Meadowbank Community Hub and Library opens to local people in Cranford today.
The new hub offers everything from a vibrant children’s library to key services that will be closer to the doorsteps of people living in Cranford. The launch is part of the Council's wider commitment to ensuring all its 11 libraries become Community Hubs by the end of 2025.
The hub is a place where local people can access information and get help with money management, employment, housing and health. The new hub brings Council teams and people from Citizens Advice, Healthy Hounslow, Work Hounslow to support and promote greater opportunities for people in Cranford.
It welcomes everyone, including those who want to pick up some more digital skills, students who need somewhere to work and local families borrowing their first children’s book. Beyond this, it will also host evening activities such as yoga, drama and Pilates.
The library has a collection of more than 8,600 books, including 4,500 in the dedicated children’s library. As well as extensive fiction and community language sections, residents can find easy-read books for people with learning difficulties. The reference library has a range of books to complement the adult learning curriculum - including pottery, sewing, painting, baking and digital skills.
A fully accessible lift takes visitors up to the children’s library on the first floor. This space is filled with comfy benches, spaces that invite creativity and a room that will host cosy story-time sessions and other fun activities.
The Meadowbank hub builds on an excellent, pre-existing adult learning offer, with a pottery studio, textile and art room and kitchen workspace. There are also classrooms offering a range of courses including English language classes , digital skills, creative classes and qualifications, which will provide education and employment opportunities.
Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said “It’s great to see services across the Council coming together to deliver this remarkable project, particularly those who work directly with local people. The local community have played an important role in shaping this new space and this reflects our promise to be a listening council.
Meadowbank is here to help local people, making Hounslow a fairer place to live, where everyone has the chance to thrive.
To find out more, visit www.HounslowConnect.com/Meadowbank
