Date published: 2022-06-06 | Category: Libraries, Community Funding, Delivering for local residents
New learning opportunities for people of all ages in the heart of the Foxhill, Combe Down and Mulberry Park community are set to begin at The Hub at Mulberry Park in Bath.
The Lifelong Learning project has been enabled through Bath & North East Somerset Council Section 106 funding. It is a result of a collaboration between a focus group of volunteers, The Hub, Mulberry Park Community Benefit Society and the council.
The initiative will encourage people to engage in lifelong learning through a range of activities, which have been identified in consultation with the community.
These will include IT support workshops, a book swap scheme, homework clubs and book clubs.
The council already provides books and council information services to the area via its mobile library which visits regularly.
It is anticipated that The Lifelong Learning project will initially run for three years. All activity will be co-ordinated by a member of The Hub team but its success will depend on support from volunteers from the community.
Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People and Communities, said: “Our mobile library already serves this area and we have three brilliant council-run libraries in B&NES offering a range of activities, but not every resident is able to travel to participate in them. It’s important for continued learning opportunities for people of all ages that library services are accessible for everyone, so I’m delighted that this exciting new community-led project will spread a love of literature and enrich people’s lives in the heart of the Foxhill, Combe Down and Mulberry Park community. This would not be possible without the support of our partners and community volunteers, so thank you to everyone who is working hard to make it a success.”
Mike Grist, Curo’s Director of Property Safety & Regeneration, said: “We’re really pleased the Section 106 funding that Curo paid to B&NES Council as part of our Mulberry Park development is being spent on this brilliant initiative. This lifelong learning project will benefit people of all ages living in the local community. It’s fantastic that it will be based at The Hub which is such an important community space for everyone in Foxhill, Combe Down and Mulberry Park.”
Jane Hill, Chairperson of the Hub User Group, said: “I am delighted that after three years in the planning, this initiative is finally a reality. It is an exciting and innovative project, particularly as it has been community led and represents the result of consulting with and realising the provisions identified by local residents from across the Combe Down area.
“Thanks to funding set aside by the developers and Bath & North East Somerset Council for the purpose of “library” facilities under the 106 rules, much can happen with no cost either to providers or to participants. It is so gratifying that equality of access to a wide range of learning facilities for all residents will be possible. The further development and success of the scheme now depend on volunteer assistance. I would urge anyone, who feels that they can offer support to get in touch with The Hub.
“As chairperson of the Hub User Group and having spearheaded the initiative, I would like to thank B&NES Library Services for their interest. I thank also the Community Benefit Society, who are responsible for the Hub and the managers of the Hub in particular for all their help and support throughout the development period.”
Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact the team at The Hub on 01225 436869 or through enquiries@mphub.co.uk.
Find out more about the council’s libraries and information services
ENDS