Wonford Community Wellbeing Hub 

Where fitness, learning, and community come together in one amazing place.

Community engagement for the redesign of the Wonford Community Wellbeing Hub (WCWH) was successfully delivered by SPACE & PLACE (S&P). The project’s goal was to co-design a hub that promotes health and wellbeing activities. This aligned with the Liveable Exeter Garden City Programme’s objective to create new homes in key city locations. A joint effort by Sport England and Exeter City Council began in April 2019, and a feasibility study was completed by 2021.

To ensure the community’s voice was central to the design process, local residents and groups were engaged by S&P, in collaboration with the Cooperative Advisory Group (CAG). Online meetings and in-person consultations were combined, resulting in a brief that included key design principles. These principles focused on community-led design, accessibility, wellbeing, green spaces, transparency, and sustainability.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative engagement methods were adopted. Digital tools like Zoom meetings, social media outreach, and online surveys were utilised to maintain community involvement. This approach enabled continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, including councillors, youth leaders, schools, and healthcare providers.

Despite pandemic-related challenges, diverse community members were reached through various engagement activities. An online survey engaged 341 households, representing 980 residents, while additional input came from students and young people. Social media campaigns reached over 26,000 people, and further feedback was gathered through targeted surveys and drop-in events.

Thanks to this extensive co-design process, various design options were developed and refined based on community input. The final proposal emerged as a balanced solution. It retained a full-sized sports hall and integrated outdoor spaces, meeting both community needs and Exeter City Council’s objectives. This collaborative effort highlighted the importance of community engagement in creating spaces that enhance wellbeing and encourage social connection.

Results

Next steps involve developing architectural concept designs aligned with the project brief. Strategic requirements will be incorporated, and pre-application advice will be obtained. Ongoing community discussions and public information will continue through social media and the website. 

March 2021