Dorstone’s Front Room

One Chamber of a Village’s Heart . . .

Living Villages SummitDecember 2, 2011

Who is Dorstone?

• Located in the Golden Valley• Approximately 350 residents• Good mix of longtime residents and

newcomers• Active and involved population• Active and involved Parish Council• Pub, church, playing field, village hall• Village school, shop, post office – all

closed

Situation in 2008

• Post office closure announced• Closure would result in community

owned building going unused/unoccupied

• Concerns for village continuity• Parish Planning process underway

– 85% response rate to questionnaire– High interest in keeping vitality of village

• Got people thinking . . .

Dorstone’s Front Room

• Idea conceived by small working group in September 2008

• Funding by Community First/Nexus - £7k• Massive community involvement –

– Ideas– Physical labour– In-Kind contributions

• Opened doors in November 2008 – 111 villagers in attendance

• Run by approximately 25 volunteers• Open every weekday 9:00 – 1:00

DFR Services

Impact on the Dorstone Community

• Daily focal point to meet and communicate• Liaison with Parish Council• Support for vulnerable members of

community• Good source for public information• Support for other aspects of the community

including village hall, church, pub, playing field, youth club

• Helped to promote a “can do” attitude in the community

Hardest Parts of Getting Started

• Overcoming initial local skepticism• Identifying/selecting right organizational

structure – not for profit company• Dealing with local and national

bureaucracyBUT NOT

• Finding volunteers• Identifying or meeting local needs• Funding or revenue

Where DFR is Today

• Self-sufficient and sustainable• Deeply embedded in the village• Growing in terms of uses and ideas• Still working with the same original

volunteers• Requiring only 1 hour a week of

administration• See our website:

www.dorstonesfrontroom.org.uk