New manager for Telford community centre

Sutton Hill Community Trust is hoping to take over the running of the community centre at the heart of Sutton Hill.

Final preparations are underway and it is anticipated the community asset transfer from Telford & Wrekin Council will take place in April.

The trust has now recruited its new manager, Mike Crawshaw.

Mike has experience in community regeneration, housing and social enterprise.

He said he is looking forward to starting work on Sutton Hill in late April.

Mike is currently volunteering at a teaching placement in Sri Lanka, but said: “I can’t wait to get involved at Sutton Hill and to support local people to make the very best of their community centre. I understand there are some big ambitions for Sutton Hill and it will be very exciting to a be part of this.”

Telford & Wrekin Council announced its intention to stop managing community centres across the borough last year and since then has been working with local groups and organisations to take on the local centres.

At Sutton Hill a number of people stepped up and agreed to work together to form a new charity to run the centre on behalf of the community.

Sutton Hill Community Trust recently held an open day, in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, the Friends of Sutton Hill, Telford & Wrekin Council and Hereford Diocese, which was attended by hundreds of people.

John McGrath, Chairman of Sutton Hill Community Trust said, “It’s a big undertaking to take over the community centre, but we are nearly ready and with Mike at the helm and a new staff team now being recruited we are confident things will go well.

"It’s an essential facility for the people of Sutton Hill and we will be working hard to ensure we meet people’s needs and provide a place where people can come together, get help when they need it, and feel a sense of community pride.”