Birkdale Community Hub and Library is being set up in the Station Masters House to provide a community meeting place, together with services such as book lending and computer access for all, in the centre of Birkdale village. The overall project is bringing an empty building back into use for the benefit of the community, whether it is activities for children, regular club events, or a meeting place for the older people in our community, many of whom live in single person households. Not everyone has access to the internet or computers (PCs) with printers at home. The Hub will have free Wifi, computer access on the ground floor and a computer room upstairs with PCs connected to a printer. The upstairs meeting rooms and reception desk downstairs will have internet access too.

What we'll deliver:

• Computer and Internet Access on the ground floor
• Computer Suite on the first floor
• Free Wifi throughout the building
• Meeting rooms with internet access for presentations and video streaming

Why it's a great idea:

Providing computers in the Station Master’s House will help all who have no or limited access to computers or printers at home. In particular it will allow schoolchildren and students to carry out for their homework if they are unable to do so at home, or would like a quiet space to work. Currently 12% of those aged between 11 and 18 years have no internet access at home (ONS 2018). Job seekers will be able to look for and apply for employment. We aim to provide both homework and job clubs. The PCs will also enable us to provide classes for older people to learn the basics of computing and safe use of the internet, and can be used to support other classes using computers and for those undertaking self-study courses.

Steps to get it done:

• September 2019 - 15 year lease signed with Network Rail and Merseyrail
• October 2019 - Renovation work begins on the Station Masters House
• Dec 2019/Jan 2020 - Cabling for computers installed as part of general re-wiring
• March 2020 - Computer system set up
• April 2020 - The Station Master's House is open with computer access.

We are grateful for all the support and enthusiasm we have in our community for the whole project of creating a Community Hub and Library in the centre of Birkdale Village. Merseyrail and Network Rail are also active supporters and have already carried out some repairs to the building. We have raised funds for the internal renovations to the house by the fundraising efforts of our volunteers and trustees along with grants from Sefton Council, the Railway Heritage Trust, and a major donation towards a lift. Building work is due to commence in October 2019. We now need funds to pay for computers and IT equipment for use in the Hub and, if funding allows, to have an up-to-date library management system.