Phone: 0117 982 7445
About us
The community centre offers a welcoming, friendly and accessible space for everyone, proudly operated by the Avonmouth Community Centre Association.
Our vision and how we work
The Avonmouth Community Centre Association (ACCA) is a charity (Charity number 1151356) that exists to champion Avonmouth as a great place to live and give a voice to residents. We want all Avonmouth residents to enjoy a high quality of life, and be a part of a strong, prosperous and caring community. Whatever age or stage you are in life, we believe together is better for addressing isolation, health, food poverty, housing and transport.
ACCA is run by a board of local volunteers and trustees who, together with a small team of paid staff, manage the community centre building and activities.
Our mission
The Avonmouth Community Centre Association’s mission is:
To manage a community building which provides high quality facilities and a range of activities, that is accessible to all sections of the local community.
To continuously develop and update the building, to meet the changing needs and expectations of the community, both now and in the future.
To provide accommodation for local community groups and public sector organisations in order to enhance local services for residents, particularly for those people who are disadvantaged, vulnerable or who face difficulties accessing provision appropriate to their particular needs and circumstances.
To develop activities that increase participation in civic life, including through providing local residents with opportunities for self-development, volunteering and involvement in local decision-making.
Our values
The Avonmouth Community Centre Association’s values are:
Equal Opportunities – As both a service provider and employer, ACCA promotes equality of opportunity and believes in challenging discrimination of all kinds.
Community Cohesion – ACCA is committed to helping create a strong and prosperous community in which individuals from all cultures, backgrounds and beliefs are able to develop mutual understanding and respect.
Democracy and Accountability – ACCA is a membership organisation and its management committee is accountable to the community through open meetings and the annual election of its officers. It regularly communicates with and consults all sectors of the community, to ensure that its planning and decision making continues to reflect locally identified priorities.
Partnership Working – ACCA believes that collaboration with voluntary and community groups, public sector bodies and private sector businesses improves its ability to enhance resources and deliver better services.
Independence and Financial Sustainability – ACCA recognises that it is in the best interests of the communities it serves for it to plan for a financially sustainable future based on sound management, cost effectiveness and increasing its own income generation.
Environmental Sustainability – ACCA will meet the challenge of climate change through adopting good environmental practices, and promoting all aspects of environmental sustainability throughout all its operations.
Meet the team
Our staff team is made up of:
Rachel Haig
CEO
Mike Oldrieve
Community Development Worker
Sammi Bell
Charity Administrator
Sarah Sherwood
Family Worker
Sonia Grogneuf
Wellbeing Coordinator
Our partners
Our work would not be possible without the generous support and involvement of our partners:
We are also part of the Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward together with:
We are always looking for sponsors and individuals who want to make a real difference to their community – find out more.
The building
The Centre itself is based in what was originally the school built in Avonmouth, in 1886. It was known as the National School, which accommodated 200 pupils. Three years later the school was extended to accommodate a further 100 pupils. Due to increasing numbers of children necessitating larger premises, a new school was built in Catherine Street, the old school finally closing in 1971.
Following the school’s departure from the building, a group of local residents took over the management of the building, and Avonmouth Community Centre Association was created. Since then, the organisation has been overseen by a group of trustees, mainly local people, who believe that the building is an important resource for the community.
