Stroud Subscription Rooms: a credit to the Town and District Council, trustees and volunteers

 As an incomer to Stroud and a supporter of co-operative/community ventures, the writer was interested in the story of the Subscription Rooms. She read more after visiting and being deeply impressed by its volunteers and the sparklingly clean and bright interior.

The Grade II Listed building (above), originally built by public subscription, ls well placed in the centre of the town. In July 2017 Stroud District Council announced plans to sell it and in 2019 the building was transferred from Stroud District Council to Stroud Town Council.

On Thursday, 28 March, 2019 the SDC announced that it had handed over Stroud Subscription Rooms to new owners and operators and the Town Council and Trust signed a lease which would allow the Stroud Subscription Rooms Trust to start running the Sub Room. The business and staff were transferred direct to the Trust with fixtures and fittings valued at around £20,000. Below: some early supporters.SDC also undertook to invest up to £125,000 in to roof repairs and a one-off grant of £230,000 to help the Trust get off to a sound start. The Town Council earmarked £83,000 for costs around the transfer and new equipment. The Subscription Rooms offers a programme of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, spoken word, exhibitions and workshops – ‘an enhanced and varied programme of arts events and experiences that take place in a community-focused accessible venue with well-appointed flexible performance spaces and welcoming bar and cafe facilities’.Numbers fluctuate: though there are often over 45 volunteers, more help is needed to support events, exhibitions and performances, providing a warm, friendly welcome to all the visitors.

Simon Guy (left), the Operations Manager of the Stroud Subscription Rooms, works alongside the Director, Hugh Phillimore.

There are around 40 casual staff, who work with the events and keep the cafe running. 60 volunteers help out with maintenance to front of house and distributing our brochures. But more help is needed to support events, exhibitions and performances, providing a warm, friendly welcome to all the visitors. and there are vacancies – see https://thesubrooms.co.uk/work-with-us – with zero hour contract opportunities in marketing and publicity, in the bar, front of house & box office, ideal for students, parents or anyone looking for part time work to fit around their schedule.

Some people join the Sub Rooms as a Member, Patron or Champion and hear of upcoming shows before anyone else, getting priority booking, discount ticket offers, exclusive previews, café offers and venue rental discounts. With more shows selling out music fans will want the opportunity to book early.

Maintaining and acknowledging a sense of community ownership is key to the Subscription Rooms’ success – and everyone is invited to come and be part of its journey.

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Please note that Simon Guy is no longer the Operations Manager. For up to date information please visit the Sub Rooms website.

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Silver Voices speak to local and national government

During lunch near Stroud recently, after several service failures had been discussed, one of those present asked: ”Isn’t there a group speaking for older people?’ A few murmured ‘Age UK’ but in tones lacking conviction. Then – by chance – the writer heard a reference to ‘Silver Voices’ on the radio and found details online. Extracts follow:

Silver Voices is a web-based membership organisation for the over sixties who want a platform for campaigning on current issues  to be channelled to the political parties and so influence national and local policies. It  is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee (registration number 12883349). We have deliberately not applied to be a charity as we want to be free to campaign on political issues.

We have no allegiance to any political party. All subscription income and donations are invested in website, marketing, campaign and office costs.

The Silver Voices Office is run by Dennis Reed who was Chief Executive of the local government think tank the LGIU for eleven years. Before that he was a senior official with the trade union UNISON.

The Director is responsible for all organisational and financial matters, but policy positions and priorities are determined through regular membership polls and surveys, conducted by an independent survey company. Silver Voices is the only independent national membership organisation for senior citizens in the UK.

We have reviewed our systems to ensure we are compliant with the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): we will never provide individual data to any third party organisation. We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

The more members we have the more we can influence the political debate. We already have well over 6500 members even though we are a relatively new organisation.

 RECENT BRIEFINGS (EXAMPLES)

NB Silver Voices Members can obtain back copies of specific briefings by e-mailing info@silvervoices.co.uk

THREATENED RISES IN THE STATE PENSION AGE

Briefing 8/24, dated 13 February 2024, covered fresh threats to raise the state pension age beyond 66 and Silver Voices’ opposition 

ONLINE ONLY GP APPOINTMENT PROCESSES

Briefing 4/24, dated 19 January 2024, asked for information about GP practices adopting online only appointment systems, in breach of GP contracts

AUTOMATIC CANCER SCREENING

Briefing 3/24, dated 13 January 2024, confirmed that Silver Voices had registered a formal complaint with the EHRC, arguing that the Department of Health and Social Care was in breach of equalities legislation by putting age limits on automatic cancer screening services.

SAVE OUR LANDLINES

Briefing 1/24, dated 2 January 2024, provides advice to members on what they should do to prevent the forced switchover of traditional landlines to an internet-based system

About 200 MPs from all political parties receive our regular policy briefings and we try to work closely with other senior citizen organisations. We are now members of the Care and Support Alliance with 80 leading charities campaigning on social care and Silver Voices is also affiliated to Health Campaigns Together. We argue passionately for self-representation by senior citizens at all levels of society.

The subscription is £8 per year and you can join using the form below. However if you rely solely on the state pension and benefits you qualify for free membership. Simply e-mail your details to info@silvervoices.co.uk. 

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