A community has been let down. A building sits empty. And £500,000 of investment is at risk, because Sunderland City Council won't honour its own decision.

Southwick Community Centre has been closed for over a year. Local residents, many of whom are isolated, struggling, and underserved, were promised a new Wellbeing Hub, a community café, a soft play area, and affordable health services on their doorstep.

A fair, open tendering process was run. A winner was chosen. Funding was secured. And then, without explanation, the council went silent.

We're asking Sunderland City Council to do the right thing: honour the outcome of their own process and give Southwick the community space it deserves.

If you believe in fair decision-making and communities getting the investment they were promised, please sign and share this petition.

About Active Families North East

Active Families North East has supported communities across Sunderland for over nine years, delivering trusted health and wellbeing services that local residents rely on every day.

How We Secured the Lease

In April 2025, following a competitive and advertised tendering process, Active Families North East was formally notified that it had successfully secured the lease of Southwick Community Centre.

Our Investment in Southwick

On the basis of this confirmed decision, we committed significant time, professional expertise, and financial resources, securing over £500,000 of external investment to transform the long-closed building into a vibrant community café, soft play facility, and Wellbeing Hub. This represented a major long-term investment in Southwick, and the revitalisation of a vital community asset that has now stood empty for more than 12 months.

What the Community Told Us

Our plans were co-designed with local residents, reflecting what people in Southwick told us they need most: a warm, welcoming space to reduce isolation, affordable activities for families, and wellbeing support closer to home. Our proposals for the centre included:

• A community café and social space for local residents
• A large soft play area and a range of family activities
• Low-cost health and fitness sessions for all ages
• Digital and technology support to help people get online
• Social suppers and community events to reduce loneliness, particularly among older residents

The proposal received strong local and sector-wide support, including over 35 letters from partner organisations and businesses, and four letters from council departments endorsing the project.

Why This Petition Exists

Despite this, the lease process was paused without explanation. Repeated attempts to obtain clarity have been met with silence. A fully funded, community-backed project has been left in limbo, the building remains empty, and residents continue to be denied access to much-needed services.

This delay places substantial investment at risk and undermines confidence in fair and transparent decision-making.

We Are Calling on Sunderland City Council To:

• Honour the original tender outcome and allow the lease process for Southwick Community Centre to proceed without further delay
• Enable this much-needed community asset to be revitalised and reopened for the benefit of Southwick residents

Southwick Deserves Better.