South Bristol Community Centres: A Real Sense of Belonging

Knowle West was quite deprived back in 2020. A report listed it among Bristol’s ten poorest areas; Hartcliffe was also on that list. Bristol City Council used 2019 data for the report. They will update these rankings later this year.

Two community centers help locals get skills and offer experiences to improve lives. One is Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC), located on Leinster Avenue.

KWMC has music studios, a garden, and spaces for people to work. They often host “community feasts” where people get free meals when they join activities. KWMC has aided Bristol’s art scene since the 1990s.

Now, they support community groups across Bristol and create jobs for young people. They teach skills for home care and better health, helping people build careers. Martha King has worked there for over ten years and watched Knowle West grow and shift.

“Some clubs closed, but new homes appeared,” she noted. “Everything KWMC does involves the local community.”

KWMC founded Knowle West Alliance in 2020, which helped residents during the pandemic. Nowadays, KWMC teaches energy efficiency, using a “street level approach” during the crisis.

Martha says Knowle West has much art, yet people seek art in the city center. She hopes things change soon, as new facilities are planned for Knowle West. A government plan should bring these new facilities, and Filwood Broadway will also get fixed up. The Park center also anticipates the improvements.

Emma Hinton thinks the community is closer than ever. She spoke about The Park, saying they serve everyone from newborns to seniors, providing local opportunities and aid.

The Park offers speech therapy and care for seniors. It has a cookery school, gives job advice, and runs sports programs. The Park is also a “warm space” people use on cold days to cut energy costs.

The center will soon mark its 25th year. Emma Hinton worked there for 22 years and witnessed changes in the area. “I would say we have fewer services now,” she explained. “The cost of living hurts this community badly.”

“There is no supermarket here, also, there is no pub.”

“Community spirit remains very strong. These folks stick together through everything, and there is always a sense of belonging.”