Northampton community centre raises over £600 to secure future
Volunteers rally to keep Briar Hill Community Centre open
The Briar Hill Community Centre in Northampton has successfully raised over £600 after warning it was facing a funding crisis.
Opening every Wednesday, the centre offers food parcels, hot meals, donated clothing and toys, advice sessions, and drop-in visits from local policing teams and Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH).
Now solely managed by volunteers, the centre has operated independently for the past year after Community Spaces Northampton announced it was closing several community hubs due to a lack of funding.
Shelley Murray, an organiser at the Briar Hill Community Centre, emphasised the area's need: “Briar Hill is a very deprived area. A lot of people do really rely on the food itself, but also a lot of people coming here every week just want a chat and someone to listen to them.”
Murray shared the challenges in providing services: “We receive food bank donations from Aldi and Marks and Spencer, but at the end of the day, it has just been me and Louise paying for the hot food ourselves, which gives us a very limited option on what we can provide.”
The funds raised will contribute to upcoming Halloween and Christmas events, ensuring continued support for local families and children.
Community members shared their experiences of the centre's impact. Jayne said: “This is the only place I really meet anyone and you can guarantee you can usually get something to eat.”
Debbie, another community member, described the centre as her “lifeline” during difficult times, helping her to socialise and providing practical advice.
Volunteer Fiona noted improvements in her mental health by contributing to the centre, appreciating the satisfaction of seeing people leave content.
Councillor Anthony Owens (Reform UK, Far Cotton, Delapre and Briar Hill ward) played a key role in raising funds: “I’m incredibly proud of everything that’s everybody’s done and, more so, it’s what these incredible volunteers do here for free, working, getting the food.”
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has marked Briar Hill as a priority area within the Local Area Partnership programme. A WNC spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work with community groups, partners and volunteers to explore sustainable, longer-term solutions that help strengthen support and opportunities within this area.”
Further funding opportunities are expected to become available through a new round of the Community Investment Fund later this year.