Ashbourne Methodist Church is thrilled to be part of the exciting Ashbourne Reborn project which has just been awarded £13.3 million in the latest round of Levelling Up funding. The total cost of the project is £15 million, so the church has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help us raise the rest of the money needed. In the first few days, the crowdfunder has raised over £13,000 towards a target of £50,000.
Rev Nicola Briggs, Minister of the church, said, “Ours is an ambitious part of the project costing £6.4 million and we have to raise matched funding of £1.4 million to achieve it. We are transforming the old Victorian Grade 2 listed buildings inside the Ashbourne Conservation Zone into a thriving centre for the community, linking three different buildings on three different levels into one unified centre with one entrance and easy access for all users. This is The Link, a church and community hub which will link buildings together, but more importantly will link people together and build community.”
At the moment, the building is used by the Methodist church and other community groups including groups of Guides, Brownies and Rangers, Friendship Lunch, Welly Club for babies and toddlers, Young Farmers, Ashbourne Singers, and Craft & Chat. Regular concerts are held in the building and there is also a residential centre with dormitory accommodation for up to 29 people.
The building has a rich history; it opened in 1880, was used during the First World War as a Red Cross hospital and for almost a century, it was home to the Methodist School.
Rev Briggs continued, “To achieve our vision, the building needs to be modernised to provide an inclusive space useable by all. The new foyer will provide street level access so wheelchair users won’t have to use a different entrance. We have some great spaces for big events, but we need to be able to use them more flexibly. Throughout, there will be good warm comfortable facilities. The residential accommodation will be transformed into modern, en-suite rooms providing affordable accommodation in the town for up to 42 people and the land between the buildings and the brook will be turned into a community garden.
“We will create a centre where everyone is welcome, a hub that is open all week for people to meet others and find support. The funding will help us bring the building into the 21st Century with superfast broadband and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. We will have the largest performance venue in Ashbourne with seating for up to 350 people and will have a public transport, events and visitor information point.
“We feel it’s important to invest in our town centre while also honouring our heritage. Our Church and Community Hub will make a significant contribution to the revitalization of Ashbourne town centre providing modern community facilities in a heritage set of buildings.”
The church is inviting donations online at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/thelink