By Dan Barron and Sam Dixon, Heart of the Community Project Workers
A plethora of groups have been very busy this December with their festive celebratory activities and events. So, prepare for another Heart of the Community Christmas special good news bonanza.
The group had planned to host a Christmas event for the residents in the neighborhood centre. The committee had been relying on some funding that had been held up due to circumstances beyond their control. RotherFed looked to support the group with some funding from the heart of the community project. However, the group felt it may be too much to organize in the little time that was left. So, we decided to step in and do the heavy lifting for the group to give them and other residents of Leverton Way a Christmas event to enjoy. We began consulting the committee about what they would like to see, planned the event, ordered food, mince pies and Christmas crackers. However, that wasn’t the end of the rollercoaster of things to happen.
Fast forward to the day of the event, the caterer had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. Traffic jams and road closures in Rotherham made getting to the venue very difficult. Rotherfed staff had to dig deep and pull together to make sure the event would go ahead, and although a little later than planned the air fryers were fired up and the room was set up with plenty of Christmas cheer.
The event was a huge success. Everyone pulled Christmas crackers, hot sandwiches were being passed about the room, there was music and mince pies and plenty of chatter amongst the 23 residents. The event even saw a few power cuts delaying some of the food from cooking, but it all added to the Christmas atmosphere and like most communities do they made the most of the occasion. It was the busiest we have seen in the neighborhood center since attending the group. The committee were chuffed with the effort that staff put in to support the activity at Leverton way in such a short space of time. The committee had also organized a free Christmas raffle for residents. Residents won prizes such as classic boxes of roses chocolates, deodorants, and biscuits.
Despite multiple setbacks and some extra added elbow grease the residents of Leverton way had a great Christmas event and the group were delighted with the outcome and support.
