Story by Michael Hill
Photo provided by Arches
Despite an increased workload caused by various housing reforms, Jamie Taylor, Head of Housing Services at Arches Housing Limited, really wanted to make a difference locally. Ian Drayton from SOAR suggested two projects where we could give something back to a community where we have worked for over forty years.
We met library co-ordinator Marcia Layne and some of us started going down every Monday to get newspapers, scan books, help with computers and photocopying, and re-shelve books.
Streams of people come in to use the computers, read up on local history, do some photocopying or just read the paper.
We also decided to help out at the Springboard Social Café at the Vestry Hall. This is led by Helen from SOAR, every other Thursday. Women come to meet, chat, and get advice and support for a variety of things from housing to health. Chatting over a cuppa is a real skill here and reserved for only the very accomplished chatterboxes!
We are proud to be part of these local projects and in awe of the people who help run them. We came back with some amazing stories and a new-found knowledge of the community.
We were impressed that Burngreave is such a hive of activity, and the commitment from the volunteers is heart-warming. There are good people out there who care about the community. Don’t believe us? Get out there and see for yourself!