A Brief Description

The Centre at St Paul’s on Hills Road was created in 1996 when the Victorian church was converted (see Creation of the Centre in 1996). In 2006, it celebrated its 10th anniversary with a series of special events described elsewhere on this website.

The Centre runs a programme of activities designed to meet perceived need within the community and hires out rooms to community groups, private individuals and businesses. The Centre at St Paul's is a registered charity. Income generated from room hire is used to maintain and improve the building, pay staff and subsidise non income generating activities.

 Pavlova anyone? Thursday lunch every Thursday                         New oak floor in the Lower Hall: September 2009                          City Council meeting in the church

Programme Activities
The Centre's own activities for members of the community include a baby and toddler group (run in partnership with Homerton Children's Centre), free internet classes (in conjunction with Cambridge Online), a seated exercise class as part of the city council's "Forever Active" programme, lunch for people with mental health issues and Friday lunch for older people. These events are coordinated by a member of staff and run by volunteers. The Centre acts as a distribution centre twice a week for Cambridge City Foodbank which is organised in partnership with Our Lady and the English Martyrs catholic church and Cambridge Community Church. On Saturdays it hosts a community lunch cooked and served by Cambridge FoodCycle volunteers using food that would otherwise be thrown away. Centre representatives play a leading role in Newtown Community Forum which meets regularly to discuss issues of concern to residents' associations and other members of the Newtown community. It also features prominently in the Newtown Newsletter, produced in conjunction with Cambridge City Council, which is distributed to 1,500 Newtown addresses four times a year.

 Orchestral concert in the worship space                                            Ballet class in the Upper Hall                                                              Family Fun for the under 8s with Mr Marvel

Rooms for Hire
The Centre hires out rooms for conferences, classes, seminars, meetings, training sessions and parties to commercial organisations, voluntary and community groups and private individuals. It is ideal for wedding receptions, children’s parties and discos and has been frequently used for concerts, balls, dinners and graduation ceremonies.

University of the Third Age:Jazz Apppreciation,Lower Hall          Footloose Dance Orchestra in the worship space                           Tuesday Fellowship summer tea

Facilities

Refreshments ranging from tea and coffee, a simple buffet or more elaborate lunch and dinner can be provided. Flipcharts, TV, video, OHPs and disco equipment are available on request. The Upper Hall and Lower Hall are equipped with loop systems and there is an excellent PA system in the church together with a projector and fixed screen suitable for Powerpoint presentations. The building has disabled access throughout, a disabled toilet and a lift to the first floor.

 The Upper Hall                                                                                        The downstairs kitchen                                                                       Bellydancing in the Upper Hall

 If you would like more information or a tour of the building, please get in touch with John Quysner, the Centre Manager by e-mail or phone.