HCA registered as a charity in 1972, with the twin objectives of promoting the social, cultural and educational benefits of residents in the Highfields area of Leicester and to establish and manage a community centre in furthering the above objectives. In partnership with Leicester City Council, this resulted in 1974 in the building of the old Highfields Youth and Community Centre and the first steps toward HCA delivering against its stated objectives. It has played a full and active role in the development of services to the local community throughout its 38 year history. HCA is currently in the final stages of a Community Asset Transfer negotiation, resulting in HCA being awarded a 50 years lease on the building, and core staff being transferred to HCA together with service delivery budgets. HCA is a full member of the Development Trusts Association; a Company Limited by Guarantee (Reg No 6078193) and a registered charity (Reg No 1118624). The new Highfields Centre is a £5 million building providing state of the art facilities including a sports hall, gymnasium, aerobics studio, main hall, video and digital arts studios, a theatre and other community facilities. HCA’s staff contains officers who have been involved in the successful management of the centre from its construction, and sector specialists with a wealth of experience in successfully developing service provision in similar environments and managing centres with equivalent operations. Its Governing Body comprises local representatives with specialist skills and knowledge, experienced business people, community activists and local councillors.

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Community Centre / Education / Media