Community Venues and Spaces Improvement Grant

Bestwood Road Sports & Social Club (BRSSC) is a member-led community sports and social venue in Bulwell Forest.

The club provides activities for adults, children and families, including grassroots football, pool, darts, dominoes, bingo, community events and social gatherings.

It also hosts local groups, children’s activities and community celebrations, providing a welcoming space for residents of different ages. Volunteers and the club committee support its day-to-day activities and community engagement.

The grant will support six capital improvements: construction of a purpose-built football changing-room building; extension and upgrade of the kitchen to commercial standard; resurfacing and remarking the car park; roof replacement or improvement to address water ingress; replacement of the main-hall floor; and replacement of the function-room floor.

These improvements will tackle longstanding deterioration, improve safety and functionality, and make the venue better equipped for community, sporting and social activities.

Football pitch and external lighting works are being delivered separately and are not part of the six grant-funded elements.

• Programme planned: October 2026 to September 2027
• Roof works: March 2027
• Kitchen, car park, main-hall floor and function-room floor works: June 2027
• Football changing rooms: August 2027
• Overall completion planned by 30 September 2027

Dates remain subject to planning consent, procurement and grant conditions.

The upgraded facilities will help the club maintain and expand its programme of grassroots football, social activities and community events.

Dedicated football changing rooms will better support players and teams, while the commercial kitchen will improve the club’s capacity to cater for functions and community gatherings.

Refurbished main-hall and function-room floors will provide improved spaces for activities such as bingo, darts, pool, dancing, meetings, parties and other community events.

Improved car parking and roof works will make visits more comfortable and practical.

Any new sessions or activities, and their start dates, will be confirmed as the improvements are delivered.

Nottingham City Council is the local authority for Nottingham, delivering essential services including parks and green spaces, housing, planning, education, transport, waste collection and social care.

The Council also delivers a wide range of community engagement activities, working with residents, businesses, schools and community groups to shape services, support local initiatives and encourage participation in projects that help create a safer, greener and more inclusive city.

The project will deliver a significant enhancement of the existing play area, including the installation of modern play equipment, new seating, bins and other park furniture, supported by high-quality safety surfacing. The scheme will create an attractive, welcoming and accessible destination that better meets the needs of local families and the wider community, while delivering increased safety for users.

Designed to cater for a broad range of users, the new play space will offer opportunities for children of different ages, abilities and developmental needs. A varied mix of play experiences, including swinging, sliding, climbing, balancing and imaginative play, will encourage physical activity, social interaction, confidence-building and collaborative play.

Where feasible, natural play features and landscape enhancements will be incorporated throughout the site, creating a greener and more immersive environment. By combining structured play equipment with informal and nature-based play opportunities, the scheme will encourage exploration, creativity and connection with the natural environment.

The overall design will support active and enjoyable play while creating a high-quality community asset that is welcoming, engaging, safe and accessible to as many children and families as possible.

Upon completion of the project, a community launch event will be held to celebrate the new play space. Local stakeholders, including ward councillors, schools, residents, community groups and project partners, will be invited to attend.

The event will provide an opportunity to showcase the improvements, encourage community ownership, strengthen local connections and promote use of the new facility.

Nottingham City Council is the local authority for Nottingham, delivering essential services including parks and green spaces, housing, planning, education, transport, waste collection and social care.

The Council also delivers a wide range of community engagement activities, working with residents, businesses, schools and community groups to shape services, support local initiatives and encourage participation in projects that help create a safer, greener and more inclusive city.

The project will deliver a significant enhancement of the existing play area, including the potential relocation of the playground where feasible, together with the installation of modern play equipment, new seating, bins and other park furniture, supported by high-quality safety surfacing.

The scheme will create an attractive, welcoming and accessible destination that better meets the needs of local families and the wider community, while delivering increased safety for users.

Designed to cater for a broad range of users, the new play space will offer opportunities for children of different ages, abilities and developmental needs. A varied mix of play experiences, including swinging, sliding, climbing, balancing and imaginative play, will encourage physical activity, social interaction, confidence-building and collaborative play.

