Community Space Reports Positive Outcomes for Local Citizens During October-November 2019

A new town centre Community Space facility for Cumbernauld has reported a range of positive statistics and outcomes for the local community during October-November 2019, a new Cornerstone House Centre analysis has revealed.

Community Space Progress Report: October-November 2019 is available for download and provides details about the number and gender breakdown of Community Space service users between Tuesday 1 October 2019 and Saturday 30 November 2019, as well as profiling the neighbourhoods in which visitors came from and the reasons for which they came to the facility.

The Community Space has been designed as a partnership initiative between social enterprise charity Cornerstone House Centre and Antonine Shopping Centre with a view to improving health and wellbeing in the Cumbernauld area. It forms part of a wider Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub which was launched by Cornerstone House Centre on behalf of Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire in February 2019.

A central feature of The Community Space is a dedicated ‘Ping Pong Parlour’, an innovation providing four table tennis tables and relevant equipment, enabling locals to play table tennis for free.

The Space also incorporates a ‘Light Bites Station’ where visitors can have a seat and buy tea, coffee, refreshments and snacks at affordable prices, and a Community Information Point, where local organisations and not-for-profit service providers can host market-place stalls and facilitate citizen and community engagement. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, commented:

“In the space of four months, Cornerstone House Centre and Antonine Shopping Centre have worked together to transform a large vacant town centre unit from a dormant site into a vibrant hive of community activity.

“Since its opening in August 2019, The Community Space has attracted nearly 800 visitors from all communities of Cumbernauld, most notably those living in Carbrain, Seafar and Abronhill.

“Our analysis has shown that many people are benefiting on a weekly basis from this free facility, with a range of positive outcomes reported in terms of health and wellbeing, fitness, social enteprise, volunteering and social interaction.

“Cornerstone House Centre continues to be grateful for all who have invested in and supported the success of The Community Space facility, including Antonine Shopping Centre, Drop in Cafe, Tool Library Cumbernauld, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire and Cumbernauld Community Forum.

“The organisation is currently working together with key partners and the wider community to further develop the services provided from The Community Space, with some announcements on new activity planned for early 2020.”

The Community Space is now open every Monday (12noon-4.00pm), Thursday (12noon-6.00pm), Friday (12noon-4.00pm) and Saturday (10.00am-1.00pm) at Unit 14 of Antonine Shopping Centre, in close proximity to several reputable retailers and service providers. All are welcome and activities inside are free of charge.

For further information about The Community Space, please contact Cornerstone House Centre on 01236 739220 or email health@cornerstone-house.org.uk.

Click here to download Community Space Progress Report: October-November 2019