Category: In Your Community

RotherFed Digital Support

Laura/ / Good News Stories, In Your Community, Tenant Involvement

By The Tenant Involvement Team

After an initial meeting with the Mowbray Men’s Group, four members requested digital support, which has been facilitated by Brigette on Thursday mornings. The sessions have been going brilliantly. Although the learners were initially nervous and unsure what to expect, over the past month they have learned many things that are important to them individually.

One gentleman is rightly proud to be able to surprise his children with WhatsApp messages. His family were so impressed that they encouraged him to explore other features on his phone, and he now enjoys the sessions so much that he also attends Brigette’s Tuesday drop-in session.

Another member of the group found following verbal instructions difficult due to a language barrier. Brigette went above and beyond by creating help guides and finding resources in his native language.

Brigette not only gives more than four hours per week to support her local community with digital skills, but she also spends many additional hours creating tailored resources to ensure that every learner receives the support they need.

During our after-session phone call, Brigette said, “I can’t wait to get the kids to bed tonight and start on my resources.” We cannot thank or praise Brigette enough for the time, energy, and positive spirit she brings to this project.

Tenant Involvement

Laura/ / Good News Stories, In Your Community, Tenant Involvement

By The Tenant Involvement Team

As part of our contract with the Council we are asked to organise a couple of pop-up engagement events in areas that have traditionally been hard to reach, in order to open up conversations between residents and the Council.

A recent family-friendly event at The Lanes Community Centre proved that community engagement can be both effective and enjoyable. The informal gathering was a collaborative effort between Rotherfed, The Lanes community group, RMBC Neighbourhoods, Housing, and local councillors.

Instead of a formal meeting, the event was designed to be a relaxed, fun occasion. It featured a magician, party food, and creative activities like biscuit decorating for children. This casual atmosphere had a strategic purpose: it helped to break down barriers between residents and officials, creating a space for more open and honest conversations. People felt more comfortable connecting with their neighbours and local leaders, rather than feeling like they were just attending another meeting. Residents felt at ease raising important concerns about issues like bin collections, graffiti, and anti-social behaviour.

But the event wasn’t just about airing grievances. It was also about planting the seeds of change. Organisers took the opportunity to show residents how they could get involved, from joining local groups to volunteering on panels.

Open Arms Over The Last 5 Months

Laura/ / Good News Stories, In Your Community, Open Arms

By The Open Arms Team

Rotherfed, Citizens Advice Rotherham and District Laser Credit Union and Voluntary Action Rotherham have partnered to develop and deliver a co-ordinated response to support communities. 

The project, called Open Arm (now in Year 4) is aimed to deploy Community Development Workers and Advisers to deliver information, advice and guidance ‘one stop shops’ across 5 libraries and 20 wards in Rotherham throughout the year, ending at the end of March 2026.  It will also help develop community leaders to offer support to their communities too. Drop-in sessions are free for anyone to attend. 

All support delivered will have a strong focus on financial and social inclusion, it will aim to empower communities with a foundation of support and make better use of community assets. The support provided involves a range of issues including, money management, energy advice, cost of living support, digital support and community support.

The Open Arms Sessions delivered in libraries 

Drop-in-sessions began in April 2025 across Rotherham libraries as listed below, held on a fortnightly basis from 9.30 am until 3.30 pm: 

Mondays: East Herringthorpe – Mowbray Gardens Library 

Tuesdays: Wath – Wath Library 

Wednesdays: Dinnington – Dinnington Library 

Thursdays: Munsbrough – Greasbrough Library 

Fridays: Maltby – Maltby Library 

Open Arms Sessions delivered in Wards 

We are now 5 months into the programme and as well as delivering to the above 5 libraries fortnightly, we have now delivered Open Arms sessions to the following Wards: 

Hoober Ward – 7-11 April 2025 

Keppel Ward – 22-25 April 2025 

Hellaby & Maltby East – 6-9 May 2025 

Sitwell – 19-23 May 2025 

Rawmarsh West – 2-6 June 2025 

Wales – 16-20 June 2025 

Boston Castle – 30 June – 4 July 2025 

Bramley & Ravenfield – 14-18 July 2025 

Rotherham West – 28 July – 1 August 2025 

Aughton & Swallownest – 11-15 August 2025 

Rawmarsh East – 26-29 August 2025 

5 months delivering The Open Arms Project 

To date we have welcomed 288 new attendees to the Open Arms Project in libraries and 161 new attendees to the Open Arms Project in Wards in Rotherham, making a total of 449 people. Support has also been provided to individuals who have found the Open Arms Project an asset and returned for assistance.

