Mitcheldean has a rare opportunity. Townsend House, a centrally located building in the heart of the community, could be brought back to life—not as flats or a private development, but as a vibrant, welcoming hub for all, a place to belong…

Forest Gate Church is leading a proposal to purchase and restore the site, not for profit, but for people. Our goal is to create a space where families, young people, older residents, and local services all have a place to connect, belong and thrive.

What’s the Vision?

We don’t want to give everything away (as there is competition for this building), but we can promise this:

We’re not starting from scratch—we’re already doing this work. We just need room to grow.

Here’s what’s already happening every week from our current church building:

  • Little Sprouts: A busy weekly parent & toddler group offering free support and friendship

  • Gatecrash Youth Club: A weekly youth drop-in providing a safe space for fun and support

  • Senior Coffee Mornings & Lunches: Warm, accessible spaces tackling loneliness in older adults

  • Tots ‘n Tunes: A music-based toddler session for early learning and bonding

  • Coffee Shop & Warm Space: Welcoming all ages for a chat, a cuppa, and a warm place to be

  • Community Training & Support: Hosting parenting courses, mentoring, safeguarding training, and counselling sessions

  • Worship Gatherings: Sunday services and weekday groups offering hope, faith and friendship

  • Support for Local Schools & Charities: Regular donations, mentoring support and hardship funds for families in need

And here’s how Townsend House will transform that work:

  • More room = no waiting lists for toddler groups or youth clubs

  • A dedicated youth space will allow us to expand into Year 9, 10 and 11 age groups (which we’re currently unable to accommodate)

  • More counselling and meeting rooms = expanded partnerships with local charities, NHS workers, mental health teams and schools

  • The coffee shop will grow, creating local jobs, Saturday roles for young people, and a place for local suppliers to shine

  • Accessible spaces and toilets will make everyone feel welcome, including wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs

  • Safe outdoor areas will allow children to play securely—a huge upgrade from our current location on a busy main road

  • With multiple rooms, several activities can run at once—no more squeezing into a single space or turning people away

Why It Matters

Townsend House is in the heart of Mitcheldean. It’s been closed for too long. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to bring it back to life as something truly life-giving—a centre of connection, care, and community that benefits everyone.

Forest Gate Church has been part of Mitcheldean for over 50 years. We’re not an outside buyer or a private developer. We are your neighbours: local families, teachers, NHS workers, small business owners. This isn’t about profit—it’s about people.

We’re not a developer. We’re a community-led, values-driven group rooted in this village. And we want to keep this building working for the community, not for private profit.

How You Can Help

If you believe Mitcheldean should keep Townsend House as a public, community space, we need your voice.

Write to Gloucestershire County Council and our MP. Ask them to support our community-led bid for Townsend House.

Share your support on social media.

Tell your neighbours. Every conversation counts.