A pilot initiative that has seen three North Tyneside Council venues run by community organisations has been hailed a success.
Since 2017, Family Gateway has managed Howdon Community Centre (now known as the Howdon Hub) while the Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust has operated Royal Quays Community Centre and Battle Hill Multi-Use Centre.
North Tyneside Council agreed pilot lettings for the three facilities with the aim of improving their community use.
A review of the scheme demonstrated there have been a variety of community benefits and consequently the local authority has now completed long-term lettings of all three facilities.
Cllr Ray Glindon, cabinet member for Finance and Resources, said: “We’re delighted to have completed long-term lettings for these important community facilities.
“We felt that local organisations were best-placed to help put the centres right at the heart of their communities. This has proven to be the case –activities have increased at all three sites.
“I would like to thank Family Gateway and the Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust for what they’ve done so far and I’m sure the venues will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Since Family Gateway has operated Howdon Hub, there has been the creation of new groups in response to community need plus, prior to Covid-19, there was increased footfall. Gym membership grew, children’s and adults’ activity classes increased, while new tenants included a childcare provider.
The premises are now Covid-secure and its community café is providing a healthy free family meals service to vulnerable families with children who are struggling as a result of the pandemic, and also delivering home-cooked takeaway meals for sale to others who may be isolated.
Meanwhile, a £60,000 refurbishment programme of the cafe and reception areas is currently underway with support from the Garfield Weston Foundation Anniversary Fund.
Pauline Wonders, Strategic Director of Family Gateway said: “This building is important to the people of Howdon and we want to return it to full community use.
“It is a lovely, spacious and versatile building; we are grateful to North Tyneside for recognising that it is an important community asset and hope to update and develop it so it can be enjoyed by many for years to come.”
Prior to Covid-19, the Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust had increased permanent tenants and casual bookings at both Royal Quays and Battle Hill sites venues.
In February 2020, the Trust launched the engAGE (55+) and Encompass programmes at Battle Hill, including a variety of free taster sessions, with good attendance and positive feedback for the development of activities for adults and the older community within the local community.
The premises are Covid-secure enabling use to continue during the pandemic and the team have successfully developed the programmes digitally, enabling local people to access a range of social and creative activities both online and within the centre.
Simeon Ripley, Chief Executive for Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust, said: “The vision of the Trust is to create thriving communities for all and entering into long term lettings of Royal Quays and Battle Hill centres has enabled our community development team the opportunity to increase community reach within North Tyneside.
“Using a hub and spoke approach, the Trust rolled out tried and tested engAGE and Encompass activity programmes to create and rekindle interest within the local community, using the feedback from launch events to create a bespoke programme to meet the community need within Battle Hill and encourage ownership.”
ENDS