Bryer Rd Community Centre in Prescot, is going from strength to strength having secured funding to recruit a Centre Development Manager from the Steve Morgan Foundation.
The vital community initiative has received a three-year grant totalling £55,000 from the Foundation, which has helped with the recruitment of a Centre Development Manager.
Bryer Rd Community Centre was handed over to Innovate Volunteering, a social enterprise, in 2017 on an asset transfer from Knowsley Council.
Born and bred in Knowsley, Innovate Volunteering delivers volunteer-led community projects, across the Knowsley area, to reduce isolation and enhance the emotional health and wellbeing of children, young people and adults.
Innovate invests heavily in its volunteers to ensure they are equipped and confident to carry out their roles effectively.
Over the last three years Innovate has grown considerably as an organisation, having developed ourHUB on Manor Farm Rd in Huyton.
This facility consists of a ‘Pay what you can’ Community Shop and a Safe Space where local people can access support and a listening ear.
In addition, Innovate has been commissioned by the CCG and Knowsley Council to deliver the Borough’s Community Navigator Service, supporting local people to access activities in their community to prevent isolation, and more recently taking over the running of Bryer Rd Community Centre, in Prescot.
“We have been tasked with bringing Bryer Rd Community Centre back to the thriving centre it once was,” says Leanne Mallinson, Director with Innovate Volunteering.
“We have achieved so much over the past two years at the Centre with the support of our volunteers, who really do go above and beyond for local people.
“Receiving this funding from the Steve Morgan Foundation has enabled us to recruit Robin, our Centre Development Manager.
“This new role will really help us to develop the centre even further, ensuring we meet the needs of local people and provide a thriving centre of activity right in the heart of Prescot.”
Fellow director Angela Bergquist added: ‘The support we have received from the Steve Morgan Foundation has been invaluable.
“Not only do they believe in our service, but have provided lots of support and guidance along the way.”
Robin Connolly, now filling the new Centre Development Manager role, will be recruiting a team of volunteers to help her develop the centre for local people.
“This funding will help regenerate the local area and help us to work with other organisations to tackle some of the local issues faced on our estate,” said Robin.
Jane Harris, Director of Regional Funding with the Steve Morgan Foundation, says: “Innovate Volunteering is a fantastic example of a charity providing so many different services at grass roots level for the benefit of their local community.
“Since moving into Bryer Road Community Centre, Innovate have introduced a new programme of activities for people of all ages, and the numbers using their services has doubled.
“In order to continue to develop activities in line with the needs of the community, there was the requirement for a new Centre Development Manager role.
“Our trustees were delighted to approve the application for funding, and we wish Robin all the very best in the position and look forward to Innovate continuing to go from strength to strength.”
*Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at Bryer Rd Community Centre, or anyone with any thoughts as to what they would like to see from the Centre, is asked to e-mail Robin at robin@innovatevolunteering.co.uk
Thanks to Johnathan Mallinson from F/Stop Shots for the image.