Community centre revitalised with help from BBC show winner as local spaces face financial crisis
Community centre revitalised with help from BBC show winner as local spaces face financial crisis
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Government funding for public social spaces has plummeted by a fifth over the past two years, leaving many community hubs on the brink of collapse. A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request, which gathered data from 96 local authorities, revealed an 18% drop in spending on community-related services and provisions between 2022 and 2024.
This drastic decline has pushed numerous community spaces to the edge, including Brockmoor Community Centre in the West Midlands. A haven that keeps local children off the streets, the centre was on the verge of closure in 2022 before being rescued by a team of volunteers.
Gemma-Louise Robins, secretary and trustee at Brockmoor Community Centre, expressed her sadness: "It has been heartbreaking to see Brockmoor's decline over the years. We know we are just one space out of many that is feeling the very real impacts of funding cuts.".
"Across the country, vital community spaces are disappearing under the weight of financial pressures and funding cuts. These are more than just buildings, they are the heart of our communities, a commitment to funding is critical before it's too late.".
The centre was given a new lease of life with help from TV interior designer, Banjo Beale. The winner of series three of BBC Interior Design Maters, teamed up with Crown Paints for ‘The Space Between’ campaign. 'The Space Between’ campaign is just one element of Crown's Project Possible initiative, to raise awareness of the deterioration of community hubs. Each year, Crown Paints donates over 50,000 litres of paint to local communities.
