Voluntary and Community Sector Hub

The Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Hub is a highly ambitious project which aims to transform the way the sector does its business.The need for a 'community resource' centre has been identified by a range of voluntary and social enterprise organisations, including key members of the black and minority ethnic communities. The Hub would offer shared accommodation with access to training rooms and resources, meeting rooms and conference facilities. It is envisaged that the Hub would not just be a 9am-5pm facility, but that it could provide 'out of office hours' accommodation for a range of community needs, including social and sporting activities.

Why are we considering this project?

Most voluntary organisations will recognise the difficulties in finding enough money to keep their organisations going - these costs are commonly referred to as core costs and are often the most difficult to fund. By co-locating we can reduce the overhead costs faced by us all individually, including sharing administration support and equipment, reception and perhaps other support costs like PAYE.Shared accommodation for a range of agencies will improve services for users e.g. longer office opening hours, the possibility of a 'one stop shop' for services and the sector would benefit from the pooled expertise which will improve the quality of support we can offer.Voluntary and community sector organisations traditionally operate from poorer quality accommodation when compared to other sectors. The Hub will provide an opportunity to establish a first class working environment for staff, volunteers and service users - together we can afford better resources and would have access to our own training, meeting and conference facilities.We also hope the Hub will eventually provide an income for its stakeholders through external bookings of the facilities, and jointly we will be better able to market our saleable activities to create new and sustainable sources of funding e.g. the provision of training, the development of a Community Café, and maybe inclusion of a shop to market products produced by the sector.The project, if successful, will be designed to meet a wide range of needs covering a broad range of interests including those of the black and minority communities, children and young people and people with disabilities, helping to equalise disadvantage suffered by minority groups. It will seek to reposition the voluntary and social enterprise sector to a level where services are a first choice for commissioners and service users alike. It will be seen as an example of true and equal partnership in action.

So what progress has been made?

We have completed a 1st stage feasibility study document overseen by a Hub feasibility Steering Group "made up of" key stakeholders and funded by Yorkshire Forward.  The work has been carried out by Pulse Regeneration and commissioned by North Lincs Council.The outcomes of study are:

  • The West Street/Clarke Street site is the preferred option largely because the business case for that site is stronger e.g. greater footfall supporting the café, more accessible for users, close to the High Street.
  • The Baths Hall remains as an option.
  • The business case for the on-going revenue costs is reasonable (particularly for West Street site). The building is predicted to break even with 60% occupancy based on rents of around £10 per square foot + service charges, which is quite a lot higher than any of the potential occupants are currently paying, however most are in crowded and sub-standard accommodation. It is around £4 less than market rate for similar quality accommodation.
  • The capital build/fittings costs are around £5 million (slightly less for Baths Hall).
  • Finding the funding for the capital build/fitting costs will be challenging and is likely to include some loan finance (not yet costed into business case).
  • The recommended legal structure is a Company Limited by Guarantee and registered charity (or Charitable Company) with directors being representative of investors or major stakeholders including the Council. The members being the users. They also recommend an advisory group sitting under the Board which would include other stakeholders.

The next stage will be to complete a more detailed business and funding feasibility study for the project and hopefully identify and secure the final site. The hard work begins - apply for funding for and securing funds for the building work!