Free space offered for community groups and charities in Bristol

Indoor and outdoor space is being offered for community groups, arts organisations, and charities at the former St Christopher’s School in Westbury Park.

The old school hall and the gardens of the 5-acre site, bordering The Downs off Westbury Park Road, are being made available to use throughout the day or evening for the next twelve months and are ideal for arts, cultural, and environmental activities and events.

Luke Martin, Socius, part of the team responsible for the redevelopment said: “The site has been closed to the public and hidden behind a wall for many years.  We have already started to open up the site and make it part of the wider community.  We want to continue this.”

Currently, the site is providing temporary affordable accommodation for 90 people living onsite as guardians, and is home to a COVID-19 vaccination centre for Whiteladies Medical Centre.

The old school hall can hold up to 80 people seated and has a stage area and bathroom facilities. Outside there are a number of areas suitable for small or larger groups, with access to facilities.

Dr Lee Salkeld, Whiteladies Medical Centre said: "We have been fortunate to be able to deliver Covid vaccinations from the site at St Christophers.  Through every step of our planning and implementation, the team at St Christophers have been responsive, flexible, and supportive.  We hope to continue to our work with the team later in the year."

Performance group Mechanimal and First Redland Scouts will use the hall when the vaccination centre closes, and Circomedia and a local yoga class are also intending to use the outdoor space in the summer, but there are opportunities for other groups and charities to use the space too.

Luke Martin continued:  “We understand the importance of keeping active, both mentally and physically, and local community groups play a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of their members.  There are not a great number of options for activity and event space in Westbury Park, so we are pleased to be able to invite in local groups to make use of the existing facilities that are currently sitting empty.”

If you are interested in finding out more, please email the team at feedback@stchristophersbristol.com