WHERE can you take your baby in the morning, chat to pensioners at lunchtime, learn to read all afternoon and dance your way to fitness in the evening?

From cradle to grave, community centres offer a wealth of activities and opportunities to keep neighbourhoods engaged every day of the week.

In Oxford there are 22 owned by Oxford City Council, and communities and neighbourhoods manager Angela Cristofoli oversees them all.

She said: “The aim is to provide facilities which can meet community needs from a social and developmental point of view, as well as all the aspects that bring a community together.

“I want to ensure our community centres reflect the areas around them, and make sure the most vulnerable groups are using them.”

It is up to community associations – a group of, on average, about 10 volunteers who take responsibility for individual centres – to make this goal a reality. They are in charge of the day-to-day running of their respective buildings and must ensure their financial stability.

Ms Cristofoli said: “They are there to make sure what goes on in the centres is beneficial to the locals, as well as support the building.”

Antonia Bance, the council’s executive member for social inclusion, believes Oxford’s community centres are right on track.

She said: “The thing that is special about community centres is that they’re owned by local people and run by local people and have a say in helping people get involved.

“I’m incredibly proud of our centres. We take them for granted, but there are so many problems I hear about from people in my constituency that are helped by community centres.

“They help young people get off the streets, stop older people feeling isolated and allow mums and dads to get out of the house to do things with their kids. These people’s basic requirement is having somewhere to go to do what they want to do, and that’s what community centres provide.”

West Oxford Community Centre, off Botley Road, is a great example.

The building is one of the newest in the city.

It boasts solar power – generating 10 per cent of its electricity and saving £500 a year — and holds the unofficial title of the city’s greenest community centre.

Just over a year ago it became the fifth UK community centre to be awarded Visible status by Community Matters, a national organisation which supports community organisations.

Being Visible means West Oxford is an example of excellence for helping local projects. Assistant manager Marelyn Clarke said: “I would hope that we’re a hub in the community.

“We have a very convenient location for people and we’re a base for a lot of groups. I think a lot of people rely on us being here.”

For Joan Creese, West Oxford Community Centre plays a vital role in keeping older people independent. The 75-year-old exercise teacher runs Easy Exercise 50+.

More than 20 women and one man enjoy the Age Concern-supported class, both for its physical and social benefits.

Mrs Creese, who first trained with the Keep Fit Association in 1966, said: “We’ve been running for about six years and there’s quite a range of people, aged between about 60 and 88.

“We do gentle exercise, movement and dance, using all types of music, from Jim Reid to Abba, and aim to help people feel better – keeping joints healthy and flexible, helping with a good posture, which keeps people independent.

“My class members enjoy meeting.

“Quite a few of the ladies have lost their husbands and we offer social interaction. It’s a time in the week when they can enjoy the company of others and let off steam.

“Everyone chats after the class, which gives me a chance to talk to individuals.”

Meanwhile, belly dancing is more than just a weekly class at West Oxford Community Centre.

It is a social network and a confidence boost for people recovering from illness, according to teacher Caitlyn Schwartz.

The 26-year-old American, who comes from a long line of performers, has been leading her weekly evening class there for almost two years.

She said: “The popularity varies a great deal. Sometimes it’s quite small, but other times we have a class of 20 people.

“It doesn’t just appeal to a particular demographic.

“I get a few undergraduates, but I also have grandparents taking part, and there’s usually a very wide range of ages.

“Anyone can do belly dancing.

“It’s a form of folk dance which means traditionally anyone can do it. Different people get different things out of it.

“Some use it for fitness, while others use it to get over an illness they’ve had in the past. It helps them get confidence back.”

Although would-be belly dancers start off at the community centre, they are soon enjoying friendships with the rest of the dancers outside the class.

Also regulars at West Oxford are the Lakeside Woodcraft Folk Pioneers – the junior branch of the educational youth movement, which is a bit like the Scouts.

Voluntary youth organisations are essential, according to group leader Nick Thorn.

The group of 24 10- to 12-year-olds meets up at the community centre once a week for a range of activities.

Mr Thorn said: “One of our focuses is the environment, and it’s good that we meet in a place that is so environmentally sensitive.

“So often groups like us have to use places that are not much better than barns.

“Good community centres make such a difference. If the children can meet up in a place that is comfortable, warm and safe then they feel happy.

“The really nice thing is that West Oxford Community Centre is connected to the park, so in the summer we can play outside games, which is wonderful.”