What if Our vision for the future

1
What if??Our vision for the future

• A building to foster and celebrate community
  action and spirit in BNES

2
Where could it be?
Western Riverside?
3
What could it be?

• High quality affordable office accommodation for
  VCS organisations different sizes to suit all
  needs including hot desks some income
  generating commercial space
• High quality meeting and event space (inc superb
  catering)
• Showcasing healthy and sustainable lifestyles
  through emphasis on sustainable transport and
  fresh, local food
• Real, long-term training and work opportunities
  for local people
• Built by volunteers real in-action model of
  what communities can achieve
• Focal point for community/voluntary sector
  encouraging partnership, raising profile,
  creating a buzz more than just a building

4
Who might be based there?

• Volunteer Centre?
• CVS?
• Local environmental / sustainability groups?
• Food co-op?
• Timebank?
• Outreach workers from voluntary / public sector?
• Small businesses and social enterprises?

5
Features

• Iconic design
• Zero carbon
• VCS offices
• Shared reception and other facilities
• Community hub/library
• Small business units
• Large hall/exhibition space
• Meeting rooms
• Kitchen
• Café
• Crèche/nursery
• Terrace
• Kitchen garden
• Showers for cyclists

6
Eco Features

• Zero carbon
• Uses energy efficient materials and design
• Generates its own power (solar, wind)
• Manages and recycles waste (rainfall capture,
  grey water recycling)
• Car club parking spaces
• Secure bike parking and bikes, including
  trailers, for use by staff.

7
Focus on The Café

• Locally grown, organic food (including some grown
  on site)
• Collaboration with City Farm
• Unique meeting place for local people
• Popular evening and weekend venue
• Wedding receptions
• Parties
• Music

8
Focus on The Café

• Social enterprise
• Provides training and employment for
• People with learning difficulties
• People recovering from mental illness
• People recovering from addiction
• Collaboration with
• FE colleges
• Community Day Services

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Forge Fach Community Centre
10
Rogiet Primary School
11
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre
12
Paradise Park Childrens Centre
13
Federation of City Farms
14
BedZed
15
Could we pull it off..?

• If enough of us want to and we get
• Support from you
• Support from public sector BNES, PCT, HE and
  FE institutions
• Expert advice (hopefully pro bono from local
  architects/engineers )
• Passionate and experienced project manager
• Work and training placements

16
...then YES we believe we could

• What do you think?
• E-mail us
• steved_at_vol-centre.org.uk
• marion_at_regenworks.co.uk
• Telephone
• 01225 787929