Residents give community space a 24-hour makeover

People in Devon have come together to restore a the outdoor space of a community centre in 24 hours.

Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest (PSDCF) said 87 residents worked with the Zebra Collective, which runs the centre, to give it a "makeover" with co-design support from the Open University.

It said the Mount Wise Neighbourhood Centre in Plymouth, which had fallen into disrepair, was used by a local church, children's play groups and youth groups.

PSDCF said the centre was set to close in 2024 before the Zebra Collective acquired the building from the council on an 11-year lease.

Naomi Cresswell, engagement and campaigns officer for Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, said: "It was just about transforming their green space, which was a bit... um, underused and just a bit grey and a bit sad."

She said that, during the work on 21 March, they planted a lot of trees, made a mini community orchard and mini wildlife pond, and a local artist created a mural.

Debbie Freeman, partnership and project lead at Zebra Collective, said: "Having previously been used as a nursery and a much-loved venue for local youth clubs and birthday parties, members of Zebra Collective, alongside residents of Devonport, were determined to bring the building back to life – and that's what we're doing using our collective community resources."

PSDCF said the 24-hour event came at a time when Devonport continued to be within the top 20% most deprived areas in England, according to Plymouth City Council's Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Nikky Chapman, from Devonport, was one of the residents who took park and said: "Our garden is the heart of our centre, and we want to share it with everyone in our community."

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