A vibrant community centre in the heart of Bristol could be forced to close after astronomical rises in its bills. St Werburghs Community Centre now needs to raise £20,000 to stay afloat.
It has struggled with increasing costs over the past year and says that its gas bill alone has risen by 300 per cent. Like many community spaces, it has taken a hit from the loss of bookings during the pandemic but the need for its services has increased.
The centre is used by more than 200 community organisations, which host events throughout the year. If it had to close, its permanent tenants, which include charities supporting foster carers and refugees, would find themselves homeless. “We have users who come in everyday”, said Zoe Robinson, who works at the centre.
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SWCC is one of the oldest of its kind in Bristol after it was founded in 1971 by a group of local people, including the legendary bus boycott campaigner the late Roy Hackett MBE. The continued support the centre has from local people and members means that its crowdfunding campaign has already raised £10,000. But now it needs to raise another £10,000 by the end of this month to reach its target.
The centre received some funding recently from Bristol City Council after being selected as one of the city’s designated warm spaces, but this funding will come to an end on March 31. With additional funds raised, SWCC can continue its Foodshare scheme and other vital services supporting low income families.
Zoe said: “There is an increasing need for the services we offer, particularly around wellbeing and mental health. Post-Covid a lot of people around here have struggled with mental health and have benefited from our free community gardening and art projects.
“We’re overwhelmed by the support from the community and it just goes to show how much love there is for the centre. We have had so much support from our members and we are incredibly grateful for that.”
On the crowdfunder page there are more details on how the money will be spent and testimonials from people who have benefited from SWCC. The campaign is being match-funded by Co-op and Sport England.
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