The High Street Centre (HSC), which is used by more than 50 community groups and up to 1,000 local people each week, secured funding of £50,000 from Viridor Credits Environmental Company, which supports the development of community buildings through the Landfill Communities Fund.
John Healey, MP for Wentworth and the Dearne, and representatives of national and regional funding agencies including the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Children In Need, joined local volunteers, community workers and staff at the official opening of the refurbished space.
The newly-refurbished ground floor hall is now more accessible to older and disabled people, supporting the Centre’s work in tackling loneliness and social isolation in the local community.
First opened in July 1908, Rawmarsh Methodist Church was redeveloped in 1976 to include a hall, kitchen and meeting rooms, with an upstairs area used for worship. Between 1998 and 2000, a partnership was developed between Rawmarsh Methodist Church and community groups, establishing The High Street Centre Charity.
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Further improvements were made over the following years, including a new kitchen, training facilities, a new lift, soundproofing, replacement of the outdated heating system and the installation of secondary glazing.
Caroline Langston, High Street Centre Development Manager, said the latest changes would make a significant difference to the work of the charity and its mission to “enable, equip and establish services that make Rawmarsh and Parkgate a better place to live and work”.
“Everyone involved with the High Street Centre – our staff and our volunteers - is passionate about where they live here in Rawmarsh, and wants to do their very best for the community,” said Caroline.
Gareth Williams, Funded Projects Manager at Viridor Credits, said “The Charity has done an excellent job of providing a safe and comfortable meeting place for the local community, and Viridor Credits is proud to be part of the journey.”
For further information, contact Caroline Langston, High Street Centre Manager, on [email protected] or 01709 719478.