All smiles as Shirley Towers community room opens its doors

As an active Block Rep for Shirley Towers, Anna works with the council to improve her local area. Wanting to bring residents together, she saw an opportunity to transform an empty and unused room into a welcoming space for the community to enjoy. Together with her neighbours, Anna campaigned for the room (which had previously been used as a drying area and before that a community room) to be repurposed as a place for residents to socialise and join in activities.

With support from our Tenant Engagement team, Anna and her neighbours successfully applied for a grant from Travis Perkins to transform the room and bring it back to life. Many people helped with the work including local residents, Neighbourhood Wardens, and the council’s contractor Trident Maintenance Services who kindly supplied the paint and carried out the decorating.

The doors to the new community room officially opened last month with a fun packed Easter party. The programme of future activities promises something for everyone including coffee mornings, health and wellbeing sessions, children’s activities and a homework club. Anna also hopes to run English lessons to empower more members of the diverse multicultural community to learn the language.

Lots of local residents have voiced their excitement about the revival of the community room, and one in particular has a special reason to celebrate the new facility. Jim, who has lived at Shirley Towers since it was built in 1967, was one of the key organisers back in the community room’s heyday when it was a hub of activity for local people.

"It’s wonderful to see this space being brought back to life. I spent many years running activities here. Everyone chipped in, my mother-in-law used to bake a cake for the activities, and we all took turns in supplying the refreshments. It’s great to know that future generations of Shirley Towers residents will have the same opportunities to connect and have fun. This room was a lifeline for many people, and I’m so happy it will be serving the community once again."

If you live in Shirley Towers keep an eye out for notices advertising upcoming activities taking place in the community room. Or contact our Tenant Engagement team for advice and support if you have an idea on how to benefit your local neighbourhood.