Church in Avonmouth seeks structural engineering support for new mezzanine training space

What do they need help with?

St Andrew’s Church Avonmouth is set to expand its vital community offering with the introduction of a dedicated training space for young people. To achieve this, they are seeking pro bono structural engineering support to help design and safely construct a mezzanine floor within their existing church hall.

The new space will host the Spear Programme – a proven, evidence-based initiative that helps young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) overcome barriers to work. Many of these young people in Avonmouth face significant challenges, including low confidence, limited qualifications and a lack of local training options. Spear has a strong track record, with 75% of attendees gaining employment or continuing education within a year.

The church building is currently in use throughout the week and cannot accommodate the Spear programme in its existing layout. A mezzanine floor would create a purpose-built space for mentoring, workshops, and community use. St Andrew’s has already raised the necessary funds, gained Faculty approval, and will be sending the project out to tender before the end of the month, with an aim to start building in early 2026.

They now require structural engineering input to ensure the design is safe and compliant. This includes:

• Load assessment
• Structural analysis
• Member design (beams, columns, joists)
• Connection and foundation checks
• Code compliance references
• All calculations and drawings needed for Building Control submission

This space will not only support young people into work but will also be available outside of core hours for youth groups and other community organisations—maximising its impact and offering long-term benefits to the area.

Timeline

As soon as possible

About the organisation

St Andrew’s Church in Avonmouth is a hub of community support, driven by its mission to Connect, Serve and Transform. Located in one of Bristol’s most deprived areas (ranked 9 out of 10 for deprivation), the church offers a wide range of services that address food poverty, isolation, and family support. These include a toddler group, warm space initiatives, a refugee hub, the Social Justice Hub (which incorporates Bristol North West Foodbank), a woodworking workshop, and financial and wellbeing advice.

Over 110 volunteers help deliver these services, which are vital to the local community. The church now plans to host the Spear Programme in response to the growing number of NEET young people in the UK. By equipping them with the skills, confidence, and guidance to access employment or education, this initiative aligns closely with LandAid’s mission to prevent youth homelessness and support long-term independence.

https://www.standrews-stpeters.org