News / KNowle West

Knowle West charity given £10k grant to boost local skills

By Charlie Watts  Monday Aug 2, 2021

A Knowle West charity has been awarded a £10,000 grant from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to help local people develop their skills.

Knowle West Media Centre’s The Factory is a space for making, digital manufacturing and product design, offering laser and CNC cutting services.

The Factory is using the funding boost to create a new online learning portal which will give people an introduction to the equipment at its facility.

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Penny Evans, co-founder of Knowle West Media Centre and director of The Factory, said the grant will make a “huge difference”.

“[It will give] opportunity, confidence and autonomy to our community to use new pieces of equipment in their own time and make their ideas real,” she added.

Metro mayor Dan Norris has paid a visit to Knowle West Media Centre: The Factory, which has received a £10,000 grant from WECA. Photo by WECA

Dan Norris, the West of England metro mayor, visited The Factory, calling it a “fantastic innovation space improving Bristolians’ skills.”

He said: “It is so important that we learn some of the positive lessons from the last 18 months about what we can do in the digital space.

“It is great to meet a friendly community of creative people who have exciting ideas and are learning the skills they need to get their projects off the ground.”

Last year, The Factory helped make a Walk of Stars in Knowle West, which honours local volunteers who have gone above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Factory, which is based at Filwood Business Park, is also currently undergoing a major renovation and is due to fully reopen in Autumn 2021.

Main photo by Knowle West Media Centre: The Factory 

Read more: Paraorchestra to parade through streets of Knowle West

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