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Eastmoor Community Project Limited was established in 1996 and operated from a number of venues on the estate, an empty shop and the old vicarage included.  We are now based at St Swithun’s Community Centre, a busy and welcoming building in the heart of Eastmoor Estate.

 

In 2001 we received a grant that enabled us to build the St Swithun’s Community Centre on Arncliffe Road. Previously a church hall had been situated there. We had lots of community involvement, consultation and participation before the new building was designed and built.

 

We then applied for further grants to enable us to employ staff to run the building. This is an ongoing process, although we are helped by a small grant from the Council’s Adult and Community Education Service on whose behalf we run classes and from lettings of rooms for seminars by other agencies and many other activities organised by or with our community. 

 

In June 2014 we became a registered charity.  Registered Charity - No 1157557

 

Funding for the maintenance and running of the building is raised by offering a high-quality service to corporate clients, who hire rooms and facilities for conferences, training, usually incorporating a buffet lunch. Independent social groups hire the venue for their specific activities and contribute to this. We have facilities which are available to hire, with a variety of meeting rooms including a conference suite and activity hall and IT suite.

 

Projects are run in response to need and community demand in our area and have been successful in receiving funding over the years from: - Warburtons, Children in Need, WMDC, Live Well Wakefield, Coalfields Regeneration, The National Lottery Community Fund, Postcode Communities Trust and many more.  Most recently, funding from The National Lotteries Reaching Communities grant funded a well-being project which focused on health and well-being support, enabling members of the local community to develop coping strategies and support networks to support good physical and mental wellbeing. These have included groups for carers and tots, crafting, exercise, walking, cookery and more.

 

To ensure we provide a varied and needs focused offer, we partner with more than 30 local organisations, working together for our community and the Wakefield District.  Partnership development is facilitated by our membership of Nova Wakefield District.

 

The Centre is home to our community café, Café on the Moor, providing home cooked and healthy food options, corporate lunches and home deliveries to our more vulnerable members of the community.

 

Our community centre is home to a neighbourhood nursery run by St Georges Lupset.  They offer a welcoming, stimulating and caring environment for children from birth to five years old. The childcare is affordable, and the nurseries are Ofsted-registered with all of them rated either good or outstanding.

 

Everyone walking through the doors can expect a warm, friendly welcome in a comfortable environment and support to access our services. The centre is for all the community and you are very welcome. Why not drop in for a cup of tea.

 

If you have any suggestions of what you would like to see, let us know!