John backs plan for new youth centre in Rotherham
A GROUP running kids’ clubs is hoping to develop a new centre for young people in Rotherham.
Pops Summer Camp have been holding activity sessions in Rawmarsh during Easter and summer holidays for the last five years.
In that time they’ve reached more than 4,500 children aged six to 16.
Now they want a permanent base and are applying for funding to redevelop existing buildings in Rawmarsh.
Project development leader Adrian Harvey said they would need £50,000 and were putting together a Lottery bid.
But they need people in Rotherham to help show the facility is needed.
Adrian said: “We believe in providing fun, active and engaging activities to inspire and encourage young people to embrace the outdoors and explore the local area in a safe and exciting way.
“To enable us to keep costs down for parents and guardians we are constantly exploring funding opportunities to offer the very best service to the local community.”
Pops Summer Camp is asking people to complete a short survey as part of a feasibility study that they hope will show demand for children’s activities like they offer.
Adrian added: “Should we be successful with our funding bid following the feasibility study, we are proposing to create a new centre for the local community and young people, offering a wide range of activities from bushcraft, sports, arts and crafts, games and much more.
“Also we are developing an area of woodland to create an outdoor centre where people can explore the outdoors and participate in a wide range of fun and engaging activities.
“This project will also create employment opportunities, voluntary positions and placements for students from local schools, colleges and universities.
“All of these wonderful things for the local community can only be achieved through your help and support by completing this short survey, or by passing this on to someone who you believe would benefit from having this service for their children.”
John Healey MP is a director of the organisation and recently attended an arts and craft evening organised by Pops Summer Camp with Rawmarsh Scouts at the High Street Centre.
He said: “I’ve been to several Pops kids clubs and it’s great to see the children having such a brilliant time taking part in a whole range of activities.
“A permanent centre would be a really good facility for the local community, and I hope people will get on board by completing the survey.”
The survey can be found here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6HSYBVS
Pops Summer Camp’s Easter club is back in Rosehill Park, Rawmarsh, 30 March to 3 April. Book online at http://www.pops-summercamp.co.uk/