News: Students celebrate social enterprise café success

Visitors to Ulley Country Park in Rotherham are enjoying tasty homemade treats, thanks to a pioneering social enterprise that is helping students with special educational needs and disabilities to prepare for life after college.

Launched last June, the ROC Café was developed through a unique collaboration between Ulley Country Park and Rotherham Opportunities College. Operated by students with physical and learning disabilities and/or autism under the watchful eye of experienced catering co-ordinator, Gaynor Cooper, the café operates every Tuesday and Thursday.

The ROC Café has already helped more than 40 students to develop practical life skills, with the underlying aim of helping them to live as independently as possible in adulthood, as well as securing future employment within the hospitality industry.

Working under supervision, students spend time serving customers, preparing food, as well as learning about customer service.

Many of the tasty snacks and treats sold in the ROC Café are prepared by students in college, using locally sourced meat, fruit and vegetables and bread.

To date, the café has received rave reviews from visitors to the park, as well as achieving a five-star food hygiene rating, the highest available.

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Dr Perdita Mousely, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “Many of our students look forward to spending time in the café, and for many it is one of the highlights of the college week. Our mission at Rotherham Opportunities College is to equip our learners with the vital skills to enjoy rich and fulfilling lives in adulthood, and providing work experience in a safe, welcoming environment has helped many of our learners go on to secure jobs in the hospitality industry after successfully completing their studies. The café is one of a number of activities we deliver in college to help our students to feel connected to the local community.

"Time spent working in the café helps our students to develop important life skills, including how to communicate effectively, preparing food safely and learning about handling money. The café also forms an important part of our commitment towards investing in the local community. Through our collaborations with local businesses, visitors are able to enjoy a wide range of tasty, home-cooked produce, and it’s been truly heart-warming to hear the positive feedback we’ve received from visitors.”

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Victoria Cusworth said: “We want Rotherham to be a great place to grow up, where all children and young people are safe, valued, able to enjoy their lives, achieve their aspirations and get the best possible start in life.

“We’re pleased to welcome the students in the café, and we can see the positive impact it has had on the visitor experience at Ulley Country Park. Taking part has helped students to achieve a greater sense of independence and personal growth by developing their skills as they prepare for adulthood.”

Based in Rotherham town centre, Rotherham Opportunities College is an independent specialist college that supports young adults aged 16-25 who have learning disabilities and/or autism.

The college provides tailored education programmes, which take a holistic approach towards understanding the individual needs of each student, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to live independently, secure employment and build rich and fulfilling lives during adulthood.

Rotherham Opportunities College website

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News: New "Dining Room" experience launching in Rotherham

Something new is being added to the menu in Rotherham. Chef’s Counter, a pioneering local hospitality events company, has announced the grand opening of its first permanent site, and it is set to be in Rotherham town centre.

Not just about culinary excellence, the Sheffield-based social enterprise is dedicated to providing supported employment to individuals interested in pursuing careers in hospitality. With Chris Hanson, who spent seven years at Blend Kitchen, it has been running food events across a variety of underused spaces.

A permanent site is set to open next month inside a former hairdressers in the Imperial Buildings in Rotherham town centre.

Chef’s Counter has a proven track record of success, having hosted numerous sold-out public dining events in unique venues around Sheffield since its inception in 2023. From American diner food at the Millenium Gallery to a pie and pea super at Samuel Worth Chapel. The bespoke corporate hospitality service, “Business Bites,” has also garnered attention and bookings from across South and West Yorkshire.

Chris Hanson, founder and chef at Chef’s Counter, said: “Since our inception, Chef’s Counter has been about more than just food. It’s about community, inclusivity, and providing opportunities for those facing barriers to employment. With the launch of our first permanent dining room in Rotherham, we’re excited to expand our reach and continue making a positive impact in the region.”

The Victorian, Grade II listed, Imperial Building, was restored by developer, Illiad as part of the Rotherham Renaissance initiative in 2008 creating nearly 9,000 sq ft of retail space and 19 residential apartments around an Edwardian-era arcade with gallery space in the centre.

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In preparation for the opening of a permanent site, Chef’s Counter has launched a crowd funder appeal to raise money for the launch.

The Crowdfunder page reads: "Since our first invite only event in June 2023 and our latest sold out Saturday Night Dinner event in February 2024, Chef's Counter have cooked for over 2,000 people, won the collaboration excellence category at Sheffield Business Awards, had a mention from Jay Rayner in the Guardian, generated thousands of pounds additional revenue for local charities and community groups, created supported employment for 8 people overcoming barriers to enter the workplace (ranging from overcoming substance misuse, homelessness to living with long term mental and physical health conditions) and finally cooked alot of delicious food!

"We now need some help. So far hiring spaces on an ad hoc basis from local charities and community groups has been fine in terms of meeting the demand for our services. The reality now is we're getting busier and busier with more people booking onto our expanded public events programme and companies taking up our delicious business bites offering. So we've decided we need a permanent space that we can use as and when we need it rather than fitting round other groups.

"This year is about establishing Chef's Counter as a regional business, so in our search for a permanent site we've spread our wings a little bit further than Sheffield. We also want to use this opportunity to expand our events programme, create more jobs and bring some life back to areas that have been left behind a bit. We also want to create a model that is easy to replicate in other towns and cities as we continue to grow and expand in the years ahead.

"We're pleased to announce that we have found the perfect space in Rotherham. After viewing several locations over the last couple of months we came across Unit 8, part of the Imperial Building in the centre of Rotherham. We are now in a position to turn the space below into our first Chef's Counter dining room. The space will include a production & development kitchen to service all our upcoming South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire events as well as opportunity for guests to enjoy our food onsite."

