What you’ll be able to do here
A genuinely shared building (not restricted by faith)
Shared spaces will be managed through:
- one transparent booking system, and
- an inclusive use policy,
so any Northstowe resident or local group can book on equal terms.
Interfaith in practice: The Community Centre will be suitable for a wide range of community-led and faith-led activities. For example, it can host learning classes, Islamic classes, Iftar celebrations, baptism gatherings, Sikh celebrations such as Vaisakhi, Jain observances such as Paryushana, and seasonal cultural festivals such as Passover and Chinese New Year, alongside many other community celebrations. The space will also be available for residents with no faith, including wellbeing sessions, support groups, learning workshops, and community meetings. All activities will be delivered respectfully and in line with the centre’s safeguarding and shared-use guidelines.
What’s inside
The building includes two dedicated Prayer / Reflection Rooms intended for multi-faith use. They will be available for communities including Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Sikh residents, as well as those of no faith. The same respectful rules and safeguarding standards will apply to everyone.
Shared spaces are planned to be bookable seven days a week, with daytime and evening access, so working residents and youth groups can genuinely use the facility.
We offer a warm, flexible hub designed for everyday community life, not only occasional events. Spaces include:
- A main hall that can subdivide into smaller rooms for youth activities, workshops, performances and celebrations
- Meeting rooms and quiet spaces for mentoring, advice sessions, support groups and community organising
- Multi-purpose rooms for classes, clubs, wellbeing sessions, counselling, arts, learning and interfaith activities
- A community kitchen to support community meals, cooking workshops and cultural food events
- Inclusive access throughout, with step-free entry and accessibility features such as ramps and a lift
- A café and everyday wellbeing offer: the design includes a small café facing green spaces with views across the lake, creating a calm, welcoming place to meet and spend time. Alongside this, we plan a micro grocery or community pantry-style offer focused on sustainable, healthy essentials. This will help the centre support wellbeing in practical, everyday ways.
Programme focus (based on what residents told us)
Based on consultation and resident feedback, our programme will focus on:
- Youth and learning
- Wellbeing and support
- Arts, culture and celebration
- Environment and sustainability
Why youth provision is a priority: Northstowe is a young and growing town. Our bid estimates there may be around 1,200 to 1,350 children and young people, including approximately 480 to 540 aged 11 to 19, based on recent population estimates and age profiles. We also draw on youth voice work, including Youth Parliament Week activities, where young people highlighted the need for more dedicated youth spaces and opportunities as a local priority.
Co-building: designed with residents.
This proposal has been shaped through structured community input, including a formal survey. We are committed to ongoing co-design if the bid is successful, so local residents continue to influence the layout, priorities and how the hub is run.
For that reason, the Project currently uses a working description:
“Interfaith, wellbeing and cultural centre with a Hindu place of worship.”
The Project will be formally named through community consultation after the award.
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