Refurbishment of Northchurch Social Centre

Having been built over 50 years ago, our ageing building is in need of upgrade and refurbishment so that it can continue to meet the needs of our users both now and in future generations.  

As a local charity, we remain 100% committed to providing a building that can be used by the whole community as our primary aim.  So, whether that is for a children’s birthday party, an exercise class or as a place of worship we will provide a warm welcome to all.  Our vision is that the Social Centre will continue to connect individuals and groups in Northchurch – to be a place for our whole community. And furthermore, this vision is protected for future generations in the constitution of the charity that runs the Social Centre.

Having looked at several different ways to refurbish or rebuild in the last few years, the trustees have decided to upgrade and improve what we already have whilst adding a small extension to increase our capacity and flexibility. The building layout remains extremely helpful for all the hirers that we speak to. We believe that with better insulation (meaning lower carbon emissions and warmer rooms!), and some simple alterations to entrances, corridors and flexible walls that we can create more hiring options for more users. The refurbishment will happen in stages:

• Replace central heating boiler – completed January 2022

• Replace roof – creating a warmer, more efficient space  - completed Autumn 2022

• Extension to be built on the front, housing a new office and creating space internally for a new meeting room – planned for 2025 – fundraising in progress (see below for how you can help!)

• Refurbish the walls and fabric of the rest of the building - planned for 2025/6 onwards – fundraising in progress

• Also on the wish list is new tables and chairs, new curtains for the small hall and an upgrade to the toilets & kitchen

This is a really exciting time for the Centre. We hope you will join us in looking forward to our warmer, drier, more flexible and more accessible facilities over the coming years.

For further information on the refurbishment, to make a donation (financial or in kind) or sponsor elements of the refurb, please contact Gillian Austin, Chair of Trustees, on gillian@northchurch-social-centre.co.uk

Could you be one of our ‘Helping Hands’?

We are seeking donations from our community to help with our fundraising effort and make our building better for all. We invite you to be a ‘Helping Hand’ - for a donation of £25 (or more!) you can be a part of Northchurch Social Centre's future - add your hand to our large Helping Hands canvas, for it to be displayed as a larger piece of artwork in the Social Centre.

To represent your donation, a hand will be drawn on our large Helping Hands canvas, for it to be displayed as a larger piece of artwork in the Social Centre. You may wish to use the hand to represent your family, a loved one, the local area, a landmark, or just your favourite colours….it’s up to you!

There are several ways to get involved:

• Complete the short online form at https://forms.office.com/e/a7TgGBXTzN  to describe what you'd like your hand to look like, and pay your donation online

• Pop into the Centre during office hours to draw around your hand and describe your design, and pay your donation by cash or card

• See us at one of our events such as our Community Open Day (usually in October each year) or our Community Coffee sessions every Friday morning

Once you have submitted your design and made your donation, our artist will draw/paint it onto our large canvas.

Any problems or questions, please contact linzi@northchurch-social-centre.co.uk