Chef's Counter website

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News: Rotherham community hub seeks helping hands

An enterprising Rotherham mum is using her entrepreneurial skills honed as a personal fitness trainer and aerobics instructor to help strengthen a healthy sense of community.

Last year, Jodie Goodall “swooped in” to take over the lease of a long vacant community centre in the Brecks area of Rotherham and bring it back to life as a hub of activity – hosting everything from her own fitness classes to indoor bowls, craft clubs and charity events.

But now the hub on Brecks Crescent needs help if it is to continue to be a base for the local community.

Jodie, a director of the JRG Fitness and The Brecks Community Hub CIC, explained: “I used to hire the space for fitness classes and then the long-term tenant called time on their stewardship of the community centre and as a result of the pandemic the centre remained out of action for a few years.

“I’d always dreamed of owning my own gym and fitness centre so I swooped in and took on the lease of the building. Since then I have worked hard to bring the hub back to life and a centre for the community.

“Now we need extra pairs of hands to keep building on what we have.”

Other uses include baby and toddler sessions, classes for yoga, pilates and karate, and a diabetes support group. It operates as a community interest company – a not-for-profit organisation with the money generated ploughed back into the Brecks Community Hub.

JRG Fitness and Jodie’s Aerobics started eight years ago when Jodie trained in providing group exercise following the birth of her child. It also meant learning about how to start and run a business, in this case, a social enterprise.

The Social Enterprise Exchange has provided support around structuring the business and help with finding funding. The ERDF-funded programme promotes social entrepreneurship and provides support for start-up and established social enterprises through grants, mentoring and specialist advice.

Jodie said: “It’s always been in my nature to help others, whether that’s through helping people with fitness or training, or in previous work helping refugees with their English.

“With the classes and the hub I like the fact that I’m bringing people in, bringing people together, using the space. The more people that use it, you feed off that buzz.”

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Whilst rewarding, Jodie is conscious of the effect that taking on the management of a community centre alongside running her own business has had on her own health. She is looking for more volunteers to help keep the space open and available for the local community.

“Even if it is just opening up, making teas and coffees, a bit of cleaning or playing games,“ Jodie said.

“I don’t want to give the lease back but I have to think about me and burning out.

“A volunteer caretaker would be bloody amazing.”

Volunteers’ Week recently took place at the start of June. This year, as well as thanking people who already volunteer, the focus was on inspiring more people to take up volunteering.

As well as helping others, volunteering can help improve volunteers’ wellbeing too. It can help with learning new skills, gaining experience and boosting confidence.

The Brecks community will be on hand to support new volunteers. Recent activity has seen a large overgrown area of the site cleared by a group of volunteers from Voluntary Action Rotherham – the idea is to create an area for a community of growers and gardeners. A skilled woodworker also volunteered their time to make a new bench for outside the centre.

Jodie concluded: “People really like the space and I always hear comments about how good it is to see it back open. We just need people to keep using it, and more groups to use it. And that means we need more volunteers.”

Brecks Community Hub website
Social Enterprise Exchange website

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News: Experts offer introduction to social enterprise

Enterprising people looking to make a positive impact in South Yorkshire are being given a chance to start their journeys from firm foundations with a free introductory workshop delivered by social enterprise experts.

Produced for Social Enterprise Exchange by Sheffield Live! and hosted at The Circle, Sheffield on April 17 and 18, the two-day workshop is aimed at anyone thinking of starting a business, going freelance, who wants to give something back to society, or just wants to find out more about social enterprise.

Social enterprises are businesses run for a social or environmental purpose. The sector is varied with social enterprises involved in things like culture, sport, arts, health, education and food.

Working throughout South Yorkshire and the Sheffield City Region, Social Enterprise Exchange promotes social entrepreneurship and provides support for start-up and established social enterprises through grants, mentoring and specialist advice.

Attendees will need to complete an online form via the Social Enterprise Exchange website and be registered onto the programme.

Using the experience of supporting over 1,000 social entrepreneurs and social enterprises over the last five years, the experts will take attendees through the basics, from first principles to marketing, finance and getting organised.

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Social Enterprise Exchange is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020 and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Steve Buckley, project director at Social Enterprise Exchange, said: “This is an ideal opportunity for local people who are thinking about social enterprise and the potential to do good things in the region.

“The sector is growing, and is playing a vital role in the economy, but we need more social entrepreneurs with that spark, experience, knowledge or passion, or with thoughts about how they can run their current business or community group in a different way, to get involved. We have the expertise to help you at every step of your enterprise journey.”

The workshop offers an opportunity to find out more about starting up in social enterprise, with the opportunity to explore early stage ideas and to gain a practical understanding of social enterprise basics. Experienced social enterprise advisors and coaches will be joined by guest speakers to inspire and guide you.

The workshop is open to individuals and groups who are based in any one or more of the following local authority areas: Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster, North East Derbyshire, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Day 1 – Monday 17 April, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
– what do we mean by social enterprise?
– from first ideas to action planning
– market research and concept testing
– marketing and communications strategy

Day 2 – Tuesday 18 April, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
– developing the social enterprise business model
– financial planning and forecasting
– access to start-up finance
– getting organised – management and legal structures

Free lunch and refreshments provided.

Social Enterprise Exchange website

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News: Sheffield race equality commissioner poses questions for social enterprise sector

The power of people was picked out as being of paramount importance at a recent conference for social entrepreneurs that was described as “nourishing” and “energising” by attendees.

Sonia Gayle was the keynote speaker at the recent Social Enterprise Exchange Conference and spoke plainly and frankly about the findings of the Sheffield Race Equality Commission, published in the summer, and how they relate to social enterprise.

The Social Enterprise Exchange Conference was held at The Circle in Sheffield to mark Social Enterprise Day and attracted nearly 100 attendees. It was the largest organised by the Social Enterprise Exchange project since the easing of COVID restrictions.

