'One Sheffield, Many Communities' scheme 'gives something back' to struggling families this summer
“We as council services are going to the community and working with them, helping to bring friendship and unity in the community”
Communities across Sheffield have been brought together through a series of free summer activities that are hoped to help those living with cost of living struggles.
In total, 20 events have been held across the city this summer through the council’s One Sheffield, Many Communities projects.
Families have been invited to everything from park fun days to sporting activities - all for free, with food and refreshments on offer for those attending.
“These events are really helping turn neighbours and strangers to friends and family,” said Adeel Zaman, community services manager at Sheffield City Council.
“We as council services are going to the community and working with them, helping to bring friendship and unity in the community.”
Adeel says the events have seen his team engage with more than 5,000 children and families, while working with local businesses to build out a wider support network that can support future activities.
He said that communities have “really got on board” with the council’s initiative, and that they have received support from volunteers hoping to improve their local spaces.
At an event in Edward Street Flats on Monday (August 24), children gathered around a play area in the courtyard, enjoying free meals, face painting and even an inflatable slide.
Volunteer Sam Mahmood, who is also a mum-of-three, said at the event that it’s “not easy to take the kids out every single day” of the summer holidays, but these offerings give families a small respite.
“People are struggling all over, not just Sheffield,” she added.
“We’re here to give something back - in the holidays it’s really expensive to take the kids out, so doing events like this just helps the parents, helps the children, helps communities come together.
“There’s people in these communities that might not see people day-in -day-out, but then they’ll bring their children or just come themselves to sit on a bench and talk to people.”
Alongside free activities, the events have also offered an opportunity for council services to interact directly with members of the community, bringing resources and advice about issues like the cost of living and housing to residents.
However, it has also been an opportunity to break down barriers between communities at a time of increased division.
Saeed Barasab, of the Unity Gym Project, said: “It offers an opportunity firstly to come together, but also to see each other.
“I think at a time where we’ve got a lot of division, social media doing its bit in terms of dividing communities and folks across society, it’s been really important to have a space where a dialogue can take place, but also a positive activity can take place.”
It is hoped that this summer’s events will just be the start of things to come, as community groups are given the tools and experience to continue hosting activities and take ownership of their areas.
Carl Mullooly, head of communities at the council, added: “Last year we launched our tier one community strategy for Sheffield City Council, which is around empowering communities and giving ownership back to the communities.
“We want to see that develop and grow over time. So, essentially, this is the start, hopefully, of a a series of events over coming years - and also how we make sure that we are doing things that bring communities together in different ways.
“We want to continue, but also give the power to the communities so that they can do that and it's not always Sheffield City Council stepping into that space.”