Founded in 1945, it’s one of the oldest community associations in the country.  As a registered charity, they are independently managed by a board of volunteer trustees – elected by the user groups and individual members who are affiliated to the Association. They have a small team of dedicated office and caretaking staff, but a great deal of activity is undertaken by volunteers.

Their one-acre site sits in a conservation area and their ‘Homestead’ building is Grade 2 listed. The original farm structures have been extended and improved over the years to create a large complex of community buildings.

They receive no public funding for the running of the facilities – the costs are covered entirely by income from their users. On top of that, renewing and improving the facilities depends heavily on fundraising and donations.

southwickcommunitycentre.org.uk