community buildings

Helping community buildings to recover

Kirklees Democracy

Image shows people and buildings, impression of building a community

Kirklees Council have provided almost £500k through the Community Buildings Recovery Grants scheme this summer, to support vital community buildings in local places across Kirklees.

Supporting local organisations

Community organisations are vital for our local economy and for people’s wellbeing – creating jobs, delivering services, connecting people in our neighbourhoods and providing activities that people and communities really value. We know this continues to be a difficult time for local organisations who were unable to open community buildings as usual for long periods of time.

The Community Buildings Recovery Grants were available for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations who own or rent buildings in local places across Kirklees. They had either been legally required to close or had been significantly impacted by lockdowns and local restrictions.

What local organisations say about receiving a recovery grant

43 different local organisations have received £470,000 in total from the Community Buildings Recovery Grants fund. Here’s what a few of the organisations have told us about the difference this funding is making:

“We at Outlane Methodist church are looking forward to resuming as many of our former activities in the community as we can and making plans for going ahead with new ideas. We do not expect it to be easy but the boost given to our finances by the generous grant we have received has made such a positive difference to our situation.”

Mary Mercer, Outlane Methodist Church

“The pandemic had a devastating effect on our fundraising efforts and our income. This grant will help plug the gap in our finances so that we can resume the full services that we provide to our members and volunteers as soon as we can. As we are a base for other community groups and rent rooms to other organisations, the funding will also be of benefit to the wider community.“

Deborah Hall, Howlands (Dewsbury and District League of Friendship)

“Receiving funding from the Community Buildings Recovery grant is so helpful. After a very difficult 16 months for the charity, this funding will hasten our ability to recover, allowing us to sustain our work and services for local people in need of support. Kirklees Council have been supportive throughout the pandemic and we’re grateful to them for the information sharing, advice, ongoing support and now this funding to aid our recovery.”

John McKernaghan,The Brunswick Centre

“The pandemic had cut our income to zero, and the theatre was on the verge of closing for good. The community buildings recovery grant has changed this by giving us a much needed cash boost. Now the Show will go on!”

Bob Newton, Southgate Theatre, Honley

“OASIS values and appreciates this contribution towards the survival and reshaping of our services within our Resource Centre.”

Denzil Nurse, OASIS Care Support Services

“As we’re reliant on community groups that hire our community centre, we have had to put off work that would have greatly impacted the people who we serve through the community centre positively. The grant awarded to us by Kirklees Council will allow us to develop the community centre further, with the additional benefits that a modern, safe, accessible community centre will bring to the communities around Cleckheaton Methodist Church.’

Revd. Ray Borrett, Minister for Cleckheaton Methodist Church

 

Thank you from Kirklees Council

Cllr Cathy Scott, Deputy Leader of Kirklees Council & Cabinet Member for Housing and Democracy, would like to thank local organisations for supporting people’s wellbeing:

“Community organisations are incredibly important for people’s wellbeing. We wanted to make sure that community buildings can continue to be safe places for people to get together and enjoy activities as part of our recovery from Covid-19. The Community Buildings Recovery Grants have clearly mattered to the local organisations who are so fundamental for keeping people connected and safe. We’ll continue to work proudly alongside these dedicated and inspiring groups in our local places.”

 

Looking for advice or support?

Community organisations looking for support and advice can contact the council’s team via thirdsector@kirklees.gov.uk or visit the Third Sector Leaders Kirklees website at www.tslkirklees.org.uk

 

How many people can attend group activities?

Kirklees Council

Covid-19 update

We’re sharing some advice for community groups who may be uncertain about how many people can currently attend group activities in a community room.

From 17th May 2021 larger gatherings exceeding the social contact limits may take place (up to 30 people) providing certain conditions are met. This may enable certain social gatherings such as informal classes, activities and events to go ahead. These gatherings must be organised by a business, charity, public body or similar organisation. The organiser must take reasonable steps to ensure that those attending do not mix beyond what is permitted – up to six people or two households indoors and up to 30 people outdoors – unless another exemption exists.

Here are some examples of larger gatherings and the current guidance.