The project, which has worked with over 1,000 social entrepreneurs and social enterprises over the last five years, is managed by a consortium of partners, CM Solutions, Sheffield Live!, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, Cultural Industries Quarter Agency, and Barnsley CVS.

The Sheffield Race Equality Commission urged key organisations in Sheffield to come together to create a city which actively fights racism.

Related to social enterprise, one recommendation focused on Sheffield in community life, with the emphasis on inclusion, cohesion and confidence. Gayle, who was born in Pitsmoor, talked about improving consultation and engagement, equity and fairness in funding decisions, support on grant applications and issues around housing.

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Gayle discussed her charity role and measuring impact - making a difference in people’s lives. And on the work of the commission, Gayle said: “The social enterprise sector needs to carefully review the recommendations and findings and actually consider: have we been a part of this unwittingly, unconsciously? Can we actually be part of the solution? When we talk about serving the community, which lies at the heart of social enterprise, does your organisation at all levels truly reflect the community that it serves?"

Gayle also asked social enterprises to “recognise the challenges - the real challenges that are faced - by our black and minority ethnic social enterprises” and offer them support, employment, office space, services, outsourcing and help with grant funding.

Concluding her speech Gayle said: “The stakes here are very high. Even as we enter another age of austerity, doing nothing is simply not an option. It’s not just about money, I know money is tight, this is about having the will to do a good job and to work in partnership. I think that if we all join up together we can achieve a great deal indeed.”

Also on the day, attendees, who ranged from those just starting on their social enterprise journey to more established social entrepreneurs, enjoyed panel discussions, in-depth workshops and networking. Topics ranged from the cost of living crisis to environmental concerns.

Terry Murphy, Network Coordinator at the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network said that he found the event nourishing and that it highlighted the power of people and the power of individuals coming together.

Murphy said: “It was an opportunity for people to connect and share learning. It was just a way for us to revitalise that energy because we are living through really challenging times, and people are fatigued and demotivated, so events like this are really important to build that energy again in the network.

“We live in a society that preaches individualism and division and what an event like this shows is that, by having people coming here that lead busy lives, and have lots of things to do, how important it is to come together as a group and show that power of community, especially in difficult times.”

Social Enterprise Exchange is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020 and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Social Enterprise Exchange website

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News: Fundraising at Rotherham soapmaker in the hands of the crowd

A Rotherham-based social enterprise transforming the lives of homeless people has launched a £50,000 Crowdfunder - as a ‘perfect storm’ pushes more people onto the streets.

Inspirational Labre’s Hope in Parkgate pays people experiencing homelessness a living wage to create planet-friendly and luxury soaps or candles. Now the team are launching a fundraising drive to continue and expand that work once their initial Government funding finishes in December.

It comes after figures showed the number of households with children in Sheffield facing homelessness more than doubled last year.

High energy bills, the cost-of-living crisis and end of the Covid eviction ban are also expected to impact on homelessness figures.

Aaron Probert, who founded Labre’s Hope after hearing the heart-breaking story of a rough sleeper on a Sheffield street, said: “There is a perfect storm of factors all hitting people simultaneously which can only lead to more homelessness nationally.

“We’ve seen some of our workers being asked to pay six months rent in advance which is impossible, even for people in high income jobs.

“It’s been incredible to see how we’ve helped people break the cycle of homelessness and change their lives through employment, but we need to do more. “We want to continue our work in South Yorkshire and eventually expand right across the country.

“People who are able to back our Crowdfunder will become part of our journey and have a powerful impact on the lives of vulnerable people in society.”

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The new Crowdfunding campaign will aim to raise £50,000, with donations of up to £250 match funded by insurance company Aviva.

Hand-made vegan soaps and soap or candle making experiences are among the rewards available in return.

Danny Wathall is one of the formerly homeless people whose life has been turned around thanks to Labre’s Hope - he now teaches soap making to others. He said: “Anybody can become homeless - I should know, it happened to me.

“In 2019 I ended up homeless, sleeping in sheds, sometimes beds. I got in touch with mental health services who put in touch with some support then everything changed thanks to Labre’s Hope.”

Labre’s Hope is named after the patron saint of homelessness Saint Benedict Joseph Labre. It received £500,000 from the Government’s UK Community Renewal Fund but those funds must be used by December 2022.

Labre's Hope website
Crowdfunder website

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News: Sustainability and social enterprise in the spotlight at conference

Entrepreneurs that are helping to make our society and environment better places to live are gathering in Sheffield this week to discuss a sustainable future.

Social Enterprise Exchange Conference 2022 on November 17 is set to cover a host of topics ranging from the cost of living crisis to environmental concerns.

Working throughout South Yorkshire and the Sheffield City Region, Social Enterprise Exchange promotes social entrepreneurship and provides support for start-up and established social enterprises through grants, mentoring and specialist advice.

Project partners are hosting the in-person event to mark Social Enterprise Day.

Free to attend, the event takes place at The Circle, in Sheffield city centre, from 9:30am - 3pm. Bookings are open now and can be made online via the Social Enterprise Exchange website.

Social Enterprise Exchange is managed by a consortium of partners, Barnsley CVS, CM Solutions, Cultural Industries Quarter Agency, Sheffield Live! Sheffield Social Enterprise Network and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation.

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The conference will include speeches, panel discussions, in-depth workshops and plenty of opportunities for networking. Lunch is being supplied by Blend Kitchen, a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Sheffield.

The event’s keynote speaker is Sonia Gayle, a commissioner on the Sheffield Race Equality Commission. Sonia’s previous roles include financial services director (HSBC, Barclays) and an ex-UK regulator. Sonia also volunteers for the British Red Cross and is a member of the Sheffield NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust.

