About Us | MWCT

Our Centre

Mudeford Wood Community Centre (MWCC) is set within the heart of the community, just a short distance from both Christchurch and Highcliffe, surrounded by woodland walks and the River Mude, and adjacent to a large recreation ground and children’s playground.

The centre consists of our main hall, 3 other rooms, pre-school suite, as well as a large kitchen and multi-purpose sports courts. The centre has been extensively modernised over the past 10 years, creating a clean, safe and vibrant space for the local community to enjoy.

Our motto is ‘something for everyone’ and we really do have a fantastic range of clubs and classes, from Pre-School and Tiny Tots, sports and fitness classes, all the way to Age Concern’s Friendship Club. Alongside our great indoor facilities, we also have multi-purpose sports courts which are equipped for tennis, football and netball.

All our clubs and classes are run by the community, for the community. Our facilities can be hired out on a regular basis, or for private parties, functions and celebrations. Our sports courts and large hall make the centre perfect for sports parties and bouncy castles! You can hire out just one room or a combination of rooms, please see the Our Facilities page to find out more!

Our Beginning

Mudeford Wood Community Centre was opened in the mid 1980s and operated by Christchurch Borough Council. In September 2009 the Centre was placed under review for potential closure.

The support for the facilities amongst the community was overwhelming, leading to local residents forming the Friends of Mudeford Wood (FOMW). FOMW was created to safeguard the centre, protect the surrounding facilities, and to persuade the council that MWCC was valuable resource to the community.

In August 2010, Christchurch Borough Council (now Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council) asked the Friends of Mudeford Wood to investigate taking over the running of the facility, on the basis that it be leased to the Community. The FOMW therefore formed Mudeford Wood Community Trust (MWCT), an incorporated charity, consisting of nine local residents, centre users and councillors to take over the management of the centre.

On the 1st April 2012 the Trust became responsible for the day-to-day running of the centre, with continued support from the council.

Meet Our Trust

Liz Sabey

Chairperson

Liz has experience of voluntary work spanning 40 years – including helping the building and management of a village hall. A Community College Development and Training Director. Director of Housing Associations, (prioritising in community involvement). Liz has 20 years experience of being self-employed in the Service industry and was an NHS employee for 13 years dealing with vulnerable anddiverse groups of people of all ages. Now happily retired and able to devote time to the CommunityCentre.

Paul Hillard
Tresurer

Paul was born in Barton on Sea, and has lived in Christchurch for the past 25 years. He shares his home in Highcliffe with his wife Helen and two sons, who both attend Highcliffe School. He has a background in finance, economics and customer service working initially with Barclays Bank, and latterly with HSBC. Paul is active in the community as the Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe ward Councillor on BCP Council, and representing Friars Cliff ward on Christchurch Town Council. He is also a Parent Governor at Highcliffe School, a Governor of the Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals Trust, and a Member of the Dorset & Wilts Fire & Rescue Authority.

Debbie Stephens
Secretary

Deborah was a Chartered Engineer for 40 years, working in aero-engine, automotive and defence industries, including on Grange Road, Christchurch. She was on the management committee of SAMRA (Stanpit and Mudeford Residents’ Association), for 15 years, 10 of them as Chairman. Deborah started the successful Friends of Mudeford Wood in 2010 which later contributed to Mudeford Wood Community Trust.

Now retired Debbie enjoys travelling far and wide as well as tennis, swimming and birdwatching in the lovely local area. And volunteering at the Community Centre of course !

Vicky Fuller

Trustee - Human Resources

I have played badminton at the Community Centre for many years and in 2012, when the Trust took over running it, I became the Volunteer Co-ordinator in order to develop roles for volunteers from working in the office to putting on events. In 2013, I was nominated to be a Trustee. We endeavor to provide a space for our community to undertake various sports, learn new skills, enjoy music, meet socially and enjoy a cuppa. We always welcome new volunteers to bring in new ideas; improve the way we manage old ideas and make new friends. Junior volunteers are welcomed to help on Saturdays, this role often helps to improve confidence, learn skills for the future and help identify your interests. Looking forward to our future, as despite all our planning, we are never sure what it will bring.

Sam Weeks
Trustee - Media

From a young age, Mudeford Wood Community Centre has been a part of Sam’s life - first using the centre as a toddler attending Mudeford Wood Tiny Tots! Over 20 years later, the group still runs today, with Sam still involved - but now as part of the charitable Trust responsible for running Tiny Tots. Sam has several years experience in retail management, and is currently working towards his degree in Marketing. You may recognise Sam from running several fundraising events over the years, as well as working with the office team. Now, as part of Mudeford Wood Community Trust, he hopes to bring a fresh input into the management of this valuable community facility, and learn from the vast experience colleagues have.

Richard Ashdown
Trustee

Richard Ashdown spent the first twenty years of his career in the Royal Navy seeing active service in a number of areas of conflict and tension around the World. Richard is currently Managing Director of a Business Consultancy Company and holds executive and non-executive positions in a number of other prominent companies and charities including Chairman of a large Housing Association. Richard is also qualified as a Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Assessor and Trainer, RYA Senior Sailing Instructor and Power Boat Instructor.

Mike Scott Johns
Trustee

For the first twenty years of his professional life, Michael worked in actuarial and finance departments of several life assurance companies then became an accountant with HSBC until retirement in 2003. Since retirement Michael has been carrying out accounting functions for several charitable organisations, including a church and a food bank and he is secretary of the New Milton Table Tennis Club.

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Meet Our Office Volunteers

Keith Vinycomb

Volunteer

I volunteer to help out with this local community organisation. I have been very surprised just how much goes on here and I also now take part in some of the activities as well. It is good fun and I really enjoy helping make it work for the community. All the other volunteers bring with them a huge range of useful experiences that all contribute towards keeping the centre going. We are always looking for more helpers to support us and every assistance is provided to new volunteers who join the team. Oh yes, and tea, coffee and biscuits are also provided!

Janet Kerr
Volunteer

Volunteering at Mudeford Wood Community Centre has made it very easy for me to settle into an area where I arrived as a total stranger some 3 years ago. I have been made very welcome and feel like I am being useful while meeting lots of new people and generally feeling part of my local community. I would heartily recommend this way of getting out and about on a regular basis and justifying one’s existence. WE can all be of some use on our own level – just keep smiling and have some fun.

Clare Walker
Volunteer

I originally came from Lancashire but grew up in Yorkshire, Just after I tied the knot I ran

several pubs with my husband in Devon then moved over to Swanage to own The Ferry Boat Inn. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and made some wonderful friends along the way. I finally ended up in Christchurch about 2004 to retire. I love volunteering and find it very rewarding to give something back to the community. Mudeford Wood Community Centre has taught me many skills and is also helping me with my on-going battle with computers. I’m enjoying a fresh challenge and being able to get involved in events really makes the whole thing a lot of fun to be a part of.

Derrick Falla
Volunteer

I volunteer on a Thursday morning and began volunteering at Mudeford Wood Community Centre two years ago when I saw a request for volunteers on the Mudeford Wood Community Website. I wasn’t sure what to expect as this was my first volunteering position but thought why not. I have been surprised at how busy the centre is and the volume of users is quite something. The variety of tasks is always unique and once my building background was discovered, maintenance work was added to my jobs list helping Keith who is another volunteer in the “maintenance department!