your next career.

By Camay Davis Mcauley, City and Islington College