- M
Help Us Raise £40,000 by 31 May to Open The Hub @ Toothill
We’re nearly there — now we need the final push!
After years of dedication, volunteer effort, and overcoming setbacks, The Hub @ Toothill is ready to welcome the community. We’ve secured partial Building Control approval, £7,500 in corporate support from Barratt Homes, and £230 already donated online — but we need your help to open safely and sustainably.
Our £40,000 GoFundMe target will cover:
- Two months of running costs (staffing, utilities, stock purchase, safety compliance) — £30,000
- Final essential construction works to meet full safety standards — £9,000 total, £7,500 already secured
This working capital ensures we open our doors without risking closure, giving the community a space for arts, culture, learning, and connection from day one.
Donate today and help make this long-awaited community hub a reality!
Why Your Support Matters
Minimum to Open – £20,000
Covers:
- Two paid staff (Hub Manager & Bar Supervisor)
- Utilities, insurance, and safety compliance
- Initial stock purchase
- Volunteer coordination
Stronger Launch – £30,000
Provides two months of operating stability, plus funding for initial stock and safe operations, so the Hub can open confidently while building regular income and community activity.
Full Project Goal – £40,000
Includes the final essential construction works required to achieve full compliance and ensure the Hub is safe and accessible for everyone.
Community Giving Goals – How We Can Reach £30,000
The Hub @ Toothill is built by the community, for the community. Every contribution counts — together, small gifts add up to something amazing!
£10,000: If 200 people each give £50, or 333 people each give £30, we can cover part of the first month’s running costs and open safely.
£20,000: If 400 people each give £50, or 667 people each give £30, we can fund almost two months of operation, giving the Hub stability while building community activity.
£30,000: If 600 people each give £50, or 1,000 people each give £30, we can cover two months of running costs plus initial stock, giving the Hub a strong start.
Even if you can only give £10, £20, or £25, it all adds up. Every donation helps unlock the doors to a vibrant new community hub for Toothill and the wider Swindon area.
Our Story in Brief
The Hub @ Toothill began in 2018, building on the Toothill Big Local legacy and supported by a £1 million National Lottery investment. We incorporated as a Community Interest Company, ensuring the building and its purpose would always serve the community.
Despite support from Swindon Borough Council, contractor failure left £300,000 of work incomplete in 2023, preventing opening. But the community stepped in:
- Local tradespeople volunteered their expertise
- Some returned despite previously unpaid work
- National partners Barratt Homes and Vistry provided in-kind support
- West Swindon Parish Council funded new disability-accessible fire doors
Thanks to this collective effort, we now have partial Building Control compliance and can open safely while completing final works.
What The Hub Will Offer
At The Hub @ Toothill, we believe the best ideas come from the people who live, work, and volunteer here. From day one, the Hub has been shaped by local voices — and that will always remain at the heart of what we do.
Last Autumn, through door-to-door conversations and community feedback, we spoke to over 100 local residents, gathering ideas and priorities to shape our programmes.
The Hub will provide:
- Restored Toot & Whistle Bar, open evenings & weekends
- Family-friendly events, workshops, and activities
- Community groups, social connection, and peer support
- Arts, culture, and creative programmes co-designed with residents
- Future training, apprenticeship, and career opportunities
This isn’t just a building — it’s a place for belonging, pride, and possibility.
We are also progressing grant applications and are proud to have negotiated a peppercorn lease of just £1 per year for the first five years, supporting longer-term sustainability. This appeal focuses specifically on helping us open and run the Hub successfully from day one.
The Final Push – We Need You!
The building is ready. The volunteers are ready. Now we need the final £40,000 to unlock the doors.
Donate today and help us open by May 2026!