Portsmouth community hub aims to make people 'proud to live in Paulsgrove'

St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Hempsted Road has been transformed into a community hub, with numerous events planned throughout this year.

From dance classes to communal gardening and a summer party, it is hoped that getting everyone involved in a space they can call their own will make people proud of where they live.

The scheme is being run by St M’s Events, a co-operative group with members volunteering their time to make the days happen.

Things kicked off with an aerial dance class inside the church hall on February 15, with both children and adults trying their hand at it under the watchful eyes of the team from Portsmouth’s Aerial Dance Academy.

Events and community project manager, Corinne Wincott, said: ‘It’s been a brilliant first day for us.

‘The weather was against us but we still had lots of people coming down – the first group of the day, which was for children, was fully-booked with 15 children plus their siblings.

‘Everyone came away saying they’d had an amazing time and they would like it to be done again.’

Additional events have been planned for the half-term holidays to see what members of the community are most interested in.

This includes a craft morning on February 19, street dance lessons that afternoon and singing workshops with the Urban Vocal Group (UVG) on February 22.

‘The end goal is to make this the community hub for the area,’ Corinne said.

‘We’ve got lots going on over half-term to see what things people would be interested in having here regularly.

‘I feel really positive about how the project has started – it shows people want to do things and be involved in their community.’

Corinne says Paulsgrove has the chance to improve its reputation with this project.

She said: ‘We’ve got some incredible people here and the place is really taking a huge turn.

‘People can be proud to live in Paulsgrove.’

To help with the project people can call Corinne on 07795 410027.