A Space to Connect and Come Together: Vishaal’s “Ours” Story

When you walk through our Centre doors, I want you to know you’re in a safe space, surrounded by people who are here to support you and help you grow in so many different areas of life.  Everyone is welcome, and you should feel that there’s always someone who cares about you. I want to make sure you have a positive Greenhouse experience – that’s the number one thing for me.

I’m Vishaal, a Coach-Mentor with Greenhouse Sports for nearly three years now. I’ve been part of the community coaching and mentoring while the Centre has been closed for refurbishment, and I’ll be doing the same in the Centre once the doors are open again.

While coaching the young people of the community and speaking to the parents, I’ve heard a lot about what the Centre meant to everyone, and I know that having it open again will be major.

I heard that during one of the last events held in the Centre before it closed, there were literally hundreds of people that came through the building – young people, parents, family, staff members, everyone. A space like that, where everyone feels like they can come and engage with others, is important for everyone in the community.

The Centre is placed in an area that has a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. There are areas of high deprivation, but there are some places that are a 10-minute walk away that have very different circumstances.

The Greenhouse Centre will give members of the community a space to connect with others, regardless of background, and for the kids to have a safe space where they feel like they belong.