Roots and Rise: Reviving Cities with Art, Sports, and Community Vibes

In Peterborough, a new arts and sports hub called Roots and Rise has opened inside the Queensgate Shopping Centre. The hub was created by Roland Burt, an artist who runs the RB7 Arts Centre community interest company. Roland believes that this hub could be the beginning of a movement to bring life back to city centres across the country. He hopes that other shopping centre managers will see the success of Roots and Rise and start similar community projects in empty shops. The hub offers a variety of activities, including art workshops, exhibition spaces, a recording studio, and a multi-sports pitch. Local football club Peterborough United FC will lead football sessions at the hub, and there are plans for more sports and music activities.

Roland Burt wants Roots and Rise to be a welcoming place for everyone, especially those who are struggling. He says that people who have difficulties in school, with their mental health, or with physical disabilities can find support through art. Roland believes that art is a powerful way to release stress and find new purpose. He also wants to help young adults who are unsure about their future and may be facing challenges on the streets. By showing them how art can be used positively, he hopes to guide them toward a better life. The hub is filled with art supplies, paintings, and creative energy. Roland’s own artwork, which combines Afro-Caribbean and English influences, is displayed at Roots and Rise.

Kerry Cassidy, another organiser of the project, is a rugby coach and a teacher who works with students with special educational needs. She believes that sports can be just as therapeutic as art and music. The hub has received donations of sports equipment like a punching ball, table tennis table, and snooker table from local residents. Kerry says that the goal is to rehabilitate people through different forms of therapy, whether it’s sports, music, or art. The team is looking for more donations and wants more people to get involved. Roland and Kerry are proud of their city and want everyone to feel welcome at the hub. The location is easy to reach, with large car parks and a central spot in the city.

Catherine Lambert, the director of Queensgate Shopping Centre, says that Roots and Rise is more than just a new space—it’s a statement about what can happen when sport, creativity, and community come together. The hub will have an official opening soon and is available for hire for events. Outside the hub, people are painting a colourful mural on a nearby building, showing children playing in the street. The mural is being created by a group of local artists, and it adds to the sense of community and creativity that Roots and Rise is trying to build. Roland Burt and his team hope that their project will inspire other cities to create similar hubs and help regenerate city centres across the country.