Ambitions celebrates 10 years of socialising in Ashton

Around 100 people gather every Tuesday at The Old Fire Station in Ashton as the volunteer-run charity marks a decade of supporting adults with additional needs.

A Tameside charity has celebrated 10 years of bringing people together for friendship, fun, and entertainment, with a special anniversary party at The Old Fire Station pub in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Ambitions, a voluntary, not-for-profit community organisation supporting adults with learning and physical disabilities, marked the milestone on October 13th, with an evening of live music, entertainment, and celebrations.

The event featured two live singers, a magician, a fire show, a caricaturist, a photo booth, a DJ, a photographer, and a complimentary buffet. The Mayor of Tameside also attended, joining members, families, carers, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate the charity’s work over the past decade.

For the past 10 years The Old Fire Station has hosted Ambitions’ weekly Tuesday night social gatherings. Around 100 people attend each week, enjoying music, entertainment, and the opportunity to socialise, make friends, and build confidence in a welcoming environment.

The initiative is entirely volunteer-run, with around five volunteers helping out each Tuesday. At its heart are organisers Jonathan and Stephanie Griffiths-Barnes, whose dedication, alongside that of the wider team, has helped establish the evenings as a much-loved part of the local community.

The charity also organises day trips and holidays, giving members opportunities to enjoy new experiences, develop their independence, and feel connected to their community.

Laurie and Ant, the landlady and landlord of The Old Fire Station, said: “We absolutely love having Ambitions here every Tuesday. To see around 100 people coming together every week, enjoying themselves, making friends and having such a brilliant time is something really special.

“Jonathan, Stephanie and all the volunteers are incredible. The time, energy and commitment they put into making these evenings happen is amazing, and they do it all because they genuinely care about the people who come along.

“We’re incredibly proud that The Old Fire Station has been home to Ambitions for the past 10 years. For us, this is exactly what a community pub should be about. It’s somewhere people can come together, feel welcome, make friends and enjoy themselves.”

Jonathan and Stephanie Griffiths-Barnes, organisers of Ambitions, said the anniversary was an opportunity to recognise everyone who had contributed to the charity over the years.

They said: “Celebrating 10 years at The Old Fire Station is an incredibly proud moment for us. What makes Ambitions so special is the people who come along every week, the friendships that have developed and the confidence and happiness these evenings bring.

“We’re very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of volunteers who give their time to make everything happen. It’s a real team effort, and we’re so grateful to Laurie, Ant and everyone at The Old Fire Station for their continued support.

“We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our fantastic members, carers, parents and, especially, our wonderful volunteers. Without them, there would be no Ambitions.

“The entertainment at our special celebration was truly exceptional and captured the spirit of what Ambitions represents. There is genuinely no party like an Ambitions party.”

The organisers also thanked the charity’s committee members and volunteers for their work behind the scenes and on the front line.

The anniversary marks a decade of community support, with the partnership between Ambitions and The Old Fire Station demonstrating how local venues can provide valuable spaces for people to socialise, develop friendships and feel welcome.

The celebrations will continue with a special charity fundraising day at The Old Fire Station on Saturday, November 14th. Organised in partnership with Ambitions, the event is set to feature live entertainment, raffles, a food van, and more, with the local community invited to attend and support the charity’s ongoing work.

Anyone interested in becoming a member, volunteering, or supporting Ambitions can contact the charity on 07977 075998 or email stephanie@ambitions.org.uk or jonathan@ambitions.org.uk.

More information is available at www.ambitions.org.uk or through Ambitions on Facebook and TikTok.

To see more photos from the 10th anniversary celebrations, see the Tameside Reporter Facebook or Instagram pages.