Expert panellists and workshops will focus on topics key to sustainability and social enterprise, from people, profit and the planet, to culture and community spaces, education and housing.

Steve Buckley, project director at Social Enterprise Exchange, said: “Our 2022 conference is timely in the face of multiple challenges – political, economic, social and environmental. It is open to all involved or interested in social enterprise and will give attendees the chance to connect with others to build a sustainable future.

“Social Enterprise Exchange partners have worked with over 1000 social entrepreneurs and social enterprises over the last five years. Our region’s social enterprises are playing a vital role in supporting people and communities with services ranging from health and social care, to food, transport and environment.”

Social Enterprise Exchange is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020 and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Social Enterprise Exchange website

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News: Rotherham enterprise launches first range of ethically produced soaps

A community interest company in Rotherham, which is embarking upon a long-term mission to support some of the region’s most vulnerable people, has launched its first range of hand-made soaps.

The new product range marks a significant milestone for Parkgate-based Labre’s Hope, which was founded by young entrepreneurs Aaron Probert and Joash Nelson Piercy earlier this year in a bid to provide vital support to tackle long-term homelessness as well as offering a unique chance for individuals who have found themselves living on the streets to rebuild their lives.

Since March, Labre’s Hope has been working in close collaboration with the South Yorkshire Housing Association and homeless charity Crisis. The company has successfully supported 18 people and currently employs 13 members of staff, all of whom have been affected by homelessness.

Each employee not only receives a living wage to help them secure a home of their own, they are also supported by weekly coaching and wellbeing sessions to help them learn the skills needed to enjoy a clean start to their lives. Face-to-face employment support is also provided to help them realise their career goals.

The first range of soaps will feature five different scents designed to help relax, reinvigorate and refresh and are manufactured using plant-based sustainably sourced materials. The soaps are specially formulated to be gentle to the skin and avoid using products that are harmful to the environment such as palm oil, commonly used in soap production. As a finishing touch, the packaging of each bar of soap is signed by its maker, creating a connection between consumer and producer.

Following the launch, the soaps will be available from the company’s Parkgate-based headquarters as well as available via the company’s website. Aaron Probert hopes that the new product range will help to raise awareness of the complex issues surrounding homelessness.

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Aaron Probert, Founder, Labre’s Hope, said: “The launch of our first product range is a significant milestone for Labre’s Hope and the result of many months of planning, development and preparation. When we launched the business in March, it was our long-term vision to rethink the way we view homelessness, by not only addressing the root causes that can result in someone losing their home but crucially, equipping those we support with the vital skills to help them to rebuild their lives.

Many people who find themselves homeless are often trapped in a vicious circle, which can prevent them from returning to the workforce. However, homelessness is a complex issue and we recognised that it was vital to create a supportive environment, which not only provides a chance to learn new skills, but crucially, provides emotional and mental health support. I am hopeful that Labre’s Hope will illustrate that businesses can play an important role when it comes to supporting some of the most vulnerable members of society, and if successful, we hope to roll out our business model across the UK in the future.”

Labre’s Hope was founded by Aaron Probert and Joash Nelson Piercy in March 2022. Aaron first began developing his ideas whilst studying towards his business degree, and his plan was the result of a chance encounter with a homeless woman who was forced to leave the family home after experiencing domestic abuse, leading to alcohol dependency as a way to escape her problems and social isolation. The experience led Aaron to develop a new business model, which placed social accountability at the heart of entrepreneurship.

The result of Aaron’s work was Labre’s Hope. The company is named after Benedict Labre, a Franciscan monk who turned his back on his affluent family background to adopt the life of a pilgrim, travelling to holy sites across Europe on foot and subsisting by relying on the kindness of strangers. He was canonised following his death and is now regarded as being the patron saint of homelessness.

Labre’s Hope was launched in March 2022 and has secured more than half a million pounds through the government’s Community Renewal Fund and is part funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Labre’s Hope website

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News: Gulliver’s Valley to host Employment is for Everyone event

South Yorkshire businesses are being urged to attend the launch of a new project focused on creating employment opportunities for autistic people and those with learning disabilities.

Gulliver’s Valley is hosting the Employment is for Everyone launch event, which will share solutions for local businesses to fill vacancies and retain staff.

The free event takes place at the Rotherham theme park resort from 9.30am to 1pm on Tuesday, June 14.

Employment is for Everyone is creating a movement across South Yorkshire to increase employment opportunities for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.

The movement has been created through the collaboration between four local community enterprises (Speakup, DEXX, Artworks and EDLounge) and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. It came about following a South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care System (ICS) event and the ICS continue to endorse the project.

The event, held in collaboration with Gulliver’s Valley, RMBC/RiDO and DFN Project SEARCH, will show employers how inclusive hiring strategies can overcome recruitment issues while helping to achieve social value commitments.

Market leaders will also discuss the benefits of encouraging diversity in the workplace and share success stories. Information on supported internships and employment will be available for employers to learn more.

There will also be networking opportunities and attendees will receive a free lunch.

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Andy Flowers, resort manager at Gulliver’s Valley, said: “At a time when many South Yorkshire businesses are struggling with recruitment, this is a great initiative with which we are proud to partner.

“Gulliver’s Valley is a flexible and inclusive employer and we hope this unique event will help other employers in the region see the benefits of this approach to recruitment.”

Jodie Bradley – Founding member of Employment is for Everyone, said: “We can’t wait to launch Employment is for Everyone at Gulliver’s Valley.

“Being in employment transforms people’s lives. It also has a positive impact on business productivity and its employees. We know businesses across South Yorkshire are facing significant challenges in terms of recruitment and filling vacancies.

“We also know that businesses across our region like to be market leaders and have a competitive edge. Together with our partners, we believe we have some of the solutions to the recruitment issues local businesses face.”

