About us

The North Taunton Partnership, established in 1998, is the registered charity responsible for managing the Priorswood Community Centre.

This community centre serves as a vital hub for local residents, operating as a café-style drop-in from Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, where we offer tea and coffee. Additionally, we host various morning surgeries and information sessions covering topics such as health, debt, benefits, and energy.

During afternoons, evenings, and weekends, we provide a range of social, fitness, and educational groups, along with classes, art workshops, fundraisers, and family activity days. Our dedicated team consists of four part-time staff members, six trustees, and 28 volunteers, all working together to support the North Taunton community.

Conveniently located within the main shopping precinct of Priorswood with free parking, the community centre is easily accessible. Should the centre close, many local residents could face isolation, leading to lost friendships, diminished access to information and support, declining health and well-being, reduced foot traffic to local shops, and the disappearance of volunteer and staff roles, along with the loss of collaborative community efforts.

Our community centre is self-funded, relying on grants from various organisations; without their support, our services would be compromised. To generate income, we offer books and bric-a-brac for purchase at low prices. We charge for our groups, as participants express their appreciation and willingness to contribute, ensuring their sustainability for the future.

In the 2023/24 period, we welcomed 13,142 visitors, highlighting the genuine need for support—whether for a simple coffee and conversation or for more comprehensive assistance through our many advice surgeries. We collaborate closely with Somerset Council, Taunton Town Council, the NHS, Village Agents, our local food bank, and various other agencies, including local schools, clubs, and churches. This collaborative approach fosters a happy, healthy, and balanced community.