omygod, we're actually gonna do it !
Pasted below are ( slightly edited ) minutes from the last meeting, to give people an impression of where we're at. The next meeting is tonight and I'll post future ones here, along with whatever contact details we agree.
The planning for a social centre has begun through 'Why Don't You', but it will not remain there. If you are interested in getting involved, come along, become part of the collective process of deciding what we want and how to do it. This is a very real project that will get a physical existence within a few months ( or less! ), and we need you to become an equal participant in it!
NEWCASTLE SOCIAL CENTRE - PLAN
WHY?
A long term place for contacts, information, networks
and radical networks
Inform, inspire, nurture action and resistance
A central point - free space for whatever
A veggie/ vegan café
Ethical consumerism
A way for people for enter into the relatively small
and difficult to contact Newcastle radical network and
sub culture
Creating a stronger sense of community within
Newcastle and also connecting that community with
things going on in the rest of the country.
Meeting space for small un-established groups who
might not be able to afford to hire rooms or have the
membership to warrant weekly venue.
Spaces of different sizes for different types of event
- make centre as diverse and full of different
activities as possible.
Place that invites in all types of alternative
activities - taking action and control
A centre where groups can meet - no paid staff, non
hierarchical - mainly for people who haven’t get found
a ‘group’ in Newcastle - especially younger children/
teenagers who are the next generation of activists.
Space for art with a political message
Place as ‘green’ as possible - compost bins,
alternative energy sources.
Place which can inspire people what they can do and
what the alternatives are.
Real problem about creating a community and trying to
get people to stay involved and also having a place
that is accessible and non alienating.- non cliquey
Place where people can come in and find out what is
going on without making a specific commitment to a
particular group.
Social centre - socialising is the key - a place where
you can just go in and talk to people
A venue that is there for people to use
Needs to be skill sharing - everybody taking there
turn at all jobs.
Need to be free to change as the membership changes.
Multicultural
Need to use the internet more as a way for people to
find out about what is going on in the city - the
centre could help to disseminate this information both
by word of mouth/ advertising on the site and also
setting up some kind of page on the internet easily
accessible by typing key words like ‘Newcastle’,
‘Activist’ etc into google.
Get the opportunity to use resources that are already
here but not used ie: setting up a video library to
rent out films that have been shown at the Side Cinema
NEWCASTLE - WHY DOES IT NEED A CENTRE
Close to major arms dealers and suppliers - Vickers,
British Aerospace
BNP is starting to launch campaigns in the area - want
a place which can link with the refugee and immigrant
communities
Lack of a community space in the city - not many big
community centres
Specifically a lack of community arts space and venue
space
The activist network in Newcastle is not very well
connected to each other - need a central space.
STRUCTURE
No paid staff - don’t want to become employers
Are open to allowing groups who have paid workers
using the space
LOCATION
The council produce a monthly list of empty properties
- commercial properties are less likely to give us a
one year lease.
Possibility of exploring spaces that need a bit of
renovation
Need ground space for accessibility ie: persons with
disabilities
Needs to have a entrance onto a street - not something
that is tucked away or difficult to find
Check out Storey’s, Sons and Parker - cheap sources of
accommodation
Check out Cousins re building down by the Japanese
Restaurant - between Westgate Rd and Stowell Street
Street where Planet Earth used to be has some empty
buildings
General area near the Big Lamp Brewery - a few
possible buildings - old solicitors building, white
building, one next to the church - ex pub.
Walkergate
Graingerville
Building at the back of McDonalds on Northumberland
Street - small white terrace boarded up - might need
floor boards for first floor.
WHAT COMMITMENT ARE PEOPLE WILLING TO PUT IN?
It initially needs to be contained - cannot start big
for fear of people becoming overwhelmed
If it is going to be volunteer run we might need a
volunteer co-ordinator who will make sure that
volunteers are there - do we need someone who is
committed to picking up the shortfall.
We don’t need to be open all the time
MONEY - WHAT DO WE WANT TO SPEND IT ON?
1) A trip visiting other Social Centres to get ideas
and learn about things that have worked/ not worked in
the past
2) Rent
3) Refurbishment
4) Computer and basic office equipment
5) Setting up the kitchen for the café
NAME
Name - (E)NTRANCE ( pronounced both ways, a way in to many networks, info, activism )
Shouldn’t be called Newcastle as it is a regional venue.
:red: 
Monday 21st June 7pm at the Depot Building, Leazes Park.
Walk along Richardson Rd from the Trent House ( near Haymarket Metro ) toward the Moor, and we'll have a notice up on the railings on your left.
If you need a lift from the station, email whydontyou@post.com in plenty of time and we'll try sort one out. The room is wheelchair accessible and there'll be tea and coffee on the go. If you are bringing children, or have any needs we should know about, again get in touch.