//Rotherham Council has been delivering against the commitments in its Housing Strategy for 2019-22, now the Housing Strategy is being refreshed to set out the key priorities for 2022-25, and Rotherham Council are asking for your help in shaping this.
Please complete the electronic survey by 21st January 2022.
//We are looking for a passionate and motivated Community Engagement Officer to play a central role in delivering the Open Arms project across Rotherham.
Location: Rotherham Borough
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week (flexible, some evening/weekend work required)
Contract: fixed term until 31st March 2027 (initially) with further 2 years expected thereafter.
Salary: £26,362 per annum, pro rata
You will work directly with local communities to build trust, increase engagement, and support residents affected by the ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
This is a varied, people‑focused role, ideal for someone who enjoys working in community settings, developing partnerships, and making a tangible difference to people’s lives.
You will have experience of working with communities in a front‑facing or engagement role, with the ability to build positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds. You will be organised, empathetic, and confident working both independently and as part of a team.
You will also have:
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
For further details and to request an application pack, please contact: Sarah Fletcher on 07538 625113 or email sarah.fletcher@rotherfed.org
Interviews are expected to take place in early July, however, will review applications as they come in and may invite candidates to interview earlier, with reasonable notice. This vacancy may close sooner than advertised if we receive enough applications.
//Rotherham Federation are seeking an experienced Community Grants Officer to support Rotherham communities to grow and develop, building the confidence of local people to strengthen their communities.
Salary: £30,257 per annum
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Contract: 12-month fixed term (initially)
Location: Across Rotherham Borough
Responsible to: Community Grants Project Manager
The Community Grants Support Officer will play a key role in supporting community groups through every stage of the grants process – from developing ideas and applying for funding, to delivering, monitoring, and evaluating their projects.
For further details and to request an application pack, please contact: Sarah Fletcher on 07538 625113 or email sarah.fletcher@rotherfed.org
Closing date for applications: Monday 6th July 2026 @10am
Interviews will be held on: Thursday 9th July 2026
//Rotherham Federation is seeking an experienced, motivated and highly organised Community Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of our Community Grants Programme, supporting Rotherham communities to grow and develop, and build the confidence of local people to strengthen their communities.
Salary: £36,274 per annum
Hours: Full time – 37 hours per week
Contract: 12‑month fixed term (initially)
Location: Across Rotherham Borough
Responsible to: RotherFed Project Manager
The Community Grants Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Community Grants Programme, ensuring that outputs, outcomes, and reporting requirements are met.
We are looking for someone who can bring strong coordination, communication and organisational skills to a complex, multi‑stakeholder project. You will have:
For further details and to request an application pack, please contact: Sarah Fletcher on 07538 625113 or email sarah.fletcher@rotherfed.org
Closing date for applications: Monday 6th July 2026 @ 10am
Interviews will be held on: Thursday 9th July 2026
//Thanks to National Lottery players, Rotherham Federation of Communities has received more than £285,000 of life-changing funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. The funding will be used to deliver an inspiring, community-led programme that supports and empowers local residents to design and award small and medium grants that aim to enhance local services, build skills and confidence, and strengthen community life across Maltby.
This has been awarded from The National Lottery Community Fund’s new “You Decide” programme – involving communities directly in decisions about funding good causes. You Decide is key to the funder’s efforts to put community power, agency, and control at the heart of its funding in England – supporting communities to live happier, healthier lives. This truly life-changing funding has been made possible by National Lottery players.
We will establish a local grants panel that gives community members the power to decide how funding is allocated. A tiered programme of small and medium grants will be introduced, providing accessible opportunities for local groups to apply for funding that strengthens their communities. This participatory approach will deliver improved outcomes for residents, foster a sense of local ownership, enhance community-led support, and build stronger connections and resilience across Maltby.
//By The Open Arms Team
Lee spoke to the Tenancy Support Officer from the council about a lady who had a concern regarding an unpaid bill for council services which she disputed. She had been given 7 days’ notice to pay.
After hitting several brick walls, she called into the outreach the day before seeking help with obtaining a way forward so, Lee had signposted her to the debt team the following Monday.
After this chance meeting with R.M.B.C. she took advantage of the situation, rang the participant there and then, explained the current situation and the participant was over the moon and gladly give her permission for the Tenant Support Officer to interject as she was a council tenant.
She agreed and within just half an hour later, an email was received from her and then forwarded on its way for discussion with the relevant parties whom she had not been able to contact for one reason or another.
She was so relieved as she did have a prior appointment on the Monday and would have been struggling to make both.
//By The Tenant Involvement Team
Over the last two months, our team at RotherFed have worked with five fantastic community groups on the Miss Penlington Community Chest Grant. Supporting the group to write funding bids and assisting through the application process.
All five groups submitted a funding bid, each group had a different focus and priority, from new equipment for the group to arts and crafts sessions.
//By Sam Dixon, The Ripple Effect Project
RMBC and Flux have been working together at the Edward Dunn Centre to deliver a youth club for 11- to 15-year-olds from the Maltby area. The aim of the project is to bring young people together to have fun in a safe environment, connect with others and receive a light meal.
