The Vassall Centre Trust

History

The Vassall Centre prior to the re-build 

 

The building was constructed in 1943 during World War Two as a hospital for American war casualties.

Until 1995, the Ministry of Defence occupied part of the building and other parts were used by other Government departments, including the Inland Revenue. The remaining parts housed the Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre.

In 1994, when the Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre was moved to a newly built hospital nearby, the part of the building it vacated was let to voluntary organisations.

Staff at Government Training Centre and Industrial Rehabilitation Unit in 1959

In the mid 90s the Property Services Agency decided to sell the site,  so that the building could be demolished to make way for luxury homes.

The campaign to save the building

The fight to save the building from demolition was led by David Baker and Sue McMullen, who at that time was Chair of the Disabled Living Centre, one of the charities based in the building. The campaign was supported by disabled people and disability charities, and was backed by Help the Aged and Bristol City Council. 

The campaign had two primary aims:-

1. To stop the proposal to sell the site and save the building from demolition.
2. To purchase the building tand transform it to provide secure, accessible, affordable work space for voluntary organisations providing services for disabled people

The battle is won

A three year campaign to save the building reached a successful conclusion in 1998. The building was saved and was purchased for £350,000, significantly below its market value, on condition that it would be used for the benefit of disabled people, carers and voluntary organisations. This victory, achieved despite overwhelming odds, was largely due to the leadership of David Baker, at that time, Chairman of Bristol Council for Disabled Adults (BCDA). Sadly, David died not long after the transformation of the building began.

David Baker with co-founder Sue McMullen in Conference Centre before refurbishment

With the permission of the Charity Commission, BCDA was wound up and its assets transferred to a newly formed charity, The Vassall Centre Trust, which was set up to manage the building and its services.