At the Rock we have been providing the community with a facility for activities identified by the local people, with specific reference to improving resident’s lifestyle and promoting community cohesion. We provide a centre that meets the needs of the community as a whole, addressing issues covering isolation, loneliness, relief of poverty, physical/mental heath issues, depression, boredom and a sense of not belonging.

 

We address community health needs through local, accessible and complimentary services so that we can offer opportunities for improving health and wellbeing and support those suffering from long term health conditions, therefore creating a centre for the community giving people a sense of purpose and belonging in an area that is well known for offering few opportunities and amenities.

 

The Centre has been providing the community with health related activities since 1990 and is a valuable asset to the community, without the Centre the residents would struggle to seek any form of health related activities. On average we are used by over 200 residents per week with 80% of these people being elderly, this amount over a year is excellent given our size and this is increasing every year.

 

Lawrence Weston is an area of high health needs with limited resources: it is an outer city housing estate in NW Bristol, with a population of around 10,000 and growing

rapidly. The people of the area suffer from social exclusion, loneliness, isolation, a sense of not belonging, boredom, physical illness, mental health issues, disability, bereavement, caring responsibilities, low car ownership, limited public transport and higher unemployment.

 

To make matters worse there is a high level of poverty within the area that is not showing any sign of getting better. Their are no new services/activities or resources being offered in the area apart from our own, however their are plans for new homes (situated within 5 minutes of the centre) which will increase the population. This will place an even greater strain on all current activities/services and make those that we offer even more of a necessity.

 

All our activities are available to all members of the community; we work in partnership with Linkage Bristol who help to fund and promote various activities we offer the community. We currently rent office space to the Lawrence Weston

Community Transport, who operate a minibus service that goes beyond the Lawrence Weston community and into other local communities such as Shirehampton, Henbury and Avonmouth.

 

We have close links with our local GP's, we receive referrals from these practices for people with social or health problems. Our management Committee is made up of local residents, those working in the area and those using the Centre on a regular basis. All of our Committee members spend a great deal of time trying to improve the lives of those using the centre and the centre itself.