Support groups

Activity or meetings can take place with up to 30 participants where officially organised to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support. Support groups must be organised by a business, charity or public body and if taking place indoors, must not take place in a private home.

Examples of support groups include those that provide support to:

  • victims of crime (including domestic abuse)
  • those with, or recovering from, addictions (including alcohol, narcotics or other substance addictions) or addictive patterns of behaviour
  • those with, or caring for people with, any long-term illness or terminal condition or who are vulnerable (including those with a mental health condition)
  • those facing issues related to their sexuality or identity (including those living as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender)
  • those who have suffered bereavement
  • vulnerable young people (including to enable them to meet youth workers)
  • disabled people and their carers

Exercise, sport and physical activity

You can do unlimited exercise but there are limits on the number of people you can exercise with. You can exercise in a group of up to 30 people when outdoors. When indoors, you can exercise:

  • on your own
  • in a group of up to 6 people
  • in a larger group of any size from up to two households (and their support bubbles, if eligible)

You can also take part in formally organised indoor and outdoor teams sports or licensed physical activity with any number of people. This must be organised by a business, charity or public body and the organiser must take the required precautions, including the completion of a risk assessment. You should avoid contact in training and, for some sports, avoid contact in all activities.

Indoor activity, such as classes, is restricted to the capacity of the venue (100 square ft per person and subject to adequate ventilation). It is the building operator’s responsibility to calculate these capacities, and it is expected that activity leaders reflect this in their risk assessment, which should also incorporate social distancing.

Childcare

Up to six people from different households or a larger number of no more than two households can meet indoors without the need for a formal childcare arrangement. All children can go to registered childcare, childminders, wraparound care and other supervised children’s activities indoors and outdoors.

Gatherings above the limit of six people or two households indoors, or above 30 outdoors, can take place for the following purposes:

  • for education, registered childcare and supervised activities for children
  • for arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents or guardians
  • to allow contact between birth parents and children in care, as well as between siblings in care
  • to place or facilitate the placing of a child or children in the care of another by social services

Parent and child groups

These can take place indoors as well as outdoors (but not in private homes or gardens) if they are for the benefit of children aged under five and organised by a business, charity or public body. Parent and child groups must be limited to no more than 30 people. Children under five and anyone working or volunteering as part of the group, such as a group leader, are not counted in this number.

Community Buildings Recovery Grants for local organisations

Kirklees Council

Image shows people and buildings, impression of building a community

Kirklees Council are providing £500k of Recovery Grants for voluntary and community organisations who have been affected by national lockdowns and local restrictions.

Grants of up to £20k are available now to help our vital community buildings in local places across Kirklees recover from Covid-19.

Supporting community buildings that really matter to local people

Community organisations are vital for our local economy and for people’s wellbeing – creating jobs, delivering services, connecting people in our neighbourhoods and providing activities that people and communities really value. We know this continues to be a difficult time for local organisations who have been unable to open community buildings as usual.

Voluntary and community organisations in Kirklees who own or rent buildings in our local places can apply for a grant to recover lost income due to Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions. 

Who can apply?

The Community Buildings Recovery Grant is available for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations who:

  • work in (and are based in) Kirklees
  • were open as usual before the Covid-19 restrictions
  • own or rent a non-residential property (this could include a space within a building that you pay costs for, or a building you own and have continued to pay costs for). 
  • have been legally required to close or have been significantly impacted by lockdowns and local restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

How to apply

You can find the full eligibility criteria and apply online via the Kirklees Council website:

Help for voluntary and community organisations

(the information will be available here from 9am on Thursday 20th May)

 

The fund is open for applications from Thursday 20th May to Sunday 6th June. 

Payments to successful applicants will be made by Wednesday 30th June.

 

Questions? Contact us

If you’re not sure whether you can apply, or if you need any help or advice before applying for the grant, please contact:

Email: thirdsector@kirklees.gov.uk
Tel. 07773 488563

 

Community Buildings webinar, 20th April 2021

Kirklees Council

Chestnut Centre

Community buildings in our local places are vitally important hubs for our communities. They are places which support people’s physical and mental wellbeing, as well as being welcoming spaces that connect people and organisations. The re-opening of these buildings in a safe and practical way is a key part of helping our communities through the government’s proposed roadmap out of lockdown.