Where feasible, natural play features and landscape enhancements will be incorporated throughout the site, creating a greener and more immersive environment. By combining structured play equipment with informal and nature-based play opportunities, the scheme will encourage exploration, creativity and connection with the natural environment.

The overall design will support active and enjoyable play while creating a high-quality community asset that is welcoming, engaging, safe and accessible to as many children and families as possible.

Upon completion of the project, a community launch event will be held to celebrate the new play space. Local stakeholders, including ward councillors, schools, residents, community groups and project partners, will be invited to attend.

The event will provide an opportunity to showcase the improvements, encourage community ownership, strengthen local connections and promote use of the new facility.

Mellish Sports Centre began as ‘Bulwell Shed’ in 1993, created by local people to provide a much-needed community resource. Today, we are a vibrant Community Hub, welcoming over 200 people every day and supporting 10,000 members.

At the heart of some of Nottingham’s most disadvantaged communities, we deliver affordable, inclusive activities including gym sessions, community groups, youth and holiday programmes, wellbeing classes, coffee mornings, volunteering and learning opportunities. We support people of all ages and backgrounds, helping improve physical and mental wellbeing, reduce isolation and antisocial behaviour, and create opportunities for connection, participation and personal development.

Fiercely Independent. Always Affordable. Forever Inclusive.

Mellish Sports Centre is a well-used community facility owned by Nottingham City Council and run by our charity. Our new 10-year lease provides security for the centre and the communities we serve.

Following recent investment in our gym, changing areas, accessibility and outdoor spaces, we now want to address three key priorities: replacing the extremely worn sports hall flooring, installing solar panels and upgrading our ageing CCTV system.

New sports hall flooring will create a safer, more attractive and enjoyable space, encouraging greater use, participation and membership. Solar panels, including an export scheme for surplus energy, are expected to save around £7,500 annually in energy costs. This will improve our long-term financial resilience, reduce our carbon footprint and allow savings and export income to be reinvested into affordable community activities, helping us avoid increasing charges. A new CCTV system will improve security and safeguarding for users, staff and the wider site.

We have obtained competitive quotations from local suppliers and are taking independent expert advice. All works are planned for completion by October 2027, delivering lasting environmental, financial and community benefits.

Flooring works will commence in December 2026 and conclude in January 2027.

CCTV works will commence in January 2027 and conclude in March 2027.

Solar panel works will commence in February/March 2027 (weather dependent) and conclude in May/June 2027.

Our proposed improvements will make a lasting difference to local residents, our community and the long-term sustainability of Mellish Sports Centre.

A new sports hall floor will allow us to expand popular activities including gymnastics, trampolining, roller derby and our 70+ programmes, with subsidised access for local children and priority or underrepresented groups. Improved facilities will encourage new users and enable us to provide targeted sessions for diverse communities in a safe, welcoming environment.

New CCTV will improve safety and security, particularly for vulnerable and diverse communities using the centre in the evenings and attending local councillor surgeries. This is particularly important in an area experiencing high levels of crime and antisocial behaviour and will strengthen our commitment to making Mellish safe and inclusive for everyone.

Solar panels will reduce energy costs by around £7,500 annually, while income from surplus energy will be reinvested into subsidised community activities. They will also significantly reduce our carbon footprint and improve our environmental sustainability.

We anticipate attracting 100+ additional users each month, increasing membership by 10%, generating up to £15,000 additional annual income and creating opportunities for 10 additional volunteers and work experience placements, including local schools.

Together, these improvements will create modern, sustainable facilities while strengthening Mellish’s community impact and future viability.

The Bestwood Partnership is a charity-based, community-led organisation representing local residents and working to improve opportunities and wellbeing across Bestwood, Bulwell and surrounding communities.

We have experience delivering community activities, including Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) provision, engaging children, young people and families in positive, accessible activities.

