Building lives as well as property

Sep 27 2007 By The Journal

AN award-winning Newcastle community centre is set to compete with the country’s best building projects at the prestigious national RICS Awards 2007 grand final, according to Browne Smith Baker architects.

Designed by Newcastle-based architectural firm, the St Martin’s Centre in Byker has been shortlisted in the national category of community benefit after winning the regional heat earlier this year.

The £1.35m centre – which has helped to transform the area since opening in 2006 – replaced the existing St Martin’s Church with a new contemporary building, which houses a church, community facility and nursery under one roof.

Chris Blackburn, BSB associate director and St Martin’s project architect, said: “We designed the centre with the community, and especially families, at the fore-front of our mind. But the result has exceeded our wildest expectation –there is a real buzz about the place and there are so many activities going on.”

The awards – which celebrate the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in property and construction – will be held on October 19 that The Dorchester, London.

The nursery provides four separate playrooms for children up to the age of four while the community facility – with its lounge, kitchen and four multi-purpose halls – runs childcare and parenting classes, support services for vulnerable young people and adults, activities for older people plus the usual church activities.

One of many residents who have been able to transform their life thanks to the new centre is Joanne Rutherford. Miss Rutherford, a 35-year-old mother, has claimed incapacity benefits for more than 10 years and had few prospects of gaining a career due to depression.

Now, thanks to the St Martin’s Centre, she has taken a number of courses – including an NVQ in community development – and has gained vital
skills in her pursuit of a career in mental health.

She also runs the toddler club on a voluntary basis, helps out with dance lessons and on reception in the centre. Miss Rutherford, said: “My life is totally different now and the experience I’ve gained at the centre will help me get into work when my three-year-old son starts school in September next year.

“It’s the first nursery my son has been to and he loves it. Both of us are so much more confident now because we socialise with so many people and although neither I nor my partner had been frequent church visitors, our son has taken an interest and has a real understanding thanks to the new facilities.”