CIN

The New Beginning group took opened the Malabar Community Centre at the start at 2008 with the aim of providing something for people of all ages in the community.

In no time the centre has become a hive of activity offering a wide range of classes, groups and workshops including WILD young parents project, as well as various activities for the youngsters on the Malabar Estate in Truro.

Lisa Whitfield, one of those taking part

Back in April 2008 New Beginning in Malabar received a BBC Children in Need grant for £54,000.

"We were flabbergasted," smiles Fraser McAlpine, the Vice Chairman of New Beginning Tenants and Residents Association.

"We'd only been open six weeks and this grant just arrived. It meant we were able to provide youth work for the children in the area.

"We did a summer play scheme with different events during the holiday. We have a youth club every Thursday night, which is great for keeping the kids off the streets. We're also using the Children in Need money for football training. We're currently working on lanterns for the City of Lights parade in Truro."

Fraser McAlpine re-enacts a statue of Atlas

The Malabar Community Centre has proved to be really popular with the young people on the busy estate.

"It gives the children something to do other than playing football and annoying the neighbours," explains Kelly Johnson, the Chairperson for New Beginning.

"They can come here and hang out with their friends. For the older ones they can get advice about things they may not be able to talk to their parents or peers about."

Already a welcome addition to the community, the volunteers at Malabar Community Centre have big plans for the future.

"We'd like to see the centre full every day, that would be a great start, and have something for every age range in Malabar," says Kelly. 

Pudsey joins the 'Dogs Playing Poker' picture

Just a few months on from that big BBC Children in Need grant, the hard working team at the Malabar Community Centre organised an event to say thank you to Pudsey.

"We are doing a 24 hour live art gallery," explains Fraser. "We are replacing those in the famous pictures with real life people, making use of props too.

"We wanted an idea that everyone could take part in. We couldn't have done bike rides and running for all the committee. We wanted something that was accessible for everyone, but original too."

The volunteers staged their 24 hour live art marathon from Friday 14 November at 8pm, through until Saturday 15 November.