On Tuesday 20th April at 5.30pm, Kirklees Council are hosting a third webinar to provide guidance on how to safely re-open your community building and what the recent changes in Covid-19 regulations mean.

If you have questions that you would like answering at this webinar then please send them to candc.projectteam@kirklees.gov.uk (ideally by 6pm on Monday 19th April). Even if you can’t make the session, please still send your questions through as it will be possible to watch the recorded session on YouTube after the event.

There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions via the YouTube chat system during the session, but it would be great if you can share your questions in advance so that we can do our best to help.

Watch the webinar live and see the chat on YouTube

We look forward to seeing you there.

Joanne Bartholomew, Service Director for Skills and Regeneration, Kirklees Council

Jill Greenfield, Service Director for Customers and Communities, Kirklees Council

 

Community buildings and activities

Support grants for community venues who have closed due to Covid-19

Kirklees Council

Business support grants

Do you run a community centre or other community facility? Business support grants are available for voluntary and community organisations in Kirklees who generate a significant part of their income through activity that has been legally forced to close (or has been significantly impacted) due to Covid-19 restrictions.

You could apply for financial support if:

  • You have been required to close your community venue due to Covid-19 restrictions.
  • Your organisation has remained open but has been severely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.
  • You have lost income due to the restrictions, such as losing out on hall hire fees or not being able to operate a café or other community facility.

What kind of organisation can apply?

Support is available for:

  • community centres
  • community buildings
  • community facilities
  • faith-based venues

There is more than one type of support grant available depending on your circumstances. Please read the eligibility criteria carefully before applying. You could be eligible for support whether or not you usually pay business rates. The amount of funding will depend on your circumstances.

What about other organisations?

This is business funding, which is also available for community organisations who have a commercial aspect to their work. Not every type of community activity can be supported (for example, the grant cannot be used to replace income from donations). If you’ve lost vital income due to Covid-19, please check to see if you can apply.

Kirklees Council are continuing to work closely with Third Sector Leaders Kirklees on other ways to support voluntary and community organisations over the coming months. If you’re not eligible for a business support grant, there may be other ways that we can help.

Find out more and ask for advice

If you’d like advice about whether your voluntary or community organisation is eligible for a business support grant, please contact:

business.enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk

You can find more information and online application forms at:

Coronavirus: Help for businesses

 

Third Sector Leaders Kirklees offer free advice and support for voluntary and community organisations and can connect you to other people and organisations:
Third Sector Leaders Kirklees

Tier 3 guidance about community buildings, support groups and leafleting

Kirklees Council

What tier 3 restrictions mean for local organisations

Community centres and halls

Community buildings can be used for permitted, organised gatherings but should not host events for private hire or be used for social gatherings.

Permitted gatherings could include, but are not limited to:

  • Work purposes or provision of voluntary or charitable services
  • Providing emergency assistance
  • Enabling one or more people in the gathering to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm
  • Providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person or a person who has a disability

When deciding whether to open you must consider:

  • Can you meet your outcomes or deliver your service or activities online? This remains the safest way to operate services and classes.
  • If you can’t deliver online – can you run some, or all of your activities, outside?
  • Is it necessary that you meet face to face during this time?

If it is necessary to meet indoors:

  • You need to complete a risk assessment specific to your activity and premises
  • You must implement all reasonable measures to prevent the spread of the virus
  • You must keep a record of attendance for Test and Trace
  • Keep your risk assessment on site, with a named responsible person.

If you open, you must also consider:

  • Take all the usual precautions like social distancing, hand washing or sanitising and wearing face coverings.
  • It is not advisable to share equipment of any kind.
  • You must not provide or sell communal refreshments – although people can bring their own.
  • Cafe facilities must remain closed or offer take away (off site) only.

Please remember, reducing social contact with people from outside of our households and support bubbles is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.

 

Support groups

Some support groups can meet. Up to 15 participants are allowed. Under-5s do not count towards the 15 person limit.

  • They must be formally organised groups
  • They can provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support, where they have to take place in person
  • They can’t meet in private houses
  • They may meet in community centres, which can open as long as they are COVID-safe, have undertaken a risk assessment and keep a record for Test and Trace.

