COMMUNITY CENTRE

2008 SURVEY

DOCUMENT

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Page

SUMMARY4

BRAMBLES FARM COMMUNITY CENTRE 6

CHARLBURY ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE 8

GROVE HILL RESOURCE CENTRE10

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE12

LANGDON SQUARE COMMUNITY CENTRE14

NETHERFIELDS COMMUNITY CENTRE16

NEWPORT NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE18

PARK END COMMUNITY CENTRE20

QUESTIONNAIRE22

STATISTICS TABLE24

INTRODUCTION

Middlesbrough Council manages eight community Centres.

In June 2008, we conducted a survey of users who used the centres over a period of one week.

Almost 500 users completed a simple two page questionnaire.

We set out to ask a number of questions that would enable Middlesbrough Council to provide a better service to centre users. Although individual centres seek regular feedback from their users, the survey provided an opportunity to see the picture ‘across the town’.

The questionnaire was distributed as a hard copy to all centres. Every person visiting the centre was requested to complete the questionnaire. 496 did complete the questionnaire, which approximates to 20% of all visitors. The survey was restricted to adult users and therefore does not record the views of younger people, who are significant users of these facilities.

The survey results will inform the Councils future strategy on Community Centres.The surveys for individual centres were also reported to local Management Committees. This will enable individual centres to reflect the needs of their core users.

The 2008 survey was the start of a process rather than its culmination. Community centres now regularly monitor usage and collect feedback from centre users. This information is invaluable in developing local services that reflect the needs of Middlesbrough’s diverse communities.

COMMUNITY CENTRES IN MIDDLESBROUGH

SURVEY OF USERS – SUMMARY FOR ALL CENTRES

In June 2008, Community Centres in Middlesbrough carried out a survey of their users. The purpose of the survey was to find out:

-Who uses Community Centres?

-What they are used for?

-Whether the services/activities provided meet the needs of our users

496people filled in the questionnaire. The key findings are set out below.

Who uses the Centre

Male31%

Female69%

As you can see, about 7 in 10 of our users are women.

Where are they from

Locally (within 1 mile)54%

Other43%

Middlesbrough86%

Stockton / Redcar 9%

Other 5%

Over half of the users live locally, but just under half are people whotravel further than a mile. The majority of people live in Middlesbrough. However, almost 15% of centre users come from outside Middlesbrough.

Age of Users

19 – 3019%

31 – 5031%

51 – 6517%

65+32%

About one in five people in the survey were aged 30 and under. Just under half the users surveyed were aged between 31 and under 65 and about a third are over 65.

Disability

2 in 10 of the people who filled in the questionnaire classed themselves as disabled.

Quality of Activities Offered

71% found the activity excellent

25% found the activity good

2% found the activity fair

Capacity in which you are visiting

Residents attending an activity58%

Volunteers running a session10%

Volunteers 6%

Paid Workers 3%

Private Hire 6%

Tutor 2%

Almost 75% of the people attending community Centres are either residents attending an activity or volunteers running an activity

How Often People Visit

55% of the respondents said they visited the centre once a week

26% said they visited twice a week

7% said they visited three times a week

3% said they visited four times a week

1% said they visited five times a week

3% said other

Over 90% of visitors use the centres at least once a week. 37% of visitors use the centre at least twice a week. Both these figures show that all Community Centres have a core of regular users who use their Community Centre for regular activities.

Welcoming

89% said they found the centre was welcoming

Cleanliness/tidiness

49% said the centre was exceptionally clean

42% said the level of cleanliness was good

4% said the level of cleanliness was fair

BRAMBLES FARM COMMUNITY CENTRE

SURVEY OF USERS

62 people filled in the questionnaire. The key findings are set out below.

Who uses the Centre

Male13%

Female87%

As you can see, about 8 in 10 users are women.

Where are they from

Locally (within 1 mile)87%

Other13%

Middlesbrough98%

Stockton / Redcar 2%

Other 0%

Nearly all of the users live locally, but over 1 in 10 people travel further than a mile. The vast majority of people using the centre live in Middlesbrough with only a small minority coming from surrounding Boroughs.

