UXBRIDGE Community Centre was established in 1983 by the then Chaplain of Brunel University, the Rev Theo Samuel, who saw a need for a centre for social activities in south Uxbridge.

It is based in the former St Peter’s Church, in The Greenway, which had become redundant because of falling congregation numbers, and after a feasibility study – and a £50,000 grant from Greater London Council (GLC) – the church was converted into a community centre with two halls, a kitchen and meeting room.

The GLC also paid for a full-time community worker and a part-time secretary to help get the project off the ground.

From those small beginnings, the centre, now a registered charity, has grown over the years and that its two halls – one large and one small – are now used by about 30 activity groups each week, ranging from a pre-school playgroup through short mat bowls to a karate club, Irish dancing and scouts.

Angie Brydges, who chairs the centre management committee, is proud of the range of facilities and activities it offers but is worried there has been a noticeable drop in the number of people volunteering to help keep the centre going.

“We have to be self-sufficient and we rely on volunteers and the generosity of local businesses and tradesmen to keep the place viable and adequately maintained.

“We desperately need more people to become committee members, to attend monthly meetings and support events, as well as shape the future of the centre.

“We could really do with some new blood,” she said.

Centre administrator Donna Nash added: “There is a fantastic spirit here. We regularly get more than 300 people coming to the centre each week to take part in our activities.

“It provides a wide range of things to do for all ages from a senior social group to over-50s keep fit classes, Zumba dancing, Little Kickers and martial arts.

“For example, for the first two weeks of the school holidays, we’ve got the Happy Days Play Scheme here, providing things for primary school age children to do. That’s a real boon for parents at the start of the holidays.”

Happy Days manager, Nicole Barrow, has been using the centre for more than seven years and is full of praise for the place.

“We’ve got 50 kids here today enjoying the Tropical Zoo, which has been brought by Hounslow Urban Farm,” she said.

“We charge £10 a day for youngsters to come but we offer a combination of activities at the centre and out and about in the area. Tomorrow we’re taking them to Bekonscot model village in Beaconsfield.

“This is a real community hub.”

Apart from the various community groups, the centre also generates income from the private hire of its halls and meeting room, and a well-equipped kitchen. Rates vary from £15 to £32 per hour depending on the timing of the event and which hall is used.

Ms Nash added: “We’d welcome any new volunteers who want to come and lend a hand. It doesn’t matter whether they can only do an hour a week or half a day, we need all the help we can get to spread the load.”

? If you would like to know more about the community centre, or to offer your services as a volunteer, call Donna Nash on 01895 257 163 any day between 9am and 12.30pm or email uxbridgecentre@tiscali.co.uk.