Twechar Community Action

A former mining and quarrying village, Twechar is one of Scotland’s 15% most deprived areas. Twechar Community Action was formed in 2001 as a response to the closure of the Local Aurthority owned recreation centre in Twechar. Twechar Community Action transformed the centre into the Twechar Healthy Living and Enterprise Centre – a community hub which houses a full time pharmacy, a satellite GP surgery, café, sports hall and meeting rooms, and a vast range of activities and services. Twechar Community Action has its origins in the desire of local people to retain and improve one of the few facilities and amenities in the village.

Company limited by guarantee with charitable status

£37,000

Fixtures and fittings, sports equipment etc (Don’t own the building – lease from Council)

Twechar Community Action was formed as a response to the closure of the Council owned and operated recreation centre and have been managing and operating the centre since April 2001.

Voluntary Board of seven – must be residents or have an active involvement in Twechar. Voted on at AGM by members who also must be residents or have an active involvement in the local community .

Convene regular focus groups re regeneration issues; bring local organisations together at regular networking and fundraising events; engage wider community at community fairs and engage local people through the quarterly newsletter that is produced collaboratively with other Twechar organisations.

Member of Health Social Enterprise network, Council for Voluntary Services. Currently becoming a member of Development Trust Association Scotland. Represent Twechar at East Bartonshire Community Planning Partnership and Addiction Strategy Group. Provide venue for satellite surgeries- CAB, Police, Volunteer Centre, Job Centre Plus.

Yes. Twechar Healthy Living & Enterprise Centre is located in the heart of the village and provides a focus for much of the learning, social, recreational and community activities in the village.

Yes. Provide learning/training opportunities through Lifelong Learning Team – a collaboration between TCA, local authority and the community college.

The Healthy Living & Enterprise Centre provides facilities for learning and training, health and well-being activities, cultural, sport and recreational pursuits as well as offering accommodation for community groups, a café, sports hall, youth club, meeting rooms, pharmacy /holistic therapies, beauty salon and garden maintenance project. Also have dedicated space for a future GP service.

Yes. Develop and manage, but do not own the buildings and land.

• Forming a company limited by guarantee with charitable status to assume responsibility for the management and operation of the centre. • Securing agreement to lease the centre facilities from the local authority. • Developed the centre into a Healthy Living & Enterprise Centre through recruiting volunteers from the community to assist in the operation – securing new tenants and letting accommodation including provision of a dedicated pre-fives facility, youth club and cafe for the area.

Achieving a balance between meeting community needs and maximizing income

The need to make all aspects of the facility flexible and multi-purpose

• Refurbishment of indoor sports facility • Developing environment/garden maintenance project as an income earner • Further develop outdoor play areas • Get core costs covered through service level agreement with Council