Age of Users

19 – 3021%

31 – 5027%

51 – 6510%

65+42%

One in five people surveyed are aged 30 and under. Over a third of the users are aged between 31 and under 65 and under half of the users are aged over 65.

Disability

2 in 10 of the people who filled in the questionnaire classed themselves as disabled.

Quality of Activities Offered

60 % found the activity excellent

40% found the activity good

Capacity in which you are visiting

Residents attending an activity69%

Volunteers running a session 3%

Volunteers 3%

Surveys Void24%

How Often People Visit

73% of the respondents said they visited the centre once a week

18% said they visited twice a week

3% said they visited three times a week

2% said they visited four times a week

3% Surveys Void

Welcoming

94% said they found the centre was welcoming

6% Surveys Void

Cleanliness/tidiness

27% said the centre was exceptionally clean

63% said the level of cleanliness was good

5% said the level of cleanliness was fair

2% said the level of cleanliness was poor

3% Surveys Void

Activities Attended

Activities attended included Youth Club, Line Dancing, Bingo, STEM Forum, Committee Meeting, Mother & Toddler Group, Church Service, Internet Facilities, Over 60’s, Baby Clinic, Knitting Group.

Comments Received

“The activities are good and the people are friendly”

“Very willing and helpful staff – even at unsocial hours”

“The ladies who do the Bingo are very nice and welcoming”

CHARLBURY ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE

SURVEY OF USERS

25 people filled in the questionnaire. The key findings are set out below.

Who uses the Centre

Male16%

Female84%

As you can see, over 8 in 10 of our users are women.

Where are they from

Locally (within 1 mile)80%

Other20%

Middlesbrough92%

Stockton / Redcar 4%

Other 4%

Most of our users live locally, but 2 in 10 travel more than a mile. The vast majority of people using the centre live in Middlesbrough with a minority coming from surrounding Boroughs.

Age of Users

19 – 3020%

31 – 5024%

51 – 6524%

65+32%

One in five people surveyed are aged 30 and under. About half the users are aged between 31 and under 65 and just under a third of the users are over 65.

Disability

1 in 10 of the people who filled in the questionnaire classed themselves as disabled.

Quality of Activities Offered

84% found the activity excellent

12% found the activity good

4% found the activity fair

Capacity in which you are visiting

Residents attending an activity44%

Volunteers running a session24%

Surveys Void32%

How Often People Visit

52% of the respondents said they visited the centre once a week

16% said they visited twice a week

12% said they visited three times a week

20% said other

Welcoming

84% said they found the centre was welcoming

16% Surveys Void

Cleanliness/tidiness

64% said the centre was exceptionally clean

24% said the level of cleanliness was good.

12% Surveys Void

Activities Attended

Activities attended include Bingo session, Literacy Class, Dance Class, Credit Union, Computer facilities and making hanging baskets.

Comments Received

Enjoy meeting people.

Interested in crafts.

“I love my class it has given me confidence and I’m meeting new people, my teacher is brilliant. I have got my life back”

“It is very good it gives me loads of confidence and everyone is very friendly”

GROVE HILL - RESOURCE CENTRE

SURVEY OF USERS

73 people filled in the questionnaire. The key findings are set out below.

Who uses the Centre

Male29%

Female71%

As you can see 7 in 10 of the users are women.

Where are they from

Locally (within 1 mile)56%

Other44%

Middlesbrough82%

Stockton / Redcar12%

Other 5%

Over half of the users live locally and just under half are people who travel further than a mile. The majority of users are from Middlesbrough with a percentage coming from other Boroughs.

Age of Users

19 – 3027%

31 – 5048%

51 – 6518%

65+ 7%

Less than a third of the people surveyed were aged 30 and under. Two thirds of the users are aged 31 -65. Less than one in ten of the users surveyed were over 65.

Disability

1 in 10 of the people who filled in the questionnaire classed themselves as disabled.

