Our Community Projects
See how we’ve made a positive impact by funding fantastic local initiatives!
We envision a future where quality education and training opportunities go hand-in-hand with access to affordable, good-quality housing. By investing in improved local facilities and fostering supportive communities, we have empowered residents to actively participate in making our area a fantastic place to live and work. In the following section, we’ll showcase the projects we’ve undertaken so far to bring this vision to life.
Phoenix Park Underpass
Turning a neglected underpass into a welcoming gateway.
We wanted to brighten the entrance to the park from both Goldthorpe and Thurnscoe, so we launched a regeneration project. After talking to the community, we decided on a mural theme that reflects the park’s past and present: mining and environment.
The project brought together a fantastic group of over 60 people to create the mural! We had community members, volunteers from the National Citizens Service and Twiggs Environmental Service, Park Ranger Paul Nunns, Tesco volunteers, and Big Local volunteers (including Big Local Thurnscoe).
One resident heartwarmingly shared that her daughter now wants to visit the park every day to see the rabbits in the mural!
Dearne Community Housing
An award-winning project brought empty houses back to life, creating jobs and affordable housing.
This unique, community-driven initiative involved a partnership between Barnsley Community Build (BCB), the council (BMBC), Berneslai Homes, and Efficiency North. Their goal? To tackle the issue of long-term vacant properties in the area.
The project provided valuable opportunities. Young apprentices (aged 16-24) received training in construction through BCB, putting their skills to the test by renovating four houses purchased in Goldthorpe with Big Local funding. These houses were then brought back to a high standard and rented at affordable rates to local residents in need.
The benefits went beyond creating affordable housing. The project also:
- Provided jobs and training in the building industry.
- Improved the local environment by revitalizing neglected properties.
- Boosted the local economy by using local companies for supplies.
The Dearne Community Housing project’s success didn’t go unnoticed. It earned local and national recognition, attracting additional funding from BMBC, Efficiency North, and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
This project even made a national splash! In 2016, it was chosen as one of 50 ‘radical thinking’ initiatives making a positive impact on the UK by the New Radicals list.
The Snap Tin Café
Anita and Jane had a vision: a community café and training kitchen in Goldthorpe that would be inclusive for everyone, including people with learning difficulties. They presented a detailed business plan to Big Local, a partnership board, and impressed them with their passion. Big Local decided to invest in the café, and since February 2017, they’ve been working together to make it a thriving hub.
The Snap Tin Cafe is always buzzing with activity. They host crafting sessions, early breakfasts for schoolchildren, ukulele groups, memory cafes, afternoon tea, and more. The Snap Tin Cafe welcomes everyone and is definitely worth checking out.
Dearne Community Arts’ Festival
Proudly supporting the arts, we were the sponsor for the inaugural Dearne Community Arts Festival in 2017. Our contribution funded essential elements like festival banners, programs, and all the publicity materials. Additionally, we sponsored the High Street vouchers awarded as competition prizes.
We continued to sponsor the festival in both 2018 and 2019.
Dearne & District FC Dugout
Dearne & District Football Club are a community amateur sporting club based in Goldthorpe. Snap Tin Community Hub recently contributed to the cost of a new dugout which will be a huge benefit to both players and coaches.