The following description of general SPC practice and proposals for rejuvenation of Pepys Resource Centre have been collated to help stimulate interest that we can move forward with a development program toward sustainable and buoyant future of PRC.

OUTLINE

The Pepys Estate is an area rich in cultural diversity and in the process of regenerative transformation of identity and fortunes. We should take an optimistic view of the process ahead and consider longer term sustainability as well as tend immediate need to reopen the centre. Local involvement and investment of both time and monetary support are essential to the recipe we will follow.

The process of rejuvenation required may present challenges and test the confidence of longer term collaborators and supporters of the centre but let us move ahead with an acknowledgment of the need to experiment, a willingness to embrace change and an understanding of the value of greater exploration and exchange. The priority for us all is that we identify pragmatic and economical measures to energise interest and enthusiasm for the utility at PRC.

Despite favorable situation and uniquely accommodated riverside centre PRC has yet to reach its potential and set itself at the local focus of enterprise and innovation nor has it voiced a challenge or comment on the sweep of cultural transformation driving regeneration across the area. Its role in support of employment and vocational training and as IT space, offering internet access are core roles that demand greater realisation. Huge potential exists to rationalise the approach and expand the scope of facilities on offer without compromising the human scale and personable sense of space that exists.

SPC

"Cast the energy of community initiative and the mix of enterprise agenda to forge links between local residents, business and visitors to the area and exploit the potential of ideas and shared experience in a supportive environment founded on vocational development over materialism."

RECCOMMENDATION

We propose an emphasis of activity be directed at sustainability, renewable energy and other ecological investigations into waste, health and finance, each of which has a domestic, regional and international influence to bear on the lives and times of us all in terms of our future in work and play, with our families and friends.

The collaborative approach used by software developers, freenetworkers and political activists of the last decade are being applied and proved on the commercial telecommunications industries as they are being targeted on energy suppliers and pharmaceutical manufacturers, educational institutions and governments in anticipation of great change and transformation in our lives and fortunes.

As the balance of power and wealth shifts globally, how can we prepare for change and adapt to the new situations we face. Where can we go to compare notes on medicine, community currency or clean energy options. The Internet has opened up a world of information for us to explore and digest if we quest clarity or question authority. Social exchange and personal contact with active thinkers of all ages and origin help us articulate the alien, innocent and ordinary.

PRACTICE

SPC will maintain a member on the PRC board and help articulate the recommendations of the members in line with charitable aims and objectives. PRC will maintain responsibility for the day to day security and long term sustainability of the centre and be facilitated by SPC for technological and program development on an assignment basis @ the hourly fee. (see http://spc.org/subscribe.html)

The program of activities and development of the resources at the centre will be conducted in collaboration with the members who will be expected to take up the opening, closing and cleaning duties in contra payment of their subscription fees. SPC has been fostering a skills exchange and fees on assignment system which rewards in cash for work completed when funding allows and in gratitude and acknowledgement of effort whatever. A session fee be should paid to those members taking on the 'keykeeper' assignment (bit like a library assistant) but that only 2 four hour sessions be available per week, per person.

Each subscriber will be offered an email account, web hosting, support with their enterprise or research and access to the SPC network of resources already in place and an influence on the evolution of Resourceforge.

Here is an action plan for first stages of work we will prioritise.
• clear, refurbish and renew the public access resource and cafe area - street level
  
• define and activate the resource development workspace by subscription - basement level
  
• open 2, 4 then 6 days a week 12-8pm each day - marketing, flyers, posters, regular activities, special events.
  
• establish cycle parking and enhance outdoor seating area.
• Clear and clean the right side of the street level rooms, construct central work surface, refurbish the bar area to self-serve refreshments and snacks, install computer workstations and desk area for wireless laptop use, communal seating and resource/reference/reading library to compliment the existing vocational and developmental documentation.
• Establish access system to the basement workspace area and resolve independent access for subscribers via secondary entrance. Refurbish the kitchen area for self serve drink, snack and light meal prep. Refurbish and extend lighting and power and data distribution system. install structured wiring ethernet network the length and optimise the lighting and ventilation options.
• Revise opening hours and advance to 6 day opening. Identify, train individuals (drawn from the existing supporters of the centre and from those known to have experience in attendance at public venues or whom demonstrate abilities to learn this) to open/close the centre each day, tend to subscriber requests, assist new users and welcome visitors. The best message we can send is the one carried away by satisfied users. We can stimulate and support that by equipping the willing with publicity material imprint, defining a clear message on-line and communicating with local and popular press about the work process and the output of activity.
• fund raise and lobby for substantial outdoor furniture and cycle parking. Cycling is on the rise across the country and more Londoners than ever expect to be accommodated and facilitated in terms of secure parking and safe riding environment. PRC is the final refreshment opportunity along the riverside path eastward and the start point for city centre destinations.

There is more to be done here than we can prepare for or should define now. The time is right for a fresh attempt and approach for PRC. The notes here present both an impression and evidence of our integrity and enthusiasm for the challenge presented.

Consider these proposals and invite us to collaborate with you all soon so we can set out a program of work. You will certainly have questions so please let me know how you feel about the report. I have included a short list of websites referred to, below.

James Stevens
mob +44 7973 318881
skype +44 20 8123 6868