To register for the event, visit: https://bit.ly/3KRrOBc

Images: Gulliver's

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News: New digital radio licence for Rotherham awarded

Shefcast Digital, a consortium of community media organisations has been awarded the licence to establish the new digital audio broadcasting (DAB) service for Sheffield and Rotherham, it was announced by Ofcom, the communications regulator.

Community radio stations Link FM, Redroad FM and Sheffield Live! have joined forces with community benefit society, Sheffield Community Media, to develop the new DAB network. The joint venture, Shefcast Digital, has been set up as a social enterprise and is supported by Sheffield-based media development agency, CM Solutions, and by the national Community Media Association.

At the end of 2020, Ofcom announced that bids had been received from Media Arts and Culture Limited, Shefcast Digital Limited and Sheffield & Rotherham DAB Limited.

Shefcast Digital promises to bring around 25 new local, community and specialist radio services to digital radio audience. Heads of terms are in place for prospective service providers including RB1 Radio and Rother Radio, the online stations that sprang up after Bauer Media merged a number of local radio stations that it had acquired, including Rother FM.

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Steve Buckley, chair of the locally-led and community-owned Shefcast Digital said: “We are delighted Ofcom has selected our community-led consortium for this first competitively awarded Small-Scale DAB licence. Shefcast Digital promises to bring more than 20 new digital radio services to listeners in Sheffield and Rotherham, increasing choice and catering for a diversity of interests.”

Trevor Grossett of Rotherham’s Redroad FM said: “We are delighted with this news of the licence being awarded to our consortium and are looking forward to joining the the new DAB platform.”

Bill Best of the national Community Media Association said: “The CMA welcomes the award of the Sheffield and Rotherham DAB licence to Shefcast Digital. Local and community ownership of this new tier of DAB services is the best guarantee for local content and social value.”

With a band of volunteers, Redroad is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee which provides a youth radio station for south Rotherham. Based at Kiveton Park, it began its full time radio service in 2010.

Shefcast Digital website

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News: Rotherham start-up empowers care-experienced young people

A Rotherham-based organisation working with care-experienced young people is continuing its mission of empowering individuals and facilitating independence after receiving a grant from UKSE.

Established by Charlotte Elliott at the beginning of last year, Affinity 2020 provides individualised support services for those aged 0-25, equipping care-experienced young people with employability skills, arts and leadership experiences and knowledge about their health and wellbeing.

As the recipients of a UKSE kickstart grant, Affinity 2020 has been able to develop their website, drastically improving their key communication platform.

Centred around the goal of empowering individuals and instilling independence, Affinity 2020 is on track to create £1000 worth of cultural leadership opportunities for every care-given young person in Rotherham by 2030.

Through helping to secure equality of opportunity across five key areas – employment, health, education, culture and leadership – Affinity 2020 is playing a crucial role in breaking down barriers faced by care-experienced young people.

Having taken on the role of foster sister in her late teens and early 20s, Charlotte gained first-hand insight into the world of care and, upon approaching 40, decided to take the leap and establish Affinity 2020.

Currently, the organisation is developing a parental pedagogy programme over five Local Authorities, helping ex-care children who are facing problems as new parents by imparting knowledge, skills and understanding, encouraging them to develop of their own parenting styles in a safe space.

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Reflecting on the success of Affinity 2020, Charlotte said: “It’s been a great year for us and we’re already seeing the impact of our work, reflected in the personal development and achievements of young people in Rotherham.

“Thanks to the UKSE funding, we’ve been able to build our website, enabling quick and easy communication with those who we help.”

Charlotte added: “Having spent the past decade working in education leadership, I’ve seen first-hand the discrepancies in attainment which affect care-given children. For example, only 7% passed their GCSEs in English and Maths at Level 5 in comparison to 40% nationally.

“Now more so than ever, care-experienced people require support to make sure that they are not further disadvantaged following the pandemic. Creating equality of opportunity is therefore at the centre of everything we do.”

Keith Williams at UKSE commented: “It’s great to see Charlotte’s passion for this incredibly important initiative and I admire the work Affinity 2020 are doing to provide a range of skills and opportunities to those who have been disadvantaged in their early years.”

Affinity 2020 Facebook page
UKSE website

Images: Affinity

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News: Wath Hall campaigners close in on funding target

A local group is close to reaching its funding target so it can acquire the former Wath Town Hall in Rotherham and use it as a community hub.

Rothbiz reported last year that Rotherham Council had been presented with a option that would enable the building to be used for the benefit of the local community by a community interest group.

The proposal was unanimously approved and Wath Hall Preservation Society Ltd, a single purpose vehicle, and Wath Hall Ltd, current custodians, have been working hard to put together a business plan and funding bids alongside efforts to raise the required cash.

The core building is a Georgian mansion, which can be traced back to its construction in the 1770s. The Town Hall has been a Council owned property for over 100 years, firstly as the Town Hall for Wath Urban District Council and latterly as a branch office. It closed in 2011 and in 2015, the Council declared that the hall was surplus to requirements and its future became uncertain.

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Closing in on £90,000, the group has extended its share off until July 7. Reaching the target will provide the match funding to secure an extra £90,000 as the purchase and a basic programme of repairs to start to bring the hall back into use will cost at least £180,000.

Pledges of around £60,000 were initially made by philanthropic individuals towards the cost of purchase and on Tuesday the total had reached £86,750 through a community share offer.

Securing the property is the next stage in a long term plan to enable its development and restoration as a sustainable heritage centre, creative business hub and community facility.

The funding would also be used for essential repairs to enable the building to be partially brought back into use with creative business units and community rooms available for hire, mainly in the 1960s extension.

A future second phase is planned, to commence the major restoration works, requiring further capital grants. This could include the restoration of the former council chamber space, as it would have been in the 1920s.

