London Gatwick contributes £5,000 to Broadfield Community Centre in Crawley

Broadfield Community Centre will use the money to help it pay for staff and core costs as it provides spaces for groups to deliver valuable services, often to those facing financial hardship.

The centre is designed to act as a beacon for community cohesion in the area, where five of its neighbourhoods are ranked among the 30% most deprived in England.

Tracy Frake, Broadfield Community Centre manager, said: “Broadfield Community Centre is a vibrant and thriving multi-purpose resource for community engagement, activity and learning. We hire spaces for groups to provide valuable services, which aim to bring lasting change in people’s lives.

“The grant of £5,000 contributes to the provision of a well-maintained building that meets legislative requirements and that can facilitate a range of activities. The Centre needs to be warm, safe, attractive and inviting.

“According to the 2019 Indices of Deprivation, Broadfield has five areas in the 30% most deprived in England, one of which is in the 10% most deprived; deprivation is on our doorstep.

“The Centre is a focal point in the neighbourhood, a beacon of community cohesion and an enabler for groups and local services that raise aspirations, empower, provide hope and which help to improve skills, self-esteem, health and wellbeing, and life chances for local people.”

Broadfield Community Centre was built in the 1970s at the same time as the estate, with services run by the people of Broadfield for the local community.

It serves as a versatile space for activities such as fitness and dance classes, advice forums, clubs and social get-togethers.

The statistics bear testament to the Centre’s influence. More than 400 children and young people participate in weekly activities, providing a safe and constructive environment for personal growth and development. A total of 53 children regularly attend the preschool, receiving a foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.

In addition, 135 little tots participated in one of the toddler groups in the past year, offering support to parents and caregivers and fostering early childhood development.

The centre has three dedicated groups targeting the elderly which have reached more than 220 people, offering companionship, support and a sense of belonging to this often-isolated demographic.

Melanie Wrightson, stakeholder engagement manager at London Gatwick, said: “It’s a privilege to be in a position to help worthy causes like Broadfield Community Centre.

“Hearing from the groups we support as part of the Gatwick Foundation Fund about how the money helps them to continue their vital work give us so much joy, as we continue our work to support our local economy.

“The past few years have been especially difficult for so many of the charities and support organisations that work incredibly hard to help people in need.”

To find out about how the Gatwick Foundation Fund, which is administered by Sussex Community Foundation, visit: https://sussexgiving.org.uk/