Capacitybuilders announce £2m new capital investment in third sector resource centres

Four flagship resource centre projects in Blackburn, Scarborough, Gateshead and Slough are in line to receive grants of up to £500,000.

The grants are being awarded under the final strand of Capacitybuilders’ Capital Investment Programme of £7m, funded through the Office of the Third Sector.  With additional match funding of at least 50% from other sources, the investment will support the development of new resource centre facilities and shared services for co-located organisations.

Coast and Moors Voluntary Action, Scarborough

Using their grant of £500,000, Coast and Moors Voluntary Action in Scarborough is purchasing land and constructing a new, flexible, purpose built community resource hub.  The centre will offer high quality work space, supported by shared spaces such as meeting rooms and hot desk virtual office solutions, enabling them to increase the infrastructure services that they offer, whilst being environmentally sustainable with excellent access provisions.

Slough Council for Voluntary Service

Slough Council for Voluntary Service is working in partnership with Slough Borough Council to use their £500,000 grant to build the Thames Valley Community Centre. As well as supplying quality office and meeting space to key frontline organisations this new build will be a 'gathering point' for smaller organisations seeking advice, support or simply the means to plan their work more effectively.

Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service

Using their grant of £500,000, Blackburn with Darwen CVS  is refurbishing and upgrading one of their three resource centre premises.  With the addition of a fourth floor, they will offer local third sector organisations additional multifunction space. They also plan to create a comprehensive resource and equipment library that will be housed in the centre and provide a space for co-located services for children and young people, including a day centre and night shelter.

Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau

With funding for the first two floors of their resource centre already secured, Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau is using their £490,000 grant to develop the remaining two floors of this new build.  Once complete, a wide range of local third sector groups will be able to access services, and vital workspace including an incubation space and conference centre.

Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector said: 

"I'm really pleased to be investing £2 million in redeveloping these four resource centres. Once completed they will provide vital community hubs that can be used by charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises to provide high quality services for their communities.”

Matt Leach, CEO of Capacitybuilders said:

“The Capital Investment Programme was launched by Capacitybuilders in 2008 to support the improvement and development of local third sector resources centres.  Under the first two strands of the programme, 166 local resource centres across England have been awarded grants to make smaller scale improvements to their premises, helping to ensure that a wide range of frontline organisations have better access to better shared facilities and services within their local area.”