Our Beginnings
In 1985 a Steering Committee of local residents was formed to lobby the council for a community building to serve the Central Southsea area. In 1987 building work commenced and the Centre was officially opened in 1988 by the Princess Royal.
The building is owned by Portsmouth City Council but managed and run by Havelock Community Centre, a registered charity. By 1990 it was clear that the facilities needed to expand to accommodate the requests and needs of the community and a Fund-Raising programme was initiated. Unfortunately there were many set-backs and despite a successful Lottery Grant application made in 1999, the much-awaited extension did not see the light of day until 2011 when the Sure Start facility was added and officially opened by the much-loved Pompey footballer Linvoy Primus.
When the funding for the running of the Sure Start Centre was stopped the beautiful Garden Room was returned to the Havelock Community Centre and remains one of our popular rooms for hire with its access to our beautiful secret garden.
Our Future
Havelock is now a modern centre with a wide variety of activities and options for hire available.
Our vision is for Havelock Community Centre to be the heart of our local community, providing a sustainable, secure, culturally diverse and accessible space that is valued and supported by the people living in and visiting Southsea. We will promote, enable and facilitate varied and inclusive activities, which embrace and address the education, training, employment, welfare, health, social, cultural and recreational needs of the local community.
As a charity we rely, not only on our paid staff, but also a band of willing volunteers who run classes, help at events, act as trustees and are the friendly faces on reception.
To achieve our vision we need more volunteers – whatever skills and experience you have we can find you a role – from odd-jobs to helping at events, from becoming a trustee to making cups of tea. Our future depends on our volunteers and everyone is welcome. Please get in touch if you want to join us.
Our Committee
Our committee board works with our centre team to explore all possibilities and work towards the vision for the centre in the community.
Our Trustee Board consists of:
Chair – Vacancy
Vice-Chair – Vacancy
Secretary – Terry Hall
Treasurer – John Hall
Cashier – Wendy Heyes
Trustee – Shirley Mundy
Trustee – Nita Cary
Trustee – Kevin Rough
Trustee – Jennie Brent
Our Trustee Board are voluntary roles and we are always looking for dynamic and committed individuals from a variety of backgrounds to bring their knowledge and experience to our Charity and help us grow. To learn more about Trustee roles with us please email manager@havelockcc.co.uk for an information pack.
If you are interested in learning more about our governance please see the links below for details of our 2023 Annual Reports, Our Business Development Plan for the centre and Our Policies and Procedures.