A Space for Community podcast: A green future for Whitley Bay

A space for community: A green future for Whitley Bay 

Georgie Burr

Hello and welcome to a space for community, the podcast where we explore the spaces and places, helping communities to thrive. I’m Georgie, and today I’m here on the beach in a blustery Whitley Bay, and we’re going to be welcomed into the community hub here by Whitley Bay Big Local. It’s a really exciting time to be here, because just a couple of weeks ago, the team at Whitley Bay Big Local became one of just 21 projects to receive the first round of the government’s Community Ownership Fund to help them buy their community building. So now we’re going to head up with David and meet the team and see what they’ve got going on at the hub. David, do you want to introduce yourself? 

David Carnaffan

Yeah, hello. I’m David Carnaffan. I’m Chief Executive at Whitley Bay Big Local. 

Georgie Burr

As we walk in, David, do you want to tell us about the Big Local area? 

David Carnaffan

Yeah, so Whitley Bay is a strange area, actually. It’s somewhere that has quite a lot of affluence, but has little pockets of disadvantage. And the Whitley Bay Big Local area is based in one of those. It’s a place that I grew up. I lived here for for 20 years, and I’ve seen changes happen here over, over many, many years. Where we’re walking now is a place called South parade, and this was a street that I remember, back in the 90s and early noughties. This place was absolutely full of pubs, people out celebrating, partying, having a good time, being drunk, having a drink. And I was quite often one of them, I have to say. And it’s funny enough, one of the bank holidays is actually at the end of March. And March in Whitley Bay is not a very warm place, but everybody would come out in their summer clothes because it was bank holiday. And people were here for summer holiday. Yeah, one time it was snowing and I was in a Hawaiian church! But they’ve been closed for a very long time. Lots of them are boarded up, and lots of them haven’t had any businesses operating in them for many, many years. It’s a place that really needs a lot of regeneration and a lot of work. There’s a very big difference, very big disparity, between the people, the haves, and the have-nots in Whitley Bay, and it’s a very small pocket of disadvantage. 

Georgie Burr

So we’re heading up to the community hub, which you just bought… today! 

David Carnaffan

Today. Purchase has just gone through today, so we can now call the community building, our community building. Up until this point, we’ve been renting it from a friendly local landlord who wants to see the building used for good purposes in Whitley Bay. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah, tell us a bit about the building and how you’ve come to be in it. 

David Carnaffan

So the building is a former job centre. In fact, it was a print factory, and then it was, then it became a job centre. So most people in Whitley Bay still recognise it as the job centre. In fact, it’s where I signed on when I was 21 when I just finished university. So it’s, the building’s got a little bit of a history for me as well. Yeah, three storey, 1970s 1980s brick, chunk of a building. It hasn’t got an awful lot going for it aesthetically. We do think it’s got a load of potential. So we’re really chuffed to have bought it, and we can’t wait to get going on refurbishing it. 

Georgie Burr

So, what does it mean to the community to have this hub? 

David Carnaffan

It’s somewhere that’s not home, it’s not work. It’s somewhere social and healthy, where people can get together. 

Georgie Burr

Lots of nice chats. 

David Carnaffan

Have a nice chat, have a semi-nice coffee. Just just yeah, just be themselves and feel at home. We have our own sessions that offer drop-in support sessions for people who experience loneliness and isolation. The Hub’s also used by different community organisations who provide their own sessions. We’ve got drama groups and toddler classes, supports for families. 

Georgie Burr

You’ve got all ages then. I can’t believe we managed to come here on the actual day that you bought the hub. 

David Carnaffan

Yeah, the process has been ongoing for months and months, as you can probably imagine. And today’s the day that the money is transferred, and it looks like the building’s ours as we speak. 

Georgie Burr

And here it is, your hub! 

David Carnaffan

And here it is. Wahey! Our building. 

Georgie Burr

Does it make you feel proud? 

David Carnaffan

It makes me feel excited about the potential and the possibilities here. It makes me feel secure that there’s going to be a building here for Whitley Bay for many, many years to come. When, when it’s done, I will feel proud. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah. Oh, is that a tear in your eye? 

David Carnaffan

Yes, it’s quite a windy day today. 

[They enter the hub.] 

Kelly

Good morning.

Georgie Burr

Good morning. Do you want my name to sign in. Yeah. I’m Georgie from Local Trust. What’s your name? 

