Babies, bumps, and Kirk Hallam residents were joined by local social housing landlord emh and local partners to mark the official unveiling of a new community outdoor space.
Non-profit regional housing provider emh approached the Kirk Hallam Community Centre last year to ask how they could support the local community using it. The centre team asked for help transforming an unused outdoor space, and now has a transformed area complete with gazebo, barefoot walking path and seating.
Emh, which manages around 900 homes in and around Kirk Hallam, teamed up with a supplier to carry out makeover on the community space. Colleagues from emh’s property services and grounds maintenance teams worked over a number of days to clear the area and install the structure and associated works including lighting to enhance the space during the evenings.
The space is already in welcome use by those attending stay and play sessions, the outdoor playgroup, lets sing, community story telling sessions, a gardening group and the outdoor café space. Local Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Rainbows can also make use of it.
Kirk Hallam Community Centre is a stand-alone charity working to benefit residents and improve health, wellbeing and opportunity in the local area. It provides a range of free or low-cost activities and groups for all members of the community, as well as empowering local people to set up their own groups.
Joining local residents for the official scheme opening were Maggie Throup Member of Parliament for Erewash and representatives from emh including Chan Kataria, emh chief executive.
Maggie Throup MP said: “I am delighted to join residents in Kirk Hallam to celebrate the opening of the new community gazebo and redesigned outdoor space.
“We are incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic resource at the heart of our community, with the centre housing an array of voluntary groups, including Bumps to Babies, Craft Club and Brownies, as well as hosting weekly activities ranging from healthy eating classes to bingo.
“I would like to thank emh and Travis Perkins for partnering to deliver this project and hope that residents who use the centre and fabulous community cafe will enjoy socialising in this new space.”
Chan Kataria, Chief Executive at emh, said: "It is important to us at emh that we support the local community and provide opportunities for people, and we hope this helps the community centre and residents to thrive. It’s a fantastic way to start the year and great to see first-hand people making the most of the space.”
Jsan Shepherd, Community Centre Manager, said: “We would like to thank everyone involved with this project and we are looking forward to continue to work in partnership with the emh team on future projects benefiting the local community.”