'Lifeline' city playground needs £500k funds

Play equipment at the Venture Community Hub is now beyond repair

A campaign has been launched to raise £500,000 to modernise a "lifeline" community playground.

The Venture Community Hub in White City, Gloucester, has been providing a safe place for children and families to play, socialise and learn for 41 years.

The play area was built by community members in 1996 but the team say it has reached critical point where repairs are no longer enough.

Dawn Barnes used it as a child and is now CEO of the charity. She said: "It was the place where I went and found people that would listen and support me."

Designs for the new playground have come from the White City community around the hub, and include a multi-use games areas, sensory areas, accessible play equipment and a zipline.

As well as the playground, the hub gives children opportunities to take part in arts and crafts, sports, games, performing arts and cooking activities.

Plans for the new playground include a multi-level pirate ship

Ms Barnes said the Venture is like a family.

The 47-year-old has spent much of her life at the hub, having experienced a "difficult" childhood.

She first began visiting at the age of eight, before taking on a volunteer role at 14. Two years later, she secured her first job, and has worked there since.

"The playground was my lifeline," Ms Barnes said.

Nurturing generations

"They took me to university interviews and they listened and supported me even with things like clothes and shoes.

"They looked after and nurtured me... and I know that we do that for so many other children," she said.

Ms Barnes added that generations of families have been through the hub, with people she grew up with now bringing their own children and grandchildren along.