Hexham Community Centre is expanding its support for local people after carrying out a series of improvements and celebrating a positive Ofsted report for its playgroup.
The centre, on Gilesgate, is home to groups and organisations including the Hexham Youth Initiative and the Hexham Community Centre Playgroup. Around 1,000 people visit each week to attend groups, send parcels or access support and advice.
Playgroup praised for care and education
The playgroup provides preschool education for children aged between two and five. Its report was described as encouraging and positive.
Amy Forster, the playgroup manager, said: “Myself and the whole team are proud that our nurturing and fun environment has been recognised and we are excited to continue delivering the best care and education for our children.”
The centre’s activities form part of its wider role in providing support and a base for local groups and organisations.
Community centre improvements
Recent work has included creating a new community garden, adding mural signage and installing solar panels. The centre has also upgraded its boilers and lighting as part of efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
Jill Goodfellow, the centre manager, said funding supports both its charitable sessions and the upkeep of the building. She said maintaining and modernising an old building was a constant challenge, but added that the centre had a dedicated team and was in a strong position to continue supporting community activity in Hexham.
“The centre attracts funding support for our charitable sessions but also for the upkeep of the building. The maintenance and modernisation of such an old building is a constant challenge, but we have a dedicated team and are in a great position to continue to provide a platform for all the excellent work that goes into Hexham.”
Further modernisation is planned for the external structure of the building. The centre said this work will focus on the external fabric of the building as it continues its programme of improvements.
Plans for the centre’s future
Steve Ball, chair of trustees, said the centre would encourage more community innovations and continue contributing to the future of activities in Hexham.
“We will encourage more community innovations going forward. The centre will undergo further modernisation to the external fabric of the building and we will continue to play our part in an exciting future for community activities in Hexham.”
More information about Hexham Community Centre and its activities is available at hexhamcommunitycentre.org.