Media Information
Embargoed until 00.01am 12 December 2007 

KINGSTON COMMUNITY PROJECT PERKED UP WITH RSA COFFEEHOUSE CHALLENGE FUNDS 

A scheme to open the Market House as a community venue in Kingston has been given a boost by a grant of £1,500 from the RSA Coffeehouse Challenge. From Glasgow to Devon, nearly 220 groups of people have come together over the summer in Starbucks coffee houses and other venues to discuss and find ways of tackling specific issues in their local area. 

The initiative, in its fourth year, is called the RSA Coffeehouse Challenge and this year alone more than 2,000 people including RSA Fellows, Starbucks customers and other community stakeholders have participated.  The most innovative of the ideas discussed around the UK were yesterday (11 December) awarded development funding totalling £24,000 sponsored by Starbucks and T-Mobile at the Coffeehouse Challenge Awards.  

The Kingston Coffeehouse Challenge, held in Starbucks Borders in  Market Place, discussed ‘101 Things To Do With A Dead Market House’ and the idea of holding a ten-day festival was put forward for an award.  

Marilyn Mason, FRSA, project organiser, said: “The ultimate objective is to bring about a more diverse evening culture in Kingston by demonstrating to the council how the Market House could be a cultural and community centre, how the council could facilitate that by encouraging local groups to use this wonderful and sadly underused central Kingston space. I will be inviting councillors to all the events, which I hope will include a range of evening events, including debates, discussions, music, a book event, a film show and open evenings run by local associations.

“The award is invaluable in helping us get this project off the ground and make use of a wonderful but underused asset. I think the Coffeehouse Challenge is a great way to bring local people together to generate ideas. The two Challenges that led to this project brought some complete strangers together in a welcoming and comfortable venue, to have informal, open-ended and very creative discussions. The first started with a bit of moan about the lack of things to do or community space in central Kingston, but moved very quickly onto positive suggestions, and the second one built on that.  

“This is something we strongly believe in and will help to diversify and improve the evening culture of central Kingston.   It could be so much more vibrant, drawing in a more diverse and older crowd as well as offering alternatives to young people who want more from life than just pubbing and clubbing.  We hope this event will not only raise and maintain interest from local groups in using the facility, but also convince Kingston Council to agree to giving free use of the Market House to community groups or organisations offering free events to the public.” 

The RSA Coffeehouse Challenge was launched in 2004, exactly 250 years after the founder of the RSA held its first meeting in a coffee house in London.   Today the organisation runs a series of projects, lectures and other events supporting innovation, creativity and positive change in society. 

Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the RSA said:  “It is difficult for individuals to feel they can make a difference to their community, whether it’s because they don’t know where to start or whether it’s because they feel one person can’t make a difference. That is why the Coffeehouse Challenge works so well by providing a public space for everyone to come together to tackle issues directly, rather than waiting for others or wonder how to get involved. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the vitality of communities by setting this up and helping to get projects off the ground with awards.”   

Phil Broad, Starbucks Coffee Company managing director, said: “Starbucks is committed to contributing to the communities it serves, which is why we’re enabling people to come together to discuss local issues over a cup of coffee. We are proud to have been involved in the RSA Coffeehouse Challenge Awards and help bring about positive change at a local level across the country.” 

For more information, please contact Lorraine Murphy, Paratus Communications, 0207 404 6691 or lmurphy@paratuscommunications.com 

Notes to EditorsThe Coffeehouse Challenge is an RSA initiative in collaboration with Starbucks.

About the RSA:The RSA (originally the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) has been the home of debate for over 250 years, encouraging people to broaden their horizons with stimulating discussion of challenging ideas.  Through its programme of projects and lectures, the RSA confronts the complex issues facing today’s world with initiatives effecting real and lasting change.  Drawing on an influential network of leaders from every field and background, the RSA is a linchpin for ideas, innovation and change – locally, nationally and internationally.  Visit www.theRSA.org  

About Starbucks: Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that enriches people’s lives one moment, one human being, one extraordinary cup of coffee at a time. To share in the experience, visit www.starbucks.co.uk