Voluntary Action Rutland trustees agree to sell the Rutland Community Hub in Oakham
A community hub has been forced to close as a result of financial difficulties during the pandemic.
Voluntary Action Rutland has been at the heart of the community for more than 20 years, offering a range of services and facilities.
But a shortage of grants and a drop in rental income during the past two years had led to the trustees reviewing their future.
They have reluctantly agreed to sell the premises in Lands’ End Way, Oakham.
Chairman of Voluntary Action Rutland, Carsten Pigott, said: “We live in an economic environment in which much has changed over the last few years.
“Long gone are the generous grants that used to underpin much of our operation, and more recently the economic downturn created by the pandemic has all but depleted the office rental income we used to receive from organisations based at our hub.
“This severe negative impact on our income means that we have no option but to put the Rutland Community Hub site up for sale and, later this year, to discontinue the current provision of office and meeting facilities. “
Voluntary Action Rutland has been based in Lands’ End Way for 23 years.
It is home to a thriving community transport scheme and more than 50 social groups.
Carsten said: “Thousands of community activities and meetings have taken place at the Rutland Community Hub. In its best years, more than 28,000 people a year walked through our doors.”
The organisation will continue to run its community transport and social car service, with trustees looking for new smaller premises.
Around 3,000 people are registered for the scheme, which uses volunteer drivers to take people to medical appointments and social activities.
An average of 9,000 journeys are made each year.
Carsten said: “Voluntary Action Rutland is the longest running indigenous charity in Rutland and it will now return to its roots as a transport service.
“Many people depend on us to get out and about.
“We are determined that VAR will remain, although operating from smaller and more affordable accommodation, so as to continue to help and support the Rutland community.”
The premises will soon be on the market but the transport service will continue as normal.
