The Doddridge Centre from then to now

The Doddridge Centre in Northampton provides for the local community which has a wide range of facilities to be used.

The centre is located in St James End, Northamptonshire and was built in 1895.

When it was built, it was originally called Doddridge Memorial Chapel. This was done in memory of Philip Doddridge who lived from 1702-1751.

During his time, he was known as an English Nonconformist meaning he did not belong to the established church.

Graham Croucher, Chair of Trustees at the Doddridge Centre said: “The present building was completed in 1913 as an enlarged school room facility that replaced the smaller building."

People who attended Sunday school were given a ‘star card’ and it would be stamped each time you went. This would then allow you to get a book during annual prize giving.

As well as Sunday school, it used to host sewing for bazaars, Boys Brigade, Guides, and Brownies.

Marilyn Strike said, “My father belonged to the Boys Brigade there in the 20s and 30s. I went to Guides in the 50s.”

The church building stood adjacent in what is now the car park to the Doddridge Centre. It was demolished in 1995 due to it not being able to afford to maintain the property, this then allowed for worship to be brought into the school building.

At the same time, they began to set up an arm as a registered charity which would utilise old classrooms for other charities and non-profit organisations.

This then became Doddridge Community Care and attracted funds in the form of an SRA arranged by the local authrorities.

Many of the services it held were relinquished by the councils and handed over to charity and non-profit organisations to run.

Croucher said: "It was in its day very innovative and was probably one of the first in the county to be this community hub."

The centre was flourishing for many years until 2013 when local authority budget cuts and austerity measures made it difficult to obtain funding which led to the staff believing that the centre was going to close on multiple occasions.

The doors were kept open with the help from the United Reform Church and some dedicated trustees.

Then COVID struck. The COVID recovery funds were a lifeline to the centre which enabled them to continue trading.

While it was still a struggle, this was when Rachel Bott was appointed as the Centre Director in December 2021 which was the centre's chance to rebuild the charity and its reputation.

Croucher said: "We have now turned a huge corner and our future is much brighter thanks to the skills and passion of Rachel."

Today, the Doddridge Centre is now branded as a community hub which offers a variety of different services, support, and opportunities for people in the local community.

The Doddridge Centre holds a vast range of events during the year including drop-in sessions for advice concerning money and debt, Christmas events, summer events, workshops, and so much more.

Prior to events being held at the Doddridge Centre, there was very few events or activities being held in the St James area.

When activities started being hosted in the Doddridge Centre, it brought the community together and has allowed people to form new friendships and connections by attending these events that are held monthly.

This has meant that people feel more like a community again.

Rachel Bott, the Centre Director, said: “We pride ourselves on being a safe, inclusive space for those who need it and work with those who are struggling, living in poverty and deprivation.”

This is something that will make this building very important to so many people in the area as it allows them to access support which is something that they may not be able to have elsewhere.

The centre works with reducing isolation and increasing support networks for people as well as providing volunteering opportunities.

Bott also said: “We listen to the needs and wants of our users and everything that we offer is as a result of their requirements.”

Currently, the Doddridge Centre host the following:

-          Warm spaces – Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm, Saturdays 9:30am to 12:30pm

-          Mondays – Seniors Lunch Club, Youth Club

-          Wednesdays – Drawing Class

-          Thursdays – Community Wardrobe

-          Fridays – Coffee Morning

-          Saturdays – Family Breakfast, Family Craft, Community Wardrobe

These services that are held throughout the week will be very beneficial to people of any age within the community, as it allows people to come together as well as allowing people to learn new skills.

Warm spaces are very important right now especially as it is now winter which means the weather is significantly colder, the Doddridge Centre allows people to come in to get out of the cold and so they can feel more comfortable.