Five years ago we listened to what local people told us is essential to community life: Activities for young people; Places of space and sanctuary; Food and celebration; Facilities for groups to meet. By both adapting and extending the Church, we have designed a Centre with meeting rooms, a community kitchen and a youth café. Work began on St Cuthbert's Community Centre in August 2013 and is due for completion in March 2014.

Fir Vale is one of the 5% most deprived areas in the country, with 40% of children living in poverty. Yet it has much going for it - a sense of community, cultural diversity and people committed to making better things happen. The Centre will build on existing work as well as attracting new projects - free breakfast club, growing food, toy library, learning to cook, parenting support, shared meals, reducing isolation, using talents, keeping healthy, accessing training and preparing for work.

Once the Centre is fully open, there will be over 300 users each week. The whole community will be welcome, with a focus on activities for young children & families, youth, elderly, hungry and those with health and employment needs. All people and user groups will be actively encouraged regardless of ethnicity, sexuality, faith or no faith. The Centre will open a minimum of 357 days a year, available up to 93 hours a week.