By Dan Barron and Sam Dixon, The Heart of the Community Team
The summer events have officially started this year and the Heart of the Community team have spoken to over 1000 of Rotherham’s residents at community events. The team have been asking you how you support others throughout your day. Although most people don’t shout it from the rooftops that you’ve helped someone, we’re here to show that residents in Rotherham look after each other. Some of our work also looked at how residents feel about the community they live in. The team attended summer fayres and Pride 2024 throughout June. Lots of people took the time to speak with us about how they’re supporting someone on some way.
“(I) Support a friend in addiction”
“I helped a person get back onto their feet when they was down”
“I made someone happy when they were upset”
“I helped someone when they were lonely”
“Helped people to learn to horse ride in my spare time”
“Helped my mum when she was down”
Some residents are supporting their neighbour or family with small acts of being there for support when times aren’t so good, some support others to learn new skills and hobbies. You spoke to us about many different acts of kindness. Some acts of kindness came with personal journeys of supporting a friend or family member through addiction and a personal sacrifice on behalf of another person to support them when they need it the most.
Some of the children made their little act of kindness something really simple by helping a friend with their work, when they’re sad or they’re there for someone they don’t know in a moment, people supporting each other makes a positive impact to someone.
HotC put together a presentation to speak to students at one of the local comprehensive schools. The school want to help their young people recognise the impact they offer their communities already, and the impact of positive action whether small or large. The presentation created an opportunity for the young people to think about and share their ideas about how they personally impact their own communities as well as giving an opportunity for workers to talk about the voluntary sector and the advantages the experience will have for future prospects.
The young people we spoke returned 148 pledge cards, detailing their little acts of kindness.
“If I see anybody on the streets, go into the closest shop and buy them food, in hope that they won’t sleep hungry for that night and other may copy this kind act.”
“Help the elderly in care homes. Eg, making cups of or having a conversation with them”
“Start working at my local library and charity on weekends to engage with people”
It’s been amazing to speak to so many people who support other people they may know or just by chance was kind to a stranger in need. Its further proof that people of Rotherham look after each other when they see someone else in need. So, we would just like to say, well done residents of Rotherham, keep up the community spirit and taking care of each other.