Crown Paints has launched a powerful campaign spotlighting the vital role community spaces play in mental health and wellbeing. The initiative sees five community centres across the UK listed “for sale” at an eye-catching £500 million each, symbolising their true value as mental health lifelines.

“What would you pay for a lifeline?” This question hangs unmistakably in the air as Crown Paints rolls out a thought-provoking campaign that places a literal price tag on community centres across the UK. Each centre, valued astonishingly at £500 million, is not merely a structure; it embodies the heartbeats of the neighbourhoods they serve, where friendships bloom, laughter resonates, and vital mental health support thrives.

According to a nationwide survey of 2,000 adults, over a third (35%) of Brits find solace in community spaces, while 34% acknowledge that such locales enhance their mental wellbeing. Yet, these essential lifelines are under threat, with thousands of public buildings sold yearly, often as casualties of funding cuts. “This campaign isn’t just creative; it’s crucial,” says Amanda Bolton, spokesperson for Crown Paints. “Community centres are indispensable to mental health, and we want to highlight what we stand to lose without adequate support.”

A Wake-Up Call for Policymakers

Partnering with mental health charity Mind, the campaign adopts an innovative approach by “listing” community centres on property websites and classified ads, as well as in estate agents’ windows. It serves not only as a wake-up call for local policymakers but also a stark indicator of the current funding crisis. Freedom of Information data reveals local funding for community spaces has plunged by 18% since 2022, leading to the annual selling off of over 4,000 public buildings.

“When we talk about mental health, we often overlook the walls that quietly hold us up,” Bolton emphasizes. “These are the spaces where real life happens—toddler groups, art classes, drama clubs. By listing them as Britain’s Most Valuable Buildings, we’re shining a light on the everyday places that hold our communities together.”

The Importance of Community Spaces

A staggering 87% of people believe vibrant community spaces are essential, with 41% expressing concern for future generations should these spaces vanish. Andrew Berrie, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, echoes this sentiment: “Community spaces are vital for mental wellbeing. They provide welcoming, accessible places to connect with others and reduce loneliness, which has a serious impact on mental health.”

• 35% of Brits say community spaces help them escape loneliness.
• 34% report that access to these places improves their mental health.
• 18% reduction in local funding for community spaces since 2022.

Project Possible: Painting a Brighter Future

This initiative builds on Crown Paints’ broader Project Possible campaign, reflecting a long-term commitment to supporting local communities through colour, creativity, and regeneration. An online hub has been launched to provide fundraising tips for community centres, alongside a pledge to donate 50,000 litres of paint to local projects nationwide. Bolton adds, “From creating more joyful spaces through colour to uplifting murals and regeneration projects, we’re helping communities grow and thrive. This campaign shows how we can all play a part in protecting the places that matter most.”

The Case Studies: Britain’s Most Valuable Buildings

St Leonard’s Youth & Community Centre, Bootle, Liverpool

Listed for £500m in the Liverpool Echo, St Leonard’s has served Bootle since the 1800s, becoming a lifeline in one of the UK’s most deprived areas. “St Leonard’s has always been more than a building — it’s the place our community turns to when they need connection or support,” says Centre Manager Debbie Shelley. “Listing it as one of Britain’s Most Valuable Buildings is a reminder that what we provide is priceless.”

Loughborough Wellbeing Centre, Leicestershire

Listed for £500m on Fliq.co.uk, this centre emerged from the depths of neglect to become a beacon of hope. “It’s a safe space where lives are transformed,” a local volunteer shares. Opened in 2022, it hosts creative cafés, men’s groups, and peer-support sessions, demonstrating the power of community to change lives.

Boomerang Community Centre, Dundee

Another centre valued at £500m, Boomerang has become a staple since its foundation in 1987. “From youth clubs to grief support groups, it’s where generations come together over food, music, and friendship,” says a centre staff member. Its value isn’t measured in square feet, but in the meals shared, the laughter echoed, and the lives rebuilt within its walls.

Granton:hub, Edinburgh

Also listed at £500m on Gumtree, Granton:hub resides in historic Madelvic House, marrying creativity, culture, and community connection. With affordable artist studios and yoga classes, it keeps Edinburgh’s spirit alive.

Craigrothie Village Hall, Fife

This humble four-room hall, listed for £500m, has hosted countless events for over fifty years, ranging from weddings to community gatherings. Its ongoing legacy is a testament to the connections formed within its walls, making it the heartbeat of rural life.

As this campaign unfolds, it lays bare a critical dialogue around the value of community spaces, illuminating their profound impact on mental health and wellbeing. In a society where loneliness and disconnection loom large, Crown Paints has not only painted walls but drawn attention to the manifold roles these spaces serve. They are not mere buildings; they are lifelines.

Source: vergemagazine.co.uk