When deciding whether to run a face-to-face support group you must consider:

  • Can you meet your outcomes or deliver your service or activities online? This remains the safest way to operate services and classes.
  • If you can’t deliver online – can you run some, or all of your activities, outside?
  • Is it necessary that you meet face to face during this time?

If you open, you must also consider:

  • Take all the usual precautions like social distancing, hand washing or sanitising and wearing face coverings.
  • It is not advisable to share equipment of any kind.
  • You must not provide or sell communal refreshments – although people can bring their own.
  • Cafe facilities must remain closed or offer take away (off site) only.

Please remember, reducing social contact with people from outside of our households and support bubbles is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.

 

Leafleting

Leafleting is permitted but when deciding whether to do it you must consider:

  • Can you meet your outcomes online? This remains the safest way to operate
  • Is it necessary that you meet face-to-face during this time?

If it is necessary to take part in leafleting:

  • You need to complete a risk assessment specific to your activity
  • You must implement all reasonable measures to prevent the spread of the virus
  • Keep your risk assessment with you at all times.

Please remember, reducing social contact with people from outside of our households and support bubbles is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.

 

COVID-19 restrictions in Kirklees

Community buildings and activities

People Helping People – 12th November 2020

Kirklees Council

The next online People Helping People local network event is on Thursday 12th November 2020 from 11.30am to 12.30pm.It’s run by Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, to help small community organisations in local places across Kirklees to get together, meet each other, share what you are doing and learn what others are doing. It is another chance to share best practice and discuss how we might be able to support each other.

Supporting people through lockdown, Christmas and beyond…

Join other like-minded local organisations to discuss how we can think differently about supporting people and run covid safe activities during lockdown and beyond. Hear from other local groups, share experiences and get information, advice and support.

How to take part

This meeting will take place online and you will receive a link that you click to join the meeting nearer the time. You do not need any special software, or to download anything or set up an account. You should just be able to click and join.

People Helping People – register on Eventbrite

 

If you have any problems or questions about accessing the meeting, please contact comms@tslkirklees.org.uk

People Helping People event – 13th October 2020

Kirklees Council

The next online People Helping People local network event is on Tuesday 13th October 2020 from 1pm to 2.30pm. It’s run by Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, to help small community organisations in local places across Kirklees to get together, meet each other, share what you are doing and learn what others are doing. It is another chance to share best practice and discuss how we might be able to support each other.

Coping with the ever-changing lockdown rules

Looking for advice about what your group or organisation can (or can’t) do during Covid-19? We know that it’s a confusing and worrying time for organisations who are managing community spaces and running community activities. At this meeting you can hear advice from others who are going through the same thing.

How to take part

This meeting will take place online and you will receive a link that you click to join the meeting nearer the time. You do not need any special software, or to download anything or set up an account. You should just be able to click and join.

People Helping People – register on Eventbrite

 

If you have any problems or questions about accessing the meeting, please contact comms@tslkirklees.org.uk

The ‘rule of 6’ and community buildings

Kirklees Council

stay two metres apart where possible

If you’re in the process of trying to re-open your community building safely, please take a few minutes to read through the latest guidance. We’ve included links to Government updates and an example risk assessment document.

The Government have updated the rules for social distancing for meeting people indoors and outdoors.

From 14th September 2020, people from different households must not meet in groups of more than 6, either indoors or outdoors. This limit does not apply to meetings of a single household group or support bubble which is more than 6 people.

If you live in an area subject to local restrictions, we continue to advise that you should not:

  • socialise with people who you do not live with, unless they’re in your support bubble, in any public venue. This applies to inside and outside of the affected areas. Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.
  • visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to exceptional circumstances only.

The ‘rule of 6’ doesn’t apply to local restriction areas. Community centres within areas that are under local restriction should take steps to make sure people do not socialise with people who they do not live with, in line with Covid-19 secure guidance.

In areas where there are local restrictions, risk assessment is key. This might mean it is not viable for you to open your community building. Nurseries running from community centres are subject to the government guidance on early years settings.

