Hornsey Parish Church 60/60 Community...

Naomi Ferguson, Victoria Maynard

Hornsey Parish Church 60/60

Community Engagement

Phases 1-3, Sep 2017 – Feb 2018

Summary Report

Strategy

The methods used were:

PHASE 1 Sept. 2017

• focus group discussions and structured interviews with regular users

• An open meeting for local residents and businesses with facililtated

feedback posters

• feedback posters for congregation members to use after services

PHASE 2 Oct. 2017

• A World Café style design workshop for regular users

PHASE 3 Nov. 2017 – Jan. 2018

• A public exhibition about HPC 60/60 and the engagement activities

held to date

ALL PHASES

• Leaflets and posters about the project and events, coverage on the

existing HPC website, a dedicated project newsletter, coverage in the

parish newsletter and on social media

The questions posed sought to :

PHASE 1 - understand:

• current users’ impressions of the site as it is

• their initial ideas of how it could be improved,

• ideas for new activities or facilities at Hornsey Parish Church

• Stakeholders’ initial hopes for and concerns about the project

PHASE 2

• draw out detailed information about how current users imagined the

spaces in the scheme should function and their relationships to each

other and to the street fronts

• explore their ideas of which spaces to prioritise and whether HPC

should focus on supporting a particular group/groups in the community

• introduce them to some of the trade-offs that arise in reconciling the

brief requirements and accompany them in envisaging change

PHASE 3

• No questions were put to visitors as this was primarily an information-

sharing exercise and an opportunity for stakeholders to pose their own

questions and highlight any issues they should wish to.

Why engage stakeholders? And how?

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The purpose of the community engagement at Hornsey Parish Church (“HPC”) was to:

1. explain the need for the project “Hornsey Parish Church 60/60” and generate excitement about the opportunities it offers.

2. raise awareness of current and future community resources at HPC.

3. listen to the church community and local people, and demonstrate that their voices are welcome.

4. create the best design solution to meet the needs of the different stakeholders.

5. provide reassurance and allay fears.

6. meet the requirements of Haringey Council

Interest

Who was consulted?In

flu

en

ceH

igh

Low

HighLow

Congregation (detached)

Congregation (regulars)

• Emails, phone calls,

presentations and

meetings

Local schools• Project newsletters

• open meeting

Hall users

Children and

youth groups

PCC/ Standing Com.

• Focus groups / interviews

• Workshop

• Project newsletters

• Information and feedback

posters following church

services

• Focus groups

• Workshop



• Letters

• Meetings as appropriate

Haringey Council /

Local councillors

Archdeacon’s Office

Neighbours, businesses,

Residents Associations

St Mary’s Primary

Hornsey Historical Society

Neighbouring churches

Congregation (events)

Monument Conservationists

GLA

All stakeholders:• Public exhibition

Coverage of project in/on:

• HPC web page

• Social media

• Parish newsletters

...and how?

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Hornsey Parish Church 60/60

Community Engagement Phase 1

The PHASE 1 activities were to help us understand:

• current users’ impressions of the site as it is

• their initial ideas of how it could be improved,

• ideas for new activities or facilities at Hornsey Parish Church

• Stakeholders’ initial hopes for and concerns about the project

The following events and activities were held:

Focus Groups with congregation members:

• Meeting point lunch (congregation members and volunteers). 20-09-17

• The Parochial Church Council (PCC) 27-09-17

Interviews with existing hirers of the community spaces and local councillors:

• Hornsey Pensioners’ Action Group (regular users) 20-09-17

• North London Conservatoire Kindergarten - formerly “Colourstrings” (long-term tenants) 20-09-17

• Local councillors P. Connor, J. Mann, A. Jogee of Hornsey and Muswell Hill wards 23-09-17

• Hornsey Explorer Scouts Unit coordinator (regular users) 25-09-17

• Ballet School director (long-term tenant). 30-09-17

• Eddie the Music Man (runs a pre-school group in the hall) 30-09-17

• Organizers of the Car Boot Sale and the Vintage Market (periodic hirer) 30-09-17

Feedback posters:

• congregation members attending services at HPC 24 to 27-09-17

• Barn dance (public event) 30-09-17

Local Residents and Businesses open meeting 21-09-17

Sessions with regular users

Introductory talk about the project

Focus group: recording ideas

Focus group: discussion Focus group: recording ideas

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feedback posters in lunch room Hornsey Pensioners’ Action Group Feedback Session

Local Residents and Businesses Open Meeting

Informing about the project

Discussions

Gathering feedback Graphic recording of comments

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Regular users were asked first to explain what they liked about

the existing site and why; then the problems the site and

buildings had currently and then to suggest solutions and

improvements to be made.

