By Rob Gooding and Rachel Cole, the Tenant Involvement team
The Kimberworth Park Over 50s Community Group, has been a vital social hub for many local people for over 10 years now. The group offers bingo, a brick a brac sales and daytrips to over 50 members a week, many of whom don’t get out other than to the group sessions. This has nurtured long lasting friendships throughout the community between both younger and older members.
RotherFed staff have stepped in to support the Kimberworth Park Over 50s Community Group after the unexpected closure of their regular meeting place, The Black Hut. The group’s usual venue was shut down which sent a shockwave through the community, leaving the groups’ members without a venue to get together. RotherFed staff were quick to respond to the groups needs by offering support and advice when the group needed it the most. Although the group had to close for a week, I am happy to report that the group have now reopened and are continuing to enjoy each other’s company and their usual activities.
The group has relocated to a new home at St Thomas’ Church, Kimberworth. Although they have had to change the day the group meets, they have worked tirelessly to ensure that their members can maintain their social connections in the new venue, hopefully for many years to come. This demonstrates the groups resilience and the importance of the support that is offered to the community groups of Rotherham. We will continue to support this group lightly, should they require any further help/advice.