Gateway

Youth & Community Centre

Meeting Woking’s needs

We want to build a Youth and Community Centre dedicated to meet three of the key areas of need identified by Woking Borough Council after the pandemic: mental health support; isolation and loneliness; children and youth support. It will be a place of welcome, support and safety for people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Christ Church has been located in the heart of Woking town centre for the last 130 years and is an ideal location for a new facility providing a wide array of youth and community groups and activities throughout the week

At present, Woking has no dedicated youth centre or open youth provision. 

A HUB FOR ANY YOUNG PEOPLE… to come, relax and build friendships in their community. A place that welcomes young people to recuperate, learn and develop spiritually, mentally and emotionally into healthy young adults.

The centre will enable hosting a variety of youth work provision within Woking town centre. Church based youth work will make up the primary, regular activities in the centre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, envisioning that it could also open at the end of weekday school times, to start homework clubs, youth drop-ins etc. The centre will also host other Woking based youth groups and activities.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR… the least well-off, those needing specific support for debt and refugee issues, anyone struggling with isolation, loneliness and in need of wellbeing support. Where they can find community, friendship and practical help.

The centre will enable parenting support, toddler groups, lunch clubs for the elderly, debt counselling, money management support and a Warm Space Hub during the day and some evenings. The centre will also host other community events and activities.

The plan

The Gateway Youth and Community Centre will be formed from an extension to the existing structure and then internally within the adjacent disused organ loft and office spaces. It will have its own entrance, disabled access, toilet and kitchen facilities. At present the youth work takes place in a small meeting room in the church buildings and the current community work takes place in the cafe and bookshop areas, during opening hours. The new centre will create a large dedicated space in which youth activities, counselling and other support activities can take place.

Planning permission for the project has already been granted. It is estimated to cost £1.28m and grants are being sought to enable the construction of the centre. Funding will also come from the wider Gateway project, principally formed of donations from Christ Church’s congregation.

The centre will use energy efficient lighting and boilers with variable controls to minimise it’s environmental impact.

SUPPORT FOR THE YOUTH & COMMUNITY CENTRE

Those leading youth work at ChristChurch said:

“It will help facilitate external youtrh initiatives within the community and beyond to have a space to develop and grow young people, developing their various skills and giftings for adulthood.”

Woking Volunteer Fair comments of support included:

  • “This will provide a much needed space”

  • “It fulfils a need for a safe space for young people to grow”

  • “Good to see a development for youth to flourish”

  • “This provision would make a massive difference”

  • “More youth and community space is vital and Christ Church is a great location”

  • “A great idea and something the community needs”

  • “ A great asset to our town”