Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre Calls for Community Support

In a move to breathe new life into the Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre (HHOEC), Hengistbury Head Outdoors (HHO), a community benefit society, has announced plans for a community asset transfer agreement with BCP Council.

The Outdoor Activity Centre, which has been effectively closed since 2021, used to host activities for over 10,000 children and 5,000 adults annually.

The society, established last year by a diverse group of local watersports groups and enthusiasts, is now seeking support from the local community. The facility based at Hengistbury Head, is not just a hub for outdoor activities but also home to local groups such as the Pink Champagne Dragon Boat team, Hengistbury Head Sailing Club, Southbourne Canoe Club, and more.

As part of their outreach efforts, the society is encouraging locals to become society members for £10, offering member shares that grant a lifetime membership and a single vote at members' meetings and AGM.

Simon Pitman, Director at HHO, expressed their intent to take over HHOEC and operate it as a community facility, gifted through the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process by BCP Council. The society is already registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society with charitable status through HMRC.

Simon outlined their mission to rejuvenate the site sympathetically, aiming to create a sustainable, innovative, and tranquil space for various outdoor activities, both on water and land. Core to their approach is inclusivity, promoting the location for the widest possible use.

In the long term, HHO envisions constructing a new Centre building, with outline guesstimated costs ranging between £3 to £5 million, depending on how the community defines the centre’s requirements. Robust business plans are being developed to ensure the facility's long-term viability. However, before this, they plan to refurbish and potentially introduce temporary buildings to allow existing user groups and clubs to operate safely and efficiently.

The initial focus includes urgently providing improved access to the water, new showers, changing rooms, storage facilities, and securing the safety of the main building. According to Simon, completing the CAT process is the first task, demonstrating the short- and long-term viability of the project to the satisfaction of the Council.

The society is also launching fundraising initiatives, estimating setup costs of around £20,000 for land surveys, drawing up plans, remedial works, legal, and consultancy fees.

Simon emphasises that the directors are working voluntarily, and they invite the wider community to support the cause by becoming members. They also welcome the opportunity to speak to anyone who provides grants, funding, donations, and discussing potential commercial arrangements with schools, educational institutions, and training providers.

For more information on Hengistbury Head Outdoors and their plans, visit www.hengistbury.org.