The Victoria Field and Social Club, a community and sporting hub in Street, is calling for local support as it faces pressing financial challenges that could impact its ability to continue serving the community.

Known for bringing people together for sports, events, and social gatherings, the club has long been a central part of life in Street, and David Redman, representing the club, is encouraging the community to rally to protect this valued institution.

"For years, the Victoria Club has been a place where our community gathers, connects, and celebrates," Mr Redman said. "Now we're facing an urgent challenge, and with everyone's help, we're determined to secure the future of this club. We're working hard to bring back members and make the club financially sustainable, but the costs of running such a large facility are significant," Mr Redman explained.

Like many local organisations, the Victoria Club has felt the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and recent cost-of-living pressures. Membership has dropped from 1,100 in 2019 to just over 500 today, and despite restructuring and cost-saving measures, the club still needs additional support.

"To reassure everyone: the club isn't facing immediate closure, but we do need support," he said. "We're aiming to strengthen our operations, complete essential upgrades, and pursue exciting plans through 2025. With new volunteers and a unified commitment, we're working together like never before to build a lasting future for the Victoria Club."

Since reopening post-Covid, the club has taken extensive steps to adapt to new financial realities. A stronger management structure is now in place to attract members, particularly young people and women, to ensure the club remains inclusive and accessible. However, even with these changes, the club's finances remain stretched and essential overheads, including energy bills and maintenance costs, are challenging.

To support its mission, the club has launched a GoFundMe campaign, giving the community a direct way to help secure its future.

"We're calling on locals to visit our GoFundMe page and help." Mr Redman said. "Every donation, no matter how small, is a step toward protecting the future of the club."

The GoFundMe campaign is part of a broader effort by the club to strengthen its financial position. Alongside the appeal, the club is exploring additional funding sources, including partnerships with foundations, councils and companies. They're also applying for grants through Sport England and working with their sports sections to share resources.

In addition to day-to-day running costs, the club is in need of urgent upgrades. Essential requirements include £8,000 for mandatory electrical work to meet insurance standards and repairs to a leaking flat roof. Once the roof is secure, the club hopes to install solar panels to help offset future energy costs.

The Victoria Club's impact goes well beyond its own members. The club supports a range of community activities, from sports teams and wellbeing sessions to charity events and social gatherings.

During the pandemic, government grants helped the club stay afloat, but changing spending habits and rising costs have since posed a challenge. In response, the club's leadership is actively seeking new ways to remain resilient, including reaching out to other successful clubs to learn from their models and funding strategies.

"We've faced challenges before, and as a community, we can overcome this one too," Mr Redman said. "Supporting our GoFundMe isn't just about keeping the club running—it's about preserving a community treasure for future generations."

To support the Victoria Club, visit their GoFundMe page, where donations can be made directly. For further information on how to get involved, locals can also visit the Victoria Club's website or follow their social media channels for updates.