News / KNowle West
Renewed calls to reopen Knowle West community centre
There have been renewed calls to reopen a former community centre in Knowle West following the tragic death of two teenage boys in the area.
Eagle House Community Centre closed in 2014 and was taken over by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), part of the Nigerian Pentecostal Church, in 2016.
Since then, community activist Carol Casey has been fighting to give the council-owned building on Newquay Road back to young people in Knowle West.
is needed now More than ever
Carol organised a public meeting at Eagle House in July, in response to a spate of stabbings that occurred around the time, including a teenager who was stabbed on July 31 and a woman who was stabbed on August 1.
Back then, Carol said she called the meeting because residents have been saying how worried they are around knife crime, stolen motorbikes and drugs in Knowle West.
Now, the murder of Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15 has left the local community in shock and demanding answers, with many calling for the centre to reopen. Hundreds of people signing a petition originally launched by Carol in July last year.
When asked if he would direct funding into Eagle House Community Centre on BBC Politics West on Sunday, WECA mayor Dan Norris said: “It’s possible but not easy. It requires the consensus of the council.
“We are always looking at youth services because I think they are very important, so we will do that and redouble our efforts because it is clearly really important.”
Speaking about why she launched the petition in July last year, Carol said: “The outcomes for the younger generation in the Filwood area of Knowle West are amongst the poorest in the country.
Since the closing of Eagle House in 2014, the life for children and young people in this part of Bristol has been stark.
“With a lack of consistent provision and the promise of a better life, many young people are drawn towards the exploitative life of selling drugs and petty crime.
“All professionals engaged in the area agree that early intervention is needed, but this needs to be met at its roots.
“With the re-imagining of Eagle House as a fully purposed children and young people’s centre, we can change the narrative in Knowle West for generations to come.
“We can work with families from the start of their journey as parents, offering support, advice and a safe place to play for their kids during the day. For school age kids we will build a rich play environment for after school, weekends and holidays.
“We will grow food and prepare it in our community kitchen. We will see children from toddlers to teenagers, and see that they get the grounding in life many are being deprived of. We can change the prospects for local children in this area and give them a future of hope and opportunity.
“We need to address this issue immediately. Please sign this petition and help us to return Eagle House to this community for the benefit of everyone in Knowle West.”
A new multi-million pound youth centre is due to open down the road from Eagle House in 2025.
The centre will be run by local youth work charity Youth Moves, and will support an estimated 4,000 young people from south Bristol in its first year.
Main photo: Charlie Watts
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