Story: Lisa Swift
Local residents have raised concerns about proposed staff changes at Verdon Recreation Centre and Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, both run by Activity Sheffield.
They wrote to their local Councillors after news that existing staff would be replaced by new members of staff. The workers have been in post for up to 6 years and are highly regarded by residents and young people.
Delia Chadwick, who runs the Agewell group at Verdon Rec said,
“It’s important to us as Agewell has been running at this centre for 20 years. It’s for over-50s to get together socially, as well as exercising and doing different activities. Aislinn prepares the room for us and supports us, but she would be helpful to anyone. It’s not fair what’s happening: nobody agrees with it.”
The Somali Dance Group have been using Verdon Rec for 3 years. When they heard Aislinn was leaving, one of the group’s assistants, Zam Zam, said:
“We use the centre a lot for activities. Our group is important social time for children and mums together. We don’t want to lose Aislinn; she is a nice lady and supports us. We don’t understand why she is being replaced.”
Craig Wallace from the Taekwondo Club, told the Messenger he had been running sessions there for 5 years but had started learning there in 1987.
“Verdon Rec is part of the fabric of the area. This club has personally helped me get into the British Taekwondo Team. Aislinn helped us get financial support and we’ve been able to expand to 3 nights a week. Aislinn helped make that happen. This centre might not make a lot of money but it’s worth the money the Council puts into it. It’s creating sporting excellence through our club.”
Children at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground were also very concerned. Javien Allen, Millie Higgins, Skye Dawson-Hydes and Chanel Dawson had put together a ‘Save our staff’ petition, with over 100 names of children who use the playground. They told the Messenger,
“All the kids at the playground have signed it. We like our staff and we want to change their minds about what’s being done. We know them, they are fun, and if we get other staff they might have new roles and they might change the playground. We can be ourselves at the playground.”
The petition and letters were presented to Councillors at the Community Assembly on 21st March. Jackie Drayton told the meeting,
“We are very concerned as elected members. We met with Activity Sheffield and we want to protect Verdon Recreation Centre and the Adventure Playground. It’s a difficult issue because it involves people's employment but we are following it up".
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