Community Benefit Fund: Hilltop Community Centre
About the project
Hilltop Community Centre is located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and is one of the fantastic community projects to have been awarded the LHC Community Benefit Fund last year. The centre is managed and maintained by the Wycombe Multicultural Organisation (WMCO), a charity which has been
operating in the area since 1991.
The allocated funding was used to expand and update Hilltop Community Centre’s kitchen facilities to ensure a better and safer space with greater accessibility to serve their community. A new extraction system, commercial sinks and fire safety measures have been put in place, as well as brighter, modern décor and fittings, and more space for disabled users.
Mission
To foster strong community cohesion within the High Wycombe area, whilst providing a comfortable community space which helps promote the education, health, and well-being of the inhabitants, through social and economic regeneration.
Impact
The refurbishment has enabled Hilltop Community Centre to cater to a greater reach of the community, strengthen relations, and help to reduce social isolation in a more comfortable environment, which in turn generates more income to engage more of the community.
Moving forward
Some of the facilities coming soon to the centre include:
• Catch-up sessions for year 11 GCSE students to bridge the attainment gap exacerbated during the pandemic.
• Diet and nutrition groups and cookery classes for young people.
• A range of projects for the elderly
The refurbishment took place during an extremely challenging period, through Covid-19 and Brexit. This caused price increases and delays, but through the hard-work and perseverance of all those involved, the new facilities successfully reopened and launched on 20th November 2021. It now opens seven days a week and serves 300-350 people from morning until evening.
The centre is gradually adjusting to the new normal and has a number of exciting projects in store to offer an even greater selection of support and services to local people.
It is well utilised by a variety of organisations and groups in the community already, including a local disability group, a Bulgarian school, a Saturday school (for cultural studies and academic booster), as well as a range of sporting activities such as fencing, martial arts and kickboxing. There is also availability for hire to the community for birthdays, celebrations, and other events in the new inclusive space.
“It was a long project, but worth it! We’re very grateful to all the funders and the community. The groups really benefit from the extra space and new kitchen facilities.”
Melissa Humphrey at WMCO
About LHC Community Benefit Fund
In each region, LHC members have the opportunity to create and distribute a Community Benefit Fund generated from the rebate they receive if they spend over a specified threshold on LHC frameworks. In each region LHC appoint an independent community benefit agency to work with members to find a local charity partner. For London and the South East, LHC works closely with specialist community support network Locality. Now in its fourth year, the fund has invested in excess of £325,000 in 51 community projects, targeting a diverse range of needs.
To find out more about the fund and LHC’s other community projects visit: community benefits webpage.
For more information on Locality and their work, visit: www.locality.org.uk
