Supporting communities to engage with, and benefit from, digital technologies and the arts

Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) is based in Knowle West, an estate in South Bristol which ranks highly in statistics for poverty, unemployment, mental and physical health and educational under-achievement. KWMC has a grassroots approach: supporting residents in improving their quality of life, publicising successes and giving young people access to new opportunities. We work with the community to achieve social and economic regeneration.

Why the community needs this charity

Our projects, which have ranged from running an energy monitoring project to establishing a new record label, offer opportunities for further education and employment for the whole community. The after-school groups of the Imagination Station programme give young people the opportunity to learn valuable technical and creative skills and use digital technology to express themselves. We devise our programme to both reflect local needs and inspire and challenge everyone involved.

Results and outcomes

Participants in KWMC projects have gained new skills, entered employment and many have expressed an increase in confidence and self-belief. KWMC has helped local people establish businesses and campaigns, and worked with residents to produce over 550 short films about local knowledge. Thousands of people have visited KWMC since the building opened in 2008 and KWMC has been recognised at the Well Being Awards and received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, amongst others.

Latest activities and projects

Older People Online

KWMC aims to create a sustainable online network for older people through a range of digital activities. This will involve delivering digital workshops at sheltered housing schemes in Knowle West and furthering our related work across the city, such as supporting the development of local community websites, the Silverscreen film club, weekly computer training sessions and the University of Local Knowledge project, which aims to share the knowledge and skills of the local community. read more

Imagination Station: KWMC Youth Programme

'The Drop-in Homework Club' gives young people a supportive environment in which to work together after school. 'Digital journalists - Voices of the South' use a range of media platforms to explore the issues that matter to them and young photographers' group undertake commissions while receiving fun informal training. Award-winning filmmakers 'Digital Fish' produce short films and animations, while 'Music and Lyrics' supports young people in producing music and writing songs. read more