Wath Hall website

Images: Wath Hall Ltd

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News: Community hub steps in as Council pulls out

A newly opened day centre in Rotherham has become the flagship location for a state-of-the-art Sensory Box designed to provide young adults with Autism a bespoke space for relaxation.

The Base Community Hub, which launched in October 2018 following Rotherham Borough Council's decision to close Oaks Day Centre, Wath, earlier in the year, promotes and facilitates learning, social interaction, sports and work experience for young adults with Autism and mild-moderate learning difficulties.

Supported by a £500 grant from the UK Steel Enterprise Kickstart Fund, business owners Michelle Harris and Anthony Wilson are delighted to have the centre as the flagship location for a brand new, high-tech Sensory Box which was developed in China and supplied by Paul Robinson of Ego-Podzone.

The Box, which is the first of its kind in the UK, fully equipped with air conditioning, colour changing lights, an LED interactive screen and a plush interior, is a fully adaptable environment that facilitates well-being and relaxation, allowing users to tailor the space to their own requirements.

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Michelle Harris, co-founder of The Base Community Hub, said: "Following the closure of a number of day centres in and around the area, there was a growing need to offer alternative activities for adults with learning difficulties.

"At The Base Community Hub, users can benefit from tailor made packages that encompass learning, social activities as well as general well-being.

"Coming from a background in Design Engineering, my goals has always been to bring STEM learning to disabled children and, with both myself and Anthony being qualified English Athletics Coaches, we wanted to incorporate fitness into the schedule as part of a wider push for well-being and social interaction."

Currently a core team of two with a number of volunteers in training to support the running of the activities, The Base Community Hub are looking to expand the team and are planning to take on a further four members of staff in the New Year.

UK Steel Enterprise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. Its Kickstart Fund provides grants of up to £500 to start-up businesses to purchase essential equipment and or services that can get them trading.

Alan Stanley from UKSE (pictured, right), said: "It goes without saying that Michelle and Anthony are providing a much needed service for the area and it's amazing to hear that The Base Community Hub is the flagship location for the Sensory Box!

"Our Kickstart grant scheme is designed to support the growth potential of budding entrepreneurs and their businesses and it's been a pleasure to support such a crucial facility that I'm sure many people will benefit from for years to come."

Base Community Hub website
UKSE website

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News: Councillors consider future of Wath Hall

The former Wath Town Hall in Rotherham could about to be transferred over to a social enterprise or local group and be used as a community hub.

Rothbiz reported in May that Rotherham Council had surprised those aiming to save the building when it began an exercise earlier this year to gather expressions of interest for "the possible freehold disposal, commercial lease or asset transfer lease of Wath Town Hall."

The leading option, set to be agreed this month, will enable the building to be used for the benefit of the local community by a community interest group.

The Town Hall has been a Council owned property for over 100 years, firstly as the Town Hall for Wath Urban District Council and latterly as a branch office for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. In 2015, the Council authority declared that the hall was surplus to requirements and its future became uncertain.

A social enterprise called Wath Hall Ltd. was set up to save Wath Town Hall for community use and took on the task of renovating and redecorating the ground floor as it looked to establish a number of uses for the building - a heritage centre, community education hub, cafe and small business centre. It took on a lease but has been seeking a long term lease at a peppercorn rent.

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Later this month, Rotherham's cabinet and commissioners are set to approve the option to to dispose of the grade II listed building in accordance with the statutory procedures for disposal of Assets of Community Value.

The site extends to approximately 1.65 acres and the building on Church Street was originally built in 1770 and occupies the site of a fourteenth century manor house. Wath Hall Ltd worked to secure the site as a registered Asset of Community Value in 2016, giving it additional protection from development.

Despite a proposal to dispose of the property to Wath Hall Ltd, the Asset of Community Value nomination gives community interest groups a right to bid on the property.

If the option is approved, other groups will need to come forward during an initial six week period in order to be treated as a potential bidder. If none do so, then the asset can be disposed of at the end of the six weeks. If a request is made, the remainder of a moratorium period will operate. During this time, the Council are free to market the property and negotiate a disposal but may not exchange contracts.

Recommended reading: Rotherham: A City with Heart of steel and Yorkshire Soul

Once the six month period expires, the Council will be free to dispose of the property as they see fit. The Council can dispose of property at less than best value if it considers that it will help to secure the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of its area.

Rory Hague, estates surveyor at Rotherham Council, explains: "This is the recommended option because it would allow the District Office to be used for the benefit of the local community by a community interest group. Wath Hall Ltd are such a group but other community interest groups would have the opportunity to bid during the statutory moratorium period.

"If no bids from community interest groups result in completion being achieved during the statutory moratorium period the District Office would be disposed of at market value."

Images: RMBC

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News: Rotherham bus company acquired by social enterprise

HCT Group has completed its first commercial acquisition, purchasing Rotherham's Powells Bus for an undisclosed sum.

With a depot at Hellaby, Powells Bus Company Ltd is a family run bus service which operates local bus services, school buses and private hire services in the Rotherham and Doncaster areas. Founded in 1996, it has a fleet of approximately 30 vehicles.

HCT Group started out as Hackney Community Transport in 1982 when around 30 local community groups in the London Borough of Hackney pooled their vehicle resources. A new business model was launched in the 1990s based on social impact and a commercial focus has seen the group expand to merge with other community transport providers across the UK.

Dai Powell, chief executive of HCT Group, said: "We have been working in Yorkshire as CT Plus since 2004 and are looking to expand our operations.

"We have been looking for three things in our first acquisition. The first was a business that was a good match for our own in terms of services operated. The second was a business where there were significant opportunities for growth. The third is arguably the most important – we believe that local services have a real social impact for communities and we sought out an operator that felt the same way.