How the Open Arms Project has developed over the first 5 months of the Year 4 contract 

Funding was approved for the project at the very last minute, so as soon as notification was received, Rotherfed made enquiries about securing venues. Initially, we wanted to find out more about the Wards of Rotherham where the Open Arms Project had been requested to deliver to.   

So, our first step was to liaise with RMBC Neighbourhood Co-ordinators to identify appropriate venues and enquire as to whether there were any organisations/groups that the neighbourhood would like to see in that Ward, so that we could approach them with a view to inviting them along to the sessions. We have liaised with Neighbourhood Co-ordinators regarding this and continue to interact with the Neighbourhood Co-ordinators and have found their input very helpful. 

We have also discussed appropriate venues with Rotherfed staff, who were happy to assist with identifying venues, describing their facilities and assisting with neighbourhoods and identifying what information and assistance would be mostly likely required.   

Once the appropriate venues were identified it was necessary to contact them. Whilst for some venues a quick internet search revealed contact details, for others this was not always possible and quite often involved making several phone calls to reach the person in charge of hire of the venue. Some venues had online booking platforms and complex hire agreements that required completion, which all required to be navigated. It was also essential when making enquiries, that consideration be given to the facilities that are required for delivering of the session, such as having access to hot water so drinks can be prepared, wi-fi, parking facilities, a confidential room available when Citizens Advice attend so that any advice can be given privately.   

Furthermore, for the children’s activities that have been delivered over the Summer School Holidays, it was necessary to check the facilities were suitable for the various activities taking place and capacities were adhered to when booking.  

During the children’s activity weeks, the Open Arms Team at Rotherfed came together to ensure that the delivery of the children’s entertainment went ahead without any issue. Therefore, organising the children’s entertainment, sorting out the paperwork, providing refreshments and ensuring that the entertainment went ahead without issue.   

Once venues were secured it was necessary to create flyers and advertise. These flyers were shared amongst partner agencies, social prescribers, with venues, Ward Councillors, Neighbourhood Co-ordinators, schools and generally in the public to promote the services. We have carried out further promotion by attending public places like attending libraries, swimming pools, local businesses, busy Ward areas and schools with handing out leaflets to raise awareness of the Open Arms Project.

April 2025  

As venues were secured Rotherfed have created flyers and continued to advertise the sessions. Further work was underway working on future venues in other Wards and compiling contact information of community organisations and/or groups with a view to inviting them to venues.   

May 2025 

Hellaby & Maltby East Ward at 3 venues: Redwood Community Centre, Hellaby Parish Hall and Bartholomew’s Community Room.  During these sessions we were accompanied by organisations; ‘Dying Matters’, Working Winn, Sharon (Energy Project Rotherfed), Clare Moseley the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator and two Police Community Support Officers to enable information to be provided to the community.  

Sitwell Ward at 3 venues Herringthorpe URC, Whiston Parish Hall and Broom Methodist Church where we were accompanied by organisations: AGE UK and Sharon (Rotherfed).   

June 2025 

Rawmarsh West Ward at 4 venues: The High Street Centre, The Steadlands, Salvation Army and St Mary’s Church, Rawmarsh and we were accompanied by organisations; AGE UK, Sharon (Rotherfed)   

Wales Ward at 3 venues: Kiveton Park & Wales Village Hall, Kiveton Park Library and Kiveton Park and Wales Community Development Trust where we were accompanied by organisations; Neelam (Rotherfed) and RMBC adult mental health strategy.   

