A campaign has been launched by Sideshore Community, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which runs year-round events and workshops focusing on sea safety and environmental awareness while promoting wellbeing. Sideshore Community has been operating from a small hut since it was established two years ago.
Despite its small size, the current hub has had a huge impact in the community: it was used by more than 4,500 people in its first year. But now, under the terms of the original building loan the hut has to return to retail use meaning Sideshore Community needs a new hub.
Planning permission has been granted on the Mallow – the grassy area next to the Sideshore complex on Queen’s Drive – for a small, sustainable building providing space for environmental and sea safety education alongside activities promoting coastal and social connection, creativity and wellbeing activities for people of all ages.
Research with the University of Exeter found that around two thirds of visitors to the temporary Sideshore Community hub felt more connected to their community and took more environmental action afterwards, while 88 per cent experienced an improvement in their mental wellbeing.
In June, over 1,000 primary school children worked with marine biologists from the University of Exeter as part of the Sideshore Project fortnight, a free educational program that teaches local school children about sea safety, marine conservation, and coastal arts. Sideshore Community has also hosted sea swimming events and children’s swimming awards, brought hundreds of people together through community dips, raised awareness of environmental concerns and campaigns, and provided a space for local community groups to meet including Transition Exmouth, Friends of the River Exe, Plant Based ExeChange, Mushroom Food Network and NCI Coastwatch Exmouth.
The Crowdfunding target has been set at £20,000 (including £10,000 match funding), with the total project cost of £150,000 to be met by a jigsaw of funding including grants, match funding and sponsorship.
Bernie Rhodes, Activity and Project Manager at Sideshore said: “Sideshore Community has proven its value to the community. This Crowdfunder isn’t just about bricks, wood, benches, planting or funding targets. It’s about belonging. It’s about creating a place where everyone feels welcome.
“The temporary hub has shown us that people are looking for connection, meaning and community. Now we have the opportunity to create a permanent place that offers exactly that, every day, for years to come.
“This is where the Crowdfunder comes in. Whether you donate or share the campaign with your friends to help us spread the word, you’ll be helping create something Exmouth can be proud of for generations to come – a community village green by the sea that belongs to everyone.”
You can donate via the Crowdfunder page, https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/sideshore-community-hub
25 months in jail for woman who smuggled Thai cannabis
Homes plan lodged for former Exeter leisure centre
Fire Service issues enforcement notice for fire safety breaches at Torbay hospital
Unsung heroes’ who keep Exeter looking good honoured at awards
County Council backs plan to help young people build a future in Devon
Householders urged to fight fly-tipping by choosing reputable removers
Multi-million pound funding boost to Devon’s road’s
‘Frustration’ as £5million Newton Abbot market stays shut
Exeter traffic-free street row rumbles on
Devon leaders demand Government stop the money drain on Local Government Reorganisation
University of Exeter launches £175m fundraising campaign – the largest in its history
Council land transfers will help protect public spaces
Recycle Devon marks International Repair Day with free community repair event
Support events organised for businesses in Dawlish and Newton Abbot
Protest over Exeter’s ‘floating’ bus stops
Bluetongue leaves Devon farmers exhausted and facing long-term losses
