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A new extension to Cippenham Library was opened in May 2009, the result of a funding grant from the Big Lottery Community Libraries fund. The fund, which was open to all library services, was awarded to only a handful across England. Slough was awarded a total of £798,189, of which £681,700 was capital to build an extension to Cippenham Library plus £116,489 revenue for equipment and a project officer for 3 years to work with the community to develop and deliver the project. The project was totally funded by Big Lottery with no matched funding required, although there was a commitment that existing resources funded by the library and Sure Start would continue.
The key criteria for the funding was that communities were actively engaged in the development, delivery and management of the project and Slough was able to demonstrate that they would deliver on this.
The project benefited from the involvement of partner organisations including Sure Start, Lifelong Learning, the PCT, Wexham Nurseries and My Council. Throughout the project members of the Cippenham community were directly involved as volunteers and community champions, helping to run and deliver a range of activities for adult, children and families.
The Big Lottery funding allowed for a new activity room, a toy library, sensory garden, children's toilets and a community kitchen where people can make a drink, prepare baby food and a small snack. In addition the My Council service point benefited from a relocation to a purpose-built area offering greater privacy and confidentiality.
Activities based around healthy eating for all the family, the sensory garden, adult learning and under-5's child development are now on offer.
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