If you are in an area where there are no local restrictions, community facilities can host more than 6 people in total, but no-one should visit or socialise in a group of more than 6 – and you must follow the Covid-19 secure guidelines and ensure you have the appropriate risk assessments.

 

Government links and example risk assessment

Updated, 15th September 2020

The Government have updated their guidance for community facilities since we published this post. This new guidance says that activities and social groups where there is a significant likelihood of groups mixing and socialising (and where it will be difficult to prevent mingling and therefore breaking the law) should not take place in a community facility.

We encourage you to read Section 3c in this latest Government guidance for community facilities:

Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities

Further information on social contact rules, social distancing and the exemptions that exist can be found on the UK Government website. We encourage you to read Section 3:

Guidance on meeting with others safely

These rules will not apply to workplaces or education settings, alongside other exemptions. There is more information on the UK Government website.

Details on what has changed

 

People who are using Covid-19 secure community facilities should limit their social interactions with anyone who they do not live with. Where activities have 6 or more people participating (where it is safe to do so and capacity permits) it is important for all parties to maintain social distancing, 2 metres or 1 metre apart, with actions taken to reduce the risk of transmission (where 2 metres is not viable) between households. You should encourage the use of face coverings and good hand hygiene on entering premises and throughout a person’s visit.


Most community buildings can continue to open, provided that you follow the guidance. However, if direct social interaction is key to the activity (and if the activity is not a support group such as victim support or mental health groups) then you probably shouldn’t be doing it.

Gatherings of over 30 in public outdoor space are not allowed in Kirklees at this time.

Please feel free to use this risk assessment as learning to support you to complete your own risk assessments:

Thornton Lodge Community Centre risk assessment (Doc)

 

Who to contact for advice

Local organisations are welcome to contact Third Sector Leaders Kirklees if you have questions about safely re-opening your community building.

Bridget Hughes – bridget@tslkirklees.org.uk – 07540 434 573

Becky Bracey – becky@tslkirklees.org.uk – 07776 588 691

 

Community Buildings webinar, 8th September 2020

Kirklees Council

Chestnut Centre

Community buildings in our local places are vitally important hubs for our communities. They are places which support people’s physical and mental wellbeing, as well as being welcoming spaces that connect people and organisations. The re-opening of these buildings in a safe and practical way is a key part of our recovery from the coronavirus outbreak.

On Tuesday 8th September at 6.30pm, Kirklees Council are hosting a second webinar to provide guidance on how to safely re-open your community building. We will also be sharing and discussing some more of the lessons we’ve learnt from community buildings that have already opened in local places across Kirklees.

If you have questions that you would like answering at this webinar then please send them through before Tuesday 8th September. Even if you can’t make the session, please still send your questions through as it will be possible to watch the recorded session on YouTube after the event. Please email your questions to: tamsin.macdonald@kirklees.gov.uk

The webinar panel will include:

  • Joanne Bartholomew, Chief Operating Officer, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing – Chair of the meeting.
  • Donna Roberts, Lead Infection & Prevention Control Nurse, Kirklees Council
  • Emily Parry-Harries, Head of Public Health, Kirklees Council
  • Jaime Nalson, Venue Management, Kirklees Council
  • Jane O’Donnell, Head of Health Protection, Kirklees Council
  • Jill Greenfield, Director of Customers and Communities, Kirklees Council
  • Jonathan Quarmby, Facilities Manager, Kirklees Council
  • Lisa Newbold, Community Services Manager, Local Service 2 You, Chestnut Centre (To be confirmed)

There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions to the panel via the YouTube chat system during the session, but it would be great if you can share your questions in advance so that we can do our best to help.

Watch the webinar live and see the chat on YouTube

We look forward to seeing you there.

Message from Joanne Bartholomew, 9th September 2020
Shortly after this session, the government made an announcement which we were not aware of in advance. It’s likely that this will change some of the points discussed in our webinar. It will take a few days for us to digest the information in the guidance when it is released. When it does and we have got our heads around it we will update the information on this page.

 

Our blog post from 14th July 2020 includes the YouTube footage of what happened at the first webinar and links to Kirklees Council and Government guidance on community buildings at that time:

Community Buildings Webinar – 14 July 2020