Mayor delivers major funding boost to Gamesley

Glossop’s Gamesley Community Centre is set for a major transformation after being awarded £191,570 from the East Midlands Community Development Fund, delivered by Mayor Claire Ward.

The funding will help develop a new wellbeing hub at the centre, supporting residents’ health, skills, and social opportunities. 

Mayor Ward visited the centre on Wednesday 4th March to deliver the cheque, alongside Gamesley Community Centre Manager Helen Thornhill and The Bureau CEO Natalie Rhodes. Trustees, service users, and local residents also attended the event. 

Speaking to the Chronicle about why Gamesley was chosen for the investment, Mayor Ward said: 

“We had £3 million pounds and we looked at 10 areas across the whole of the region, picking three in each county and two in each city. Of those projects, Gamesley came out as a top choice because of some of the challenges that they face in this community with the deprivation levels, health issues and some of the lack of other funding opportunities that they’ve had previously. 

“What we’ve seen is that there is a great opportunity here with the community centre to transform things for, and most importantly, with residents.” 

When asked how she hopes the funding will change residents’ lives, the Mayor added: 

“I want them to have something long-term, whether that’s engagement about health issues, getting them involved in activities, improving their own health. Making this centre sustainable and looking at bigger plans – this is the catalyst to support them over the next few years.” 

This was Mayor Ward’s second visit to Gamesley, following her initial announcement of the Community Development Fund. She said “Gamesley was at the start of the journey and I’m really pleased to be back. I’ll want to see the progress made and so I’ll definitely be back."

Helen Thornhill outlined the centre’s plans for the funding, saying: 

“The funding will really help to stabilise the community centre and enable us to start to look properly at the changes needed and the vision we have. For example, the football courts being renovated, linking with the Melandra Castle work, building other facilities on site. That all requires people to do that and this funding will help secure those people to ensure that we can make the most of those opportunities. 

“Internally we are expanding all of the time and constantly looking at what the community wants and needs and how we can support them, whether that’s support with health, finance issues, IT, whatever. This funding helps us to secure that and build that.” 

Photo: Mayor Claire Ward looking at what improvements need to be made to the centre.

The Chronicle asked about local residents’ involvement in shaping the centre’s future. Natalie Rhodes explained: 

“A lot of local people are on the Board for the community centre so they have had a big say about where they want the centre to go from this point forward, as we are almost reinventing it. A big part of our plans are now to engage the wider community and develop things in partnership with them. We now need to start having conversations.” 

Opportunities for volunteering and employment were also discussed. Helen said: “There are always opportunities for people to volunteer – we have a very active youth club so that’s an area that’s always looking for new volunteers. Hopefully in the future we will be looking to employ residents, we are obviously just at the beginning of the plans. With growth comes employment opportunities.” 

Natalie added: “One of the biggest things we offer here is social connectedness, which is volunteering and employment, so we will be delivering employability programmes and life skills training - we'll be looking at what works for local people.” 

The Gamesley Wellbeing Hub is expected to offer a wide range of services, including social prescribing, NHS health outreach, social activities, volunteering and employability programmes, and health and wellbeing events. The initiative aims to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, and create opportunities for work, learning, and active lifestyles. 

In its application, The Bureau said: 

“We want to secure and grow Gamesley Community Centre as a welcoming, community-led health and wellbeing ‘Hub’ where people can connect, be active and get support when they need it. Working with local residents, The Bureau, Gamesley Community Group CIO and partners will bring health, sport, learning and volunteering under one roof. Together we’ll improve the building and facilities, create more opportunities for young people and families, offer health and wellbeing activities in partnership with the NHS and local services, and develop volunteering and skills pathways. This is about giving local people more choice and control, improving health and confidence and increasing opportunities for work.” 

Mayor Ward’s visit marks the next step in what organisers hope will be a long-lasting and impactful project for the Gamesley community.