How the project will be run (Governance)
Governance: local, accountable and well-managed
The Project will be run by Hindu Samaj Northstowe (HSN) in collaboration with the consortium partners.
How it will work in practice
- Trustee oversight of safeguarding, finances, and equality and inclusion.
- A part-time Project Manager to coordinate day-to-day delivery and partnerships.
- Two clear committees:
- one for the temple/shrine
- one for the Interfaith Community Centre, including bookings and programming
Community Advisory Group
We will create a Community Advisory Group to support the running of the centre. It will provide regular input on priorities such as which activities are most needed, how shared spaces are used, and how the centre remains inclusive and welcoming for everyone. It will also act as a listening channel for feedback and concerns, helping us improve the programme, resolve issues early, and ensure the centre remains fair, transparent and responsive to Northstowe.
Local residents, including youth representatives, will be invited to join this advisory body. We will also invite representatives from different faiths and community groups, as well as council representatives, to help guide priorities and keep the centre welcoming, fair and responsive to Northstowe.
Safeguarding
All activities will be delivered under a clear safeguarding approach, including:
- DBS-checked volunteers where required
- delivery aligned to our safeguarding policy and clear operational procedures
Consortium partners
Most of our consortium organisations are either based in Northstowe, or closely connected to Northstowe through local delivery and a strong local volunteer base. This helps us deliver activities safely and consistently, while keeping the centre Northstowe-first.
Hindu Samaj Northstowe (HSN) is a local grassroots, volunteer-led charity formed in Northstowe to serve Northstowe and surrounding villages. To strengthen capacity and bring in specialist expertise, we have partnered with a carefully chosen mix of strategic organisations to form a consortium. This combines local trust and knowledge with stronger delivery systems and experience in areas such as safeguarding, youth and family provision, wellbeing, arts and culture, volunteering and interfaith community-building.
Cambridge Hindu Forum
Provides trusted leadership on faith operations and governance standards, helping ensure the place of worship is run respectfully, safely and consistently. Their experience strengthens accountability and community confidence, and supports interfaith understanding through a mature local network.
Jain Samaj Northstowe Cambridge
A vital partner for genuine interfaith inclusion and welfare-minded support. They help ensure smaller communities are represented, support respectful shared use of prayer/reflection spaces, and provide a trusted bridge for dialogue so the centre remains welcoming, fair and sensitive to diverse needs.
CamCare UK
A crucial delivery partner for youth and family provision. They strengthen safeguarding, help design sessions that are inclusive and well-attended, and support practical delivery systems (volunteers, routines, mentoring pathways) so the centre can offer safe, consistent youth activities and community support.
Cam Together CIC
A Northstowe-based wellbeing and sustainability partner supporting community-led initiatives. They strengthen preventative wellbeing activities, youth engagement and environmental projects, help shape volunteer-led programmes, and connect the hub to practical local networks that support health, resilience and community cohesion.
Supporting programme partners (cultural and youth leadership)
Cambridge University Cultural Hindu Society
Supports youth and student leadership through volunteering, mentoring and event support, helping young people contribute positively and build skills.
Cambridge United Telugu Association
Helps deliver inclusive cultural and heritage activities that build belonging and shared community experience.
Maharashtra Mandal Cambridgeshire
Supports arts and heritage learning (music, dance, language) and community-led cultural sessions across the year.
Indian Community Waterbeach
Offers collaboration and volunteer support that strengthens Northstowe-focused activities when needed.
Cambourne Hindu Association
Brings shared learning and occasional delivery support, helping programmes stay well-organised and community-led.
Partners strengthen delivery and safeguarding, but the centre remains Northstowe-first most activities are designed for local residents, with clear event planning to prevent disruption and overspill parking.
Traffic and parking: managed to keep streets safe
Northstowe is designed for walking, cycling and public transport. We will operate in a way that protects residential streets and keeps activity community-scale and well managed. Although the temple will be the only Hindu place of worship in Northstowe, the site is not intended to function as a regional destination attracting large daily crowds. Most regular use is expected to be local, through booked sessions, small-group activities and neighbourhood-scale worship.
We also recognise that peak traffic around Stirling Road and the Faith and Community Land is typically during school drop-off and pick-up times. We will plan programs so that larger gatherings do not start or finish during those peak periods.
Read More on Traffic and Parking Strategy
What this means in practice
- Low on-site parking, prioritised for accessibility, drop-off and essential servicing.
- Active travel first, with good cycle access and cycle facilities near the entrance.
- Booking-led use for busier sessions, with clear joining instructions to support safe arrival and departure.
- Clear no-overspill expectations, resident communications, and monitoring to discourage parking on nearby streets.
- Defined operating limits, with managed timings and capacity for larger sessions.
- For larger events a few times a year, an Event Traffic and Parking Plan, including stewarding, signage, timed arrivals where needed, and neighbourhood communications.
- Resident voice and oversight, with the Community Advisory Group reviewing what is working and helping shape traffic and parking controls so the centre remains safe, fair and responsive to Northstowe.
We will run activities in line with council guidance, including clear limits on numbers and careful management of attendance.