Town community centre gets a facelift
Busy centre is given a helping hand
A COMMUNITY centre that has been serving the town since the turn of the millennium has been given a facelift.
St Francis Community Centre on Tudor Road was opened in 2000 as an outreach project of St Mary’s Church in Hinckley.
It has become a popular and well-used venue both for oneoff events and regular sessions supporting people from toddlers and young parents to older people and those suffering from cancer and their carers.
In a move to make the building more energy efficient, warmer and more attractive, replacement glass has been fitted in some of its windows.
The £1,500 scheme has been offset with the help of a £500 grant from the George Ward Charitable Trust and payment of half of the remaining costs from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s Hinckley Community Fund.
Centre manager Joanne Boffey said: “The centre is always busy with regular users and our community using the building to celebrate their loved ones’ birthdays and special occasions.
“There is a seven-day programme of activities.
“This work will save energy and preserve the building and improve the overall look of the centre.”
The work was carried out by J Farmer Property Services.
St Francis Community Centre is used regularly by children’s groups, for exercise and lifestyle sessions, as the base for an art club, youth groups and a lunch club for older people which caters for around 40 senior citizens every Wednesday.
It also hosts Coping with Cancer support sessions for patients and their carers.
The centre’s large hall and three smaller rooms are all available to hire, accommodating up fo 300 people for a special event, with discounted rates for charities and not for profit organisations.
Soft play equipment, a TV, projector and flipcharts are also available to hire.
To find out more call Hinckley 617185 between 9am and noon Monday to Thursday, email adminsfcc@stfranciscom.co.uk or visit www.stfranciscom.co.uk