On Monday 25 September, Wormley Community Centre welcomed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to its Big Local Breakfast Club.
It was an opportunity for him to witness first-hand the much needed project tackling social isolation and the cost of living in Wormley and Turnford, whilst also visiting one of the community assets which has been awarded funding from the Community Ownership Fund government programme.
The Community Ownership Fund (CoF) is a £150 million fund spread over 4 years to support community groups across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland with taking ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost.
Broxbourne Big Local has been awarded £165,000 capital funding and £33,000 revenue funding from the Community Ownership Fund to support the development of Wormley Community Centre.
Big Local was given a 999 year lease on the Community Centre by Broxbourne Council in 2021. Big Local aims to make the Centre financially sustainable so that it can continue to survive and serve the needs of the community for the long term.
Broxbourne Big Local Chair, Noelle Blackman, said :
This funding will go towards building phase one of the planned refurbishment of Wormley’s treasured Community Centre. We already have the other half of the funding from the Big Local funds. This part of our plan is to extend the kitchen, bar and foyer and upgrade the toilets. We hope to start the building work early in the New Year which is very exciting.
Also sharing his thoughts on the funding received, Councillor Lewis Cocking, Leader of Broxbourne Council, said:
I am delighted that Wormley Community Centre has been awarded funding from the Community Ownership Fund. The additional level of support will not only improve existing facilities at the centre but will increase the ability of Wormley and Turnford Big Local to work with local residents, creating better opportunities for all.
For more community news and updates visit www.broxbourne.gov.uk/news