With the support of Community First Yorkshire, this community centre has transformed concerns about its future by developing a clear business plan.

What was the challenge?

The Broughton Road Community Centre’s trustees felt it was not reaching its full potential. Issues with the space and the need for vital repairs were limiting how the centre was able to support the community.
Trustees felt that their lack of experience and focus was hindering their ambitions to fundraise and ultimately build a new community space.

Andy at Community First Yorkshire said: “Working with Broughton Road Community Centre has been uplifting. Helping them to change their business focus and seeing how they’ve transformed the way they support their community has been inspirational.”

How did Community First Yorkshire help?

The trustees approached Community First Yorkshire for help with writing a business plan and advice on how to secure the building.
Andy from Community First Yorkshire spent time with the trustees at Broughton Road and took them back to basics to identify what they really wanted and how to meet their goals. He put the trustees in touch with a group who had been through a similar process, in Grewelthorpe, who were willing to let the trustees visit their new building and ask questions. The meeting gave the trustees inspiration and hope that securing the future of their community space could be achieved.
Andy helped the group to survey residents to find out what they wanted. The trustees then used the results to write their own business plan. Mark [at Community First Yorkshire] ran a training session on site to help the trustees.

“Without Community First Yorkshire we would still be struggling to identify what first steps we need to take to secure a realistic future for the centre. Community First Yorkshire has really given us the opportunity to move things on,” says Chris.

About the Organisation

Broughton Road Community Centre is a charity run exclusively by volunteer trustees. The building is a mixed-use community venue, rented from the local Methodist Church Circuit charity.
Some of the building is let on a commercial basis and holds events from children’s parties to Eid celebrations. Voluntary and social groups also use the space including a community Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) self-help group and the local Neighbourhood Watch.
The Centre is a vital meeting place for the community, in the heart of the Broughton Road community.

Ruksana, a trustee, said: “Having [Community First Yorkshire] has been fabulous. Their experience and support have been reassuring… particularly the way they have guided members to take ownership and build on their strengths. They spent a huge amount of time with us to really understand the community and us. They’ve delivered at a local level with the expertise and specialisms of a bigger organisation behind… Now the trustees work well together,” said Ruksana.

What does the future look like?

Broughton Road Community Centre now has a realistic plan which involves a closer working partnership with the Methodists and the future community use of the building is secure. With their current community space secured, the trustees are finally able to really start fundraising to further improve their centre.

Do you need help with…

• Securing income for your organisation or project?
• Turning your ideas of becoming a new community organisation into a reality?
• Benefitting from greater security as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)?
• Thinking about reviewing your organisation and planning ahead?
• Understanding trustee’s legal roles and responsibilities?
• Benefitting from a financial health check?

Our advisers can help. Call us today 01904 704177 communitysupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

How we can help you

As a registered charity, we understand your needs. Our local advisers work across North Yorkshire and will come to you to ensure you get access to the best quality advice and guidance including funding advice, helping you set up as a community organisation, governance and trustees, finance support, marketing advice, and exploring ways to further develop your organisation.
If you know a community group, charity or social enterprise that needs some support to be even more successful, contact one of our friendly advisors on 01904 704177 or communitysupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

The trustees journey has been supported by the North Yorkshire County Council Stronger Communities Programme.

Community Support North Yorkshire is funded by North Yorkshire County Council and NHS North Yorkshire.