Our community engagement for The Ridge Adventure Play has included consultation with local families and young people to understand their priorities and the facilities they want to see. Residents have expressed strong support for reopening the centre, with the clearest message being “open it”.

We will continue involving young people in designing welcoming, safe and inclusive spaces that reflect local needs.

The project will comprehensively refurbish The Ridge Adventure Play, transforming a dilapidated, long-closed facility into a safe, welcoming and sustainable community venue for children, young people and families across Bulwell and Bulwell Forest.

Planned improvements include replacement flooring, refreshed decoration, improved activity zones, a young-person-centred training kitchen and craft kitchen, dedicated arts and crafts and gaming areas, table tennis, snooker and football tables, quiet spaces and a controlled-access entry system to strengthen safeguarding.

Energy-efficiency improvements, including insulation where appropriate and more efficient equipment, will help reduce running costs and environmental impact.

Young people and local families will help shape the final design and selection of facilities, ensuring the refurbished spaces reflect community priorities, offer choice and encourage a sense of ownership. All improvements will be developed within the available budget.

The refurbished venue will support our ambition to open five days per week, offering after-school clubs, youth and play activities, weekend sessions, family activities, community events and affordable private party hire. Flexible spaces will also enable community groups and local organisations to access a much-needed neighbourhood resource.

This investment will restore an important community asset, expand access to positive activities, improve social connection and wellbeing, and provide a safe, inclusive environment where local people can participate, develop skills and thrive throughout the year.

Over the next 13 weeks, we will work collaboratively with designers, surveyors, local families and young people to develop the refurbishment plans, agree priorities and finalise the design within the available budget.

A building survey is booked for 26 October 2026, after which the surveyor will advise on the scope of works, any essential repairs and the anticipated delivery timescale.

Following completion of the survey and design development, we aim to finalise specifications, obtain the necessary permissions, confirm costs and appoint contractors.

Subject to survey findings, procurement and contractor availability, we are working towards commencing the refurbishment in early 2027, with the ambition of completing the works during March 2027 ahead of the Easter school holidays.

The programme will be reviewed against the surveyor's recommendations and contractor schedules to ensure the works are achievable, safe and provide value for money. Progress and expenditure will be monitored throughout, with the aim of reopening The Ridge as soon as practicable following completion and safety checks.

Following refurbishment, The Ridge Adventure Play will offer an expanded programme of accessible, inclusive activities for children, young people and families across Bulwell and Bulwell Forest. Our ambition is to open five days per week, moving beyond predominantly holiday-based provision to deliver consistent activities throughout the year.

Planned activities will include after-school clubs, youth sessions, supervised play, sports and games, arts and crafts, gaming, cookery and creative kitchen activities, alongside opportunities to develop practical skills, confidence, teamwork and independence.

We will build on our experience delivering Holiday Activities and Food provision to offer engaging activities during school holidays, including opportunities for children and young people to socialise, learn new skills and enjoy positive experiences in a safe environment.

Family activities, weekend sessions and community events will encourage wider participation, strengthen relationships and reduce social isolation.

The refurbished venue will also provide opportunities for affordable private parties, community group activities and local organisations to deliver sessions, helping establish The Ridge as a valuable neighbourhood resource.

Young people and local families will help shape the programme, ensuring activities reflect local interests and needs. We will also develop volunteering opportunities, enabling residents and young people to contribute to activities and events and gain valuable experience.

Our aim is to provide a welcoming, safe and positive space where local people can connect, build skills and access opportunities throughout the year.

The Bulwell Academy Community Hub is a vibrant space within the school, designed to foster connection, support and partnerships within the heart of the community.

A safe haven where education, wellbeing and social connection flourish, creating a stronger, more empowered Bulwell community.

We aim to offer something for everyone and have a regular weekly timetable of activities and support services including men's mental health, craft groups, playgroups, exercise classes, baby massage, preloved clothing, confidence and wellbeing courses and coffee mornings, plus much more, attracting over 100 people through our doors each week.

