John Healey has praised the role of the High Street Centre in Rawmarsh as being “somewhere that is very special which holds the community together in a place we love”.
He was speaking at a Business Breakfast event, hosted by the High Street Centre, which brought together Centre staff, volunteers and local businesses to explore how businesses can get involved with the Centre’s activities to demonstrate social value and support their work.
Mr Healey told attendees: “You know, I’ve come to so many events here, from Macmillan cancer support fundraisers and drop-ins to the Parkgate history group sessions. And I still do my advice surgeries here on a regular basis.
“You’re in somewhere that is very special. You’re with a group of people, small-paid staff and volunteers who are really special. What goes on in here is really special and it has the potential to reach more people and become even more important in holding this community together.
“You can tell, probably, this is personal for me. We lived in Rawmarsh before we moved to Wickersley. We lived in Rawmarsh for well over a decade. Our lad Alex was coming to Beavers here. He came to Cubs here.
“This place could never be what it is now. It could never have been what it has become without this core of extremely dedicated volunteers. You’re part of making areas like ours in Rawmarsh here, not just the places we live or work, but the places we also love.”
Nicola Sharpe, Centre Manager, said: “The High Street Centre is a registered charity and we are based in the heart of Rawmarsh. We are set up to support adults on the High Street Centre side and Activate Rawmarsh who are also based here are set up to support children, young families and babies.
“A lady that came in was so anxious, she came to me and said ‘If I faint, it’s my anxiety.’ That’s how anxious she was. She’s been with us a number of years now and she spoke at our AGM last year and I was so proud of her.
“I actually couldn’t listen to her because I thought she was going to make me cry.”
Leomi, Activate Project Manager, said: “Activate is a children and young people’s charity and obviously children and young people are at the heart of everything we do.”
“Our aim is to ensure that all children, regardless of their parents’ financial circumstances or their financial situation, receive the same experience.”
Abi, coordinator of the Stronger Together Project, said: “I love it when the events are on, where people who never get out can actually come in and they all get together and they dance and laugh. That’s lovely.
“And people who have been isolated in their homes for about eight months. Them just coming into our cafes or groups is lovely to see.”
Anyone interested in benefiting from the services offered by the High Street Centre, or businesses interested in supporting its work, can contact Nicola Sharpe on 01709 719478.