Tucked away behind the gates of a secondary school, is the surprising location of the Ellis Guilford Community Hub; hosting a myriad of activities, programmes and projects for the local community, and where a strong sense of belonging is taking root amongst the newly commissioned allotment and threaded between the gems and jewels used by students of the creative arts courses.
I meet Stacey Parkes, Community Hub Leader, outside the gates of Ellis Guilford School.
It may seem like an odd location for a community space, but it makes sense as Stacey explains how the Hub came about. Set up in 2025 as a direct response to the Principal, Gemma Johnson’s vision of the school being an active and key driver of community cohesion within the school and the wider community, the Hub has already made inroads in building a strong sense of belonging in and around the school locality area.
“We are open to all ages” Stacey explains, “So you don’t have to have a direct link to the school, for example, people don’t have to have children or grandchildren at the school for them to use the Hub. We have something for everyone. It’s a safe space for people to come along, have a chat, take part in an activity or just talk about things that matter to them”.
I take a tour of the Hub. Inside, I see adults sitting on a comfy-looking sofa, mugs of drinks in hand. A woman reaches down towards a toddler playing on the floor. She tickles him under his chin, and he looks up and smiles. Stacey explains today is the SEND Parent Support Group, a peer-support network run by the Hub to offer a safe space for parents to share concerns and, of course, offer a listening ear. Guest speakers are invited from other agencies and organisations, and these are well received.
When speaking with these parents, some of whom have children at Ellis Guilford School, it’s clear that the Hub often acts as a ‘bridge’ between the school and parents, which sometimes reduces when children transition from primary school. Parents talk about how they can ‘speak to Stacey’, and how she will ‘help them to communicate their needs to the school. It’s all about listening really.’
A couple of the parents who attend the SEND support group have gone on to become volunteers at the Hub, which provides them with work experience for future career development. It’s something Stacey is keen to develop, providing opportunities for local people to build confidence in returning to work or education.
Stacey embeds this ethos further by working with a local college to provide community creative courses run from the Hub. It is hoped that by accessing college courses in a safe and familiar environment, they will build confidence for them to try something new, such as a vocational course.
These creative courses have also been successful in reducing social isolation within the community. Stacey describes how one elderly resident said these courses are “a lifeline; the only thing that gets me out of the house”.
The Hub is proactive in offering opportunities for community members to increase their social networks - ‘Family Date Night’ being a firm favourite in which families (any family member - aunts and uncles/grandparents/older siblings) take part in a fun activity each Tuesday (term-time) early evening ranging from quiz night to cake decorating; and Tea and Toast Fridays which offer members a safe space to connect with others.
Stacey recognises that communities within the Hub’s locality reach - NG5/NG6/NG7/NG8 - often have different requirements and differing priorities. Stacey believes the Hub can meet those needs by being inclusive and response in her offer, e.g. ‘Neighbourhood Natter’, a monthly meet-up of community members, local councillors, and Police Community Support Officers; ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages), offering a space for learners to practice their skills and knowledge; Little Learners Lounge, a safe and nurturing space for under 5s to meet and make friends, and for parents to connect and build support networks.
Seed to Supper is the latest Hub project Stacey has set up, with the help of funding from Nottingham City Council’s Achieve Well Team. I’m given a tour of the allotment and, although in its infancy, it’s already abundant with tomatoes, chillies, and lots of herbs.
I wonder who is helping Stacey with this?
‘‘We have set up an after-school club for Year 7 and 8 children, and they absolutely love it. In the school holidays, it is currently just me who is keeping it going, but the aim is to have volunteers from the community taking ownership of growing crops and maintaining the allotment, sort of like a Garden Club. It’s going to be ambitious but a huge boon to the community if it takes off.’ It sounds just what the community needs and certainly adds to the feel of social cohesion.
Is there anything else Stacey sees ‘growing’ from this?
“Yes, absolutely. I have plans to introduce cooking sessions using produce grown from the Hub allotment, and I’d love for us to create a community cookbook - with recipes donated by community members.”
I leave the Hub feeling uplifted and full of hope. In a world that is, at times, feeling isolated and disconnected, I get the feeling the Hub is truly sowing seeds of connectivity in the most unlikely of places.
For more information, or to get involved with the many activities the Hub offers, check out the Hub’s Instagram page: ellisguilford_community hub or via email: communityhub@ellisguilfordschool.org.uk
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