New manager will help bring clubrooms back to the heart of communities
Published: Thursday, January 25, 2024
Estate clubrooms are a vital part of our communities, providing versatile spaces for events and community groups, as well as important information on local services.
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Wandsworth has a number of clubrooms scattered across the borough and we have recently created a role for a dedicated clubroom manager to oversee the running of these spaces.
This is part of the council's policy of supporting our housing estates by increasing the number of estate managers and trying to bring community assets back into use.
Rima Williams (pictured above) is responsible for 14 clubrooms and will act as a bridge for residents and community groups with the council and other external agencies.
Some of these spaces are managed by a volunteers. A key part of the clubroom manager role will be to encourage others to set up similar management structures for their clubroom to give power and authority over the space to local people.
Some current uses of clubrooms across the borough include chair-based yoga for older people, a homework club and prayer spaces. Rima will work with volunteers to help establish activities and events that will most benefit local people.
She will also undertake some of the administrative duties for the clubrooms, such as renewing leases and providing training for management committees to help run them effectively.
Rima said: “My role is about connecting people with the clubrooms and understanding what is beneficial to the local community. People should feel empowered to shape them into something that serves their area, working closely with the council and other external partners.”
Rima started in this new role in October and is already undertaking valuable work, building relationships within the community and learning about their needs, and helping to standardise the approach to clubroom management across the borough.