The Centre was launched in 2001 as a UK Healthy Living Centre. However, that funding came to an end in 2004 and it now operates as a more generic community centre with a healthy living ethos. At present, the centre is a project of Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI). This will change in April 2008 when the centre is due to become an independent project. It is located on Sidwell Street, opposite Somerfield and is right in the heart of Exeter.
The centre's mission statement:
'Build a stronger, healthier, more inclusive community' in central Exeter, 'by providing a wide range of centre-based activities, learning opportunities and support services, developed with local people and other organisations' (anon, 2007).
It offers several regular services to the general public such as inexpensive internet access five days a week, and a café selling healthy food open on Wednesday and Thursdays. Rooms at the centre can be hired out and are currently used by various community groups to run classes, activities or hold meetings. Groups include organisations like Magic Carpet which provides creative opportunities for various community groups, and the Hikmat Social Contact Group which provides a space for Muslim elders and other minority groups to meet. The St Sidwell's Centre has four paid members of staff, and approximately 25 regular volunteers.
Specific aims and objectives of the centre:
1. Health & Well-Being
Facilitate in partnership with other agencies, a variety of activities and services that help promote and improve the health and well-being of the local community and other centre users.
2. Community Development & Inclusion
Facilitate access to information and a variety of activities and groups that help promote social inclusion, and build the ability of the local community to participate.
3. I.C.T. & Internet Access
Improve access to information & communications technology and encourage the local community to participate in learning and educational opportunities.4. Community Café
Provide café space and facilitate an independent organisation to operate a café with an emphasis on healthy eating and an affordable diverse menu.
5. Environment & Sustainability
Facilitate in partnership with other agencies a “green” space adjacent to the centre, to promote environmental sustainability, and endeavour to reduce our carbon footprint by minimising our energy use.
6. Staffing & Volunteering
Provide appropriate levels of staffing, management and support systems. To provide and facilitate a wide range of high quality volunteering and student placement opportunities, in order that the project’s aims and objectives are achievable.
7. Organisational Sustainability & Community Involvement
Ensure the sustainability of the organisation as a community centre and help promote local community participation and involvement.
How do we work?
The way we work, or our values, are as important to us as what we actually do. Indeed for social cohesion and community development project, the two are inextricably linked. We aim to work in the following ways:
• Recognising the uniqueness of each individual whatever their background
• Celebrating the important contribution individuals and groups can make to the community
• Promoting health in the broadest sense
• Working in partnership with others to identify the most appropriate ways of responding to need and challenging social exclusion
•Supporting the development of independent projects and initiatives where possible
• Understanding the importance of the environment and using resources wisely
• Promoting Equal Opportunities and diversity, and challenging discrimination
• Providing a safe environment
• Demonstrating a professional approach including the provision of quality services and good organisational practice
• Recognising the importance of apposite research, and the need for regular monitoring and evaluation of our work
• Acknowledging the rich history of this ancient Christian site.
Who do we work with to achieve our aims?
The centre works with a wide range of partners including local people, community groups and organisations, voluntary groups, statutory agencies, training providers, local businesses, such as the following;
Exeter Community Initiatives |
A4E |
Local partners in our Membership scheme:
- Hartnell's Butchers
- Ki Health
- Sidwell Cycles
- Stokes Greengrocers
- Healthy Pulses
- Lindsay & Sons
What are our priorities for future work?
By their very nature, objectives need to be specific, but this can conflict with the need for an open-ended and responsive approach that is required for real community development to take place. This means that although it is planned for the project to undertake the broad areas of work set out below, the more detailed aspects of work and numerical targets may need to change in order to respond to local needs, and people's experience of what works best locally. The also include work facilitated and supported by the project, but not necessarily directly managed by us. In particular we are exploring a range of options to enable our objective relating to the Café to be achieved. As far as this plan is concerned, any future options for the café will need to be fully self financing due to staffing structures.
Specific objectives of the centre include:
• offering a variety of activities which promote social inclusion
• building up the capacities of the local community
• giving families and older people a wide range of opportunities
• promoting environmental sustainability
• providing educational and learning opportunities, especially with regards to IT