£165k lifeline from council saves vital community hub

The lifeline for the centre – which relies on volunteers – means it can continue a flagship mission to help domestic abuse victims as well as being a welcoming space for children, families and pensioners.

The Cotmanhay Community Network is based at the former Bennerley School, where its costs – including rent to the county council – had risen to “a level that the organisation is not able meet”, according to a report to Erewash leader James Dawson and his senior team.

The hub is “well used” by some 800 people a month, including dance and sports clubs. During end-of-term holidays a programme of activities including lunch is available for local pupils who are entitled to free school meals.

A youth club at the centre has helped to reduce anti-social behaviour. There are also Children in Need Holiday Clubs. Older residents make use of a lunch club every Wednesday – and there is a warm spaces scheme in winter. A “Freedom Programme” at the centre is for women and girls in the community who are victims of domestic abuse.

The report described this as “desperately needed” in an area where rates of domestic abuse are among the highest in Derbyshire.

A three-year grant totalling £165,161 was approved by the Council Executive to help cover rent and other costs including utility bills. The funding is from a council reserve earmarked for “good causes” and confirms the authority’s commitment to supporting communities and those in need.

The report said: “There is expected to be a positive equality impact for those with protected characteristics, vulnerable groups and those facing socio-economic disadvantage.”

It added: “This proposal supports the ‘Supporting Communities’ priority within the council’s Corporate Strategy.” 

Cllr Josy Hare, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We have taken swift action to safeguard the invaluable work of one of the borough’s most important community organisations.

“Without this grant funding there was a very real possibility that the much-loved Cotmanhay Community Network would have had to close.”

Among those who fought to keep the centre open were Erewash councillor Linda Burns and former Derbyshire county councillor Robert Flatley. The charity thanked them for all their efforts – and urged people to keep checking the Cotmanhay Community Network Facebook page for updates on new projects.