Kelly

My name is Kelly. Welcome. 

Georgie Burr

Thanks. We’ve just arrived at the Community Hub, and it’s such a nice atmosphere. It feels really busy. There’s lots going on, there’s some food, there’s a cafe. There’s somebody who was playing the piano a second, lots of very friendly people saying hello. And there’s a craft group in the corner, and I think we’re going to chat to some people actually. Good morning, Carol. How long have you been coming here? 

Carol

Two and a half, three years. Something like that. Before lockdown, I was going to all of the over 60s clubs. Bingo, coffee morning. When it was lockdown, they were all closed. And I started popping in here just for a coffee, and I love it, and it’s good fun. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah, it sounds like that’s the main thing everyone’s been saying. Carol, will you tell me about some of the activities that you get up to here. 

Carol

Right, the first year when there was COVID-19 going on, it was only drop in for coffee and then it gathered momentum, and probably in the summer of this year, we had a massive carnival, and — 

Georgie Burr

Oh, did you? 

Carol

Everybody was able to do something within it. Even the school children were coming round. Sarah’s organised taster classes on a Saturday morning, and there was two professional Jive people who came down, and they got some of us up to Jive. Two of us have now joined just through them coming down here. 

Georgie Burr

Oh, that sounds absolutely brilliant. There’s so much going on here. 

Georgie Burr

Hi, Michael, I’m Georgie. Nice to meet you. I’d love to hear a bit about what you do here. 

Michael

Hi, I volunteer for Whitley Bay Big Local, jobs that want doing around the building. 

Georgie Burr

Will you tell us about the food bank? Because I saw you busy moving stuff. 

Michael

Yeah the food bank. It comes from Aldi, Sainsburys sometimes. 

Georgie Burr

Is it busy? Is it popular? 

Michael

It’s a popular place. Yeah, very, very well used in here. A lot of people who do need food do come in and get it. And I think, yeah, the homeless people do definitely pop their head in and say can we have some food? 

Georgie Burr

Is the food bank getting busier? 

Michael

It’s getting busier. I would say, definitely getting busier in here. 

Georgie Burr

How many hours a week are you volunteering? 

Michael

A Thursday, all day, a Friday all day and Saturday morning for half a day. 

Georgie Burr

Right? Wow, that’s a lot of hours. But do you, do you like it? 

Michael

It gives you something to do. You want to get out of bed in the mornings and do something for somebody. I like to be up and doing something. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah. So it gives you a bit of purpose coming down. And do you have a good time here? 

Michael

Very good time. Yeah. And at the end of the day, I think I should start doing something for people. I’ve worked all my life as well, it’s time to give something back. 

Georgie Burr

What do you feel about the fact the building’s been bought? 

Michael

I think it’s brilliant. People need to come somewhere to get out of the house. I made a lot of new friends in this building. I think it’s great. 

Georgie Burr

Thank you so much. 

Georgie Burr

Hello, I’m Georgie. 

John

I’m John, and this is Emma. 

Georgie Burr

Hi John and Emma. You two are pretty busy making teas and coffees. 

John

We’ve been doing this for quite a few months now, haven’t we Emma? 

Emma

I’ve been doing it since June I think. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah.

Emma

Good team.

John

Every Thursday morning. 

Emma

The people in here are friendly. They’re over there, doing whatever they want to do over there, bits and bobs with over there. Then people just sit here, have a chat and stuff. 

John

Yeah, if somebody’s on their own or something, we’ll sit down with them or whatever, you know. And yeah, you know, we have people often waiting outside the door to be honest. A lot of people know each other from coming here months and or even years, you know, it’s very friendly. 

Georgie Burr

And people said, ​‘Oh, we so need this’? 

Emma

Yeah. It’s a nice atmosphere, friendly people, good company. And not just that, but, you know, people are coming, and sometimes they might be nervous. So normally, either, if John’s doing this, teas and coffees for people, I’ll go and have a little chat with them, just to build the confidence a bit better for them. That’s what my job’s for. That’s what it’s all about. 

Georgie Burr

Happy for chat? 

John

Really happy for chat I mean, I think particularly at this time, it’s been able to be open through some of the lockdown things, and being a kind of a bit of a sanctuary for people, to have a place of kind of community where they can meet other people and not be isolated, particularly when there wasn’t anywhere else as well. But, you know, it’s really been a sort of a lifeline, I think, for people absolutely. 

