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.