HSN – Faith & Community Land Proposal

Who we are

Hindu Samaj Northstowe (HSN) is a local community group and registered charity that has been active in Northstowe for around four years. We began as a small group of residents coming together to create a welcoming space for connection, culture, learning and service. Over time, we have grown into a well-organised volunteer team delivering regular activities and community events.

Through our programmes and outreach, we work with local families, schools, community venues and partner groups. We run youth and family sessions, cultural celebrations, wellbeing-focused activities, volunteering and community support, with an inclusive approach that welcomes people of all backgrounds.

Why we are making this proposal

Northstowe is growing quickly, and residents need more than a standard community centre offer. Our surveys show a clear need for an all-weather space built around three core priorities: interfaith connection, wellbeing support and culture. Families and young people have repeatedly highlighted the need for a safe, welcoming base for youth activities, learning, mentoring and positive social time, alongside spaces for support groups, workshops, arts and community volunteering.

Our approach meets these needs in a joined-up way. Northstowe currently has no Hindu place of worship, so we are proposing one that is open to all, alongside an interfaith community centre that welcomes people of any faith and people of no faith. Together, this creates one shared hub for community-led activity, from cultural celebrations and learning sessions to wellbeing programmes and interfaith gatherings, helping more people feel they belong and supporting Northstowe as it continues to grow.

Our project plan

Community Centre & Temple Project: an interfaith, wellbeing & cultural centre with a Hindu place of worship, serving Northstowe and surrounding villages.

We are proposing one integrated facility on the Phase 1 Faith & Community Land, bringing together:

• an interfaith community centre (for wellbeing, culture, learning and community-led use), and
  
  
• a Hindu place of worship (temple).
  
  

The building is intentionally planned so that around 79% is shared, bookable community space, and around 21% supports the temple function. The temple will be open to all — including Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, people of other faiths, and those of no faith.

Alongside this, the interfaith community centre will be a welcoming space for community-led activity, from cultural celebrations, arts and learning, youth clubs and workshops, to wellbeing sessions, support groups and volunteering. Most areas will be easy to book for local residents and organisations.

“From Northstowe, For Northstowe”

This Project has grown with local residents and is shaped around Northstowe’s needs. It is not something brought in from elsewhere.

• Local presence: Hindu Samaj Northstowe (HSN) has been active in Northstowe since 2022.
• Charity status: HSN is a registered charity (CIO) with clear governance and reporting.
• Delivery experience: We have a proven track record of delivering community, cultural and wellbeing activities across Northstowe and the wider Cambridge area.
• Strategic partners: We work with a carefully chosen mix of community and specialist partners to deliver practical benefits for a growing town, including youth support, wellbeing, volunteering, arts and culture, and interfaith community-building.

Why this matters for residents

Northstowe needs more than “another hall to hire.” As a new and fast-growing town, it will benefit from a shared interfaith, wellbeing and cultural space designed to help people feel they belong, build relationships across backgrounds, and access activities that support everyday life. This space will provide safe, welcoming provision for young people and families, alongside cultural learning, community support, and opportunities to volunteer and contribute. It will help Northstowe grow with stronger connection, identity and wellbeing.

Northstowe’s population has grown from 2,356 (2021) to 4,700+ (May 2025). Growth brings opportunity, but without enough places to gather it can also lead to isolation and wellbeing pressures. This hub is designed to support connection, learning, volunteering and community life, all in one accessible space.