Georgie Burr

Thank you so much. So I hear there’s some people at the sewing table who want some tea. So can I take them over for you? Yeah, I’ll do that. Now, I gotta say, it’s not just Nescafe here. It’s frothy coffees. 

John

It’s really fancy. I mean, we keep them coming as well, so people just don’t stop. 

[Sound of coffee machine frothing] 

Georgie Burr

Very nice. Right, I got a coffee for Gail. 

Gail

Thank you.

Georgie Burr

And one with sugar. What are you making? Bracelet? Yeah, this is beautiful. Everyone’s making some beautiful blue beaded bracelets — Yeah, do you want me to tie it up for you? 

Gail

I think so, don’t want it too tight though. 

Georgie Burr

No. So what are you doing here today? You come to craft morning every Thursday? 

Gail

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. 

Georgie Burr

You come Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday? Wow. And are you always doing the craft activities? 

Gail

Well, they do all sorts. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah, what’s your what’s your kind of favourite? 

Gail

I like singing. 

Susanne

Oh, look at that. 

Georgie Burr

I know it’s beautiful. 

Gail

No, no, not yet. I’ve tied it in a double knot so it doesn’t come away. There’s always a way of doing things. Thanks for trying though. 

Georgie Burr

What are you doing? What was your name, sorry? 

Susanne

Susanne.

Georgie Burr

What are you doing today, Susanne? 

Susanne

I teach.

Gail

She’s a good’un, she’s my friend this one, yeah. 

Susanne

It’s lovely. I get a lot back. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah?

Susanne

I get a lot back from the girls. 

Georgie Burr

And everyone is making, like, Christmas decorations. Somebody is making the most intricate doll. 

Susanne

She came and couldn’t sew and now she’s teaching, and she’s so proud of herself. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah, of course. 

Susanne

I said ​‘would you help us’ and she said ​‘oh I’d love to help’. So if anything happens to me, I’ve got teachers. 

Georgie Burr

Gonna keep carrying it on? 

Susanne

Hopefully, yeah, all my life I’ve worked in factories, yeah, the sewing machine, so I pass it on. I never thought I could do it. I feel wonderful. I go home thinking I’ve made somebody happy, and it’s absolutely lovely. I really love it. 

Georgie Burr

How did you get involved? 

Susanne

I walked in. It shows that the community has been used properly, yeah, getting people into socialise. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah

Susanne

They make new friends, it’s amazing to hear them all chatting away. 

Georgie Burr

Yeah, yeah.

Susanne

They get very little work done. Get it done at home. Tell you, my house is like a pig sty, trying to sort out bits and pieces, what I can bring in for them to do next. 

Georgie Burr

So must keep you quite busy then. 

Susanne

Too busy at the minute, I’m going to have to sort me life out. I’m not a very good organiser. 

Georgie Burr

Oh, you look pretty organised. It’s really great to speak to you. Get back to the sewing. 

Georgie Burr

So I’m going to chat to Sarah now, who’s been working with Whitley Bay Big Local since 2014. Sarah, this isn’t the first community space you’ve had, is it? 

Sarah

No, it’s not. We started off in a small shop in Whitley Bay, but we didn’t have a lease for that premises. It was taken on a very short-term basis, so it was six months, and six months, and six months. So, there was never a feeling of any permanence whatsoever. And then we got a larger premises. I mean, the first place, we didn’t even have a fridge, you know, there was that sense of — 

Georgie Burr

Don’t know how long you’re going to be there. 

Sarah

Yeah. And then we moved to a larger place, and we got a lease that it was in 2017 the partnership board constituted as a CIO, so that it could take a lease themselves. The LTO [Locally Trusted Organisation] didn’t have to do that for us, and really quickly filled the space up, other local groups and people would come and hire the space as well. And it’s always been very much about the people feeling an ownership. There were 14 keys for that shop in circulation. 

Georgie Burr

So that was a bigger shop? 

Sarah

It was bigger than the one we’d had originally. Quite a nice space. We had a fridge and we had a cooker, which was lovely. So we developed the stone soup, which was where the knit and natter ladies all brought a little bit of veg in, and someone would put it together as a pan of soup. Every Friday we’d have lunch together. So because we had more equipment and resources, the work sort of developed, and the community got a bit stronger. 

