Our Story
The Hub is located in the heart of the Forest Estate, Englefield Green, where for over ten years a dedicated team of volunteers have provided community activities under the direction of The Journey Church. Despite the building being on its last legs they have still managed to attain ‘The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service’ and continue to provide vital support for many groups in the area including, dance, gardening, after school and bee-keeping clubs, a weekly café, community lunches, weekly worship and many incidental events throughout the year.
The Project
The Hub needs new facilities to extend the scope of these services so that no part of the community is excluded. The bid is being prepared by a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation to be made up of local volunteers and much work has already been undertaken including an extensive consultation with residents and other stake holders including schools, community groups, sports clubs and other nearby providers of community activities and services. The primary objective is to improve the social wellbeing of local residents and given the high indices of deprivation experienced in the area within which the Hub is situated, it is important to provide a space that encourages everyone to feel a part of a community. We will also ensure that new services augment those of other local providers so that the whole local area benefits from this investment. The new building design will be determined through our community consultation, but at a minimum it should accommodate flexible activity spaces, a kitchen with servery, storage for various community groups, ample outside space for gardening club and must feature ultra-low running costs through the highest attainable eco-design and energy efficiency.
The Plan
This building has served as a friendly gathering place for residents since the 1950’s. Right at the heart of one of Surrey’s most deprived areas, it is perfectly located to provide much-needed community space, but the current dilapidated building is simply no longer fit for purpose. Against the odds, essential community activities are still provided here by dedicated volunteers despite the leaking roof, ill-fitting windows, ineffective heating system and poor insulation. The planned refurbishment will provide a bright, flexible space for many more community-led activities that will reach far beyond the current user group and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
The environmental impact of the project and energy efficiency of the building is fundamental to the design and choosing to refurbish rather than rebuild The Hub means the embodied carbon of the building’s existing foundation and structure can being retained to great effect. The carbon footprint of The Hub will be kept to an absolute minimum with effective insulation and the use of solar panels and heat pumps to provide power and heat and this will also keep a lid on running costs.
The multi-purpose room layout and ancillary facilities have been designed through consultation with a wide range of stake holders including existing and potential new users of The Hub, outreach agencies and local community groups to provide a safe and welcoming venue for social clubs, learning activities, health and life-skills counselling and as a place to connect with vulnerable and isolated groups. The expanded outdoor space will offer groups of all ages the opportunity to learn all about food growing and somewhere to sit with friends in the sun.
Have Your Say
We are talking to individuals, community groups, retirement homes, sports clubs, and local schools to include as many residents as we can in a primary consultation. We are also asking the Village Centre for input to our plans as they already deliver many essential community services alongside the Hub, and it is part of our goal to dovetail any new facilities, activities and opening hours with theirs.
Please spare a few minutes to answer 9 simple questions online to let us know what you think.