The River Centre The River Centre The Environment

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 Preservation Volunteering Education

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 Local architects Clive Chapman, James Deasley Tide Tables Cafe Ecologist Joe Pecorelli Great River Race Jolly Boat HANDS Eel Pie Island Slipways Ready Trust 14 th Richmond Sea Scouts London Wildlife Trust RNLI

The River Centre Organisation and Management User BTCV office BTCV volunteers Environment Trust office Environment Trust volunteers Environment Trust art picnics Thames Landscape Strategy REN River Thames Boat Project Thames Explorer Trust London Wildlife Trust Jubilant Trust Local Agenda 21 and Richmond Biodiversity Action Plan Weekday events/year 350 100 350 Weekend events/year No. of clients (adult)/year 24 1134 10 90 120 100 50 25 10 500 100 350 (office) 20 (training) 3 No. of clients (child)/year 180 540 130 36 (evening meetings) 52 2 (exhibitions) 130 52 General public Tide Tables Cafe 14 th Richmond Sea Scouts 248 50 (evenings) 122 General public Great River Race Jolly Boat 30 (with Kids Out) Richmond Bridge Boathouses Twickenham Rowing Club Eel Island Slipways, Asian Water Funerals Family Learning & Extended Schools, and RNLI 6 Usage in discussion 2 (evenings) 6 (receptions) 5 (training) 26 Shared events Space occupied Office Multipurpose 2 Multipurpose 1 Boathouse Reception display Multipurpose Office Multipurpose 2 Multipurpose 1 Reception display Boathouse & pontoon 20 Cafe Multipurpose 1 Boating use Apr-Sept Boathouse 120 Multipurpose 1 Multipurpose 2 250

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