Rookery View Hall
A space to bring together local residents
Situated in Benfleet, Rookery View Hall has become a hub of community spirit and cohesion. Involved Projects have developed this space to provide a wide range of opportunities for activity, movement, and life skills.
Through the support of Active Essex and the London Marathon Foundation, crucial improvements have been made to the hall, increasing activity for locals. Rookery View Hall has also become much more than a space for groups to hire and host classes, and is a vital space for young people and adults in the community.
Following the success of Ford RideLondon – Essex, funding was made available for Places and Spaces in Essex, and Involved Projects received this support. Places and Spaces funding develops community assets to support Essex projects that aim to help inactive residents lead active, healthy lives.
Essex Marching Corps use Rookery View Hall as their base and training facility and are an example of an arts based activity group who combine movement with an art form, welcoming up to 50 members weekly.
The building's ample, open space now invites a range of activity groups, due to the installation of an air conditioning system and studio mirrors. This improvement has led to an increase in yoga, dance, and martial arts classes, helping Castle Point residents stay active in a group setting.
Both adults and young people from the community came together to build and maintain the space, learning new skills like gardening and building. These life skills, not typically acquired in school, fostered a sense of achievement.
Rookery View Hall has seen volunteers passionately help people find the right activity or movement for them. Young people have gained life-changing lessons and skills they can carry into adulthood, seeing the hall as a hub to be protected.
