The Doddridge Centre Limited

The Doddridge Centre Limited is a United Kingdom-based nonprofit organisation and registered charity (Charity number 1118283) dedicated to serving community and voluntary groups through the provision of accessible facilities and supportive services. Located in Northampton, the centre functions as a vibrant community hub offering a broad spectrum of resources aimed at empowering local organisations and fostering community cohesion.

Mission and Objectives

The charity's mission is to deliver the highest quality services to nonprofit organisations and the wider community, primarily by providing room hire and shared spaces. Its purpose is to offer opportunities for community groups and enterprises to develop their tools and strategies, promoting a more just society underpinned by the ethos of enabling all citizens to receive a helping hand upwards. The Doddridge Centre aspires to be an enduring community asset that supports social inclusion and collective growth.

Facilities and Activities

The Doddridge Centre operates as a busy, welcoming resource centre facilitating a variety of activities:

• Hosting multiple community and voluntary groups for a wide array of engagements including lunch clubs, workshops, drop-in sessions, and conferences.
• Providing free community spaces alongside rooms available for hire to support local events and organisational needs.
• Running a community library with regular opening hours, enabling residents to engage with reading and volunteering opportunities.
• Operating a ‘wardrobe’ service for clothing swaps, donations, and sustainable shopping.
• Offering referrals to local food banks to assist vulnerable individuals.
• Functioning as a warm space, responding to community needs by providing a heated venue during periods of high fuel costs.

The centre collaborates with both small local groups and larger recognised organisations to deliver these services.

Governance and Funding

The Doddridge Centre Limited is managed by a board of four trustees and supported by approximately ten volunteers. It employs staff to run daily operations but does not pay trustees or have employees with benefits exceeding £60,000. The organisation relies on income primarily from room hire and possibly donations and grants, with reported total income of £174,126 and expenditures of £185,671 for the financial year ending March 31, 2023. It holds no trading subsidiaries and engages in no trustee payments.

Community Impact and Future Plans

Having served the St James community of Northampton for many years, The Doddridge Centre remains committed to enhancing community well-being and opportunity. A key future ambition is to secure ownership of its building to expand flexibility and strengthen its role as a community anchor.

This summary reflects the Doddridge Centre's work as a vital nonprofit facility dedicated to community support, collaboration, and social improvement within Northamptonshire.

[1] https://www.doddridgecentre.org.uk [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4028328 [3] https://www.doddridgecentre.org.uk/about-us/ [4] https://www.ncf.uk.com/blog/?pid=6&nid=3&storyid=17 [5] https://www.neighbourly.com/project/6213a25993374a2e471de581