"We think that this acquisition is a sign of things to come for HCT Group. A social enterprise buying a commercial operator – with a view to turning it into a social enterprise – is a great way of providing public services for public benefit."

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Ian Powell, of Powells Bus, added: "HCT Group have the resources and expertise to help take Powells Bus to the next level – pursuing new opportunities and growing the organisation."

Jane Powell, of Powells Bus, said: "HCT Group really understands the ethos we have built here at Powells. They have a genuine track record of providing local services in the communities where they work – and, like us, they know what our services mean to the people that use them; that they are vital lifelines."

HCT Group said that it has plans to grow the business and that no jobs are at risk from the move.

With a turnover of £202k in 1993, HCT Group is now a large scale social enterprise with 1,200 employees, more than a dozen depots spread across London, Yorkshire, the Southwest, the Northwest and the Channel Islands, a fleet of 625 vehicles and a 2016/17 turnover of £49.6m.

Powells Bus website
HCT Group website

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News: Ministry of Food to close in Rotherham

The Ministry of Food in Rotherham town centre is to close later this month, the charity operating the healthy eating initiative has confirmed.

Rising premises costs, a withdrawal of funding from Rotherham Council for services and a reluctance of charities to replace the funding, means cooking courses will come to an end at the All Saints Square premises.

The Rotherham centre was the first in the country when it opened in 2008 as part of Jamie Oliver's TV series and remained open with the help of £130,000 a year from Rotherham Council. It became a social enterprise in 2010, enabling it to achieve financial stability and to bid for funding.

The premises closed temporarily in 2013 amid health and safety concerns but it underwent a refresh in 2014 after being taken over by Leeds-based charity, Zest - Health for Life.

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Now the charity has issued a statement confirming the closure. It read: "With great sadness the Ministry of Food Rotherham will be closing its doors for good at the end of August 2017.

"Jamie's Ministry of Food can reflect on a fantastic legacy having made a genuine and positive contribution to improve adults health and wellbeing in Rotherham.

"Sadly our three year contract with RMBC to deliver Ministry of Food cooking courses ends in August 2017 and the Council have decided not to refund cooking skills services in the town in the current economic climate.

"With the reluctance of charitable trusts to replace statuary funding, and increasing premises costs, Zest has been unable to attract the significant amount of other funding required to secure a sustainable future for the project. It is therefore with great regret that we will shortly be closing the Ministry of Food Rotherham with the loss of four jobs and a great loss of provision to the people of Rotherham."

When setting its budgets for 2017/18, Rotherham Council, which estimated a £42m financial gap over the next two years, reported that an agreement was in place for a planned reduction of revenue funding support for Ministry of Food from the end of September 2017. £40,000 in savings was budgeted for 2017/18 and 2018/19 from the Assistant Chief Executive's budget with £32,500 in savings budgeted for 2017/18 and 2018/19 from the Public Health budget.

An event to mark the success of the project in recent years is being held on August 17.

Jamie's Ministry of Food website

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News: £2.4m plan to support social enterprise in Sheffield city region

Social Enterprise Exchange - a new initiative to support social enterprise across the Sheffield city region - has recently launched.

The project, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will provide specialist business support, access to start-up and development finance, and a programme of events to promote social entrepreneurship.

Social enterprises are alternative businesses which address social or environmental objectives. The Government is working with Local Enterprise Partnership (LEPs) across England to establish a network of private sector-led Growth Hubs connecting businesses to the right support including access to local and Government funded support services.

The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub acts as a gateway for businesses to access specialist support. It is working with, and will be signposting to, industry experts, including successful companies, consultancies, universities, Chambers of Commerce and local authorities, and national provision such as Innovate UK, UK Trade and Investment and a wide range of other business support partners.

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Steve Buckley, coordinator of the initiative, said: "There is a strong tradition of social enterprise in our region but the number of business start-ups is below the national average and people with great social enterprise ideas often face challenges turning them into viable business projects. Social Enterprise Exchange will address these issues by providing specialist advice and mentoring, and by assisting with access to finance."

The project has been developed by a consortium of community-based partners and will operate in collaboration with the Growth Hub.

Project partners include CM Solutions, Groundwork South Yorkshire, Cultural Industries Quarter Agency, Sheffield Live, South Yorkshire Community Foundation, Voluntary Action Barnsley and CVP Bolsover.

A roadshow event is being held in Rotherham on November 14 as an opportunity to find out more about Social Enterprise Exchange, to discuss the challenges and opportunities for social enterprise, to hear about local social enterprise success stories and to network with peers and social enterprise supporters.

Social Enterprise Exchange website

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News: £5.5m Northern Impact Fund launches for social enterprises

Key Fund, a long-standing investor in community and social enterprises, is delivering the Northern Impact Fund, aimed at new and early stage enterprises who are seeking finance to support growth.

Established in South Yorkshire in 1999, Key Fund has pioneered an approach to revitalise communities decimated by the collapse of the coal and steel industries. By first administering small social capital grants, under £10,000, to support community economic development and then moving into social investment products, with a focus on increasing financial and impact sustainability.

All Key Fund clients have been turned down by mainstream investors because they don't fit their lending criteria. Key Fund has directly invested over £35m since 1999, with an enviable track record in business success and an average loss rate of only 4.4% – despite its investments being higher risk on paper.

The Northern Impact Fund is now open to applications from social enterprises operating in the Midlands, North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.

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Matt Smith, CEO of the Key Fund, said: "With this fund we're offering finance of up to £150k, but typical investments will be around £50k, with up to 20% of the amount available as grant. The Key Fund was one of the early pioneers in this space, and our original model was based on a grant and loan mix, so we’re really excited to be going back to that original model. It’s long been our belief that grants can play a very important role in helping new and smaller social enterprise become more robust.

