OCSH
Hamara has grown to be the largest ethnic minority organisation in the voluntary and community sector in Leeds.
Our vision for the new centre
Hamara Successfully acquired the Cockburn Sports centre in Hunslet Moor, Leeds as a community asset transfer with the vision of developing a vibrant and dynamic centre allowing Hamara to respond to the growing community need.
The centre will be accessible and fully functioning to meet the needs of all members whilst delivering essential services across the city.
The centre will be home to our projects on Education and Employment, and in particular will allow us to expand ‘Halo’, our day opportunities service for adults with learning disabilities and additional needs. This includes purpose-built rooms allowing us to meet the more specialist needs of our members.
Some examples of these rooms are:
- Arts room
- Media room
- Sensory room
- Quite room
In addition to this the centre will have a state-of-the-art sports hall allowing members and the community to take part in physical activity sessions and provide flexible managed office space for local like-minded charitable organisations to rent.
Our Purpose for the new centre
Our main purpose for this centre is to provide a space and opportunities that allow our members and our community to grow and develop, whether this is by accessing an education programme, taking part in a new project with new and old friends, learning new skills, leading a group or just relaxing and enjoying the lively environment we are known for, whilst enjoying a coffee in the café. There is something for everyone!
This new building will be run by the community for the community, led by adults with additional needs and a team of motivated, friendly and diverse volunteers.
We have over 20 years’ experience of working city wide to provide projects for adults, youth and Older people, which promote equality and diversity and challenge discrimination.
We know that this is only the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and there is still a lot of work to do which is why we are always striving to grow in everything we do.
We now have completed RIBA Stage 2 of the design phase and are working towards approval of our planning application. We plan to move quickly into detailed design (RIBA stage 3) and competitive tendering exercise (RIBA stage 4) soon and then onto construction (RIBA stage 5).
How you can support us to support more
We have already secured funding from Power to change, Sport England and Co-op Foundation. We have also applied to Wolfson Foundation (Final Stage), Garfield Weston Foundation (Final Stage), Peter Harrison Foundation and Reaching Communities Lotteries Fund. Once our planning application is approved we will apply to other funders/foundations such as Clothworkers, TheKeyFund, Mondegreen Landfill, Bernard Sunley and Bailly Thomas. Furthermore, Community, stakeholder and corporate fundraising will recommence this summer as we have some exciting fundraising events in the pipeline.
There are many ways to show your support, in particular through:
Giving money – You can click on the link below which will redirect you to our Fundraising page to make a donation, or simply share this link:
Raise the profile of The Cockburn Centre within your networks, friends and families.
Donate your time and volunteer to support the project or use your skills to provide advice guidance; you can even become an ambassador for the Cockburn centre and actively tell your community about our project.
Challenge yourself and use our fundraising pack filled with downloadable resources and ideas to help you raise money. We are in the process of setting up with Total Giving page so donors can raise money for events.
If have any questions regarding the above or if you would like to discuss how you can get involved, please contact Arnie Sajad on 07989943432 or email arnie@hamara.co.uk.
