Wimborne Community Centre: Warmer Spaces & Support

Who are we?

Based next to the Minster in the heart of Wimborne. Our Community Centre is a space for all the community to use and enjoy. Providing the community with affordable venue hire either for regular classes, meetings, events or training sessions. We are an accessible Dementia Friendly facility with fully equipped rooms suitable for a variety of activities.

Our teams, split across DCA, Inspire Dorset, Seed2Plate and the centre itself will support this project and are already supporting people into employment and delivering Best Energy Saving Network advice. Four staff hold their Level 2 Food Hygiene and Seed2Plate grow produce on site, they will provide vegetables for the sessions and already use a small community fridge for surplus produce plus help provide take-away options for families in need.  

#HelpUsGrow

The centre is also part of Dorset Community Action - DCA supports the voluntary and community sector - working with people, organisations and businesses to find innovative ways to solve community based problems.

Community Impact

The Wimborne Community Centre is truly in the centre of the town, being situated next door to the Minster itself, so the potential for those we can help and reach is large.

The ongoing cost of living crisis makes it difficult for people to gain the resources they need, justify going out to meet friends, make friends or simply spend time somewhere safe and warm. People are also becoming more conscious of their spending, health, well-being and impact on our environment too so many are looking to develop their skills in food, cooking and energy efficiency. 

We have a large cafe area, which is a safe, warm space and many of the current organisations hiring out private rooms within the centre work with those improving their health, well-being or future opportunities, these people would also benefit from a community cafe or the extra skills on offer too.

For those directly involved, Seed2Plate has helped many volunteers gain employment through their projects, with a potential to increase due to this collaborative project as well as the opportunity for employment of staff within the kitchen as the main contact for the project.

The 2021 census listed 16,321 people within Wimborne Minster. Of this over 28% are over the age of 65, many residents are also on a low income, the area is also near completion of the development of around 500 new homes so there is an increasing demand for local resources and support. Operational and relevant community centres such as ours are critical in providing supportive hubs for local people. 

(Cafe seating area view photo taken pre-pandemic.)

Why are we crowdfunding?

Without this opportunity, we would simply be unable to attempt this project. We have the skills, the space and the physical resources - This route provides the funds to allow it to be put into action and become reality.
Our commercial kitchen is currently unused and our cafe area is used as an infrequent seating area. Since lockdown eased, the centre has started holding monthly Artisan Makers Markets and these have brought it a great amount of visitors and the cafe has been able to open for these events, the potential of the space and resources is clear to see.

How we’ll spend the money raised

The money raised will provide enough for a 3 month trial of this project, we aim to keep the kitchen open following this period providing a sustainable warm space for the community. 

The aim is to become self sufficient, this can be achievable through the sale of specific produce, donations and also regular core costs if it brings new room hiring customers into the community centre.

Thank you for reading, we'd be grateful for your support and hope to see you for a cake or coffee soon!