Refurbishment of Northchurch Social Centre

Having been built over 50 years ago, our ageing building is in need of urgent upgrade and refurbishment so that it can meet the needs of our users both now and in future generations.  

We remain 100% committed to providing a building that can be used by the whole community as our primary aim.  So whether that is for a children’s birthday party, an exercise class or as a place of worship we will provide a warm welcome to all.  Our vision is that the Social Centre will remain as a “bridge” which connects different individuals and groups in Northchurch. And furthermore, this vision is protected for future generations in the constitution of the charity that runs the Social Centre.

Having looked at several different ways to refurbish or rebuild, the trustees have decided to upgrade and improve what we already have whilst adding a small extension to increase our capacity and flexibility. The building layout remains extremely helpful for all the hirers that we speak to. We believe that with better insulation (meaning lower carbon emissions and warmer rooms!), and some simple alterations to entrances, corridors and flexible walls that we can create more hiring options for more users. The refurbishment will happen in stages:

  • Replace central heating boiler – completed January 2022

  • Replace roof – creating a warmer, more efficient space  - completed Autumn 2022

  • Extension to be built on the front, housing a new office and creating space internally for a new meeting room – planned for 2024 – fundraising in progress

  • Refurbish the walls and fabric of the rest of the building - planned for 2024 onwards – fundraising in progress

This is a really exciting time for the Social Centre. We hope you will join us in looking forward to our warmer, drier, more flexible and more accessible facilities over the coming years.

For further information on the refurbishment, to make a donation or sponsor elements of the refurb, please contact Gillian Austin, Chair of Trustees, on gillian@northchurch-social-centre.co.uk