We Are

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How it all started

Developed as a church in 1840 by the architect Thomas Hellyer, the building was formerly called Holy Trinity, and was the first parish church in Ryde. The building has a rich Christian heritage with great architecture and contains impressive stained glass windows that were produced by James Powell and Sons as well as Francis Skeat. The towering spire is a landmark, visible for miles around. Unfortunately with only 12 regular attendees, the Holy Trinity Church was closed in January 2014. The congregation merged with that of St John the Baptist and the building was left to the pigeons in the spire. Without a plan in place and with the building on the ‘at risk’ register, the future looked bleak.

Heath and Jules Monaghan were inspired to put their savings into reopening the building as a community resource, and shared their passion with others. A community group was formed and took ownership of the site. The most essential renovations quickly took place, with volunteers doing the majority of the work. The footfall is currently around 2500 every week, with people taking part in various groups and activities.

The building now functions as a community centre and venue for local events, and is well established as ‘Aspire Ryde’. The value of what we offer was recognised within a couple of years with . . . . . . . . (drum roll please) The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services.

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A Community Resource

Far too much is thrown away, and here at Aspire we try to ensure that useable items do not end up in landfill. For example, paint is available through the RePaint initiative. Local retail outlets pass on to us food that is past its best-by date. We use much of it to produce healthy

meals which are shared by our more than 120 amazing volunteers at lunchtime. In the porch, available 24/7, anyone can collect food for free. We generally have plenty of bread and bananas. Our café contains several areas with comfortable sofas where people can relax and escape from bad weather whilst enjoying affordable snacks and drinks.

Aspire Information Point

On a Wednesday between 10 – 1 the Aspire Information point is open for members of the public and volunteers who need signposting to relevant services. This is operated by the Local Area Coordinator Steve Johnson, Citizen’s Advice and Southern Housing. Steve also gives individual support to those needing more than a drop in signposting service. He works for the Isle of Wight Council and can be contacted on 07814 705150 or email steven.johnson@iow.gov.uk

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Rental space

Our rental space is used for many community purposes, including Birthday Parties, Family events, Cantata Choir, Saltmine Theatre Company, Eden Project, My Life A Full Life, as well as many regular local clubs and classes. In fact, most of our operating costs come from renting out space. We have:

Community Hall (photo top right)

Undercroft – ambient space for special events (below)

Commercial kitchen for hire (back page)

Main Hall

Small meeting room

Band rehearsal space & recording studio (back page)

What do we do?

The answer to that is always changing. We are an organisation that is constantly responding to community need, so what we do evolves over time. For details of dates and times check the calendar on our website or see the blue ‘What’s on’ leaflet. There are 3 internet connected computers available for anyone to use whenever the café is open.

Community Café

Our community café is open weekdays from 10-4 (apart from during Christmas/New Year) and at other times for special events.

Suspended food and drink Anybody can purchase

an extra drink or food to donate to others; and anyone in need can simply receive. We call this ‘suspended food and drinks’.

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It’s all about empowering individuals in need, whether struggling with homelessness or an unexpected crisis, perhaps having had their benefits sanctioned, or just coping with a bad day. We want to enable people to come in when it suits them and have choice – could you donate a suspended drink or snack?

Clubs and classes

We operate a number of our own clubs and classes, these include:

Young at Heart – over 70’s lunches

Just Be – anxiety group

Tea Dance

Treasure Box – Parent and Toddler Group

Men (and Women) in Sheds, Cycle Workshop and Woodwork Shop

Growing Great Things – join us in the garden

Aspire to Sew

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Partnership clubs and classes:

Aspire is a resource for the whole community, As well as organising our own clubs and events Aspire works in partnership with other organisations to run clubs and classes

such as Aspire Works! employability training and kid’s dancing.

What about the Spiritual Bit?

The building has not been deconsecrated and we still see it as a church building, but that doesn’t mean everyone has to solemn. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says he came to give us life - Life in all its fullness! We frequently have a Football Cage or Bouncy Castle where the altar used to stand, with children laughing and jumping around. We are a Christian based Charity, and several people meet to pray daily for all those who use the building. There is a weekly Bible Study and prayer jamming. Pastoral support is available for any who ask.

Some of our volunteers, and the Monaghan family, celebrate as we receive

The Queen’s Award. Photo: Graham Reading

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Updated 25/10/18

Contact details

Aspire Ryde Telephone 01983 716020 or email: info@aspireryde.org.uk

www.aspireryde.org.uk Facebook: Aspire Ryde

Charity Reference: 1163336