July 2025 

From April until the middle of July 2025, the Open Arms Sessions ran from Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 3.30 pm with Rotherfed, Laser Credit Union and Citizens Advice in attendance. On Monday, Thursday and Friday a general advisor attended from Citizens Advice and on the other days Tuesday and Wednesday the other projects that the Citizens Advice run attended such as Healthwatch and Digital IT. When a general advisor from the Citizens Advice was at venues, it was necessary to book a confidential room where possible which often dictated the venue. 

Boston Castle Ward at 4 venues: Canklow Pavilion, Riverside Library, Tesco’s Community Rooms and the Unity Centre. We were accompanied by organisations; Neelam (Rotherfed), RMBC adult mental health strategy, South Yorkshire Fire Service, AGE UK and Working Winn.   

Bramley & Ravenfield Ward at 2 venues: Ravenfield Parish Hall and Bramley Parish Hall where we were accompanied by organisations; Sandra (Rotherfed), RMBC mental health strategy and AGE UK.   

Rotherham West Ward at 2 venues: St Paul’s Church and Liberty Church. For the 2 days that we were at St Paul’s Church, Peter from the Church arranged to put on a craft session where children could attend and make wooden coasters and a couple of children attended and were really pleased with their creations.  We were accompanied by organisations: John (VAR).  For the 3 days we were at Liberty Church, we hosted 5 children’s activities which were very well attended namely, Mr Dan’s Circus Workshop, Daisy’s Animal Friends Session A and B, Mr Dan’s Disco and Patsy’s Fun Show.  During these activities we were joined by Beth who carried out face painting and Kelly with her ice cream van. We were accompanied by organisations; Sharon (Rotherfed), Phil (Rotherfed)and David (VAR) and Andy (VAR). 

August 2025 

Aughton & Swallownest Ward at 2 venues, Swallownest Community Centre and Swallownest Baptist Church. For the 3 days we were at Swallownest Community Centre, we hosted 5 children’s activities which were once again well attended namely Mr Dan’s Circus Workshop, Pasty’s Fun Show, Barney Baloney music, puppets and magic and Jungle Jo’s Exotic Animal Show Session A and Session B. Once again, during these activities we were joined by Beth who carried out face painting and Kelly with her ice cream van. We were accompanied by Sharon (Rotherfed).   

Rawmarsh East Ward at 2 venues, Liberty Church Parkgate and Rawmarsh Library. For the days we were at these venues we hosted 4 children’s activities which once again were well attended namely, Trudi Knotrites Cirus Skills, Daisy’s Animal Friends Session A and Session B and Jungle Jo’s Exotic Animal Show.   

Over the last 5 months as you can see, we have attended several venues in quite a few Wards within Rotherham which has supported the community and raised awareness of the assistance that is available at libraries every fortnight.   

The Open Arms team continue to deliver the services amongst other Wards from September onwards and in the 5 libraries. It is envisaged that during the school holidays, within the duration of the project, whichever Ward we will be delivering the project we aim to organise a family activity which will raise awareness of the project and support the community.   

Energy Know How Referral

Laura/ / Energy Know How, Good News Stories, In Your Community

By The Energy Know How Team

The client made contact with Lynn following a referral from a friend. The client confirmed that they have COPD and severe arthritis and is also a carer for their son who is receiving support for an illness. They live in a council property and only have electricity for energy, paying £40 per week. The client is worried about bills increasing with winter approaching and also feels confused around the benefits they receive in particular pension credit. We discussed a referral to Citizens Advice for a benefits calculation and the client was interested in and will give it consideration before a referral is made. We also discussed energy saving measures and the client confirmed that they have a booklet with energy saving tips some of which they now use. We also discussed Green Doctor services and some of the low level energy saving measures they provide which the client was interested in and consented to a referral to Green Doctors. 

The client confirmed that the information provided had been useful and she had got more information out of the call than she was expecting. The client is to contact me should she decide on a Citizens Advice referral which will be forwarded to our Money Matters team.

