A community centre in Bristol has reopened to the public after 18 months of extensive building work. Volunteers at Meadow Vale Community Centre in Speedwell managed to raise over £300,000 towards the construction of a brand new building alongside the existing hall.
Speedwell has seen numerous housing developments built in the neighbourhood but locals say the community lacks nearby facilities, apart from its friendly pub. In 2011 the community centre was run by an unregistered charity ‘on the verge of folding’ but over the last 10 years, volunteers raised funds for the building and a new park and children’s playground on what had previously been derelict scrubland.
Lindsey Fuller, formerly a headteacher at the local nursery, has been working hard with other volunteers to get the centre back on its feet for over a decade. It became apparent to her while working in the nursery that there were few affordable activities available within walking distance for local families.
