Birkdale Community Hub and Library is a registered charity, number 1153611

Welcome

We’re planning the new Birkdale Community Hub & Library in The Station Master’s House attached to Birkdale station.

Learn More

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

We are just a few months away from opening. The Station Master’s House is being completely renovated and (subject to Covid-19 restrictions) should be open to the public in late September 2020. We have raised enough money to get started and we’re raring to go!

When we open, the Hub will offer a comfortable place for internet access, book-borrowing, play for small children, meeting opportunities and much more. There will be full disabled access to the whole building.

But all these activities need people to run them and we need help. Initially we are looking for volunteers to get the place up and running (book management, computer set-up and some small jobs around the building). Then we need to develop teams who will manage the day-to day operations of the Hub, including room hire. We shall be providing training for the various activities.

Can you help?
If so, it would be great if you could email us at secretary@the stationmastershouse.co.uk to let us know what you are interested in helping us with. For starters, tell us which of the following categories appeals:

Getting Ready for Opening : book management, computer installation, providing training and odd jobs.

Running the Hub: managing volunteers, library services, room hire, community liaison, newsletters/media, promotion.

And perhaps you could add a few words on your previous experience and interests along with your contact phone number. We will get in touch with you to talk through how you can help and how much time you can spare

Thank you, and looking forward to hearing from you!

What we're doing

Our aim is to turn a disused but central Birkdale property into a well used and valued community asset with clean modern facilities

Ground Floor

Adult book lending library

Children’s book lending library

Small kitchen area

Lift access between floors

Disabled Toilet

Outside garden/yard sitting area for the warmer months.

1st Floor

Meeting room for classes, clubs, societies and for hire at the front of the building

Computer/crafts room in the second room that stretches over the station ticket office

Back room which could be divided into a small meeting room/office and toilet

Cloud based library management system

Want to Help?

how you can help

To turn the Station Master’s house into a great resource for Birkdale and its residents a lot of work and resources are required. We’re busy raising money as a registered charity to fund this development.

We hope that you will back our efforts by making a donation, joining the 200 Club, becoming a Friend of the Station Master’s House, or attending one of our regular Events

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Percentage of target £146,500

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Donate

We now collect donations using the Virgin Money Giving site and anything you feel able to contribute is gratefully received and will be put to good use. The site also allows you to create regular recurring payments. If you previously used our BT donation facility please check out the new Virgin Money Giving site – Thanks!

Donate Now!

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Events

We hold regular events which to help raise funds. These have included dinner dances, local history talks, concerts and more. You can find details of upcoming events by clicking the button below

What's On...

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200 Club

For just £2/ month for one number you will be entered into the 200 Club draw. There is monthly draw of 2 x £20 prizes and one of £50, plus one annual prize draw of £500

Join Up

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Friends

Please join our Friends of the Station Master’s House for a £12 per annum subscription fee. You will receive a quarterly newsletter detailing our recent activities and plans.

Join Friends

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Shopping

Sign up with Give As You Live so that we receive a donation when you shop online at many big name retailers including Amazon, M&S and John Lewis

Shop Now!

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We’re always pleased to hear from anyone who could bring relevant skills to the project particularly in terms of the fund raising, lease negotiations, building expertise and community library operations. See the contact section for our details.

How we’re using the funds

Here’s how we’ll be using those funds:

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Leasing

The Station Master’s House is owned by Network Rail and leased to Merseyrail as part of the station complex. We’re negotiating a lease to allow us to host the Library and Hub.

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Building

The house itself has not been occupied for many years and requires significant building work and decoration, inside and out. The intention is to build a lift in the building for disabled access.

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Equipping

We want to equip The Station Master’s House with computers, books and meeting room facilities. We’ve been very fortunate to have a large number of books donated. To manage book loans and the other resources we will purchase library management software.

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Operation

Once the Station Master’s House opens there will be bills to pay and maintenance work to make sure that the building is a safe, accessible, pleasant and stimulating place to be.

the team

Sylvia Thompson

Secretary & Trustee

Sylvia has been involved with the project from the beginning and is the key organiser for the committee.

Sally Moss

Treasurer & Trustee

Sally looks after our finances, having worked in various roles in accountancy for 25 years and was a member of the AAT.

Phil Margham

Project Manager & Trustee

Phil co-ordinates all aspect of the internal building work required to convert the building for its new use, having previously managed large projects at Liverpool John Moores University

John Pugh

Trustee

John is well known in Southport as our ex-MP and his been involved in many charity projects over the years

Terry Durrance

Chair

Terry is an active figure in local affairs and charity work while also acting as Chair for this the group

Andy Webb