Around 15 young people attended the January event on a very dark and dismal evening. Chip butties were provided as well as creative and engaging activities. A competition was held to design a logo for the project, and it was won by a young resident who designed a logo that included a sloth.
Rotherham Ripple Effect did some nail painting and engaged in conversation with some of the young people. We asked.
It seemed like a big thing locally when the flags went up. What did you think?
What is it like around here after dark?
Are there any areas that you feel more comfortable in than others? The young people had quite a lot to say on all matters, it was great to see that they had enough confidence to share their opinions.
It was quite surprising to hear 3 different points of view from young people who live in the same community. This is the first time an engagement has been done through this project, and it will be interesting to examine the wider communities’ thoughts and feelings as the project progresses.
//By The Tenant Involvement Team
Swinton Community Focus Group is a well-established group whose aims are to make Swinton a safer, more connected, cleaner and healthier place to live. The group has currently recruited two new members. The group organises social events, litter picks and holds regular meetings. They also engage with the residents to find out what residents want to see happen in the area where they live.
This month, the group held, what has become, their annual Winter Warmer event at the Civic Hall in partnership with the Honeypot Café. This is a free event to bring the community together to help prevent the post-Christmas blues. Over 40 local residents enjoyed pie and peas followed by trifle and refreshments. There was also bingo, a quiz and a raffle. The residents were kept entertained by Steve Gore, a professional magician, who had them all stunned with his magic acts. Feedback from the residents was very positive, they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and this feedback will be useful to the group when applying for future funding.
The group applied for funding to make this a free event and open to all residents in the area. Sponsorship came from Cllr Monk, Century Cladding, Excel Money, and Underfloor Heating Services.
The group continues to hold their regular litter picks, usually two a month covering all areas of Swinton. Last year they collected an impressive 243 bags of rubbish and this year they are hoping they can beat that. Big well done to the group!
The group are currently looking at other funding opportunities to potentially put activities on for St George’s Day, Yorkshire Day, Remembrance Day and Christmas.
//By The Open Arms Team
During the week commencing 15 December 2025, as there was no Open Arms Sessions, the team volunteered to assist other local organisations within Rotherham, with the added pressures involved with the preparation of Christmas food hampers over the festive period:
Salvation Army, Quarry Street, Rawmarsh: Lee reached out to the Salvation Army offering help during the busy period, as they have been willing to provide food parcels in exceptional circumstances over the past year. As a gesture of goodwill, Lee wanted to return the favour. On Monday 15 December 2025, we met with Captain Sandra Chamberlain from the Salvation Army, to assist with the packing of Christmas hampers. Maria and Lee, alongside a few other volunteers, unpacked donations received throughout the day and packed up over 40 Christmas hampers which were being distributed locally to residents and families. We also assisted with the preparation of the next day hampers. Captain Sandra Chamberlain was really pleased with the support and help provided and said, “with Open Arms Team volunteering to help with the preparation of Christmas hampers, this made the task quicker, which allowed time for pick-ups to be arranged that day.” She also said, “With the Open Arms Team’s support during the festive season this had made her task less stressful than previous years”.
Rotherham Foodbank, Parkgate, Rotherham: Karen contacted Victoria the Foodbank offering help during the period. On Thursday 18 December 2025, we met Victoria at the Rotherham Foodbank to assist with preparation for food parcels. Maria, Lee and Karen assisted the volunteers with unpacking all the donations being made throughout the day and sorting these into crates. We stayed until all food had been sorted. This task made it easier for volunteers to then pack food hampers. Victoria, who runs the foodbank was thrilled with all the support and help the team at Open Arms Team had provided. She was amazed at how much quicker this task was carried out with this support.
Quote from facebook posted by Rotherham Foodbank
“Shout out to the wonderful Rotherfed staff who came to help out at Rotherham Foodbank!”
“They were amazing!”
Sunnyside Supplies: Karen contacted Tony at Sunnyside Supplies offering help during the period. On Friday 19 December 2025, we met with Tony at Sunnyside Supplies, to assist with preparing Christmas hampers. Together with the wonderful volunteers, we made over 50 Christmas hampers to be distributed locally to families and residents. Sunnyside supplies are such a brilliant community group that also runs a weekly community café where anyone can pop along to. There were numerous volunteers and together we made the task quicker and everyone was grateful for the assistance.
Following the support given by the Open Arms Team we were invited along to a buffet that Sunnyside Supplies were having on Tuesday 23 December 2025. Maria, Karen, Rachel (Rotherfed) and Sandra (Rotherfed) attended and received a warm welcome. The atmosphere was great and we were able to have a chat with some of the volunteers whilst having some refreshments. Photos were taken at both events and placed on social media where some comments were received such as “lovely seeing you all”, “awesome” and “thank you for all your help”.
//By The Tenant Involvement Team
On Monday 15 December, the Buddy’s group had the pleasure of welcoming the Mayor of Rotherham, Rukhsana Ismail, to one of their regular sessions. The Buddy’s group is made up of autistic adults who meet weekly for a friendly chat and a chance to connect with others in a supportive environment.
During the visit, members offered light refreshments and enjoyed an engaging conversation with the Mayor. The session provided a great opportunity for her to learn more about the group’s work and the positive role it plays within the community. The warm atmosphere made the occasion memorable for everyone involved.