01: Comments about the existing site

Summary Findings phase 1

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The phase 1 activities reached a wide cross-section of current users

- congregation members and hirers of the community spaces - as

well as local residents, local businesses and the ward councillors, in

an intense series of activities on different days and of different

formats that were held between the 20th and 30th of September

2017. Respondents were overwhelmingly positive about the

opportunities presented by HPC 60/60, while they also recorded

their affection for many features of the existing site and facilities.

01: Comments about the existing siteWhat is it important to retain?

• The church building and chapels were shown to be highly valued

among all groups, with participants commenting on their beauty,

historical memory and the uplifting, peaceful atmosphere in

them all. The chapels were seen to complement the main body

of the church, offering spaces of different sizes more suitable for

smaller group worship, and higher comfort levels.

• The church room is heavily used by the congregation and is well-

loved as a space for social activities and hospitality. Its size,

location, kitchen facilities , warmth, and the beauty of the

Stationers’ window were noted as key features. The dance studio

is described as beautiful. The Garden is also appreciated,

although noted to be inaccessible and underused.

• Many features of the site were also highly valued by hirers:

- the location of HPC

- having on-site parking

- the size and robustness of the hall

- the accessibility of the hall for wheelchair users

-having a range of spaces of different sizes

-the dance studio- sprung floor, good size, good light

- affordable rents

Why make changes?

There was widespread consensus that HPC 60/60 represented an

exciting opportunity for HPC to make some very necessary

improvements. Specific drivers for change included:

• Building entrances

- trip hazards (steps / narrow staircases) and inaccessible to

wheelchair users (except for hall)

- no buffer zone between hall entrance and the car park

(dangerous for children)

- lack of control over people entering the site and buildings

• Need for useful lobby spaces in all the buildings

- waiting spaces, to manage flows in and out,

- for display

- buggy stores

• circulation across the site:

-Labyrinthine, difficult to navigate, lack of signage

-Spaces are disconnected, hence the hall does not ‘feel’ part of

the church

- inaccessible for wheelchairs and trolleys

- circulation between buildings is all external

• Insufficient storage in all areas

• Toilets and hall kitchen old, small, do not provide all the required

facilities (e.g. baby changing facilities, disabled access)

• Poor control of temperature and natural light throughout

• Auxiliary spaces in the church - vestry too small, new spaces

needed (private meeting rooms)

• The exterior of the site is uninviting, poorly lit and does not

express either the beauty of the interior or give an indication of

the activities happening on site.

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02: Local Needs 03: Hopes and concerns

Group in Need Activity / facilities to provide

for them

The congregation, hirers of the community spaces, local

residents and local councillors were asked their ideas on

which groups of people are in particular need in the

parish and what activities or facilities could be provided

at HPC for them.

The PCC, hirers of the community spaces, local councillors

and local residents were asked about their hopes for and

concerns about:

• the construction phase of the project

• when the new buildings are in operation

HOPES CONCERNS

during construction… …when finished

HOPES CONCERNS


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02: Local needsLocal councillors and residents highlighted the potential for HPC to

become a community hub bringing people together across this

culturally and socially diverse area. The project was also seen as an

opportunity to address social problems caused by a lack of

affordable housing and cuts in the public provision of services

locally, especially for the elderly and young people.

• Current users commented that they did not feel well-informed on

local needs and that HPC should consult with external

community organisations to find out more.

• Among users and local residents, the groups most commented on

were

- teenagers / youth

- The homeless / precariously housed / first time buyers

- The elderly, especially those who are socially isolated

• Young children were also suggested although there were differing

opinions as to whether this group was already well-served locally.

• Other groups suggested included: local community organisations,

mental health and dementia sufferers, ethnic minorities

• The idea of including residential units was well received, both in

response to local need and as a logical way to finance the

project.

