TWO groups based at the Boden Centre in Chard have been busy providing support to the local community this year.
Chard Community Hub and the Watch Project both share the building of the former Boden Club and Institute, which was constructed in 1892 for the benefit of the workers of the adjacent lace factory.
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More than 130 years later, the distinctive red brick building is once again being used to its full potential for the benefit of the local community. The accessible space is home to two charities that provide significant outreach and support in Chard and the surrounding areas.
Chard Community Hub moved to the current premises in January 2024 after expanding its services to meet the needs of the community. For Tessa Goodridge-Reynolds, Director of Events, the Boden Centre is “much less of an intimidating place” for people who require support.
“If people can come here and as for second hand uniform, it’s less intimidating than asking the school. We look at people holistically and a lot of the work we do means it won’t cost other services much in the future. We have worked hard to make it a non-judgemental space”, Tessa said.
Over time, the Hub’s services have expanded to include a community food fridge, repair hub, a drop-in space for police and social landlord surgeries, and a space for NHS nurses to support homeless individuals, among many other activities.
Key to the value of the Community Hub is its inclusivity, with free-to-access activities and services. To strengthen this and its community links, the Hub partnered with Holyrood Academy in March 2023.
Serena Wootton, Chair of Chard Community Hub, said: “From the moment people walk in, we are giving them solutions; it’s that instant. We are working collaboratively and no one is on a waiting list at the Hub. The only way to make it completely inclusive is to remove the charge.”
So far this year, the Hub’s Early Years support has been accessed 667 times and in July, its Community Fridge was visited 362 times – the highest monthly figure to date. In addition, since it was established, more than 1,300 items of pre-loved school uniform have been sold, swapped or given away.
The Watch Project, which provides peer support services to isolated adults, also shares the Boden Centre with the Community Hub and moved to the premises in July 2023. Founded in 2010, it is recognised as a “bedrock” of the local community and has grown in the last fifteen years to serve all of Somerset.
Julie Matthews BEM, CEO of Watch, said: “It is important people are not stigmatised when they need support. We appealed to the local community to just see what properties are out there and what possibilities could be available."
"Watch covers so many resources and our two hubs which run at Chard Rugby Club on a Wednesday and Thursday are funded from various funders over the years, such as Somerset Community Foundation, Abri Housing, the NHS, Open Mental Health Network, Big lottery, and local donations."
Julie continued: We are excited about our current delivery of training that support people that have long term barriers back into voluntary and paid employment with other organisations which has been funded by Somerset Council. We are developing a Peer Passport to walk alongside people who choose what pathway they want whether accessing conservation projects to animal management, health and wellbeing and we do this freely.”
The valued work of both charities has been recognised by Chard Town Council. David Bell, Chief Executive and Town Clerk, reflected on the work of both organisations, saying: “Councillors and Officers at Chard Town Council are continuing to work with a wide range of community providers and volunteers in the Chard area and these include the Watch and The Hub.”
“Recently, provision for our young people has been in the headlines and work continues. The Town Council has started to develop the KINDChard project, which is a knowledge and help directory with health and wellbeing at the core. Nineteen partners are involved, and the number is growing."
"The Hub and Watch are key providers within our community, and the Town Council encourages community involvement and partnership working.”
Addressing the future of the Boden Centre, which is earmarked for sale next year by Somerset Council, Mr Bell added: “The rumour doing the rounds at the moment is that Chard Town Council has been offered the Boden Centre at market value and are planning on buying it. This is not the case, and it would need a resolution at Full Council in order to enter into purchase discussions – if it were to be offered for sale.”
“The Boden Centre currently houses multiple organisations and, realistically, the Town Council is unable to rehouse all current users as we do not have an appropriate amount of space available” he ended.
To find out more about Chard Community Hub, visit: www.chardcommunityhub.com And to find out more about the Watch Project, visit: www.watchproject.org.uk
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