How to find and contact us
We're just up Bell Lane in Northchurch, on the outskirts of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. About 150m up the lane on the right, set back from the road, with our own large carpark for Centre hirers/users.
Northchurch Social Centre
Bell Lane
Northchurch
HP4 3RD
01442 863243
Centre Manager: Linzi Wesley
(Mon, Wed, Fri 9:30-11:30-am)
info@northchurch-social-centre.co.uk
Follow us on facebook.com/NorthchurchSocialCentreOfficialPage or instagram.com/northchurchsocialcentre
A little about us and our history
Northchurch is a village on the outskirts of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Northchurch Social Centre opened its doors in September 1969 and for over 50 years has provided a space for the community to meet, learn, play, dance, grow, socialise and flourish together. In doing so it serves all ages within the community, ranging from the very young with baby and toddler classes, right through to the more mature at the University of the Third Age; and serves groups that provide learning, skills development, physical exercise or an expression of faith. The Social Centre truly represents all the diversity of the community it serves.
The idea of a village hall was first discussed in 1965, and shortly after, local residents started to give money into the newly formed Northchurch and District Association. Soon after that, Albert Seymour very generously gave the land, which had previously been the yard for his taxi and coach company, to the Association. To this day the Social Centre remains a community space in an area where property prices are soaring and such an asset would be almost impossible to create again.
In 2018 the Centre became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) – an independent charity run by volunteers. It works closely with one off and regular hirers and partners and remains unequivocally committed to being a resource for all the regular and occasional user groups that come to it from Northchurch and the surrounding areas.
We have seen our busiest period so far in the last year, welcoming new groups and hirers, and an annual footfall of over 30,000 people. In order to meet local need, a refurbishment programme has been undertaken to upgrade the building – read more on on our refurbishment page.
Our team
As an independent charity, Northchurch Social Centre is run by a dedicated team of volunteers, supported by one part time staff member.
Centre Manager – Linzi Wesley (Mon, Wed, Fri 9:30-11:30am) - info@northchurch-social-centre.co.uk
Chair of Trustees – Gillian Austin, Chair of Trustees - gillian@northchurch-social-centre.co.uk
Trustees: Andrew Payne, Antony Barker, Yvonne Larkins and Parmjit Moyo
The Centre is also supported by volunteer committee members, as well as a dedicated team of volunteers who help run our Community Coffee on Friday mornings, and other events such as our annual Open Day.
To find out more about supporting the running of Northchurch Social Centre by giving your time, visit our get involved page.