how
to / create centres / buildings
Those
aiming to set up a Community Resource Centre normally
find themselves approaching the vexed question of premises
from one of two angles.
In both cases
there is a risk of becoming too "building focussed".
Remember that the most important aspect of a Community
Resource Centre is Community: the people it is there
to help and the activity and opportunities it generates.
Size isn't everything.
A prestigious premises is not necessarily the recipe
for success - although whatever the size here will be
similar key issues to be considered.
Successful telecentres
have been started from little more than a lean-to on
someone's garage. You can run public IT access from
a corner in a small Post Office, village hall or a library.
Given the right opportunities, some have started up
in style, for example KC3
in Gloucestershire. Others, like WREN,
have started small and expanded gradually. To find more
centres, Inforurale
is a useful web-based directory - when you get there,
just click on the telecentres link. You can also try
the TCA.
Focussed
on a building?
If you are hoping
to acquire the lease or freehold of a building, and
you are operating as a community group, it is highly
advisable to form a legally recognised body (Legal
Structure)
to hold and manage the asset.
A building can
present many different possibilities and arouse different
emotions in those who focus on its potential. Decide
what is your main aim or intention, or your group will
risk splitting into those whose aims could turn out
to be conflicting: for example those whose primary vision
is community IT access, those who want to preserve or
create a general community space, those who are business-minded
and those who want to preserve a community heritage.
Many efforts
flounder on these points. Consider preservation versus
practical use and potential income versus affordable
access. The best way to do this is to work through the
Business Planning process
- at least far enough to see if using the building is
feasible. There are many good printed resources and
books on the subject.
If you can see
difficulties on the horizon get help as soon as possible
from an outside expert: an architect, a business advisor
or community development consultant. (see more
help)
An
idea looking for a home?
If you do not
have a building in mind you are, in many ways, better
off than those who do. You are free to plan, prioritise
and cost your project, then look for premises that fit
the bill. Remember you can share premises - see below
for sharing and hosting.
Key
issues
Some of the important
things to consider about premises are listed below,
with links to further information:
- Access:
how will people find you, get to you, get in easily?
- Legalities:
health and safety and other regulations with which
you must comply.
- Flexible
spaces: the different uses you have have within
the centre.
- Sharing
and hosting: could you set up in someone else's
building - or let space if you have more than you
need?
how
to / create centres / buildings
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