Together we make a difference Our History 1970
Discussions between various organisa ons in Eastleigh and Hampshire Council of Community Service (HCCS) regarding possibility of establishing a “voluntary council of social services” in the Borough. For several reasons, including the impending local government re-organisa on, it was decided to set up a sub-office of HCCS rather than an independent body.
1971
A sub-office was established in Eastleigh run by Mr Walter Mills with the assistance of a part- me clerical officer. This was financed by HCCS with the inten on of discovering whether there was a need for such a community organisa on.
1974
Discussions re-opened with Eastleigh Borough Council on the basis that there was now sufficient evidence of need and reques ng some financial assistance. Due to the cutback in local government expenditure, it was decided that it was not an appropriate moment to set up an independent, grant-aided organisa on.
1978
Approval, in principle, was given by the Eastleigh Borough Council to support the forma on of a Council of Community Service to cover the whole of the Borough (which, since re-organisa on now included parts of the Winchester Rural District Council) with the aim of bringing together “…people represen ng all kinds of voluntary organisa ons and statutory bodies to pool ideas, experiences and problems, and so jointly study the needs of the district as a whole.” Following several mee ngs of a steering group the Inaugural Mee ng of the Eastleigh Council of Community Service was held on the 15th June, where a cons tu on was adopted, Honorary Officers were elected and, also, an Execu ve Commi ee. The council was established “to promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community in the local government Borough of Eastleigh, and in par cular, the advancement of educa on, the protec on of health and relief of poverty, distress and sickness….’ Charity status was granted in November 1978 and offices were established in Eastleigh Town Hall, now The Point.
1996
Eastleigh Council of Community Services becomes a charitable company limited by guarantee, changing its name to Eastleigh Community Services (ECS) and with the benefit of a Lo ery Grant purchased ECS house at 16 Romsey Road, Eastleigh. ECS House provided accommoda on for all office-based staff and addi onal room rental to other member organisa ons.
2007
Eastleigh Community Services decided to change its name, giving the Trustees the opportunity to review the term of governance to reflect the changing needs of their clients and not to restrict the area of support, so they asked our members to agree to changing the name to One Community.
The first 40 years