The Rock Community Centre

The Pitch

Problem statement

The Rock is a multi-generational community-run centre, a one-of-a-kind on a large deprived council estate with an increasing population and few resources available to the residents. We provide a community facility for activities identified by the community, with specific reference to the elderly and the disabled of all ages. Our centre meets the needs of the community as a whole, by addressing issues covering isolation, food poverty, loneliness, financial advice, health issues, depression, boredom, a sense of belonging, whilst promoting community cohesion.

Solution

With the continued increase in utility costs, we are seeking a grant to help combat these higher fees for running a community centre. These costs are extremely high every year, and rose quite significantly during the last financial year. With the current cost of living crisis, they are expected to continue to be very high for the foreseeable future. Last year's extremely high increase in these costs greatly stretched our budgets further than first anticipated and without funding, we would have struggled to continue. With a grant to help cover these establishment/utility costs, we can continue to provide our valuable services and activities.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

We are situated at the heart of the community. We have over 32 years of experience in involving and empowering local people and promoting capacity for well-being, as opposed to the management of ill health and disease. We reach local isolated older/disabled people and help them to increase their overall health and mobility whilst improving their self-confidence, our aims are to get people away from their homes and encourage them to interact with other residents many of whom are living in similar circumstances. The Centre manager is responsible for the continued interaction with the community and sourcing those in need of help.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

5,000 people

Who will benefit

Expected impact

We are the main venue within the area for those who wish to access health and wellbeing activities, we are in a prime location at the heart of the community. The area of Bristol that we operate out of is an area where many people struggle due to a lack of services, help, and support. We are in a prime location to help support residents and the needs of the community. A grant to help cover the increasing utility costs would alleviate our outgoings over the next year, this, in turn, would allow us to continue to keep our centre open to residents longer and be far more accessible, especially during the winter months. We would continue to be able to reach and help to encourage isolated residents to attend our centre during these cold months, they would be welcome to access our activities or just visit us as a safe space to come in from the cold. The services and activities that we offer help to encourage residents to get involved with their community.

Track record

The centre has been operating and supporting the community of Lawrence Weston since 1990. At present we are the only venue within the area that is open to local residents everyday, a venue that can be accessed by anyone in the community and surrounding areas. We are aware that venues such as ours are needed more than ever. We have been operating within the community for over 30 years, we are a multigenerational centre with a long history of fantastic interaction with the community. This level of interaction along with community open days and feedback, allows us to understand what is needed to support the community as a whole. Every year we are accessed for a wide range of activities and services by residents of our community. The numbers of people coming into the centre have always continued to increase. Due to the length of time that we have been in operation, the community are aware of our history in promoting community cohesion and the support that we have given to the community.