Cranford has been earmarked as a priority area for the Council's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy - ‘A Fairer, More Equal Hounslow’.
Published: Monday, 27th May 2024
Building on the success of the community hubs model in Feltham, Brentford and Hounslow Central the council is embarking on an innovative initiative to enhance community access to vital services through the establishment of a Community Hub Campus in Cranford. This fits within the Council’s wider localities model reimagining how and where we deliver our services in local places to better suit the needs of our communities, with the aim to radically improve the ease with which residents can access a range of services and preventative interventions, in person in their local area.
Cranford has been earmarked as a priority area for the Council's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy - ‘A Fairer, More Equal Hounslow’. The Community Hub Campus is a proactive step towards addressing inequalities by providing easier access to crucial services, particularly in providing preventative services which allow residents to access early help.
By adopting a campus model, services will be strategically dispersed across various locations to ensure convenience for Cranford residents, irrespective of their geographical proximity. The proposal includes repurposing underutilised space within The Hub on Beavers Estate to establish a Community Hub, partnering with existing facilities such as the Children's Centre and Library.
Collaboration with voluntary sector partners will further bolster support initiatives for residents in areas like Redwood Estate and North Hyde, identified as Equality Opportunity Areas by the Council. This holistic approach underscores the commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
Additionally, proposals are being developed for the relocation of Cranford Library to Meadowbank Adult Education Centre, to create a dynamic Community Hub. Local residents will have the chance to contribute to shaping this initiative, aligning with the Council's dedication to community involvement. Designs for how the Community Hub could work and a business case will be brought back to Cabinet in the Autumn for a final decision.
All possible options for the future of the library site will also be fully considered and a report will be brought back to Cabinet.
This initiative aligns seamlessly with the Council's Transforming Community Experience (TCE) programme, which will transform how the community accesses council services, through digital platforms, telephone assistance, and face-to-face interactions through a new Resident Experience service.
Cllr Shivraj Grewal, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Culture, said:
"Our Localities programme is all about reimagining how and where we deliver our services in local places and the Community Hub Campus in Cranford will do exactly that.
“The aim of the Community Hub Campus is to create a modern and vibrant space at the heart of Cranford, where residents can readily access a suite of services tailored to their needs. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, we are poised to make a significant difference in improving residents' quality of life whilst addressing the inequalities to ensure a fairer and more equal Hounslow.
“I invite people in Cranford to join us in helping to shape the creation of their community hubs that offer community-based solutions to meet individual needs, in their local neighbourhood.”
To find out more please visit the Hounslow Council website.
