West Ealing Community Library

Located in the heart of West Ealing, West Ealing Community Library (WECL) is emerging as a vibrant, multi-purpose community hub.

Operated by the West Ealing Community CIC, WECL operates five days a week offering library services and much much more. Our aim is to be the ‘living room’ of West Ealing.  With support from Your Town Your Voice, WECL provides free computer access, digital literacy support, and English language and conversations classes.

It hosts an Ealing Council drop-in service each Wednesday as well as hosting a wide range of clubs and activities for all ages from toddler story time on Friday mornings, to a repair cafe, chess club and sketching sessions.

We need volunteers to ensure we can continue to expand our services and activities.  Please see our website wecl.org.uk for more details.

In the heart of West Ealing, West Ealing Community Library (WECL) is becoming a vibrant, multi-purpose community hub.

Run by West Ealing Community CIC, WECL opens five days a week as West Ealing’s ‘living room’. With Your Town Your Voice support, it offers library services, free computer access, digital literacy support, and English language and conversation classes.

It also hosts an Ealing Council drop-in service and activities for all ages, including toddler story time, a repair café, chess and sketching. The project aimed to enhance these services.

As a result of the Your Town Your Voice grant we could carry out the following activities which further strengthened the hub.

Our Spring Party engaged local people and built pride in West Ealing. More than 350 residents attended, and 116 became friends of the library. Local artists provided music, poetry and activities, while a post-it survey gathered ideas now shaping our strategy.

We improved lighting by fixing the light outside the library, working with the Assyrian Church of the East Cathedral friends to install fairy lights in the windows, and holding more events after 5pm. We also upgraded the lobby noticeboard to better publicise library and external events. We are about to install a new electronic display board which will not only increase lighting and safety but help publicise internal and external events.

We strengthened volunteer recruitment and management by hiring a part-time manager to professionalise systems, including health and safety and safeguarding training. Trained volunteers kept the library open five days a week throughout the grant, supported by a simpler rota designed by our IT Director.

We also improved marketing and communications through monthly newsletters for library friends, weekly volunteer updates, a revamped WECL website, a new WEC CIC website (www.westealingcommunityCIC.org.uk), and support from a social media volunteer.

Finally, we are developing a hyperlocal community directory with the University of West London and its students, who are creating a database and front-end prototype. This work is ongoing.

Spring Party feedback highlighted:

• a sanctuary for study and relaxation
• outstanding staff and dedicated volunteers

• free, varied resources and strong book collections
• a dynamic community hub with engaging children’s activities
• adult learning and language integration

We also asked how we could improve, generating ideas for the future.

Working with a growing network of local people passionate about change has been invaluable. My top tip is to start talking to other groups and individuals.  We will sustain our achievements and expand them through targeted grants and a larger volunteer base.  I encourage anyone seeking positive local change to apply to Your Voice Your Town; its flexibility can make a real impact.