Taking an environmentally-friendly approach to rebuilding - the Attlee Youth and Community Centre

The Attlee Youth & Community Centre was re-built two years ago using renewable sources and materials. The local community, including young people who use the centre, were extensively consulted about what the centre should offer.

The centre in Tower Hamlets, east London, provides activities for children and young people. It provides personal development opportunities through play, leisure and a range of recreational, youth and community activities.

Consultation with users

Staff who were involved in the development of the Centre have said: “We spent over two years talking to young people, taking them to other community centres and adventure playgrounds. We found out what materials the other places had used and how they used the centres.”

Building materials

The Attlee centre then employed an architect with experience of building community centres using renewable resources. The building has been constructed using glass, wood and steel. There is recycled woodchip instead of sponge on the playground and boulders and stones have been used as steps.

Solar panels provide the heating, water is recycled and food waste is used as compost for the gardens. They also have a ‘green house policy’, saving energy by turning off lights, computers and printers. They also shred paper into the compost, re-use as much cardboard as possible in the art room and recycle ink cartridges and mobile phones.

The advice  from the Attlee Youth and Community Centre is: “Do your research, talk to others who have done it before and get a project manager – it is a big mistake to do it yourself.”

Activities at the Centre

The new Centre has a whole programme of structured activities for all age groups and interests. Activities on offer include a paddling pool, table tennis, football, rounders, children's play area and a bouncy castle. This provides respite care for parents and carers, as well as training and work experience for 16s and over.

There are healthy living activities from fun with food to exercise classes. It is a resource for local schools and other community groups working with children, young people and families.

CEO Tracey Fletcher is happy to talk to other people thinking of setting up a community centre or re-building a centre from an environmentally-friendly perspective.

Find out more about the Attlee Centre at www.attlee.org.uk