DORCHESTER'S COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS HUB
DORCHESTER'S COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS HUB
Want your town centre to feel more lively, have more going on, fewer empty shops, and with more to do for people of all ages?
Looking for an antidote to relentless bad news about war, social, ecological and climate breakdown, online hatred, mental ill health, and all the systems that just don't seem to work any more?
Worried for yourself or others about isolation and loneliness, finding it hard to meet others or follow shared interests, finding things to do, having a purpose and a place to belong?
Feeling that whilst lots of great stuff is going on, it seems that separate groups and organisations could collaborate more and join things up? It's great for some, but others feel excluded.
Read on for more information on the idea of re:connection - Dorchester's Community Hub, why we think it's needed, what it might provide, and how you could be involved. We've drafted some ideas on the space and the functions and vibe we'd like. We've listed the next steps we need to take, some inspiring case studies of successful projects elsewhere, and some frequently asked questions. Finally, you can contact us to ask a question, share an idea, sign up for emails, or offer to help!
At this early stage, these are simply ideas. We need to test local feeling about this concept as we can only move forward with broad support. We also need to research potential funding sources, partnerships with our councils and other organisations, and look for potential buildings.
Let's reconnect with each other, and build a stronger and more resilient community. You're invited!
"Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come."
Greta ThunbergClimate campaignerPoverty is growing. Access to affordable social spaces is out of reach for some people. Not everyone can afford to go out and take part in everything Dorchester has to offer.
How might we improve social connections, opportunties and a sense of belonging for everyone, regardless of income or background?
There is a feeling of disconnection for many, and division or lack of contact between different sections of society. Misunderstandings and misinformation abound as some groups are far more online than in the real world.
How might we improve our understanding and empathy for each other in practical ways? Where would we even meet people from very different backgrounds?
A growing number of people have no-one else to turn to at a point of personal or family crisis, putting strain on public services when in the past family, neighbours or the local community would step in.
How might we build greater community resilience and co-operative problem solving? How would Dorchester fare in a national crisis?
More of us work from home and are increasingly isolated. Some of us have lost a sense of ‘together’, even at work. Office space can be prohibitively expensive for the sole trader. Many now rarely come across new people, because unlike workplaces, markets or places of worship in the past, there is nowhere that we might meet them.
How might we create a more human-friendly climate for work in the digital age?
Many of our problems can be solved through collaborative working, and there is already great work being done by organisations in Dorchester. But where do we find these connections in one place?
How might we create physical space for people to find out and meet problem solvers, and for organisations to network together? Can we better promote available support, and recruit more volunteers?
Young people are especially under pressure, often isolated, increasingly in the virtual rather than the real world, and opportunities for intergenerational support and connection hard to find.
How might we co-create, with young people, safe spaces for them in which they can belong, grow and connect?
These are only ideas at the moment. We would need to research where and how they work elsewhere, and discuss within our community what we think we need and what would work here. Above all, we want to work in partnership with others rather than re-inventing the wheel, so where these spaces already exist in some form in Dorchester, we want to involve those experts and ensure that the Hub complements, expands on and works in partnership.
'Community Living Room', magazines and book swap
Meeting room space for business and community groups
Hot desk workspaces space for individuals and sole traders
Collaborative work space for shared projects and work streams
Community cafe with long communal tables for new conversations
Community larder - food sharing and recipe ideas to take home
Indoor play area and toy library
Youth cafe run by young people themselves
Outdoor natural play area and community garden
Base and info point for local charities and other organisations
Board games zone
Repair cafe or Men's Shed type space
A banking and community finance hub to replace lost facilities in town
Tourist information, town guides, business and heritage promotion
Volunteering information point, putting those with time and skills in touch with organisations who need them
What could Dorchester's Hub feel like? What would it be? What would it provide?
Relaxed
A relaxed place for everyone to relax, socialise, or be 'alone together', regardless of income
Convenient
A convenient place to meet for business or social reasons, 1:1 or in small groups, or as a base for exploring town
Businesslike
An businesslike place to work individually or collaboratively, with the option of registered office address, postboxes and mail forwarding
Lively
A lively place where people meet, network, support each other, and share and develop ideas and projects
Friendly
A friendly place to make new friends and connections, with everyone made to feel welcome
Practical
A practical place which builds community resilience, new skills and support for 21st century life
Stimulating
A stimulating place that supports child development and busy parents, as well as all ages in conversation and games
Safe
A safe place where young people and more vulnerable groups feel that they can belong
Calm
A calm place promoting mental health by rebuilding connections with each other, our environment, and ourselves
Healthy
A healthy place promoting wellbeing through physical activity, tasty local food and good conversation
Helpful
A helpful place supporting older people, especially in IT, as well as young people in finding work and support
Sustainable
A sustainable place reducing waste and promoting adaptation to the climate and ecological emergencies
We'll be researching this much more fully, but for now here is some basic information of projects we've already found inspiring.
Dorchester's Hub will be unique, but we can learn a lot from others and adapt ideas for our town.
Community Waffle House, Axminster.
An innovative community space centred around a waffle cafe!
Includes collaborative and individual work spaces, community cafe, community larder, play area, performance area, and IT repair. Worth a visit - the X51 bus from Dorchester drops you right outside.
More of a traditional community centre which has added on a community cafe.
Includes hireable rooms of different sizes, music events, classes and other activities.
Info and support centre - a ‘front door’ to a wide range of local services
Info on wellbeing, health, volunteering, tourism, community groups, local services, events and activities
**Sadly just closed - but lots to learn**
Thirst Youth Cafe, Bishop Stortford
Young people volunteer to run the cafe, supported by adult mentors.
Arts, crafts, cooking, cafe, board games, computer games, place to chat
Board In The City, Southampton.
A community cafe full of board games!
Low entry fee and people can stay as long as they like. Affordable non-alcoholic drinks. Safe social space. Volunteering opportunity.
Graylingwell Chapel, Chichester
A refurbished church and possibly the closest example to the Dorchester concept.
Community cafe, play, arts, information hub and workspace during the day; community events by night.
We've answered a few queries about the Dorchester Hub here but will keep adding to this. If you have a question, do contact us!
(c) Dorchester Hub 2025 | Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom | hello@dorchesterhub.co.uk