• Suggestions about future revenue sources included:

- Concert venue / exhibition spaces for local musicians and

artisans

- Improving the hall’s usefulness as a hireable party venue

- Potential of the site as a good wedding venue

• Creating a community hub: leisure, music and social activities for

all ages; a drop-in café

03: Hopes and concerns Participants were very positive about the potential of the project,

with hopes far outweighing concerns for both phases of the project.

Concerns about the construction phase included:

• Noise

• Disruption of activities on site and for residents

• Site traffic dangers

• Parking problems

Hopes for construction:

• Quick and well-managed

• Limited disruption

Concerns about the outcome of the project:

• Loss of community spaces

• Rents becoming unaffordable

• Greater demand for parking

Hopes for the project:

• That it will result in a more attractive and inviting site and buildings

• That the facilities will be better suited to the activities on site

• That HPC can become a community hub, reaching more people in

the community

• Improvements in accessibility, lighting and signage throughout

• The chance for an attractive, modern, eco building in keeping with

the architecture of the church

• A chance to provide affordable housing

Hornsey Parish Church


The aims of the Phase 2 were to:

• draw out detailed information about how current users imagined the spaces in the scheme should function

and their relationships to each other and to the street fronts

• explore their ideas of which spaces to prioritize and whether HPC should focus on supporting a particular

group/groups in the community

• introduce them to some of the trade-offs that arise in reconciling the brief requirements and accompany

them in envisaging change


A World Café style workshop for current users (lunchtime and evening sessions) 18-10-17

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Workshop Content

STAGE 3 Design the street fronts and decide who can share which spaces.

i. Which spaces should be closest to Park Road and Cranley Gardens? Think about where people would

access the buildings and which spaces would be best suited to being on the street front and which would

be better tucked away.

ii. Which spaces can be shared between different types of users (worshippers, parish staff, volunteers;

community groups; commercial hirers)? Add more coloured stripes to the boxes to show the users.

Participants were invited to participate

in a game in groups to design a

proposal for HPC 60/60. Each group

was given three instruction cards, a

blank site plan and a set of cardboard

boxes to represent the different spaces

they could choose to include in their

scheme. The church had to be retained

in its current position but the rest was

up to them.

Design Workshops

Workshop materials

Working through the tasks

Group work underway Recording ideas

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One of the proposals Voting for the best proposal


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Phase 2 consisted of a design workshop for current users run twice

on the 18th October 2017. Presented as an exercise in “blue sky

thinking”, participants took the opportunity to explore how they

currently use the site and how it could be re-imagined. Themes of

discussion that arose included how to make the different spaces on

site feel more connected; how to make the site more attractive and

welcoming; which of the activities should be expressed on the street

fronts and what image to convey; and how to make the facilities

relevant to the local community.

01: How would you make HPC unique?Who are you building for and what would you provide for them?

Having a target demographic for the facilities at HPC could help to

define more precisely what spaces are needed and with what

characteristics, to clarify a plan for revenue streams and to define a

“unique selling point”. Suggestions from the phase 2 activities

included:

• Having facilities for children, young people and the elderly on site

and fostering shared activities between the different age groups

• Renewing the Mission focus on children and young people with

the provision of a children’s sacred space, as well as a drop-in

centre with sofas, homework space and games

• Responding to the large number of creative professionals in the

local community by enhancing the church so that it can be used

as a performance space and also providing purpose-built

performance space in the community hall.

02a: Priority spacesWhat spaces to include?

Participants prioritized the following spaces, in this order:

1. a large community hall

2. 1 or 2 secondary halls/large rooms for church and community use

3. parish office

4. 1 or 2 meeting rooms for church use and (once) commercial use

5. A coffee point / lobby extension at the southern end of the

church to create a welcoming social space visible from the

exterior, perhaps serving additionally as a crèche or a dining space

for church lunches.

6. commercial units –for office or nursery tenants, retail or café

premises, a hot-desking hub or music rehearsal/recording rooms

7. Kitchens. kitchen facilities for the church: the importance of

having a dedicated kitchen for church use was identified to enable

church events, lunches and refreshments to take place when the

hall is hired out. Many schemes also included a catering kitchen

for the hall, to be hired out with it for events.

