They will be big. And they will be for the community
Grants of up to £300,000 are available to create super hubs in Herefordshire.
The success of Talk Community’s 73 hubs, spread out across the county, has prompted the council to think bigger and better. Existing hubs offer the types of information and signposting most needed within the communities in which they’re situated. This helps local people connect with each other, stay well and feel safe.
Super hubs will be the next step in bringing more together under one roof. The one-stop-shops will give residents more reasons to visit, more space for activities and provide a selection of services that best serve their community.
Aims of the scheme
The aims of the grant scheme are to:
- Bring services closer to people in their communities
- Improve the wellbeing of the local population
- Increase access to more integrated services in communities with a focus on disadvantaged and deprived communities
- Connect the community through an all ages/whole family approach
- Transform and better utilise existing and unused buildings for the benefit of the community
- Reduce demand on formal health and care services
- Reduce the number of children and their families in crisis
- Reduce health inequalities
- Build more cohesive and resilient communities
- Provide a focus for community-led regeneration
The council’s Talk Community is seeking expressions of interest from eligible parties. They are likely to include voluntary and community organisations; registered charities; not-for-profits; town and parish councils as well as community sports clubs and religious organisations.
What the grant can be used for
This is a ‘capital only’ scheme, meaning grants are available for physical improvements of community facilities. This could include land and buildings. Buying certain equipment may also qualify. For example, fitting a kitchen or IT suite to a new facility may be allowed. Full details of the scheme, including how to apply, are provided on the super hubs webpage.
The deadline for first expressions of interest for grants between £5,000 and £300,000 is midnight, 25 July 2023.
Amy Pitt, service director community wellbeing, says:
“Super hubs are the next logical step in our vision to build stronger communities in Herefordshire. We know people enjoy using our existing 73 hubs. Many residents have asked about longer opening hours and more services to enhance what they already have. This is what super hubs will offer. By bringing more services together they’ll give people more reasons to visit, to meet others and to linger.
"In a new super hub, it may be possible to see a midwife and pay your council tax under one roof. As well as bringing people together that would also save people a lot of time and effort. There may be scope for exhibition spaces or a café. If it serves the community, we don’t want to put artificial boundaries on what’s possible within new super hubs. We do know that they will be big and they will be for the community.”