Fitzwilliam Estate

Laura/ / Good News Stories, In Your Community, Tenant Involvement

By The Tenant Involvement Team

August has been a busy month on the Fitzwilliam estate for the residents, with a coach trip to Cleethorpes, two community skips and a family fun event.

Cleethorpes Trip

Two coaches full of residents enjoyed a trip to Cleethorpes at the beginning of the month.  After the success of last year’s trip, the TARA organised another one this year. A small charge was made for the coach and the local Coucillors also helped pay for the coaches with some of their CLF funding. Everyone had a great day in the sunshine, and they are already looking forward to next year’s trip!

Community Skips

Two much needed community skips were organised for Wednesday 13 August. The skips were placed on Calladine Way outside of the shop fronts. The skips allowed residents to get rid of any waste they might have at their properties and both skips were filled within 3 hours. The caretakers also helped with this by collecting large bulky items from residents’ homes. RMBC staff, Rotherfed staff and the local Councillors also supported with getting the skips filled and the rubbish removed. They TARA also made sure that the green space opposite the shops was clean and tidy ready for the family event the following week.

Family Fun Event

The family fun event was held on Monday 18 August and whilst the weather wasn’t as sunny as it had been previously, it stayed dry, and everyone had a lovely afternoon. Over 50 residents attended and took part in the activities that were on offer including arts and crafts, facepainting, an assault course, football darts and taekwondo skills. RMBC youth and library services, FLUX and Children’s Capital of Culture also attended with activities and Sam’s Army Mission were there giving water safety advice. Everyone also enjoyed a free pizza lunch which was provided through HAF. The TARA spoke to residents to gain their feedback on what the TARA have been organising and what they would like to see happen in future. This was only the second event the TARA had organised and ran, and they were really pleased with how it went. They will now be looking at other events/activities/depending on what funding they can secure moving forward.

Making Our Money Go Further Session at St Bartholomew’s Church

Laura/ / Good News Stories, In Your Community, Making Our Money Go Further

By The Making Our Money Go Further Team

The group at St Bartholomew’s Church had the opportunity to taste test branded and non-branded items which they really enjoyed and were quite good at tasting the difference. They said they had acquired the taste after all these years and could tell the differences however many admitted they preferred Aldi version of the non-branded items. The group said they found the taste test and knowing the price difference very useful as they know a lot of people struggling with money and advising them around tasting non branded items would help them save money from shopping every week.  Some of the group members wanted to take home some of the Aldi brands to taste again and get family to taste to see if they could tell the difference so some items including 3 of the packets for Aldi Wheetabix. Neelam also showed them and read out the nutritional values on both the branded Wheetabix as well as the Aldi version of Wheetabisk which are basically the same which the group found shocking as some assumed the Aldi version will be less nutritional. This was a big highlight for them as it has changed their perspective of thinking that the more expensive brands are more nutritional than the non-branded items.  There was discussion around this and they said they would tell their family members how the nutritional values are the same and it is worth trying the Aldi version as it costs half the price than the branded Wheetabix. 

Tenant Involvement

Laura/ / Good News Stories, In Your Community, Tenant Involvement

By The Tenant Involvement Team

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) and Rotherfed are once again showcasing their commitment to tenant involvement, as a group of 20 dedicated residents work to renew their prestigious Tpas Exemplar Award.

The Tpas Exemplar Award is a significant achievement in the world of social housing, recognising organisations that have consistently demonstrated outstanding tenant engagement over an extended period. With the accreditation lasting for three years, this effort marks a new cycle of proving Rotherham’s continued excellence in tenant-led decision-making.

RMBC first gained Exemplar status in 2022, becoming only the third housing provider in the country to achieve the top accolade. The renewal process is a rigorous one, involving a comprehensive self-assessment, and a ‘futureproofing’ session where tenants and staff work together to create an engagement plan for the coming years.

20 tenants attended a variety of Tpas reality checking sessions which were conducted in-person, online, hybrid and by telephone. These included tenants who are involved in our main panels, local involved tenants, ie group leaders, and tenants with minimum involvement, ie the tenant connectors pool.

We are grateful to all tenants who gave their time to attend these sessions and take part in the assessment.

The outcome of this year’s assessment will be announced in the coming months, but for the tenants and staff involved, the collaboration itself is a key victory, reinforcing a culture of strong partnership and ensuring the resident voice remains at the heart of Rotherham’s housing services.

New Community Group in Rotherham East

Laura/ / Good News Stories, In Your Community, Tenant Involvement

By the Tenant Involvement Team

A new community group in Rotherham East is making big strides, with plans to launch regular coffee mornings and bingo sessions at the Swinburne Neighbourhood Centre. Led by an experienced community member who has been involved with Rotherfed for many years and, supported by a core of enthusiastic individuals, they want to add more inclusive activity to their local area.

Rotherfed staff recently met with the group for their first meeting, providing essential resources like a model constitution, safeguarding information, and handbooks on roles and responsibilities. The staff also helped the group book their first two weekly coffee sessions, which will be held every Monday and Friday.

In addition to the coffee mornings, the group is hoping to expand their offerings to include a mid-week bingo session on Wednesdays. This longer session will allow attendees to play bingo and then enjoy a shared meal, creating a welcoming and social atmosphere.

While there have been some initial booking challenges with a pre-existing group at the centre, Rotherfed and the housing team are actively working to clarify the situation with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC). Both parties are committed to finding a solution and will be meeting with the group again next month to provide an update.

Despite these hurdles, the new group is focused on a positive start. Group support will also be assisting them with new promotional materials to help spread the word and encourage new members to join.

Energy Know How at The Redwood Centre

Laura/ / Energy Know How, In Your Community

By the Energy Know How team

Julie and Sharon visited the Redwood centre in Maltby following a previous introductory visit. The group we went to meet were all elderly and they meet regularly for refreshments and a chat.

The group were very welcoming and friendly and participated in two energy related games to stimulate discussions. The first was to highlight where heat is lost from a home which led to an in-depth discussion about insulation, draughts and the greendoctor service which offers free home visits for minor draught proofing installations.

The second game was to highlight that small changes in behaviours can result in savings on energy bills, the group did this activity in small teams and matched pictures of an activity with the potential annual savings. They were very competitive with their results. This again provoked a good and lengthy discussion about energy saving measures and the general cost and unfairness in the energy market around standing charges particularly for low users and those that live alone.

We also discussed Priority Services Register and the importance of being on that for the elderly and those with health issues.

This was a very enjoyable session, and the ladies were very engaging and interested. All the attendees were given thermostats to help them to monitor the temperatures in their homes and leaflets with our contact details on should they require any help in the future or have any questions they did not wish to ask in front of the group.

Open Arms – Benfit Advice

Laura/ / In Your Community, Open Arms

By the Open Arms Team

We met D at Wath Library. Initially they asked to speak to Citizens Advice about benefits. The advisor was already with another client, so they sat down at the table and waited.

A general discussion was taking place around the table about nostalgic sweets which D joined in with and then stated about wishing they could back to their younger days/happier times with less cares and responsibilities. This became a conversation about the challenges adults can face and the support available now, compared to years ago.

D then opened up to us about their life and how they were now the sole carer for two SEND adult children after their partner died a couple of years ago. As the family were coming to term with this bereavement D suffered their own serious illness, which they are still recovering from. This has now made them worried for the future of their children who rely on the parent(s).

D’s partner had been the person responsible for the finance of the household and dealt with all the bills, payments and benefits received. Since their death D had to take on this role with little or no support. As a result, they had received a message from DWP about their benefits being mismanaged and may be stopped. This was obviously a concern to them as it was the only income coming into the home.

When the advisor became available, We quickly gave them a summary of the conversation with D before sending them through to the confidential space. The advisor was then able to provide D with lots of detailed and practical advice and information for their situation and provided a step-by-step plan to help D and their family. Suggestions were also made of the mental health, SEND and carer support available they could access when ready.

From arriving with the weight of the world on their shoulders D left feeling listened to, supported and with a positive plan in place to resolve the matter.