Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre

The community of Kirkshaws is located at the southern edge of Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire.  Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) was established in 1989 with support from Urban Aid funding to convert an ‘old housing stock’ 3 storey tenement into a community facility.

Over the years there have been significant changes in the areas physical appearance, in particular through improvements to existing housing stock and the construction of new properties.

KNC recognises that ‘bricks and mortar don’t make a community’ and improved housing alone has not addressed some of the underlying issues experienced by local people.  KNC tries to provide support to meet the priorities of local people.

Unincorporated Association

Comes from rental of Premises which is then utilised for core funding of Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre.

KNC  has a lease until March 2022  and pay a rentage to North Lanarkshire Council.

A Board of 12 local people meet quarterly but many of the Board are involved in the centre on a daily/weekly basis as all user groups and tenants are invited to get involved. Many of the Board have been involved for a number of years.

KNC has links with North Lanarkshire council and is funded through the CL&D partnership locality. It also has links with local primary and secondary schools, the local colleges and other voluntary sector partners. All user groups are invited to take a place on the Management Board. KNC also has partnerships with the Link housing associations who have a presence in Kirkshaws Community.

Former winner of SURF Award for best practice in involving local people in regeneration strategies. KNC youth brass band links with the Scottish Brass Band Association.

KNC has a range of flexible office and meeting space available for the local community. There are currently over 20 different user groups in KNC engaging 300-400 people of all ages each week – approximately 80% of whom are from Kirkshaws.

Accredited training and learning opportunities are delivered in response to the needs of local people.

KNC provides training in IT, training and employment opportunities, childcare, cookery/food hygiene and a job club for clients referred from Jobcentre Plus.

KNC also has a number of tenant organisations including Kirkshaws Tenants and Residents Associations who have played a role in addressing housing issues in the area.

Based in and run by KNC, Kirkshaws Tiny Tots Playgroup provides extremely low cost childcare to local families (£8.00 per Session), including a fully covered outdoor play area.

The training kitchen occupies a space that was previously a community shop which was closed due to a lack of demand and now provides a full programme of REHIS training and cookery workshop skills.

A community café and a small library are also located within KNC community facility.

The main challenges that the community face continue to be high level unemployment, poor health and education. For KNC the biggest challenge is continually sourcing funding to ensure the ongoing sustainability and continuation of the project.

Listen to the views of the local community.

Long term secured funding and community ownership of the facility.