Laleham Park presents an exciting opportunity to combine green space with community engagement and recreational opportunities for the people of Surrey. We are proposing to build a community hub and café at Laleham Park on the site of the old sports pavilion, which once established will become a valued asset to the local community. The site will incorporate a café and flexible community space for workshops and events, along with changing rooms and showers for those wishing to take part in water sports. The hub and park will provide a holistic approach to health, well-being and community, where people can socialise, learn and thrive. Laleham Park Hub is keen to collaborate with other charities in the borough to create a wider awareness of their work in the community and support available.
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We aim for the building to be flood resilient due to the location, whilst making sure it’s built using the latest green technology. Our intention is to sympathetically enhance the park by providing facilities for the community, not to dominate the green space or for it to become a tourist destination.
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Social Hub
The hub will be a welcoming place, that provides a central source of greater public awareness of what is going on in the Spelthorne community. In a fast moving digital world, it’s important to provide face to face engagement opportunities, to help combat isolation and loneliness and create a supportive environment. Laleham Park Hub will be collaborating with local charities and organisations in the area that can offer support when needed. Our hub will be a great place to outreach to volunteers and candidates for local jobs, apprenticeships and further education opportunities.
Community Space
The flexible community space will provide revenue for the hub and give opportunities for those wanting to hold events such as exercises classes, training sessions, birthday parties or kids playgroups.
Learn a new skill
The flexible community space will also provide educational opportunities such as art and craft classes, sewing classes or other hobbies where new skills can be learnt and new friendships made.
Meeting Space
LPH will invite guest speakers that align with our ethos and values to educate and inspire future generations, inviting small groups and local organisations on a quarterly basis, to network and share their ideas. We envisage that an area will be equipped with screen and audio systems for meetings and gatherings.
Café
Laleham Park is a popular area for dog walkers, cyclists, hikers, families, camping and water sports, which offers a good footfall for potential customers. The café will provide opportunities for those seeking volunteering and work experience as well as providing a dog friendly area with watering stations for waggy tailed friends. The café will generate revenue to sustain the operating costs necessary to keep the hub staffed and maintained.
Work in a natural setting
We would also like this site to offer hot desking and wi-fi capabilities to the general public as a supplement to work-from-home employees who may wish a change of scene and some green and natural surroundings.
Make new friends
Laleham Park is a popular dog walking area and many people end up making friends for life through their love of animals. Laleham Park Hub recognises the importance of pets in our lives, especially when facing difficult times.
Outside café area
Relax with a coffee in our outside café area. Meeting spaces and picnic areas will be available for visitors to meet outdoors. The quiet areas will offer spaces to meditate and retreat to whilst enjoying the surroundings.
Connecting with nature
Laleham Park Hub is passionate about connecting people with nature. We are exploring the possibility of installing bird watching huts in the park by working with other groups and charities that are experts in this field.
Outside Exercise Classes
Why not take up yoga or use the outside gym to keep fit and healthy? Then enjoy socialising and refreshments in the café afterwards.
Educational Activities
Laleham Park Hub will work with our complimentary organisations to provide outdoor educational activities, which promote nature.
Physical Activities
Why not learn how to canoe or kayak by taking lessons at Surrey Canoe Club, just along the road. Surrey Canoe Club are a great organisation that promote sport by breaking down barriers to participation and support community engagement.
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We want cyclists to stop for a coffee at Laleham Park Hub. We plan to provide a secure bicycle rack at the hub to encourage more people out of their cars and use pedal power instead.
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Playground &
Outdoor Gym
Try out the free new outdoor gym in the park and let your children get active in the playground nearby.
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Nature Trails
We are passionate about the environment. Nature trails at Laleham Park will be a great way to raise awareness about the local habitat and the importance of biodiversity. Laleham Park Hub will be working with complimentary charities that specialise in wildlife and nature to make the most of the park.
Kids Activities
We recognise the importance of kids getting away from their screens and enjoying activities in the great outdoors. We will be working with our partnering groups and organisations to provide activities for the local community.
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Events
We envisage our team, in liaison with Spelthorne Council and other organisations, holding local fundraising events at the site. The green space would be great to hold seasonal events such as craft fairs, community barbecues, dogs shows, sponsored events, outdoor films and treasure hunts.
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Changing Rooms and Showers
We plan to provide changing rooms for much needed facilities for those wishing to take part in water sports such as canoeing or kayaking on the river Thames.
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