New community-led hub in Ashton is taking shape

Work is under way to complete a community-led centre in Ashton to provide local people with health and social opportunities.

Tameside Council is working with Christ Church Community Developments on the ‘4C’ project, a sustainable community building in the heart of the Waterloo community and situated on the grounds of Christ Church between Oldham Road and Taunton Road.

It will be available to all Tameside residents and work on a similar model to the successful Grafton Centre in Hyde and Together Centre in Dukinfield, both run by the community.

The new centre will offer a high spec community space, bookable meeting rooms and a café. The building, which will be fully accessible, is designed to limit the impact on the environment and incorporates new and traditional technologies with recycling and energy efficiency integral to the operation.

The project has been running for a number of years and the council provided £150,000 funding to help complete the work.

Casey is the main contractor who has been appointed to complete the fit out of the building, due to be ready in spring 2021. 

They are currently working at Ashton Old Baths and have been involved in housing refurbishment in the borough. The Casey team will be sharing their knowledge working with Works4U, the Tameside-based independent specialist college helping young people into work.

Tameside Council Executive Member Cllr Eleanor Wills, who is responsible for health and social care, said: “This is a project that will benefit all of the community – young and old.”

Steff Riches, trustee at Christ Church Community Developments, the volunteer-led charity which is developing the project, said: “We are grateful to our funders and glad that after such a long time of working behind the scenes to make this happen that we are now making tangible progress. 

“We look forward to working with Casey and their team to complete the works and to open the building for our local community next year.”

For more information on the project and to see how you can get involved, visit https://www.4cashton.org.uk

Main image:

What the centre could look like once it opens. Credit: 4C Community Centre Ashton.