Stricklandgate House Trust
Stricklandgate House Trust Limited was set up in
1993 to provide accommodation and common services and facilities
for voluntary organisations in South Lakeland. The Trust has always
striven to ensure that the lettings are as reasonably priced as is
possible. It has been able to use external charitable donations to
support the rents that is actually charges.
Achievements:
- Stricklandgate House now receives an average 12,000
visitors and callers each year.
-
Meeting rooms and a
Conference Centre accommodate groups of varied sizes, interests
and specialisms, as well as fulfilling requirements for training,
seminars, counselling, leisure activities (including concerts),
lectures and interviews. Catering is provided by arrangement.
- An independent evaluation established a national
"Stricklandgate House Model", for others seeking
to create similar centres for voluntary work in other parts of the
UK.
- The Trust has been able to fulfil its responsibilities towards
maintaining Stricklandgate House, a Grade-II Listed Building of age
and character, yet has been able to make adaptive improvements with
appropriate sensitivity.
- A refurbished computer network and
telephone system have been commissioned in 2004,
with assistance from The North West Development Agency.
Ambitions:
The Trust is currently seeking external support:
- For improvements to fire precautions and
building security.
- Measures to conserve the heritage of
Stricklandgate House, through external renovations to exterior
treatments, pointing, weatherproofing and window frames, and
through an internal exhibition celebrating the historical interest
of the building.
- Further modification to the former Council Chamber to include
an additional floor for occupancy by local
charitable organisations.
