Mission Statement :

We are dedicated to improving and upgrading the Community Hall, in order to provide more and accessible recreational and leisure activities, in a safe, clean and inviting environment; inclusive to people of all ages and abilities in the local community.

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The Work of the Committee

The Committee formed in 2010. We are a Community Group, with our own Constitution and Bank Account, separate from the Church, although all big decisions have to be agreed by PCC as the Church owns the Hall. Our aim is to make the rather ‘tired-looking’ 1960s Hall modern, up to date, comfortable and complying with all the legal and health and hygiene requirements. This will also allow the Hall to be accessible to more local people who may want to use it. Subject to suitability, anyone can hire the Hall for an event or meeting. Our plan is to work our way round the Upper and Lower Halls, modernising, replacing and upgrading facilities. We have achieved a lot already but still have a long way to go.

So far we have:

• Renamed Hall – new sign
• Full hall survey and replaced original windows in Upper Main Hall
• Replaced and upgraded kitchen in Lower Hall
• Replaced blinds in Main Hall and new chairs bought for Hall
• Extended hatchway between kitchen and Main Hall and removal and bricking up of unnecessary door
• Asbestos survey
• Former kitchen in Upper Hall dismantled and replaced to provide high standard of catering
• Made application to Plymouth City Council for Planning Permission (granted)
• Had Building regulation drawings completed
• Helped with fire regulation updates which were needed
• Replaced old central heating boiler with two new ones, one in Lower and one in Upper Hall, partly funded by a grant from SWW
• In 2018 we completed an extension to the front of the Hall, with a new ramp, railing and some steps. This means that the Upper Hall is now wheelchair accessible. It also gives us a light and spacious foyer and a brand a new Ladies Toilet.

As we ran out of funding, we have, as yet, been unable to build a new Gents Toilet or an accessible toilet and Mother and baby changing and breastfeeding room. However, with some very generous donations from local people, we have been able to adapt the existing Gents toilet to be used as an accessible toilet on a temporary basis, until we are able to install a brand new one. We have done this to respect those with mobility problems who at present are unable to access any toilets easily. There is also a baby changing facility within this area. The previous Ladies toilet is now temporarily being used by the Gents (signage has been changed)!

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Our Hope and Plans

1. Phase 1 – build accessible toilet and baby/accessible changing area, to replace the existing temporary accessible toilet – at a cost of £18,666 + VAT (= £22,399.20) which is eventually refundable.
2. Phase 2 – Build new male toilets and extend existing Committee Room, widening doorway, to create a medium sized meeting room with self-contained tea and coffee making facilities. This will cost £20,852 + VAT (= £25,022.40)
3. Install a through lift to enable those with mobility issues access to the Lower Hall at a cost of £35,758.80 (2018 estimate).

   Once these are completed we can address refurbishing the Lower Hall, of which at present the kitchen is the only part modernised.

We are at present fundraising by applying for grants from charities in order to start Phase 1 above. We have almost enough funding but still need approximately £5000 more to start the work. A local building firm – Elmes Construction – are our preferred builder.

At present we have, like all other Community Halls, been adversely affected financially by the current restrictions and very much look forward to being able to open again in the very near future. Once we are open again, check in the website diary to see what’s on over the next few months and please pay us a visit! By this refurbishment, we can offer more, much-needed activities and leisure opportunities to more people, both locally and in Plymouth as a City.

Please let us know if there are any particular activities you are interested in or would like us to offer, or if you would like to check out the Hall for starting a group or class of your own. Contact the Hall Bookings Manager and come and have an informal chat and look round!

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How Funds Have Been Raised So Far

We have so far raised funds through the following grants:

1. £10,000 - Million for Mission Grant (Exeter Diocese)
2. £2,500 - Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
3. £2,000 - Clare Milne Trust
4. £1,500 - AllChurches Trust
5. £5,000 - Garfield Weston
6. £5,000 - Beatrice Laing Trust
7. £2,654 - local Co-op Community Fund
8. £3,562 - local Co-op Community Fund
9. £10,500 - North Yard Community Trust
10. £5,000 - pledged by Hobson Charity, once balance of monies raised to complete this present Phase
11. £2,250 - AllChurches Trust
12. £924 - Devon Community Foundation
13. £1,000 - Gibbons Family Trust
14. £6,000 - Dr and Mrs Alfred Darlington Charitable Trust
15. Small amounts are regularly raised from amounts gained from people who have registered online with our cause through Easyfundraising and then made purchases through that website; and, when allowed, proceeds from tables at regular Fayres held at the Hall and other fundraising events; donations from other Hall users i.e. barn dance, Community Soup Lunch, Ladies Film Nights, Toddler Groups and other donations from individuals within the church and community.

We are thrilled to be able to share with the local community how we are progressing with these improvements to the Hall, although we aren’t quite where we want to be yet! We will get there eventually and will succeed in making access and amenities better for all of you in the local community.

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PLEASE GET INVOLVED FOR THE SAKE OF THE FUTURE AND UPGRADING OF OUR INVALUABLE HALL

Some are already supporting this cause by registering at this link and using it every time they buy goods online: http://easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stbudeauxhall

and using this link when they search the internet: http://stbudeauxhall.easysearch.org.uk/