New life is being breathed into an inner-city community in Gloucester thanks to a multi-purpose community and sports facility.
Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub, which serves the surrounding area of Podsmead, is allowing residents to take part in different activities, forge meaningful connections and enjoy healthier lives.
Based in Laburnum Road, it is a focal point for the community, offering high-quality facilities and inclusive programmes as part of a wider ambition to tackle health inequalities (unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society).
A community-owned and operated not-for-profit organisation, Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society (BCCBS) runs the hub which opened its doors in April 2025, with Freedom Leisure managing daily operations.
Mark Gale, Director of BCCBS, is founder of the community development charity Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, which stands behind the Blackbridge Project, providing staff time, resources and investment.
He sees the hub, which has created inclusive and accessible spaces for sport, recreation and social engagement in Podsmead, as a ‘public health project’.
“We asked ourselves, what could we do to improve health and wellbeing in such a way that has a long-term impact and that’s where the idea of a sports and community hub came to life,” he said.
NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) kick-started the scheme with £400,000 of seed funding which then unlocked £7 million of wider investment, bringing residents together and enabling the Hub to deliver lasting benefits.
“The seed funding was critical for us and allowed us to take the project to planning, assemble a team and secure additional funding,” said Mark.
“It’s still early days, we’ve only been open for 10 months, but it’s already made a big difference for local residents and people on this side of the city with a good quality gym, youth clubs and dedicated space for youth provision that probably involves 500 young people per week.”
Around 300 members have already signed up to the gym and the project also includes a floodlit 3G artificial pitch and indoor fitness suites with plans in place for a grass playing field. The project illustrates a shift by both statutory and Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations towards a more preventative approach.
Mark said: “It’s a local initiative that helps connect people with opportunities to benefit both physical and mental health. There’s so much going on here from zumba and community cafes to adult education, but it’s also about reducing isolation and removing social barriers.”
Being ‘economically active’ also makes for good health according to Mark who explains that as well as having a personal impact for residents, the project has a strategic impact for the city by providing a connecting point in the creation of a sports quarter for the city.
The hub also links closely with the new pharmacy in Podsmead – an important partner in reaching people who might need extra support.
Youth engagement is a key part of the programme. With backing from the Youth Investment Fund, BCCBS has committed to a three-year programme of youth clubs, services and informal education.
Evening sessions have proven particularly successful, providing safe spaces for young people, reducing anti-social behaviour and strengthening community cohesion.
Debbie Etheridge, Head of Youth provision at BCCBS said:
“It’s been life-changing.
“Before Blackbridge there was hardly any provision for young people. There were attempts to get things going but nothing sustained.
Young people have been involved from the start and have really shaped what’s on offer here. There’s been a synergy and we’ve really built on that.
“We’ve got great kitchen facilities, and young people can take part in a range of activities from playing a game of monopoly to cooking. We also have quieter nights for neurodivergent young people as well as day trips and soccer camps.
It’s about reducing inequalities at every step of the way, it’s such a lovely community.”
The importance of the work has been recognised by the NHS Confederation who have included it in their Health Action Research programme where they work with partners to advocate, promote and test community-led approaches to health and wellbeing.
Adrian Goode, Locality Manager for Gloucester City ILP at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said:
“Blackbridge is a powerful example of the value of community-led initiatives and partnership working.
“We’re delighted to see how important the hub is becoming in Podsmead, the way that it links with other key partners in the community, like the pharmacy, and the positive impact this will have on people’s health and wellbeing.”
Plans for Phase 2 of the project are already underway, with £600,000 secured in July 2025 to create grass pitches, upgraded drainage, pathways and new wildlife areas.
