GigaHubs showcase: Woodcote Community Centre and Woodcote Volunteers

On Monday 12th May, a representative from Oxfordshire County Council’s Digital Infrastructure Programme joined members of our delivery partner, Neos Networks, for a visit to Woodcote Community Centre. The purpose was to see first-hand how the installed gigabit-capable broadband—delivered through the GigaHubs project—is making a difference on the ground. This visit is part of a series of meetings with local centres to explore how improved connectivity is helping communities thrive.

While many people are aware of broadband in general, few realise the full potential it holds for village halls and community centres. That’s why we’ve been taking time to capture real-life examples of its impact. GigaHubs has already delivered measurable benefits in terms of sites delivered and cost savings, but now we’re looking beyond the numbers to see how it’s supporting daily life for local residents and groups.

Woodcote itself is a historic village and parish in South Oxfordshire, not far from Reading. This little gem is situated on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Image shows a pub in Woodcote

Woodcote, which is a toponym meaning “cottage in the wood” was first documented in 1109. Surprisingly, everything in the village is within walking distance; the community centre is right next door to the council-run Woodcote Library, and is a stone’s throw away from the war memorial, three schools, a village hall, two pubs, several shops, and churches.

Lively Woodcote is home to a variety of activities and events throughout the year, including the popular Woodcote Rally, a steam, vintage and veteran transport and real ale festival held annually. The Ridgeway National Trail, Britain’s oldest road which follows the same route used since prehistoric times by travellers, herdsmen and soldiers, notably passes through the village.

Meeting the team

Representing the Digital Infrastructure Programme was Rosie Hayes, Senior Communications Lead. She was joined by Suzanne Howe (ESG Engagement & Reporting Analyst), Peter Hatherley (Public Sector Contract Management), and Garth Matthews (Programme Manager) from Neos Networks.

At 10:45am, the team was welcomed at the centre by Karen Woolley, Chair of Trustees for the centre, and Dave Allen, Office Representative for the Woodcote Volunteers. We gathered in a bright upstairs meeting room to learn more about the centre’s history, current uses, and exciting plans for the future.

A community-led legacy

The centre’s origins date back to 1992–1993, when the building—formerly a schoolhouse which had fallen into disrepair—was renovated by forward-thinking local residents through a community-driven project. Volunteers raised funds and carried out the work themselves, forming the Woodcote Area Schoolhouse Project. The project went on to win the 1994 Community Buildings Award in the national Community Enterprise Awards, selected from more than 800 entries.

Supporting local needs: Woodcote Volunteers

Among the groups currently using the centre is the Woodcote Volunteers—a local charity that provides vital transport services to residents who need help getting to essential appointments and activities, including medical appointments, collecting prescriptions, and doing some, limited, local shopping. The charity operates from a dedicated office space within the centre, Monday to Friday.

Image shows a door with a Woodcote Volunteers sign

This arrangement not only gives the volunteers an affordable workspace but also provides the community centre with steady income—an excellent example of how mutual partnerships between charities and community centres can benefit everyone involved.

The charity currently has around 50 volunteer drivers and 11 office helpers. We spoke with Dave Allen, the Office Representative for the Woodcote Volunteers, who has lived in Woodcote for over 40 years and has volunteered in this role for about seven.

“We used to run everything on paper—around eight sheets per booking,” Dave explained. “I also used to have to call each one of our volunteer drivers on the phone when a request came in. Now, we use a computerised system, which has made everything far more efficient. I can log a request, and it becomes visible to our drivers instantly. They can accept a job with a click, and the system calculates the mileage cost for the user, which is far more affordable than a taxi.”

This transition to cloud-based working simply wouldn’t have been possible without the fast, reliable broadband now available through GigaHubs. The impact has been transformative, cutting down on paperwork, saving time, and helping the volunteers offer a smoother service.

Image shows L to R: Garth from Neos, Rosie from the Digital Infrastructure Programme, Dave from the Woodcote Volunteers, Karen from the Community Centre, and Peter from Neos.

Connectivity at the core of daily operations

Karen Woolley spoke passionately about the difference connectivity has made:
“Most of the groups using the centre simply couldn’t operate without broadband. It’s an essential part of the building now—just as expected as running water or heating.”

Image shows the new keyless security entry system.

Given the building’s thick Victorian walls, the team has also installed Wi-Fi mesh devices to ensure strong signal throughout the centre. The digital transformation doesn’t stop there. An online booking calendar now allows users to reserve rooms directly through the website, supported by a newly appointed bookings clerk who works part time. The centre has also installed a Wi-Fi-enabled electronic security system, allowing keyless, code-based entry—reducing the need for someone to physically unlock the building.

“People had to pick up the key from an address in the village before their booking, then return it the following day,” Karen said. “Now we can issue a unique code to users. It’s safer, easier, and much more efficient.”

A space that evolves with community needs

The Woodcote Community Centre has hosted a wide range of groups and activities over the years, from yoga classes and charity coffee mornings to sandwich shops and even a local palliative care service.

“In one of our smaller rooms, we hosted a nurse-led palliative care organisation,” Karen said. “Given that most other services are based in Oxford or Reading, our centre was able to offer care in a much-needed location.”

Regular events like ‘Knit and Natter’ and Saturday coffee mornings continue to bring people together. The Saturday coffee shop, open on a rotating basis to different charities, local groups, and individual fundraisers, is especially popular. Users can simply pay a small hire cost and fundraise from the centre, which has a kitchen connected to the large, spacious room downstairs. Upcoming Saturdays are already fully booked, and fundraising efforts regularly bring in £300–£900 per session. Recent examples include £400 raised for Bernese Rescue and Rehoming and £350 raised for the Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub.

Image shows the spacious ground floor room ‘Lion’s Den’ at the Woodcote Community Centre

Images above show various works of art by local artists on display in the Community Centre

Looking ahead

Karen has some ideas for future uses of the space—and the connectivity that now supports it. One possibility is to transform an upstairs room into a working hub, ideal for remote or hybrid workers looking for a change of scene. The room is bright, spacious, and could comfortably accommodate four people.

There’s also interest in exploring whether the building could support NHS services, acting as a local Health Hub.

“A local NHS worker once commented that the stairs would be perfect for physiotherapy,” Karen noted.

When asked about the variety of possible uses of the centre, Karen added, “When people ask to use the space, the answer is usually ‘yes.’ We’re here to respond to community need.”

A future-proofed Community Hub

The GigaHubs project has helped ensure that Woodcote Community Centre is ready for the future. From digital security and simplified booking systems to cloud-based volunteer coordination and potential coworking spaces, the centre demonstrates how robust broadband can unlock new opportunities for community spaces.

Our visit highlighted the importance of reminding charities, local groups, schools, libraries, and individual fundraisers that community centres offer more than meets the eye. Connectivity is now a fundamental expectation, and centres like Woodcote show just how much can be achieved when that infrastructure is in place.

Thanks to a willingness to modernise and embrace new technology, this historic building has become a versatile, vibrant hub for the local area. As more community centres consider how to evolve, Woodcote offers a clear example of how digital infrastructure can unlock lasting value. At its heart, GigaHubs was about enabling stories like this—where connectivity becomes the foundation for community resilience, local support, and connection.

Want to learn more about the GigaHubs project? Visit our website page here.

Header image: Woodcote Community Centre