The proposed improvement project will transform an underused green space within the grounds of Bulwell Academy into the Bulwell Academy Wellness Garden.

The area has previously been used on a small scale as an allotment, providing a small number of students the opportunity to learn about growing food, nature and the benefits of spending time outdoors. However, significant improvements are needed to make the space fully usable and sustainable. The site is currently uneven, contains rubbish and debris, and lacks the quality soil required for successful food production.

The project will begin with essential preparation work, including clearing and levelling the ground, removing waste materials and adding quality topsoil to create suitable growing conditions.

The garden will provide a welcoming space where students, their families and members of the wider community can work together to grow fruit, vegetables and plants whilst developing practical gardening skills.

Produce grown in the garden will be used in community cooking sessions delivered through the school's Community Hub. These sessions will promote healthy eating, cultural exchange, budget-friendly cooking and stronger community connections.

• Forming of project team and planning and designing of allotment space: November to December 2026
• Equipment and resources to be sourced and purchased: March 2027
• Site improvements, including stripping, scraping and removing rubbish and green waste, then topping with quality topsoil: April 2027
• Construction and planting: April to September 2027
• Completion, official opening and launch event: October 2027

The project will transform our Community Hub and School by creating a new allotment space and expanding the range of activities available to children, families and the wider Bulwell community. The allotment will provide a daily space for curriculum learning, wellbeing activities, interventions, reward experiences and after-school support.

New activities will include gardening and food-growing sessions, healthy eating workshops, cooking on a budget classes, home cooking lessons and cultural cooking sessions, linking produce grown on the allotment with our Community Hub kitchen. Families will be encouraged to participate together through after-school and weekend activities, promoting family learning, healthy lifestyles and stronger community connections.

The allotment will also support environmental education, teaching children and adults about sustainability, biodiversity, food production and reducing waste. New volunteering opportunities will be created through allotment maintenance, activity delivery and cooking support, helping build confidence, skills and pathways into further training or employment.

The space will benefit school pupils, including Pupil Premium and vulnerable children, existing community groups, parents, carers and local residents. In the future, we also plan to introduce a child and volunteer-led podcast and YouTube channel to share learning, celebrate successes and engage even more members of the local community.

Top Valley Community Centre Ltd is a registered charity operating a community venue serving Top Valley, Bulwell Forest and the surrounding area.

The centre provides affordable space for local groups, classes, meetings, health and wellbeing activities, training, advice and community support.

We work with residents, voluntary organisations and service providers to make activities and opportunities accessible locally. Our aim is to develop the centre into a modern, welcoming Community Hub that responds to local needs and provides opportunities for learning, wellbeing, social connection and skills development.

The funding will support a major refurbishment and modernisation of Top Valley Community Centre, transforming it into a more flexible, welcoming and better-equipped Community Hub.

Improvements will include a new specialist sprung activity floor for dance and martial arts, a new fitted community kitchen, refurbishment of the bathrooms and the creation of three new internal rooms for meetings, training, community activities and office use.

The project will also create a dedicated IT and digital learning suite equipped with high-performance laptops, monitors and a shared AI/rendering server, providing local residents with access to digital skills, creative technology, coding and AI-related learning opportunities.

Further improvements will include centre-wide energy-efficient LED lighting, new carpets and flooring, thermal blinds and an upgraded CCTV security system.

Together, these improvements will significantly improve the quality, capacity and versatility of the venue, enabling it to support a wider range of community, training, wellbeing, digital, business and support activities.

The improved Community Hub will enable us to introduce and expand a wider range of activities for local residents.

New provision will include digital skills and IT training, coding, creative media, design and AI-focused learning through the new IT and digital suite.

The new flexible rooms will support training courses, community meetings, advice and support sessions, health and wellbeing activities, yoga, dance and martial arts classes.

The refurbished kitchen will support community food activities, refreshments and practical sessions, while the improved toilets, flooring, lighting and room layouts will make the building more comfortable and suitable for a wider range of users.

