A charity director inspired to support families in deprived areas has returned to her roots to open a life-changing hub in the street where she grew up.
Multi award-winning Jo Haydon, 50, founder of 4 Community Trust asked her dad, Francis, 86, to open its newest facility, this time on Hurst Road, Smethwick.
The space was formerly a council-run centre but hadn’t benefited the community for 15 years. Now Jo and her team are breathing new life into its two halls, office space, and kitchen.
Services already available at the centre include children’s activities, before and after school clubs, cost of living support, a WRVS group and more. A community pantry in conjunction with the nationwide FareShare organisation is set to launch next month.
Jo said: “The community needs to be put back in the community for this centre to be a core service for local people. We are also offering the building for hire for meetings, parties, or other uses. We are also appealing for local businesses to support us to help their local area. We are very grateful to the companies who are already at our side such as Oakley construction who have completed the work and Seddon who have donated.”
More than 200 people attended the launch on Saturday, September 20, with families and visitors of all ages enjoying the entertainment and a chance to see the centre in action, musical performances, face painting, and a party tea.
Francis officially launched the facilities with Jo telling how much it meant to be able to open a second centre, after the 4 Community Trust premises in Wiltshire Way, West Bromwich.
She said: “My dad was born at 4 Hurst Road in 1939, after the family moved in in 1935 when the houses were built.
“My parents still live in the family home which was my grandparents.’ I grew up in the area and worked in the area whilst doing a paper round from the age of 11, delivering parcels, and working in the pub at the top of Hurst Road from the age of 18.
“I have taught in the area and was involved in Girl Guiding at St Hilda’s Church as a child and a leader. I know the area, I know the community, and we suffered financially as a family in the 80s when my dad was out of work, so I have experienced what most people are experiencing now.
“I want to make a difference and replicate what we do in West Bromwich for the people where I grew up. It makes me so proud to be able to help people in this way.”
In 2021, 4 Community Trust first applied to run the centre after a number of years since around 2010 when it wasn’t in full use it on. At the time, another organisation had plans to make use of it, but this fell through and two years later Jo and her team were asked to invest in its future.
Funding for the Hurst Road Community centre has come through local government grants and other sources as well as continued 4 Community Trust fundraising. £500 amount was raised at the launch, with a schedule of further fundraising under way.
Find out more at https://www.4communitytrust.co.uk/.
Anyone wanting to support the running of the centre with donations, holding meetings, or providing services should contact Beth Roberts, Community Coordinator at the centre: Beth@4communitytrust.co.uk or call her on 0121 752 5969.