New lease of life for Greystone Community Centre

You said…  help us give our community centre a new lease of life.

We did…  helped Greystone Community Centre apply for funding from the county council and other community groups to make the revamp a reality.

St Aidan’s residents of all ages are enjoying the facilities at their community centre which has been revamped with help from Cumbria County Council grants and support from their county councillor.

Greystone Community Centre has undergone a major redevelopment, including a new youth wing, pre-school facilities flooring, lighting, room divides and revamped café area. 

The development has been in part funded by £12,000 of support from the county councillor for the St Aidan’s ward, Councillor Reg Watson, using funds allocated by Cumbria County Council to each of its councillors. Each has a budget of £12,000 for improvements which will benefit the community, particularly highways, buildings and facilities.  This is the second year Councillor Watson has supported the centre through his local capital funding.

The community centre has also received funding from The Tudor Trust which has enabled them to pay a member of staff to assist in the running of the centre, as well as support from other organisations including Riverside Housing Association, Groundwork (United Utilities), the Tudor Trust, the Francis Scott Charitable Trust and also Carlisle City Council which owns the building.

Cumbria County Council’s Community Unit in Carlisle have been helping the centre staff find out about funding opportunities available, which have included an Early Years Grant and Neighbourhood Forum Grants.

Community Centre Manager Joyce Ackerley says: “The funds we’ve received have allowed us to bring the centre into the 21st century, with comfortable new facilities for everyone to use and we’re extremely grateful to all our funders.

“For the first time we’ve had a dedicated youth wing which is giving young people their own area to relax and socialise in.   The pre-school is also a much better facility than before and the whole building feels light, airy and modern.”

Councillor Reg Watson says: “It is important that community centres such as Greystone can continue to offer good facilities in a modern environment if they are to thrive and be a place local people value and enjoy using.   Providing facilities for young people in St Aidan’s is also important and this is part of our plans to support organisations which create more activities and meeting places for our young residents.”

The youth wing of the community centre is set to open in August 2010.  

For more information contact the Carlisle Community Unit.