Quality of Activities Offered

82 % found the activity excellent

15 % found the activity good

3 % found the activity fair

Capacity in which you are visiting

Residents attending an activity68%

Volunteers running a session 5%

Volunteers 4%

Paid Worker 16%

Private Hire 1%

Tutor 1%

How Often People Visit

55% of the respondents said they visited the centre once a week

15% said they visited twice a week

5% said they visited three times a week

4% said they visited four times a week

1% said they visited five times a week

11% said other

Welcoming

90% said they found the centre was welcoming

Cleanliness/tidiness

71% said the centre was exceptionally clean

18% said the level of cleanliness was good.

Comments Received

Activities attended included Health Drop In, IT Course, Middlesbrough Works, Literacy Course, Citizens Advice, Sure Start Volunteer Programme, Baby Massage, Jolly Jingles, Printing & Faxing Facilities, Credit Union, Group Meeting

“I would like to do more, I feel better about myself every time I come here”

“There was no other equivalent resource available. I don’t know what I would have done otherwise. Time was crucial and the outcome would have been very much worse. I was really grateful for the help I received”

“I think the centre is very good with all the activities being very helpful in bringing up my children and further education of adults”

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

SURVEY OF USERS

33 people filled in the questionnaire. The key findings are set out below.

Who uses the Centre

Male15%

Female79%

As you can see, almost 8 in 10 of our users are women.

Where are they from

Locally (within 1 mile)39%

Other55%

Middlesbrough85%

Stockton / Redcar12%

Other 3%

1 in 4 of our users live locally, but over half are people who travel further than a mile. The majority of users live in Middlesbrough and a minority are from surrounding Boroughs.

Age of Users

19 – 3036%

31 – 5048%

51 – 6515%

65+ 0%

Over a third of the people surveyed are aged 30 and under. Nearly half the users are aged between 31 and under 65 and none of the users surveyed were over 65.

Disability

None of the people who filled in the questionnaire classed themselves as disabled.

Quality of Activities Offered

45 % found the activity excellent

45 % found the activity good

9 % Surveys Void

Capacity in which you are visiting

Residents attending an activity33%

Volunteers running a session 6%

Volunteers15%

Paid Worker 3%

Private Hire 6%

Tutor15%

Surveys Void21%

How Often People Visit

42% of the respondents said they visited the centre once a week

30% said they visited twice a week

9% said they visited three times a week

6% said they visited four times a week

3% said they visited five times a week

6% said other

3% Surveys Void

Welcoming

82% said they found the centre was welcoming

Cleanliness/tidiness

61% said the centre was exceptionally clean

36% said the level of cleanliness was good.

3% Surveys Void

Activities Attended

Activities attended included English Class, Junior Club, ESOL Tutorial, Playworks, Youth Club, Arts & Crafts Session

Comments Received

“An excellent venue”

“Availability of laptops and access to wireless internet has enhanced lessons”

LANGDON SQUARE COMMUNITY CENTRE

SURVEY OF USERS

88 people filled in the questionnaire. The key findings are set out below.

Who uses the Centre

Male19%

Female81%

As you can see 8 in 10 of our users are women.

Where are they from

Locally (within 1 mile)32%

Other67%

Middlesbrough70%

Stockton / Redcar16%

Other14%

Nearly a third of our users live locally, but over two thirds are people who travel further than a mile. Although the majority of users are from Middlesbrough nearly a third come from surrounding Boroughs.

Age of Users

19 – 30 7%

31 – 5015%

51 – 6524%

65+55%

Only a small proportion of people surveyed are aged 30 and under. Over a third of the users are aged between 31 and under 65. Over half of the users are over 65.

Disability

2 in 10 of the people who filled in the questionnaire classed themselves as disabled.

Quality of Activities Offered

78% found the activity excellent

18% found the activity good

1% found the activity poor

Capacity in which you are visiting

Residents attending an activity63%

Volunteers running a session 7%

Volunteer 7%

Paid Worker 1%

Private Hire 9%

Tutor 3%

Surveys Void10%

How Often People Visit

66% of the respondents said they visited the centre once a week

26% said they visited twice a week

6% said they visited three times a week

1% said they visited four times a week

Welcoming

97% said they found the centre was welcoming

Cleanliness/tidiness

49% said the centre was exceptionally clean

48% said the level of cleanliness was good.

