The Community Hub Handbook - Power to Change Trust

1 How to run a successful hub and make your neighbourhood thriveThe Community Hub Handbook 2 The Community Hub Handbook Power to ChangePower to Change is the independent charitable Trust that supports and develops Community businesses in England. Endowed with 150 million from the National Lottery Community Fund, we work to revive local buildings and spaces, protect the services people rely on, and address local needs. Since 2015 we have invested nearly 18 million in Community hubs. @peoplesbizLocal TrustLocal Trust was established in 2012 to deliver Big Local, a unique programme that puts residents across the country in control of decisions about their own lives and neighbourhoods.

2 Funded by a 200m endowment from the National Lottery Community Fund the largest ever single commitment of lottery funds. Big Local provides in excess of 1m of long-term funding over 10-15 years to each of 150 local communities, many of which face major social and economic challenges but have missed out on statutory and lottery funding in the past. @localtrust LocalityLocality is the national membership network supporting local Community organisations to be strong and successful. By pooling knowledge, understanding and tools we build a better understanding of what works.

3 Together we motivate and inspire each other to unlock the Power of local communities. @localitynewsThe Community Hub Handbook : Everything you need to know about running a successful hub to make your neighbourhood thrive was researched and written by Locality and funded by Local Trust and Power to Change in January 2020. Power to Change Trust is registered in England, charity number 1159982. work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike International License. To view a copy of this license, visit January 2020 Front Cover imagePhotographer: Andrew Aitchison/Local , Edna and Naomi chat at a Knit & Natter group in Harefield Hub, run by SO18 Big Local in Southampton.

4 The Community Hub Handbook 3 ContentsINTRODUCTION 4 STEP 1. UNDERSTANDING Community HUBS What is a Community hub? 6 STEP 2. GETTING STARTED Understanding what your Community needs Building a positive and effective team Having a positive culture involving lots of people from across the Community , being accountable and embracing Change Providing services local people value and which can be paid for Building positive relationships with others 26 STEP 3.

5 ACQUIRING Community HUB PREMISES Ensuring that the building is an asset, rather than a liability Building or improving Community hubs 36 STEP 4. MANAGING THE PREMISES AND YOUR ORGANISATION Managing an attractive, welcoming and well used building Running a tight financial ship Having effective structures and processes Reviewing what you do and understanding the impact you are having in your area 62 RESOURCES AND LINKS 66 Balanced Scorecard guidance and template 66 Capital project cashflow template 69 Revenue project cashflow template 74 Examples of some Community hub build costs and annual running costs 84 EXTERNAL LINKS

6 87 GLOSSARY 944 The Community Hub Handbook IntroductionOpening a Community hub is no small achievement and keeping it open and active is harder still. People who succeed at it are canny folk they show grit, ingenuity and determination. Yet they ll often talk about how much more they wish they had known at the outset mistakes they later see were s one reason why we ve created The Community Hub Handbook to fill a gap in practical guidance, help people avoid common pitfalls and ensure those running Community hubs have access to the best information available.

7 We commissioned Locality to write this Handbook , based on their knowledge of supporting Community hubs, and on a report that Local Trust and Power to Change commissioned in 2019 Community Hubs: understanding survival and success . This research is referenced throughout this Handbook and has additional case studies you can draw on for inspiration. Unlike Community centres and similar buildings, hubs are multi-purpose. Perhaps this is why there s so little information specifically for them, and even less that addresses their financial the knowledge and tools to help Community hubs survive and thrive is much needed, and not just by those do-ers who typically get involved in running Community spaces.

8 Local, accessible meeting places directly benefit people living nearby, and it s increasingly recognised that they matter nationally welcoming venue packed with positive, nurturing and inclusive activities fosters social capital a vital ingredient in every local economy. When people have a place to meet, they can build Trust , share concerns and identify solutions that may develop into successful projects, local services or social enterprises. If a Community business is a possibility in your area, Power to Change s website is packed with inspiration and support, including funding for start-ups and bright ideas, so do find out what s on hubs are also Community led or owned, they have the potential to alter the self-belief and ambition of local residents too.

9 Across 150 Big Local areas, there are multiple examples of communities hatching imaginative resident-led schemes: self-financing housing projects, sustainable energy developments, and transformations of green spaces and sports grounds are a few examples. Many more can be found on Local Trust s website. Resident-led projects build resilience, energise civic life and Change individuals driven by passion into Community leaders with the skills and experience to transform their , that moment when the ribbon is cut and a Community hub is declared open is rich in possibilities.

10 Beyond a vision of dance practice, digital skills, crafts, parenting or cooking classes there s a real and meaningful opportunity to bring neighbours together, revive Community spirit and improve lives. Creating fun activities is something that communities excel at no advice is needed there. But for business essentials managing buildings, securing income, attracting bookings and demonstrating impact this Handbook can help. It is packed with tried-and-tested tools and essential, hard-won knowledge to inform your plans and decisions.