Thank You, Vassall Community -Your Efforts Are Making a Difference!

The team at the Vassall Community Hub wants to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Community Action Day on Saturday 12th July.

Charity Wallis, Director of Development at the Vassall Centre, summed up how we all feel:

“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Community Action Day at the Vassall Centre. Despite the scorching 32-degree heat, our brilliant community showed up with smiles, energy, and a willingness to tackle any task. Together, we achieved so much and had a great time doing it!”

One of the biggest successes of the day was laying the foundations for what’s next. As well as restoring the Gill Avenue phone box back to red (windows and final coat of bright red paint to follow!), we’re now forming a dedicated community group to help turn it into something new. We’re keen to bring more local people together to shape the project and ensure we create something the whole community can be proud of.

The event brought together residents, local police, councillors (Al Al-Maghrabi and Louis Martin), volunteers, and local partners who care deeply about their neighbourhood. As one resident put it, “It’s not just about tidying things up, it’s about feeling connected, contributing to our community and making something positive happen, together.” 

🌱 A New Vassall Community Garden At the back of the Hub, volunteers got stuck in to transform the underused space into what will soon become the Vassall Community Garden. With plenty of teamwork (and tea and cake!), the foundations for the garden were laid. Volunteers moved earth to create a level space at the heart of the garden, painted planters, and planted a variety of purple-flowering plants to match the purple theme of the Hub.

“This garden is really about creating a beautiful, natural space that the whole community can enjoy,” said Charity. “We’re planting flowers that will attract bees and butterflies, but just as importantly, it’s about making a welcoming place where people can come together and feel connected to nature and each other.”

The garden project is part of wider efforts at the Vassall Centre to create greener, healthier spaces that support wellbeing and sustainability. Plans for the new garden include shaded areas, raised beds, and a sandpit, along with fun musical installations kindly donated by Sense, one of the charities based at the Vassall Centre, who run activities for children with complex disabilities at the Hub.

🔧 A Fresh Start for the Gill Avenue Phone Box Meanwhile, out front, the Gill Avenue phone box - badly damaged in a recent arson attack - has been lovingly restored to its classic red (final coat and windows to follow!). Thanks to our volunteers’ hard work, what was once a sad sight has become a focal point for conversation, creativity, and future plans.

Community Engagement Manager Jess says that it is vital to get more local people involved in shaping the project:

“We already have a small group of local residents working on ideas for how the phone box could serve the community - but we’d love even more people to get involved to make sure the project keeps momentum and truly reflects what the community wants. We’ve learned from experience that these projects work best when they belong to the people who live here. We’re here to support, but it’s the community’s creativity and passion that will make this succeed. Although we were devastated by the fire, we’re hopeful it can now be a catalyst for connection and positive change - just as we saw at the Community Action Day.”

📅 Join the Phone Box Community Group Our first official meeting will be:

Tuesday 10th September, 6:30 - 7:30pm at the Vassall Community HubCome along to help decide the future of the phone box, join the core organising group, or simply offer your skills, time, or enthusiasm. Everyone is welcome.

💙 Thank You for Your Support Thank you again to everyone who came along, got involved, and showed what’s possible when we work together. Whether through gardens, phone boxes, or simply showing up, we’re building a stronger, greener, more connected Oldbury Court - together. We can’t wait to see both projects continue to grow with your ideas, energy, and support.

To get involved with the phone box group, please contact Jess:📧 jess.garbett@bristolcharities.org.uk📞 07724 546 519