8. Specialized facilities:

• Children’s sacred space

• Drop-in centres for children / mental health sufferers

• Day-centre for elderly with dementia

• An informal, more accessible worship space

• Workshop for training young people in manual skills

• Music rehearsal/recording rooms for community use


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02b: How to connect the spaces

• a central courtyard was a key feature of most of the schemes, with

the idea that it could be a peaceful space representing the

worshipping heart of the site and bringing together the users of the

site; enabling visual connections between the buildings to make

them appear connected, more inviting and the site more navigable.

• creating new church entrances was also a common feature of the

proposals: in the eastern wall – to bring activity to the central

courtyard after services and to increase the connection of the

church and community spaces; in the western wall – to add

functionality for church services and performances.

03: Street fronts

How to front Park Road was a key theme. Ideas included:

• creating a ‘busy’ facade by locating the hall and commercial

premises there . It was also considered useful for the commercial

premises (and in some cases the hall) to have direct, independent

access from Park Rd;

• Protecting the rest of the site from the noise of the road by locating

the more noise-tolerant functions there (hall, housing, commercial

/office premises);

• having a direct entrance into the central courtyard off Park Rd

• having sightlines to the church, and into the central courtyard from

Park Rd;

• locating church functions such as the parish office or a secondary,

more informal/social worship space close to Park Road to make the

church activity more visible.

Hornsey Parish Church


The aims of Phase 3 were to:

Feed back to stakeholders about the progress of the project and the engagement activities held to date and to

give them an opportunity to ask their own questions and highlight any issues they should wish to.


An exhibition about the project, at the locations and dates listed below

• HPC Christmas Market 24-11-17

• Hornsey Parish Church 25-11-17 to 04-02-18

• Hornsey Parish Church Hall Jan 2018

• The Fish Palace, Park Road (local business) Jan 2018

• St Mary’s Primary School (about the project and project timeline only) Jan 2018

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Exhibition Content The exhibition presented an introduction to the project:• its aims, vision and a timeline showing what had been done so far and what was to

come

• a summary of the feedback received from the consultations together with the decisions

the development group had taken on that feedback

• at the Christmas Market, visitors were also able to meet the architect and discuss the

ideas being exploring for the scheme over some initial massing models

The Christmas Market

Facilitated exhibition, meet the architect and A3 exhibition

panels on tables

Discussions with the architect

Engaging visitors in discussions Talking visitors through the exhibition

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Leaving comments The event was well attended


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The exhibition, on site from the end of November 2017 to the

beginning of February 2018 and presented at a number of different

events and locations throughout January, reached a greater number

and wider range of stakeholders than earlier activities. Though

primarily for sharing information rather than collecting it, visitors

were invited to raise any issues they felt strongly about. The

engagement of more children at the Christmas Market led to more

comments than previously gathered in support of retaining the

Marian Centre building, while the residents’ association committee

shared their analysis of issues to consider.

• Feedback was positive about the general principles of the scheme

- in particular the inclusion of housing - and about the engagement

activities held to date.

• A new community hall with a kitchen was seen as a potentially

valuable community asset. Suggestions for new uses included

bringing farmers’ or craft markets to the site and pop-up

restaurants.

• Concern was expressed by users of the Marian Centre building - a

dance studio hirer and children who attend the Sunday school -

about the possibility that it could be demolished. The historical and

architectural value of the building was commented upon and the

children referred to their emotional connection to the space and

its functionality for the youth activities currently held there.

Cranley Gardens Residents’ Association CommitteeIn a detailed document the committee explored their reflections on

the project. They…

…welcomed the following general principles of the scheme:

• the idea of redeveloping the community hall

• that the scheme be self-financing

• the inclusion of different sizes of community rooms

• making the whole site accessible

…highlighted concerns relating to:

• parking and congestion

• the impact of construction

• the potential impact of more intensive use of the facilities

• proposed new public space (the courtyard)

• street frontages

…provided suggestions about:

• the new buildings reflecting the architecture of the

church and the dance studio

• the environmental credentials of the new buildings

• community engagement going forward

Hornsey Parish Church 60/60 Community...

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