The River Centre

The River Centre The Environment Trust: Who we are An established local environment group We are a BPT and support river-based environment issues We act as a focus for local action groups and fundraising We are part of the Richmond Environment Network

The River Centre What We Do PreservationVolunteeringEducation

The River Centre Why The Challenge The site is on the river We felt that a public/ community building was required on the site We were asked to provide a focus for other groups

The River Centre What Is The River Centre? HOME for environmental education & volunteering BASE for 3 of the borough’s leading environmental organisations SHOWCASE for history, ecology and sustainable principles BOATHOUSE COMMUNITY BUILDING open to all

The River Centre What Does The River Centre Do? It brings people together TO LEARN TO WORK TO VOLUNTEER TO WATCH TO ENJOY

The River Centre The New Building A landmark low-energy small-scale building A building which is of the river and the town A building which contributes to a secure urban environment

The River Centre The New Building: Accommodation Provides exhibition and learning spaces Provides a maintenance and display space for the Jubilant Includes an activity space for boat repair Has shop and office facilities Has a café and riverside terrace Forms a volunteer gathering space

The River Centre What Is Our Market? The project is about volunteering, education and training – Children and schools – Families – The elderly – People with physical and learning disabilities The catchment extends beyond the local Twickenham area

The River Centre How Will The Building Be Used? A working river building Environmental education Exhibition and display Riverside Café & Terrace Multi-purpose spaces Offices

The River Centre Participating Groups Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames BTCV Thames Landscape Strategy Richmond Environment Network River Thames Boat Project Thames Explorer Trust

The River Centre Participating Groups And Advisers Jubilant Trust Richmond Bridge Boathouses Tide Tables Cafe Great River Race Jolly Boat HANDS Eel Pie Island Slipways Ready Trust 14th Richmond Sea Scouts London Wildlife Trust RNLI Local architects Clive Chapman, James Deasley Ecologist Joe Pecorelli

The River Centre Organisation and ManagementUser Weekday events/year Weekend events/year No. of clients (adult)/year No. of clients (child)/year Shared events Space occupied BTCV office 350Office BTCV volunteers  Multipurpose 2 Environment Trust office 350Office Environment Trust volunteers  Multipurpose 2 Environment Trust art picnics Multipurpose 1 Boathouse Thames Landscape Strategy Reception display Multipurpose REN 350 (office) 20 (training)  Office Multipurpose 2 River Thames Boat Project 5 (training)  Multipurpose 1 Thames Explorer Trust  Multipurpose 1 London Wildlife Trust Reception display Jubilant Trust 13052Boathouse Local Agenda 21 and Richmond Biodiversity Action Plan 36 (evening meetings) 2 (exhibitions)  Multipurpose 2 Multipurpose 1 Reception display Richmond Bridge Boathouses General public Boathouse & pontoon Tide Tables Cafe General public Cafe 14th Richmond Sea Scouts 50 (evenings) Multipurpose 1 Boating use Apr-Sept Great River Race Jolly Boat 30 (with Kids Out) 20Boathouse Twickenham Rowing Club 2 (evenings) 250 Multipurpose 1 Eel Island Slipways, Asian Water Funerals 6 6 (receptions) 120 Multipurpose 2 Family Learning & Extended Schools, and RNLI Usage in discussion

The River Centre Finance: Costs and Revenue We are a not-for-profit charity We have a robust cost plan We will use volunteers to operate the centre The centre will be funded from a major capital appeal, a loan and other fundraising

The River Centre Fundraising We are experienced at raising funds We have made preliminary successful approaches to targeted charities The diversity of our fellow centre members broadens our appeal base We will be looking for commercial sponsors

The River Centre Summary It brings together so many people working in and beside the river It’s a community building that is ecological and accessible to all It’s a River Centre – about the river, on a riverside site in the borough with the longest riverside