Fun day sows seeds of support

Residents have been learning how boosted support services can help tackle anti-social behaviour at a community open day in the Willsbridge area of Bristol.

More than 50 residents from the Ventura Farm estate enjoyed a free barbeque, bouncy castle and face painting hosted by community partners Jephson Homes Housing Association, Avon and Somerset Police, Avon Fire and Rescue Service and children’s support centre, Sure Start.

The event was designed to increase the presence of support services on the estate as part of a project to transform a Jephson-owned bungalow into a community drop-in centre.

Visitors were invited to put forward suggestions for the types of services they would like to see at the drop-in centre, due to open early next year.

Suggestions so far include regular surgeries from Jephson and the Avon and Somerset Police Neighbourhood Team, activities for children and coffee mornings which will act as a forum where residents can discuss community initiatives.

Jonathan Williams, housing services officer at Jephson, said: “Getting out into the community will enable us to work with residents to improve their local neighbourhood, and to promote key messages like keeping safe and secure and raising awareness of where residents can go if there are problems in their area.

“We’ve been able to showcase the types of services that could be housed at the drop-in centre and take on board suggestions from residents who are helping us to drive the project forward.

“Making sure services are accessible is an important part of our work with tenants and we’d like to thank everyone for taking the time to come and meet us.”

The open day follows an action day between partners and Bristol City Council to clear litter and overgrown areas around the bungalow.

Councillor Erica Williams, from South Gloucestershire District Council, said: “For people living in our suburbs core services can be much more difficult to access than in the city centre, making outreach programmes like this vital for the community. The open day has been a real success in helping to form the foundations of what we’re sure will be a very positive project for this area.”