"We have always believed small organisations can deliver big impact in disadvantaged communities. In this current economic climate, we are seeing good businesses struggling and access to finance and support has never been so crucial, so we’re delighted to be delivering the Northern Impact Fund."

The grant is aimed to help cover the initial costs related to social impact, such as investing in training for young people and staff, as the enterprise gets up and running.

The Northern Impact Fund has received support from the Growth Fund, which is an initiative of Access – the Foundation for Social Investment. The Growth Fund has been designed to increase the availability of small, affordable, unsecured loans for charities and social enterprises. The Growth Fund totals £45m and provides a blend of loan from Big Society Capital and grant from the Big Lottery Fund, to social investors across England. This allows those social investors to offer smaller loans and take much greater risk than some other lenders are able to.

Seb Elsworth, chief executive of Access, said: "The blend of loan and grant, which we make available to social investors, like the Key Fund, means that they can provide smaller loans on affordable terms with appropriate support. We are also encouraging the development of partnerships which can help to open access to social investment for more charities and social enterprises to help them to sustain and grow their impact."

Key Fund website

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News: Latest round of £2.5m Skills & Opportunities Fund opens

Local projects aimed at boosting enterprise and self-employment are being targeted for support as part of a £2.5m fund set up by NatWest and The RBS Group.

The Skills & Opportunities Fund saw the banking group commit £2.5m last year to fund projects in charities, social enterprises, community groups, state-funded schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland. It is dedicated to supporting projects in disadvantaged communities that help people to help themselves by learning new skills, getting into the world of work or setting up their own business.

A further allocation of £2.5m is being split across two rounds in 2016 and applications to the fund are being invited as the latest round opens today (August 19). Eligible organisations can apply for up to £35,000 each.

From over 2,700 entries and 270 shortlisted organisations, the bank has supported 163 organisations since the fund opened in May 2015.

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Seven regions have their own decision making boards in order to distribute the funds. Although all regions will be looking to fund projects that enable people to help themselves, each will have differing priorities recognising regional differences.

Richard Topliss, ‎managing director at RBS Corporate Banking, North of England and chair of the North Board, explained: "For this round the North Board have focused on two specific areas of activity. Firstly, we want to fund projects that help people investigate self-employment and start their own business. We also want to support projects that aim to improve the financial education of disadvantaged people to help them manage their personal finances more effectively."

A shortlist of projects being considered for funding in each region will be published later in the year. Voting will then be open to the public and the outcome of the public vote will be taken into consideration by the regional judging panels.

Previous projects securing funding include AALFY in Sheffield (pictured), a social enterprise running the Learn|Create|Sell project - a creative and practical course for the unemployed. It is a collaboration with Hantu, a Sheffield-based fashion label. Each participant will be taught the skills to produce a commercial product on a laser cutter and a shop will then launch their start-up business.

Action for Business Ltd secured funding last year to help budding entrepreneurs in Bradford West set up sustainable companies through their Carlisle Business Centre. The funding goes towards a project aimed at maximising the entrepreneurial potential of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Skills & Opportunities Fund website

Images: AALFY

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News: £5m EU funding call to support Sheffield city region's economy

The Government has launched a call for proposals to apply for £1m of European funding to support SMEs, and £4m to support the shift to a low carbon economy in the Sheffield city region (SCR).

Structural funding from the EU is likely to be integral to meeting the targets in the Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP's) Growth Plan, which has set an ambitious target of creating 70,000 new jobs in the Sheffield city region (SCR) by 2023. The city region can expect £180m for 2014 to 2020 which brings together funding pots such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Six calls were made by the SCR last year in a bid to secure £17m for support in relation to international trade, investment into Enterprise Zones and innovation capital.

The first of two new bids focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by increasing capacity and capability and promoting entrepreneurship, specifically by providing support for social enterprises referred from the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub.

The Government is working with Local Enterprise Partnership (LEPs) across England to establish a network of private sector-led Growth Hubs connecting businesses to the right support including access to local and Government funded support services. Applicants under this call will need to demonstrate how activity and delivery will be coordinated and made accessible through the Growth Hub in the SCR.

£800,000 is made available within South Yorkshire (Transition Region), and £200,000 within the rest of Sheffield city region. Applicants are being called to submit bids for no less than £500,000 and projects should be for a maximum of three years.

The call states: "The European Structural Investment Fund Strategy recognises and promotes the role of social enterprises to deliver social as well as economic impacts thereby helping to address some of the entrenched inclusion challenges in the city region.

"Social Enterprises have particular barriers in relation to their unique business model which are not experienced by other businesses and due to the priority placed on social impact balanced against financial return.

"Social and Community Enterprises have a key role to play in growth of the city region and the city region's ambition to create sustainable growth, which benefits citizens and communities whilst growth GVA."

Deborah Egan OBE, LEP board member and chair of the Social Inclusion & Equalities Advisory Board, said: "From managing community pubs and open spaces to delivering home based care for the elderly, social enterprises play an increasingly important role in the fabric of our society.

"Sheffield City Region fully supports Social Enterprises, who can be the most innovative and agile companies in our commercial landscape."

The second call focuses on the shift towards a low carbon economy in all sectors and the use of funding to "deliver resource-saving options efficiently alongside other essential infrastructures and innovations that will help boost growth."

Funding research projects and implementation, priorities include: renewable fuels and energy, in particular wind energy, solar and biomass; the wider deployment of renewable heat such as micro-generation or district heating; energy efficiency measures for businesses; and low emission vehicles.

£3m is made available within South Yorkshire (Transition Region), and £1m within the rest of Sheffield city region. Applicants are being called to submit bids for no less than £1m with projects completed by June 2023.

Sheffield City Region LEP website

Images: European Commission

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