National Lottery cash to help deprived communities in Rotherham

The cash, from the Big Lottery Fund, went to Rotherham Federation of Communities (RotherFed) to be spent over the next three years in eight of the town’s most deprived areas.

It is hoped the money will encourage residents to become more engaged in life in their communities, have a voice and help influence positive change where they live.

The Voices and Choices project will train and directly employ four full time ‘Community Organisers’, who will support local people in getting their views listened to, help them to run their own activities and bring community groups together.

Steve Ruffle, Development Manager of RotherFed, said: “This project will meet real identified need.

“People told us from various communities that many of their voices exist in isolation and are not heard.”

RotherFed,based at Springwell Gardens Community Centre, Eastwood, helps communities to grow and develop, working with residents to build their sense of belonging, community pride and spirit.

Mr Ruffle added: “We work with and through grassroots community groups that are committed to bringing communities together, giving all communities a voice and creating local solutions to local issues.

“The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK and are responsible for giving out 40 per cent of the money raised by the National Lottery for good causes and invests over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.

“Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £33 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.”

For more information on the Voices and Choices project call 01709 368515.