Sherborne Community Bungalow

The Pitch

Problem statement

Our community hub is located in the heart of the Sherborne Estate in Crewe. The area faces extremely high levels of deprivation and is considered the most deprived LSOA in Cheshire, experiencing high crime rates, poor education levels, low household income, and poor life expectancy. There are very few community facilities in the area, with VCFSE groups such as ourselves heavily relied on to support residents' health and wellbeing. Following several years of disruption our community hub now requires investment to decorate and replace broken furniture in order to continue to offer activities that support the local community, including gardening clubs, adult peer support and healthy cookery.

Solution

The community hub is a converted one-bedroom bungalow and as such every inch of space counts! We currently utilise one room as a children's classroom and the other as a mixed-use lounge for adult peer support, children's board games, coffee and chat sessions etc. We urgently require funding to replace the flooring of the classroom which has been removed due to asbestos, and to replace broken chairs and tables in the lounge which had been donated several years ago. We would also like to be able to repaint the bungalow and make some minor alterations to improve disability access, for example a handrail in our bathroom and small ramp at the front door.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

The community hub has been open for approximately 10 years. Over that time our project worker and volunteers have built strong relationships with the local community, many of whom can be sceptical of authority figures and untrusting of 'outsiders'. We are now in a position where residents trust us and will actively seek our support for the issues they are experiencing, including helping them access health advice, support with money, or speak to someone about their mental health. We regularly engage with our visitors to seek their views and coproduce our work, helping turn their ideas into real world groups. Everyone is involved from aged 3-90, with many intergenerational friendships formed.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

60 people

Expected impact

This funding will allow us to continue offering services from the community hub. Many visitors comment that the hub looks tired and dated; for example our chairs are second hand donations and many are now ripped, faded or have broken legs. We work with approximately 15 adults and 20 children on a weekly basis, and also have a number of other people visit for ad-hoc purposes such as reasons such as residents meetings or to speak to our local councillors. Once our bungalow has been redecorated we will be in a position to offer additional groups such as homework clubs, older persons' supper club, and movie and gaming nights. This is not possible at present due to our space restrictions and the need to look after our building before looking at expanding our offer.

Track record

In 2010 40% of homes were empty or had tenants wishing to leave, however our work and partnerships with others now shows that 75% of visitors feel encouraged to design/develop activities at the hub, 75% feel more connected in their community, and 65% report a reduction in loneliness or social isolation. Many residents recognise the benefits of regular attendance, and this is shown by their enthusiasm and commitment. Strong intergenerational friendships have been formed, with older volunteers supporting children with activities including reading and activity sheets and keeping in touch with each other between sessions. Quote from parent: "I met everyone at gardening club when my daughter was 5, she is now 13. She still loves going and getting dirty, planting vegetables, and helping the younger children. I have anxiety and the hub has helped me meet new people who I am now proud to call friends. The volunteers go above and beyond for the community and are a real asset for the area."

Project updates (0)