Why should this venue win the award?

Over the past five years a transformation has taken place at Windmill Hill City Farm that has lifted the spirits of the local community and re-invigorated a community hub. The huge improvement in facilities on the site (including provision of an outdoor kitchen, greenhouses, community gardens, play area, an expanded café, visitor centre) has enabled and accompanied a rapid increase in the quality and quantity of activities taking place. Footfall, interest and engagement at the farm has increased with groups of local people joining in activities provided by the farm as well as starting to organise their own activities with the farm as their base.
This award would recognise the huge progress that has been made by the venue; be a tribute to the work of the staff and volunteers who have made it change; and help to highlight how community anchors can boost the wellbeing of their communities. 

Tell us about how the local community is involved in running the venue
The organisation was founded by local people and continues to put community action at its heart. Its governance is based in a membership of over 250 active local members from whom 11 trustees are elected.
The most active involvement of local people comes through the staff and volunteers that make the place thrive. Over 400 people a year volunteer at the farm in all its work areas (gardening, looking after animals, maintenance, administration, childcare). Of those, over 60 help out at least once a week. Volunteer’s work alongside staff and input to the strategy of the organisation.

The 78 staff of the organisation are local people and the organisation makes a significant contribution to its local economy. It works to be a good employer and has achieved excellence in all areas of the Workplace Wellbeing Charter (one of only 3 organisations in the city to do so).

Tell us about the accessibility of the venue
The city farm site is physically accessible with level access to all public areas (its only two-storey building has a lift). Signage on site uses symbols where possible to avoid language barriers.
The site is free to enter and there is no charge for many activities making them accessible to people with low incomes. The atmosphere is informal and welcoming. The café serves a range of menu items including low-cost options alongside the more expensive treats to accommodate all budgets.
The farm works with WEA as a partner on adult courses that are designed for people of all abilities and supports people with particular needs where possible. Fees are remitted for those on benefits.
The gardens have an accessible path around them; covered areas and raised beds make gardening easier for less physically robust people. Planting in the community garden incorporates sensory beds with sounds and smells alongside the colours.


Please give examples of the range of activities that are on offer at the venue
The farm has many identities, facilities and services:
A visitor attraction providing free recreational space in the farm, gardens, play areas and café.
It provides health & social care programmes for people with mental health issues, learning difficulties or recovering from addictions. These include volunteer and work placements, drop-in socials and one-to-one coaching.
Childcare is a big part of the service with standard nursery places alongside ‘farm adventurer’ outdoor childcare. Formal education groups are run with schools and informal education activities take place. Adult learning covers many courses in the arts and life skills.
Community: events are run at the farm with thousands attending major events as well as small scale specialist events (open mic nights to potato seed swaps) and the farm gets involved with its neighbours – planning groups, lantern parade, and arts trails.
It’s an economically active space hosting tenants, employing staff and buying from local suppliers.

Why should this venue win the award?

Because it's great! St Paul's Learning Centre has put the heart of St Pauls back into St Pauls! ideally located and with a range of different rooms and spaces for hire, the Learning Centre has a wide range of activities going on for local people to get involved in. Its accessibility has allowed us to use it for community meetings, team meetings, and to use specialist rooms such as the art room, as we support older people to form their own groups locally. The staff are helpful and approachable, and have a mine of information of local issues and what's going on in the area and in the centre. Finally, with Glen's fabulous café offering good food and an informal and social gathering space, the atmosphere is immediately welcoming as you walk in.

Tell us about how the local community is involved in running the venue

Local groups use the rooms at discount prices, enabling them to run their own projects and activities.

Tell us about the accessibility of the venue

The centre is fully accessible, with ramps at each entrance, a lift, and good toilet facilities.

Please give examples of the range of activities that are on offer at the venue

Café, room hire, arts and crafts, stained glass workshops, photography and dark room facilities; it hosts other organisations' offices, such as Bristol Refugees, making services very accessible to a more diverse community.

Why should this venue win the award?
Across the last 2 years the staff, volunteers and trustees have made a phenomenal effort to improve the look, feel and accessibility of the Community Centre. They have opened a cafe, invited in gardening groups, decorated, opened up unused spaces and worked in partnership with other organisations to start new projects. Their efforts should be recognised.

Tell us about how the local community is involved in running the venue
The trustees are mostly very local to the Community centre, they have run and represented the venue at numerous events across the last year to reach out to underrepresented groups and ask them what they want form their community space.

They have set up social media platforms to enable feedback.

They trustees have embarked on IT training so they can better communicate with their community.

Tell us about the accessibility of the venue
The venue is wheelchair accessible throughout.

Please give examples of the range of activities that are on offer at the venue
Training, Sports, family parties, weddings, drop in support for mental health and substance abuse, internet access, cafe, an airbnb in an eco-cabin...