The Association had most of the ingredients for a successful project:

But the group had to develop designs for the building, secure funding for construction and produce a viable business plan for the long term use of the building. No one in the Association had done anything like this before.

The Ravenscliffe Community Association decided to lead a project to build a multi-purpose community centre. The idea came from a consultation exercise involving 250 residents who wanted a facility that could be used by children, families and older people as well as offer health care; they wanted ‘a place where people could gather’.

This case study describes the community-led planning, design and construction of this multi-purpose community centre and how the involvement of residents at all stages of the planning and design process was secured. It particularly highlights the importance of utilising technical and professional expertise to facilitate the process.

Contact was made with the national Glass-House Community Led Design agency which helped the Association through the design and construction process. Following a visit to the estate which the community centre was set to serve and a meeting with local residents.

Glass-House offered a free design support service consisting of:

An attractive and functional multi use centre was constructed including a Nursery and Creche. The new facility is a catalyst for change in the neighbourhood and featured on the Community TV Channel as an exemplar community project. After the first year of operation The Gateway had over 300 users per week and had become a real focal point for the Estate.

Residents of the Ravenscliffe area were the main beneficiaries.

Ravenscliffe Community Association
enquiries@ascskills.org.uk

//2001

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Community development