One Community is an independent charity, established in 1978, to support the voluntary and community sector. We have grown to provide a range of care, transport and information services aimed at improving the quality of life for those we serve and helping our communities to flourish.

Timeline

1970
Discussions between various organisations in Eastleigh and Hampshire Council of Community Service (HCCS) regarding the possibility of establishing a ‘voluntary council of social service’ in the borough. for several reasons, including impending local government reorganisation, a sub-office f HCCS is proposed rather than an independent body.

1971
Sub-office established in Eastleigh, financed by HCCS, to assess the need for such an organisation.

1974
Discussions reopen with the Borough Council as there is now sufficient evidence of need.

1978
Approval in principle given by Eastleigh Borough Council to support the formation of Eastleigh Council of Community Services (ECCS) to cover the whole of the borough. Offices are located on the first floor of the Old Town Hall and across the road at 67 Leigh Road.

1996
ECCS becomes a charitable company limited by guarantee, changing its name to Eastleigh Community Services (ECS) and with the benefit of a Lottery Grant purchases ECS House at 16 Romsey, Eastleigh. ECS House provides accommodation for all office-based staff and additional room for rental to other member organisations.

2007
Eastleigh Community Services (ECS) changes its name to One Community Eastleigh with a view to trade, be branded and publicised as One Community. The reason for the new name was the political and funding landscape and the ongoing confusion from some people who thought that we were part of Eastleigh borough Council rather than an independent charity.

We have been around in one form or another for over 40 years and we had a large number of events celebrating this milestone.