The Burrington Community Hub, based at All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP), is celebrating its first anniversary. The past year the hub has focused on four main priorities, fostering social connections and reducing isolation, addressing food poverty within the community, supporting mental health and well-being and establishing a strong presence within the community.

The vision behind the hub was to create a welcoming and open space that builds upon ASAP’s strengths and actively collaborates with the broader community. Publishing their first impact report, the hub can share that over 3,224 participants have engaged with the facility over the last year. They have also served over 3000 cups of tea or coffee, over 500 meals, offered 333 hours of community space, supported 264 young people and formed 27 new partnerships.

ASAP, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, has focused on promoting activities at the hub that strengthen the community, from arts and crafts to support sessions for parents. They are especially proud of their parent groups and toddler sessions, where people not only take part in activities but also support one another and form lasting friendships. 

Encouraging mental wellbeing for local people is a core purpose of the hub and they have organised 3 re-occurring support groups for parents, providing safe spaces for open dialogue and shared experiences. These groups empower parents with strategies to support their families’ mental health. Partnering with 10 external support services, they ensure access to specialist resources, from counselling and workshops to crisis support.

The school recognises the link between mental health and school attendance, understanding that non-attendance can be a sign of wider issues. Their holistic approach supports children and families by addressing underlying challenges, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and empowered to engage with education.

The hub has received sponsorship from Plymouth City Bus and grants from Active Devon and the Gibbons Trust, along with support from the Ted Wragg Trust, whose mission is to strengthen communities.

Looking ahead, over the next year the hub hopes to further strengthen local connections, grow food confidence through cooking sessions and education and continue offering safe spaces in which people can build resilience, speak openly and support one another emotionally. You can find out more about the hub and upcoming events on their Facebook page. 

Rachel Earley, Community and Engagement Officer at All Saints Academy Plymouth said:

“This past year has been about listening to our community and building something that truly reflects their needs. From parent groups to young people’s activities, every session has been about bringing people together and breaking down barriers of isolation. It’s been inspiring to see friendships form, confidence grow and families feel supported. We can’t wait to build on this momentum for the year ahead.”

Lacey Tombs, Acting Headteacher at All Saints Academy Plymouth said:

"The Burrington Community Hub has quickly become at the heart of our school and local community. Seeing students, families, and neighbours come together, support one another, and build lasting connections has been incredibly rewarding. This first year has shown what’s possible when a school opens its doors to the wider community, and we are excited to continue growing and strengthening those relationships in the years ahead."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust, our mission has always been to strengthen communities and transform lives. The Burrington Community Hub is a shining example of that vision in action. In just one year it has become a safe, welcoming space where people can connect, share experiences and find the support they need. We are incredibly proud of the impact it has had and excited to see it grow even further.”