The need for the New Forest Community Facility Toolkit was first identified by groups going through the community planning process to produce either a parish plan or market town healthcheck.
The majority of parishes in the New Forest either have done or are doing a community plan. As part of this process the community is consulted and asked to comment on issues of concern in their locality. One issue came up again and again in both villages and market towns: the use and viability of community buildings.
A number of these facilities were built a long time ago, and in the intervening years the use and purpose of the facility may have changed. Modern living has brought about more choice and higher expectations of all aspects of community living as well as fewer volunteers and resources to run these facilities.
Changing priorities and the possible deterioration in the conditions of these facilities mean that it may be the right time to:
- take stock of current use of one or more community facility
- question whether the existing facilities will match future use
- produce an action plan to inform future direction
- identify funding to support the action plan
The Toolkit aims to support and guide people who want to assess the usage, gaps and potential of their community facilities. It can be used as a step by step guide or, for those having completed a community plan, it allows a pick and mix approach. It thereby enables the group of people doing the Toolkit to begin at the stage that will be most helpful.
Ways and means of using the Toolkit | |
Establishing the reasons for using the Toolkit | |
The community profile questions | |
Community facility questions | |
Love it / hate it survey | |
SWOT analysis | |
Pros and cons | |
Action plan template | |
SMART projects | |
Training request form |
