[T]he official re-opening of a Carlisle City Council community resource centre has taken place.
The Shaddongate Resource Centre building, based in Carlisle, has recently re-opened after a period of reinstatement work following Storm Desmond in December 2015 and is now the base for the head office of Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).
As part of the official re-launch, Cumbria CVS held an open event on Tuesday 18 July 2017. The Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman and the Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Trish Vasey took part in a ribbon-cutting to officially re-open the building.
HM Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman, said: “Cumbria CVS is a very important anchor as a source of advice and support for small voluntary organisations which are the life-blood of our communities. I am delighted that the refurbished Shaddongate building will enable the CVS to expand its reach and profile and to connect with and support a greater number of voluntary groups. I look forward to Shaddongate becoming a hub for volunteers.”
The Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Trish Vasey, added: “I’m delighted to see the Shaddongate Resource open again and would like to wish the CVS, and all the other tenants, my best wishes for the future. Under the new management of Cumbria CVS, the centre will become a hub of activity in Carlisle and is already hosting a number of local organisations.”
Around 12 staff, from both their Penrith and Carlisle offices, have taken up residence in the newly reinstated building, whilst other Cumbria CVS development staff remain in the west, the south and Barrow.
Cllr Colin Glover, Leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “The Shaddongate Resource Centre is ideally situated to be a hub for agencies supporting local communities. It’s always been the aim to use the building as the base for the support sector and we’re delighted to welcome CVS Cumbria as the new tenants. We wish them every success for the future and look forward to seeing the building develop into a valuable community resource.”
Cumbria CVS has taken on the head tenancy at Shaddongate and would like to encourage other local groups to consider joining them in the building alongside new and returning tenants.
The resource centre hosts a range of facilities. It has disabled access and parking, a Changing Places Facility, a newly refurbished community hall, a kitchen, wi-fi throughout the building and various room spaces available to hire for conferences, training sessions, workshops or one to ones. Cumbria CVS looks forward to welcoming local groups and organisations to utilise these.
Many groups have already returned to the building, these include the Oaklea Trust and Creative Horizons. They join the Carlisle Boxing Club who through the sheer commitment from their volunteers, have continued to offer sessions at the facility since the floods.
Laura Cadman, Chief Executive Officer of Cumbria CVS, said: “Our open day was a great opportunity for local networking and a real celebration of partnership working. We were delighted the event was so well supported and thank everybody who came along. The ribbon cutting marked our official opening and we hope to be welcoming more of the community through the doors and creating a space which is vibrant and a hub for positive activity.”
To contact Cumbria CVS call them on 01768 800350; email [email protected] or visit http://cumbriacvs.org.uk/
