Community Centre secures huge funding boost for Warm Welcome

Hexham Community Centre are delighted to announce that we have received a significant funding boost from the Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund. This funding will ensure that the region’s largest community centre can deliver their Warm Welcome this winter, meaning that anyone who needs a warm place, a warm meal or a warm welcome will find it here at the Community Centre.

The Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. Grants will support charities and community organisations in England at the frontline of dealing with the increase in the cost-of-living, like Hexham Community Centre which has been a hub for the community for more than 25 years since its redevelopment in 1997.

Thanks to the Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund, and additional funding from Hexham Town Council and Karbon Homes, the Centre’s usual activity will be extended to include activity for families and activity for all on weekend, when those living in isolation often struggle most. All activity will be free to everyone, with donations welcome from those who can. Jill has said “the Centre’s charitable activity to date has focussed on older and more vulnerable people, however the needs of the community are changing and this funding allows us to extend the welcome to families and younger adults, whether they are in need of a warm meal, a warm place or the warmth and support of the community”. 

Hexham Community Centre offers a number of groups throughout the year focussing on tackling social isolation and the impact of living on low or fixed incomes. These groups are subsidised by fundraising and profits generated from the Centre’s trading activity. Centre Manager Jill Goodfellow has said, “This funding comes at the perfect time, the cost-of-living crisis is impacting more and more people in Hexham. This funding will not only enable the Centre to broaden its activity to reach more people, but also to hire a dedicated person to explore the changing needs of the community and how the Community Centre can meet these needs”.

The Warm Welcome programme has already begun, with activities spread across the week, all of which provide a warm space, a warm meal and a warm welcome to everyone, from an after school stay and play each day, to Carpet Bowls on a Friday, to the brand-new Sunday Social, providing a place to come together an enjoy a light roast dinner. Full details of Warm Welcome activity, days and time can be found on the Community Centre website https://www.hexhamcommunitycentre.org/whats-on/events/warm-welcome

Whilst the funding enables the recruitment of a dedicated member of staff to help deliver and develop the Centre’s charitable work there is still a need for volunteers to help out. If you can spare a couple of hours per week to help serve food and hot drinks, and chat or play board games with people then please contact the Community Centre on info@hexhamcommunitycentre.org or call in and say hello.