Activities Attended

Activities attended included Floral Art, Take Heart Support Group, Yoga Class, Sewaholics, Tweeny Tots, Karate, Slimming World, Dancing Class, Card Class, Bobbin Lace, Ephemera Ink, Baby Clinic, Knitting Club, Rhythm Time, Cake Decorating, St.John Ambulance, Family History Class

Comments Received

“Always helpful and friendly staff, clean facilities”

“For card class we have the upstairs room and our bags can be heavy. The stairs are dangerous and assistance or a lift would be useful for our disabled members”

“I have always used Langdon Square Community Centre. I like all activities and it’s well used by the public”

“I like the centre, plenty of activities for everyone”

“All people associated with the centre, such as staff, instructors, volunteers are great”

“We have trouble with the entrance doors as I am usually carrying something whilst pulling a trolley”

“The caretakers are very helpful and friendly and go out of their way to be helpful”

NETHERFIELDS COMMUNITY CENTRE

SURVEY OF USERS

40 people filled in the questionnaire. The key findings are set out below.

Who uses the Centre

Male20%

Female80%

As you can see, about 8 in 10 of our users are women.

Where are they from

Locally (within 1 mile)78%

Other23%

Middlesbrough95%

Stockton / Redcar 5%

Other 0%

Over three quarters of users live locally, but nearly a quarter of users are people who travel further than a mile. The majority of people live in Middlesbrough with only a minority of people coming from surrounding Boroughs.

Age of Users

19 – 3020%

31 – 5045%

51 – 6520%

65+15%

One in five people surveyed were aged 30 and under. Nearly two thirds of users are aged between 31 and under 65 and the smallest group are users aged over 65.

Disability

1 in 10 of the people who filled in the questionnaire classed themselves as disabled.

Quality of Activities Offered

65 % found the activity excellent

28% found the activity good

8% found the activity fair

Capacity in which you are visiting

Residents attending an activity60%

Volunteers running a session15%

Volunteers18%

How Often People Visit

23% of the respondents said they visited the centre once a week

38% said they visited twice a week

10% said they visited three times a week

20% said they visited four times a week

3% said other

Welcoming

95% said they found the centre was welcoming

Cleanliness/tidiness

35% said the centre was exceptionally clean

55% said the level of cleanliness was good

8% said the level of cleanliness was fair

Activities Attended

Activities attended include Youth Club, Parent & Toddler, Bingo, Keep Fit, Bowls, Badminton, Committee Meeting, Credit Union, After School Youth Group,

Comments Received

“Most enjoyable, met many friends”

“The centre is fantastic at giving our learners the opportunity to use facilities outside of school and to give parents time to relax from their children”

“The students really enjoy using this venue within walking distance of school”

“The centre is excellent for the Youth Club and the site manager bends over backwards to help out staff and students”

“The centre is a welcoming and friendly place”

“Facilities are very good”

“Good Centre”

NEWPORT NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

SURVEY OF USERS

110 people filled in the questionnaire. The key findings are set out below.

Who uses the Centre

Male24%

Female76%

As you can see, about 8 in 10 of our users are women.

Where are they from

Locally (within 1 mile)41%

Other56%

Middlesbrough87%

Stockton / Redcar 9%

Other 4%

Over a third of our users live locally, but just under two thirds are people who travel further than a mile. The majority of users are from Middlesbrough but a small proportion come from surrounding Boroughs.

Age of Users

19 – 3013%

31 – 5022%

51 – 6519%

65+46%

Over 1 in 10 people surveyed were aged 30 and under. Under half of the users are aged between 31 and under 65 and nearly half of the users are over 65.

Disability

2 in 10 of the people who filled in the questionnaire classed themselves as disabled.

Quality of Activities Offered

72% found the activity excellent

25% found the activity good

2% found the activity fair

Capacity in which you are visiting

Residents attending an activity55%

Volunteers running a session14%

Volunteer 3%

Private Hire15%

Tutor 2%

How Often People Visit

65% of the respondents said they visited the centre once a week

21% said they visited twice a week

12% said they visited three times a week

2% said other

Welcoming

88% said they found the centre was welcoming

Cleanliness/tidiness

58% said the centre was exceptionally clean

39% said the level of cleanliness was good