Business Details
16 Years
experience
Community Hub in Barwell
The George Ward Centre stands as a vital community hub in Barwell, South West Leicestershire, rooted in a legacy of local philanthropy. Established in 2010 through funds from the sale of 'The Cedars'a property bequeathed by the late George Ward, a respected local Councillor and MPwe provide accessible spaces and services for residents of all ages. Our facility includes a sports hall, meeting rooms, and a welcoming caf, hosting diverse activities from physio-led Pilates to language classes and community cooking sessions. As a non-statutory funded organisation, we rely on room hires, donations, and grants to sustain our operations. Our programming prioritises health, education, and social connection, with initiatives like Tots Time for families, yoga for mobility, and craft groups fostering creativity.We collaborate with local partners such as Hinckley U3A and Kidslingo to expand our offerings, while maintaining a strong volunteer network to support daily activities. Our team combines professional expertise with community insight, ensuring services meet local needs. Sustainability remains central to our mission, exemplified by recent National Lottery funding that secures our future. We champion inclusivity, evidenced by accessible facilities and initiatives like the Coat Exchange, which directly address community challenges. Through adaptive programming and partnerships, we continue George Wards vision of empowering Barwell residents through shared spaces and opportunities.
Services
Community Kitchen
Yoga Classes
Pilates Sessions
Spanish Language Courses
Room Hire
Tots Group
Craft Workshops
Football Sessions
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer diverse community programs developed with 12+ years of local insight.
- Our facility combines professional-grade spaces with volunteer-driven inclusivity.
- We partner with specialist providers for enhanced service quality in fitness and education.
- Accessible 7 days a week with flexible room hire options available.
- Sustained by transparent funding models including National Lottery support since 2024.
What people say
Friendly group
Wide variety of toys
Crafts with friends
Community cooking sessions
Experienced instructors
Services
Community Kitchen
Our Community Kitchen offers fortnightly cooking sessions where participants prepare meals using provided ingredients. These social events combine practical cooking skills with community building, allowing attendees to eat or take home their creations. Sessions run during term time with experienced facilitators.
Physio-led Pilates
Led by qualified physiotherapists, these Pilates sessions focus on strength, flexibility, and injury prevention. Classes accommodate individual needs with modifications for post-natal recovery, post-surgery rehabilitation, and sports performance enhancement. Sessions held weekly with expert guidance.
Spanish Language Courses
Award-winning Spanish classes for children aged 5-10 develop language skills through interactive games and activities. Sessions boost cognitive development while maintaining cultural engagement. Weekly term-time classes delivered by specialist instructors with educational resources included.
Room Hire
Flexible venue hire options include our 230-capacity sports hall, meeting rooms, and IT-equipped spaces. Facilities feature modern amenities like smart boards and projectors, suitable for events ranging from weddings to business conferences. Bookings include access to parking and support services.
Tots Time
Weekly Tots Time sessions provide play opportunities for young children with themed activities like Pancake Day celebrations. The group offers social interaction for families in a welcoming environment with age-appropriate toys and seasonal events throughout the year.
People
Lesley Pratt
Manager
Lesley oversees daily operations, ensuring high standards across all services. With extensive experience in community management, she coordinates teams and maintains the Centre's strategic direction while engaging directly with users.
Callum Bird
Maintenance/Gardener
Callum maintains the building's functionality and outdoor spaces. His work ensures safe, attractive environments for users, combining practical maintenance with horticultural care to enhance the Centre's welcoming atmosphere.
Mathew Hulbert
Centre Co-ordinator
Mathew manages social media platforms and community engagement. He coordinates promotional activities while supporting operational needs, ensuring the Centre's digital presence aligns with its community-focused mission.
Hannah Bird
Volunteer
Hannah facilitates Tots Time and other community groups. As a dedicated volunteer, she creates engaging activities for families while supporting various Centre initiatives through hands-on involvement.
Trudy
Volunteer
Trudy contributes to Tots Time sessions and general operations. Her volunteer work focuses on creating inclusive environments for families, supporting both structured activities and informal social interactions.
Questions
What community services does The George Ward Centre offer?
We provide fitness classes, language courses, family groups, cooking sessions, and venue hire across our sports hall and meeting rooms.
How was The George Ward Centre established?
The Centre was created in 2010 using funds from the sale of 'The Cedars', a property donated by local philanthropist George Ward in 1924.
Are there regular fitness activities available?
Yes, we host weekly Pilates, yoga, Tai-Chi, and Clubbercise sessions led by qualified instructors with varying experience levels.
How is the Centre funded?
We operate without statutory funding, relying on room hires, donations, and grants including recent National Lottery Community Fund support.
What family-friendly activities are available?
Tots Time sessions, Spanish classes for children, and family football sessions provide regular opportunities for young families to engage.
Can I hire spaces for private events?
Our Hall of Friendship accommodates up to 230 people for weddings or conferences, with smaller meeting rooms available for business or social gatherings.
Reviews (5)
Judith Anne Smith
Dec 23, 2021
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I love it. It has a fabulous cafe serving hot and cold drinks and crisps and chocolate. The atmosphere there is so friendly with people just dropping in for a chat. It is a very popular venue
Suzanne Martin
Oct 28, 2021
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Yes was a great place clean
Staff was very helpful and friendly
We when for mum's and tots group on Wednesday mornings
Lady was very nice who run the group
Staff was very helpful and friendly
We when for mum's and tots group on Wednesday mornings
Lady was very nice who run the group
Pat Fisher
Dec 08, 2019
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George Ward Centre in Barwell is the home for U3A. I enjoy 'Singing for Fun' there which is held twice a month on a Tuesday. Great atmosphere. The Centre is spacious, clean and you can get refreshments too. Join U3A and see for yourself the various activities you can enjoy!
Chloe Cole
Nov 05, 2019
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I go for dancing on a Thursday it is awesome . Everyone even boys can join in . Join now .
Janet Gregson
Aug 31, 2019
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Coffee is nothing special but at a 1 a cup you can't expect big chain standard who charge over 3.
