About us

Welcome to Southmead Development Trust. We are a charity made up of staff, volunteers and residents who work together to keep power in our community. We work with partners to improve health, wellbeing, local pride, and employment. We connect residents and groups to target social isolation. We bring business and investment to the area.

Our vision is a thriving and healthy community. Guided by residents we provide the support, spaces and services our community needs. Our sites – Greenway Centre and Southmead Adventure Playground, are well-loved local venues and host popular community events throughout the year.

We’re really proud of our work, please read our latest Impact Report > here

Supporting our Community to Thrive

We work alongside residents in North Bristol to help to keep communities strong, resilient, and resourceful.

Our expert teams connect with adults, children, families and community groups to offer support with physical and mental health, employment and training, area regeneration, and community business.

We create and provide inspiring community spaces for groups, clubs, classes, events, meetings, training and business at the Greenway Centre and the Southmead Adventure Playground (The Ranch).

Whether you’re an individual, a community group, or an organisation, we’re here to help you grow and to support positive wellbeing.

Our History

Southmead Development Trust was established by Southmead Residents who worked together to keep the Greenway Boys School building open as a resource for the community, after it closed its doors in 1985.

With initial support from the Council, residents formed the Greenway Centre Trust, subsequently renamed Southmead Development Trust: a self-sufficient charity working for the benefit of all Southmead Residents, with a Board of Trustees elected from residents.

To continue community Youth and Play services, the Trust helped to save the Southmead Youth Centre from closure in 2014, and the The Ranch (Southmead Adventure Playground) in 2018. All three sites were leased to the Trust from Bristol City Council.

We have agreed to return our lease on Southmead Youth Centre to the Council at the end of 2022. In return they have helped pay for the renovation of The Ranch and also promised new community facilities within the new development at Glencoyne Square.