We also plan to increase affordable workspace and meeting opportunities for local residents, community groups and small businesses. Overall, the improvements will allow the centre to offer more activities, accommodate more users and provide a more flexible programme throughout the week.

The Toy Library was established by parents in Bulwell to help address the challenges of bringing up children in low-income households.

We deliver year-round supportive activities for Bulwell children and their families. Our Family Mentors work with children aged 0 to 5 and their parents/carers, delivering a home visiting service and sessions at our Room to Play venue.

Our Play Team works with children aged over 5 in community spaces and venues. Our inclusive and accessible approach offers weekly universal and targeted sessions, and we also organise a number of free, fun community events throughout the year.

Over the years our building has deteriorated and is now in dire need of refurbishment.

Our window frames will be replaced as they are rotting, resulting in high energy costs. We will install solar panels to further reduce our energy costs.

We also want to install a small kitchen area in a downstairs room to create a community meeting space where we can deliver free training to local people and offer space for local groups to use free of charge.

We will refurbish our toilets so they are compliant, accessible and easier to keep clean and hygienic with the number of people using our building.

In addition, we would like to tarmac the area at the front of our building as we do not currently have any disabled parking options. The area is uneven and grassed, becoming very boggy during winter, making it unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility.

Start date: December 2026

Aim to complete all works by 31 March 2027

• Halloween community event
• Winter Lights community event
• Employability training for the local community
• Free meeting space for local groups
• Additional winter sessions that are currently not possible to deliver from our building

VIY's activities are centred on the renovation and transformation of valued local community venues.

We do this by challenging young people aged 16+ who are NEET, or at risk of becoming NEET, and who typically face other barriers to accessing skills provision, to learn and apply vocational construction trade skills while volunteering to undertake improvement works needed on each VIY project.

VIY learners work alongside and are mentored on the job by local professional tradespeople and gain trade skills accreditations and support to progress into employment and further or higher-level training.

VIY will transform all six existing containers, including scraping, wire-brushing and repainting with specialist coatings in fresh colours. BMX-themed and local murals will strengthen the site's identity and community ownership.

Internal improvements will include new shelving, improved ventilation, refreshed toilet facilities and strengthening flooring where required. The catering and snack-shop container will receive improved display facilities, refrigeration and a sink with hot water.

A new shipping container will be purchased and fitted out as a dedicated changing and first-aid facility, with changing spaces, lockers, bench seating and LED lighting, improving provision for girls and women.

The proposed improvements will significantly enhance Bulwell BMX Track as a safe, inclusive and multi-purpose community asset, increasing the range of activities offered, widening participation and strengthening local volunteering. The upgraded facilities will enable Nottingham Outlaws BMX Club to serve more residents from Bulwell and Bulwell Forest, including priority groups who currently face barriers to participation.

• Entry Level 3 City & Guilds construction accreditation
• 85% reporting raised aspirations
• 32% progressing to education, employment or training outcomes
• 92% reporting improved happiness and wellbeing
• 90%+ volunteering for the first time

Increasing the number and range of activities

The new changing and first-aid container, improved catering facilities and refreshed internal spaces will allow the club to expand beyond BMX riding. A dedicated indoor space will support workshops, bike maintenance and repair sessions, youth skills activities, classroom-based learning, community meetings and volunteer training.

Improved welfare facilities and weather-resilient spaces will also enable year-round delivery, including women-and-girls sessions, family activities, community events and larger competitions. Collectively, these improvements will transform the site into a more flexible, multi-purpose community venue.

Increasing the number and diversity of people using the space

Weekly usage is currently around 200 people. Following the improvements, the club anticipates more than 300 weekly users, driven by expanded sessions, improved accessibility and increased community engagement.

The dedicated changing facility will remove a key barrier for women and girls, creating a safe and appropriate space that encourages greater participation. Improved facilities will also attract families, young people, community groups and local organisations, while the new training and classroom space will support groups who may not come solely to ride BMX.

The visual transformation of the containers, including co-designed murals, will strengthen identity and community ownership.