A new Community Hub has opened at Sherford, the new town straddling the South Hams and Plymouth City Council border.

Officially launched by SW Devon MP Sir Gary Streeter, the new building is the first dedicated community indoor facility at Sherford and a base for its Community Trust. Already boasting a packed calendar of activities and services, it is hoped the Hub will encourage people to come together and become more involved in the developing town.

An Open Day was held for residents to tour the facilities and meet some of the clubs and organisations involved. Residents perused stalls including Breathe Pilates, Over 50s Club, Slimming World, Sherford Community Church, and Friends of Sherford Country Park and Open Spaces. They also enjoyed refreshments from neighbouring business, House of Brews, Sherford’s coffee shop.

In addition to being a place the community can come together for events and activities; the Community Hub will also be used by external organisations to provide support services. From Sherford Community Church groups, Home-Start volunteers and Learn Devon adult learning courses, to an Over-50s group, Space* youth services, and a variety of clubs and functions, this promises to be a hive of activity.

Based right at the heart of the new town – in the local centre next to Sherford Vale School – the Community Hub has been provided by the Sherford Consortium to give residents access to a dedicated social space and array of support services, all on their doorstep. The Community Hub is run by Sherford Community Trust, the independent organisation acting for residents, in place to support the sustainable growth and economic development of Sherford’s community.

A portable building, it is set to stay until construction begins on Sherford’s secondary school. It has been specially fitted out to provide a hall, meeting room, office, kitchen and family-friendly facilities. Part of the fit-out was funded by the South West’s leading housing association, LiveWest, which contributed £5,000 to the task.

Sir Gary commented: “I am delighted to formally open the Sherford Community Hub, a space dedicated for use by the local community that has been in the pipeline for quite some time. Congratulations to the Community Trust, the Sherford Consortium along with local authorities for getting this off the ground. This Hub will,  I am sure, prove a great asset for what is a new and growing community at Sherford.”

Judy Talbot, Sherford Community Trust Co-ordinator, said: “It has been a busy couple of months for the Community Land Trust in setting up this facility for the community. We have enjoyed welcoming new groups and organisations to the hub and it is now a vibrant and busy centre for the community to come together for a variety of different classes and activities. This launch event has enabled the wider community to see what is on offer for everyone. Should you have an idea for a community group or could make use of the space, please get in touch.”

Jenna Waters from the Sherford Consortium and a member of the Shadow Community Trust Board, added: “This is already a place with a strong sense of community and now we have a facility that will further unite the people of Sherford; we are delighted to give current and future residents such a useful space. From getting involved in group activities to gaining new skills or finding support, we have no doubt this will be a well-used and much-loved space.”