Posted on 1st Feb
A community hub offering more access to policing services and face-to-face meetings is proving itself to be a successful service for residents.
Around 400 visitors have walked through the Chatham Court community hubs doors since it first opened in August 2021.
The one-stop-shop for community services is being used on an ad-hoc basis by policing teams, which include neighbourhood officers and detectives from the Newark criminal investigation department to carry out face-to-face services, such as victim interviews.
Residents have also benefited from face-to-face contact for a variety of enquiries about council and partner services.
The centre offers a range of activities, including access to local services via drop-in sessions, a gardening club, activities for children and young people and tenant focussed coffee mornings, and was set up as part of the Newark Safer Streets project.
Around 50 residents attended over the Christmas holidays, with children receiving gifts from Santa and families coming together to sing Christmas carols, all while having the opportunity to speak with the district council’s tenant involvement staff.
Built as part of the Safer Streets project, the hub is a joint partnership between the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Police, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council that was initiated to improve security in areas particularly affected by crimes such as burglary, vehicle theft and robbery.
The project works towards deterring crime and anti-social behaviour by strengthening community cohesion and enhancing the local environment.
Inspector Charlotte Allardice, district commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “It’s great to hear that the Hub at Chatham Court is getting good and positive feedback and being used by so many people in the local community.
“The opening of the hub in August this year in Newark town centre meant our officers could have more vital face-to-face policing and speak to residents about any concerns they may have.
“This hub is great way to highlight how well we work alongside our partners in making sure the people of Newark are supported and feel they have somewhere to turn to speak about any issues they may be having.
“It’s a great way for us to be accessible to the public and we would encourage everyone to continue using the hub and coming in to speak with officers so we can help in any way we can with any issues of concern.”
The hub is based at a former one-bedroom, ground floor council flat, which was transformed into a community space, featuring a new ramped external entrance, meeting room and office and was complete with computers with internet access for residents to use.
Coun David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “It is brilliant to see that the Hub at Chatham Court is being used by so many people in the local community.
“It was created with the hope of making it much easier for residents to access the support, information and services they need to improve their lives and resolve any issues they have, and I know many residents are benefitting from this. I’m so pleased that residents are using the Hub to join together for coffee mornings and clubs; community cohesion is so important and the hub is a fantastic way to bring everyone together.”
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “It is really rewarding to see the Chatham Community Hub being used so widely by local people.
“The pandemic has reminded us how important our social networks and connections are for our health and wellbeing and I’m pleased this new facility has become the focus of positive activity for so many people.”
The district council would like to receive feedback on what else the Hub could be used for to benefit the local community. If you have any ideas, contact [email protected].
