A COMMUNITY centre described as a 'home from home' for hundreds of people across Wirral has celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Charlotte's Brightside, set up by Angie Churchill in memory of her daughter - Wirral car crash victim Charlotte Churchill - marked its milestone with a special event last Wednesday (February 15).
The centre, launched following the 19-year-old nursery nurse’s tragic death in 2011, was intended as a meeting place for local youngsters where they can hang out and take part in fun activities.
It now has a social supermarket, lunches, daytime activities for the community, craft club, a men's group, women's group, mental health workshop and lots more, including a children's cookery club cook for the homeless.
During the special event there was food, games and crafts as well as a chance to find out what the charity does at the venue on Molyneux Drive, New Brighton.
Former Weatherhead High School student Charlotte died in April 2011 when the car in which she was a passenger hit a tree.
But her death inspired her family and friends to come together to fundraise in her memory and eventually go on to create Brightside – named after her favourite song by The Killers.
At the time Brightside was set up, mum Angie said her daughter would be "very impressed" by what her loved ones have achieved in such a short space of time.
She told the Globe: "It's unbelievable; never thought we would still be here 10 years on. Hoped we would.
"We've helped hundreds of people over the years. It's incredible when I stop and think.
"One young person who started coming to us when she was 14, said 'I will come back and volunteer'.
"She has gone away, done a psychology degree and is now running mental health workshops here in her own time."
Angie joked: "If Charlotte was looking down now she would say I'm doing all of this for attention, ha ha. Seriously, though, I'd just think she'd be so proud. She'd like it.
"Her face is still around the place, this is her legacy. That does as much for me as we do for the community."
On future plans Angie continued: "We are moving into the nearby community centre on April 1, so will have the social supermarket and lots more activities.
"We are going to continue doing what we have done."
Funding bids and the Charlotte Fest music festival - taking place in August, have helped keep the centre going.
Angie continued: "I want to thank the community for its support over the last 10 years.
"They say we support them, but without our community supporting us over that time we wouldn't be here."
Emma Walker, the centre's daytime co-ordinator added: "It's so rewarding and we have a massive range of people coming to see us.
"We have people who need support and people who just come along to socialise. We have people from all backgrounds.
"During lockdown, we had a man who would walk from his home in Seacombe just to be here.
"It's a real home from home."
Labour councillor for New Brighton Sue Powell-Wilde was among those celebrating the 10th anniversary. Praising the charity, she said: "Charlotte's Brightside do a fantastic job, not just in New Brighton but right across Wirral.
"There's always a warm welcome and I'm really pleased to be associated with it.
"Angie and her team of volunteers put their whole heart into it."
Fellow New Brighton councillor Tony Jones said: "It's an absolutely stunning facility that doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
"It provides a much-needed service for the community in New Brighton and further afield.
"The charity's success is down to exceptional funding bid writing, because they are competing against a lot of charities for a share of the same funding pot."
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