The Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, and Minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, Mims Davies, recently visited Pavilion on the Park and met with Daisy Robinson, Executive Director for Eastleigh Youth & Community Trust to hear about the exciting plans that are currently underway both inside and outside of the centre.
Opened in 2008 and managed by Eastleigh Youth & Community Trust, a charity formed by Cllr Godfrey Olson (dec’d) in 1962, The Pavilion on the Park community centre is situated within the heart of Eastleigh and serves the community by offering a range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and abilities. With the Blackbird Café serving food and refreshment seven days a week and several halls and meeting rooms available for use, this busy centre is run by a small team of staff and a dedicated team of willing volunteers.
Commenting on Fridays visit, Eastleigh MP and DWP Minister Mims Davies said:
“It was wonderful to catch up with Daisy again and hear about the fabulous outside café canopy that will soon be installed following a huge amount of fundraising. The canopy will really help facilitate more people using the busy café all year round which is good for business. It was lovely to meet with service users and talk about plans for a new pre-school coming to the centre soon.”
“Having a central hub where people can get together is vital in helping to provide support, care and increased social interaction within the community. This in turn helps to prevent isolation and loneliness and I thank Daisy and all the team for making this centre so welcoming and friendly for everyone to use.”
“The trustees chatted to me about the inclusive Cycling4All bikes that can be hired. Cycling is such a great physical activity for all of us, including those who are less able and the scenery around the park is beautiful. I met mums and babies using the sensory room, dog walkers stopping for a cuppa and natter and many people enjoying delicious cake in the café. This really is an inclusive centre that caters for a huge range of people, it was great to visit and see so many people using the facilities on offer.”
Daisy Robinson, Executive Director for Eastleigh Youth & Community Trust said:
“Last week we had the pleasure of taking Mims on a tour of the community centre, concluding at the site of the ground works for the new canopy. It was great to discuss issues and concerns related to charity, disability and early years with Mims.”
“The installation of the canopy is now complete and has transformed our empty patio into a vibrant and multipurpose outdoor space providing activities for vulnerable, disabled, and isolated children/adults in our community”.
As Eastleigh’s MP, Mims is always very pleased to support local charities and organisations, regularly meeting with them across the constituency and representing their views in Westminster.
If you would like Mims to visit you, please contact mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk