By Rachel Cole, Senior Projects Officer
Notoriously, this estate has always been a disengaged area where we have struggled to get residents involved, despite years of trying. However, for the past 10 months, we have been working closely with some residents on the estate to try and set up a TARA and whilst the group still needs support and guidance they are certainly going in the right direction, and we have held monthly meetings to support the tenants. Following on from two successful events last year, at January’s meeting it was agreed RotherFed would assist in the planning and delivery of an Easter event on the estate. We contacted FLUX Rotherham for their support with this as they can offer free activities for families. FLUX Rotherham and Early Years Help agreed to be part of the event. The project was delivered working in partnership with FLUX Rotherham, Early Years Help, RMBC Officers and the Fitzwilliam TARA.
The event was delivered in two 2-hour sessions and 66 children booked on them with their parents. Whilst the children were making their masks etc we were able to liaise with their parents and get them signed up to the Tenants Connectors Pool as well as speak to them about other RotherFed and Rotherham Council services.
The TARA ran a tombola which raised over £80, and this will go into the funds that the group have raised so far.
An additional planned activity ‘Get Crafty with Roots’ included free craft workshops inspired by the river Don and is part of the Rother Roots Street Carnival, which took place on Saturday 13 April from 11am until 4pm in Rotherham Town Centre. This was a very successful event with not only residents from the estate attending but people from all over the borough.
As well as looking at other events for the estate, including a litter pick, the group are planning their first coach trip for the residents to Cleethorpes. Many of the residents on the estate have no transport, therefore, a coach trip to the coast has been very well received. Two coaches have been booked for 6th August and the group is using the funds they have already raised towards this. They are also charging people, which will make up the remainder.
It has been a long time since there was a TARA on this estate, therefore, we are really pleased to see the progress and hope that it continues. We will continue to support the group until they are more established. They are now talking about becoming constituted and opening a bank account, which will enable them to apply for funding which will provide much needed activities and events on this estate.
Nicola Harper also attends the HIP meeting and is keen to be involved in council services. Katie Foster attended this month’s HIP meeting for the first time, she is also keen to get involved.