Feeling positive with Filwood Community Centre
08/30/2021
Knowle West is a mostly working-class area in the south of Bristol with a strong sense of community. At its heart is Filwood Community Centre, purpose built in 1938. In 2010, local people took over its running from the council and have given it a new lease of life.
The building is a large space with a main hall, sports hall, garden, cafe, meeting room and even a dark room for hire. In 2020 when the pandemic hit, Filwood had a packed programme of events and activities including dance classes, slimming classes and art activities.
We spoke to Charlie Watts, Communications Coordinator at Filwood, about how the centre has been working to help people feel more positive after a difficult year.
The pandemic
“We were shut through most of the pandemic although the building was still being used by the school which is based here. As the rules changed, we were able to reopen to the African church groups, offer the space for meetings, and re-start sports and arts activities and the monthly community market which trades from the green outside.
During the pandemic we were a Covid support hub, part of the Knowle West Alliance, a network of five specialist non-profit organisations which came together to serve the community. The Alliance existed before the pandemic but quickly found new ways to work together in a joined-up way to provide the support needed. It responded to over 500 referrals and provided practical and emotional support for people.
The pandemic meant that people who might not have done it before, have been volunteering. It’s brought out the best of people and helped the community come together. At Filwood, we came up with new ways to bring people together while we couldn’t meet in person. We also adapted key events in our calendar.
Hearts and stars awards
Traditionally, we host an awards ceremony to recognise local volunteers. As we couldn’t do a ceremony last year, we turned it into a walk of fame through our courtyard. We made a walkway decorated with stars displayed on poles. The stars were painted by local people, each with their own unique design. Each one had the name of someone who had been nominated – local volunteers, people who have been doing things for others. People felt really honoured that they were recognised. The hearts, put up in a local charity shop window, were knitted by a local artist and had the names of people in the community who we lost due to the pandemic.
It was a beautiful way to come together and represent what had happened here. We had a lantern parade to launch it which was really special. People were on their doorsteps watching. The local BBC News picked it up too. The walkway is still up and people are still visiting it.
Creativity and fun
We’ve held lantern parades before. They are really nice ways to get out into the community. Filwood is about the people rather than the building. Recently we had Paraorchestra performing in the car park (you can watch a clip of it on Twitter) and will welcome them back in September when they’ll lead a parade through the streets.
There are lots of creative projects running here. Through Creative Civic Change we got funding for Filwood Fantastic, a three year programme with lots of mini projects. Mini Golf Club was one which ran during lockdown. Megan, a local artist, inspired people to make their own mini golf courses out of household objects. They met online to have weekly clubhouse meetings and played together. She organised door drop-offs of golf-related goodie bags. People got really creative and made courses with their own personal theme such as Pokémon, books, plants - there was even a sewing machine! People were really inventive!
This project then grew into an actual permanent crazy golf course at the Centre. Local volunteers worked with our partners re:work to make bigger versions of some of the designs. This became a full course in the courtyard. It was launched at the start of July. People pay £1 to play and it brings new people into the Centre. There’s a lot of interest. People’s faces light up!
Led by the community
The golf was a genuinely community-led project. It came from the community. BBC Radio Bristol covered the launch which was great. Historically this area only really gets bad press. We’re keen to challenge perceptions and help people to see the strong sense of community here.
We have a membership scheme, which we have now restarted after a pause during the pandemic. Members get various perks including free golf sessions. Local businesses can sponsor our rooms.
We’ve got a boxing group which has been running for 30 years. Our kitchen garden sells produce in the monthly market. There’s a Springboard group which helps vulnerable people with their personal development. A men’s group moved here from another location and use our kitchen. It is run by Pat who puts a lot of time and effort into the group. Rising High were recently interviewed on BBC Bristol about how the men use baking as an escape. It boosts wellbeing but also builds that sense of community. Their bread is good as well.
There’s always a lot going on here - that’s what makes Filwood great!”
Insurance for your hall
Zurich can provide insurance cover for community centres and village halls, and the activities they run. For more information visit our charity and not-for-profit insurance website.
