South Brent Old School Community Centre provides an ever-increasing range of community activities and facilities, but in a building that is nearly 150 years old, and which is showing its age.

The Centre is owned by the South Brent Old School Community Centre charity and managed by a group of trustees.  The trustees are charged with managing the building and, under its charitable powers, providing facilities and services for everyone in South Brent and the surrounding area.    The need is great, and ever growing, and we want to ensure we can continue to support the local community for the next 150 years.

The fabric of the Old School building has reached a stage whereby the trustees consider it necessary to embark on a major renovation initiative, focusing mainly on the roof but considering other potential improvements such as solar panels on the roof and energy efficiency measures within the building.  We are also exploring options to improve the access to the Centre, the internal layout and the option to create rooms and offices in the roof space.

We have been conducting a range of technical surveys and assessments, and in September & October 2024 we held a community-wide Consultation with our partners and the community about our proposed plans and ideas.

 

We need your help to secure the future of our Community Centre for the next 150 years!

Help us to make the Old School Community Centre warm, dry and welcoming so we can continue to serve the community long into the future!  Click here to see our proposals.

 

Donate to our Fundraising Campaign

We’ve got a lot to raise in order to secure the future of the Centre, and every little helps.  Donate now via our Just Giving page!

 

 

Thank You for Your Input – Your Support Counts!

Together, we can make the Old School Community Centre warm, dry and welcoming, ensuring it can continue to be an essential part of the South Brent Community for another 150 years!

 

Results from our Consultation Survey

A big thank you to the 400 people who filled in our Survey in Sept/Oct 2024. We are happy to report that:

• 88% of you feel the Centre is important / extremely important to you
• 92% of you agree that the roof needs replacing
• 93% of you agree that when we replace the roof, we should install insulation and solar panels
• 89% of you agree that we should also upgrade the heating system.

Your support means that we can begin to move forward with the works we need to do to secure the future of the Centre. The Trustees are undertaking detailed design work and fundraising, with the intention that the improvement works will start next year.

A new roof means that all the many varied things that happen at the Centre will be able to continue. From the Post Office to Lunch Club, Yoga to Dance classes, Knit & Natter to Karate, there is something for everyone at the Old School Community Centre. And whatever you come in for, you are sure to receive a warm welcome, a friendly smile, and probably a cup of tea!

 

What’s Next?

We will be making an exciting announcement in early 2025 about our Rejuvenating the Centre project and fundraising appeal, but in the meantime do please keep giving via our Just Giving page.

If you’d like to support us through becoming a Member, a Volunteer or a Trustee, contact the Centre Manager Michelle Parton: info@theoldschool.org.uk 07707 723637

 

 

Our Proposals – Plans for the Future

1. Replace the Roof

Repair the 150-year-old timberwork and replace battens, felt and slates, making the roof safe, durable and watertight.

2. Solar Panels and Insulation

Fully insulate the roof and generate as much electricity as we can from solar panels, reducing our impact on the environment and lowering our energy bills.

3. New Eco-Friendly Heating System

Upgrade the internal heating system in the most efficient way possible, ensuring that the Centre will be warm without costing the earth. Air source heat pumps or infrared systems are being considered.

 

Future Aspirations

In the next 5-10 years, if we could raise significant extra funds, we could be even more ambitious and consider the following (if there was sufficient local interest and need):

• Improved Entrance and Toilet Facilities

The current entrance to the Centre could be replaced with a new foyer and atrium, and new toilets, creating a more welcoming entrance to the building.

• Better Use of the Roof Space

There’s a lot of space in the roof! We could renovate the roof space to create 8 or 9 rooms / offices / studios to be let to local businesses, charities, artists or individuals, creating a vibrant work hub, and extending our ability to provide a home for local groups.