There was one this Friday lunchtime. Someone decided we’ll have pie and peas instead. And we’ve always been completely open and inclusive. And so we do get homeless guys, people who are in hostels and what have you coming in, and somehow they’d heard about the pie and peas. And I popped out and came back in to find all the knit and natter ladies in the back shop with their arms folded, sort of tutting, because the front of the shop was filled with about 10 lads who’d heard about the pie and peas and come for lunch. But because we’ve built up this really good relationship with people, it was like, go away, come back in a couple of hours, and I promise you’ll get pie and peas, but let the Knit and Natter ladies eat first! 

So it just got to the point where we had a great space that people loved using. But when the opportunity came for us to take this space, it was just a really amazing opportunity. I remember the first time we came into view it and just seeing, you know, with nothing in here, how much space there was, and then two other floors and just and the excitement about what, what could happen in here. And of course, we just got in, just started getting established, and then the pandemic hit. And so we were closed for a while and empty, but we did manage to open up in September 2020, for support groups. So, you know, really supported some vulnerable people from this building, you know. 

Georgie Burr

Now it’s just building and building as well, more and more things every week. 

Sarah

It is. Yeah, we’ve got more groups who are coming in and hiring the space. Our groups are just getting bigger, and I think as people are more confident to be out and about again. And I was just pointing out to some of the ladies this morning from in there, in that craft group, they’ve only known each other a matter of weeks, but really quickly, I think, because it’s such an informal space, I think everyone just relaxes and feels at home straight away.

Georgie Burr

And they do more nattering than knitting apparently. 

Sarah

Yes, always, always. We got a lot of people don’t do, never picked up a knitting needle, but they’re still coming on a Friday. We’ve just got to try and make sure there’s enough seats for the people who do want to knit and discuss the patterns and things like that. 

Georgie Burr

Are you excited about what the future holds for this building then? 

Sarah

I’m really excited that we’ve bought the building. I’m excited that it’s now, you know, we have this sense of permanence, that we are here. We are established. I’m really happy that, you know, we still put the community at the heart of everything we do. And as part of the decision making. There’s been a lot of frustrations in in this building, in its layout. It’s going to be a challenge as well. You know, we’ve got, like, a real environmental focus. But I think it’s going to be lovely to do it with the people and really, you know, step by step, them being part of the process and learning. We learn as they learn in this, you know, it is an exciting journey. So it’s, it is really exciting, yes. 

Georgie Burr

Such a long way from having no fridge, no permanence, to now, like, ​‘this is our home’. We’re staying. 

Sarah

Our feet are very firmly under the table now. So it’s, you know, being able to share the wider story of all the things that are going on. But also, what are the community’s ideas for what we do in here? What things can we do in here that are good for our planet and also good for our community? And it’s keeping that, all of that balance and all tied up. 

Georgie Burr

I’m so excited, and I would love to come back and see it again. Thank you, Sarah. 

Sarah

It’s an absolute pleasure. Thank you for coming to see us. 

Georgie Burr

So, will you tell us a bit about some of your plans for the building, David? 

David Carnaffan

So we haven’t really fleshed those plans out to a great extent. We just know that it’s a building that we want to be financially and environmentally sustainable, and somewhere that informs and inspires people and encourages people to be more sustainable themselves. Would really like to see air source heat pumps, a hybrid heating system with a really efficient boiler backing up the heat pumps. Solar panels powering the heat pumps so that we’re using fossil fuels as little as we possibly can. We want to get to zero. We don’t want to be using fossil fuels at all. 

Georgie Burr

And good for the building’s bills as well. 

David Carnaffan

Absolutely, it’s part of the plan, to be financially sustainable is to be green. If we’re green, then we think that the bills will be about half as much, if not less. 

Georgie Burr

I think the Sing-along is starting, let’s head over there. You gonna come and sing a song David? 

David Carnaffan

I won’t be singing, but I will be listening. 

[Group singing and laughing] 

Georgie Burr

Oh what a lovely morning we have had here at the community centre. And everyone’s been saying what a fun place it is, and it definitely is. My face hurts from smiling. There is already so many great things going on here, from knitting and a lot of nattering, to the arts projects and plans for a green future. I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes next, now they own their building. Join us next time when we’ll be exploring another space for community. Thanks very much for having us, everyone. Bye! 

Group

Bye!