3rd October 2024
Bear Grylls, former British SAS trooper, well-known survival expert, adventurer, and television presenter, has boosted the Hardwick Roseworth Scout Group by penning a special letter. Bear was the youngest ever Chief Scout when he was appointed in 2009, and sent a special note to the group for growing the group and providing opportunities for fun, challenge and adventure to young people.
Bear Grylls writes, “I’m so proud that the Hardwick Roseworth Scout Groups are continuing to grow. After successfully opening Beavers for 6-8 year olds and Cubs for 8-10 year olds, they are now opening a Scout Troop for boys and girls aged 10-14. This is great news for Scouts and the local community too.
What an amazing team they are, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything they’ve achieved. They have welcomed children and young people from across Stockton-on-Tees into their scout group. They’ve equipped them with skills for life – helping them play their part in the local community. They have learnt the power of believing in themselves and others and how together, they can do so much more. They’ve camped together, cooked together, learned digital skills; discovered more about their area and helped bring the community closer together too. Scouts has given them the courage to learn, do, and be more. To be a volunteer in Scouts you don’t need incredible outdoor skills or know how to use a map and compass. We can teach you all that. What’s needed is a smile, patience, and willingness to share a little time to help others. I promise you’ll get back ten times what you put in – including new skills, new friends, and a renewed sense of the difference we can make when we work together”
If you are interested in volunteering with the Scouts, please get in touch with Mike at hardwickroseworthscouts@outlook.com
This article was part of our September Roseworth Big Local newsletter, which you can read in full HERE.
23rd July 2024
At Kiora Hall and the Library Garden, we have been admiring all the daffodils and tulips, doing some spring planting and watching the trees and herbaceous plants that we planted last year stirring, ready for the growing season. The naturally creative craft classes have been a right buzz with willow weaving and green woodworking – lots of creative fun!
The Elm Tree that was uprooted has been moved to Kiora Hall and Roseworth Big Local have a fantastic project for the wood to be carved by a local artist into benches for Rosebrook School, St. Gregory’s School, Hope Centre Community Garden & Kiora Hall. This will involve interactive workshops with the pupils and the artist, Steve Iredale, to come up with ideas for their own unique bench carving.
The Hope Centre Community Garden is progressing leaps and bounds, the polytunnel is nearly complete, the raised beds are just going in and there are plenty of edible plants being planted – look out for potatoes, sweetcorn, kale, peas, beans, onions and garlic! The pond is looking great and we know that we already have frogs in there so fingers crossed we see some frog spawn next year.
Gardening and green spaces are extremely beneficial to people’s Mental Health, they can nurture community spirit and friendship. This is evident in the community on Roseworth and these projects if you want to get involved with any of the gardens and activities then please just turn up or contact Holly (HGoodfellow@teeswildlife.org / 07881 820711)
This article was released as part of the Roseworth Big Local Newsletter, mailed for FREE to all Roseworth residents, you can read the full newsletter HERE.
16th July 2024
Sprouts have come alongside Roseworth Big Local to launch The Casserole Club at Kiora Hall. The four-week sessions welcome 12 residents, who learn how to cook and prepare meals that work well in a slow cooker and can be made then and there. All who attend are also given a free slow cooker and recipe book to take home and try out!
Sprouts work together with communities empowering them to feel safer and more at ease when accessing smaller, local community provisions like theirs. They have the experience to initiate the building of community in new spaces as a result of their work and reputation across Stockton-on-Tees.
Since 2011, Sprouts (Formerly known as Little Sprouts) has been passionate about improving the nutritional, physical and mental health and wellbeing of the community. They aim to address health inequalities by running community shops, community cafes, lunch clubs, cooking workshops, community gardens, youth cafes, family pop-up events and so much more!
The four-week Casserole Club course run by Sprouts through Roseworth Big Local has welcomed people of all cooking abilities and has been such a success. It was a great place for residents to learn about new recipes, how to cook them, and build community. When asked what people enjoyed the most about the course the answer was clear ‘the camaraderie’. One resident shared how the sessions increased her confidence, not only in cooking, but in leaving the house on an evening and making new friends.
Our friends at Sprouts make an impact in our community, not just in Roseworth, but across the entire borough of Stockton-on-Tees, and this has been recognised nationally, we were delighted to be in attendance as they formally received the Kings Award for Voluntary Service in 2023.
It has been fantastic to engage and bring the residents together. Stay tuned on our Social Media for more details about upcoming events with Sprouts.
This article was released as part of the Roseworth Big Local Newsletter, mailed for FREE to all Roseworth residents, you can read the full newsletter HERE.
15th May 2024
Roseworth is one of 150 areas in England chosen to deliver Big Local – a community-led, 10-year programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund which helps residents create lasting change through an investment of at least £1 million over the period between 2014 to 2026.
The Roseworth Big Local Project Co-Ordinator will be responsible for identifying and managing projects to enhance the lives of Roseworth residents. This role also focuses on the possible establishment of a legacy organisation once Big Local funding ends in 2025/26. Roseworth Big Local put residents and their community firmly in the driving seat enabling them to identify local needs and make an impact. Roseworth Big Local is governed by a partnership of residents, and this post holder will report to them monthly.
This role is available as a full-time role, however, applications will also be considered for:
Applications for this role has now closed.
If you would like to discuss this role further get in touch with Clare.Gamble@catalyststockton.org
9th May 2024
Did you know that Roseworth Big Local’s Community Engagement Worker, Hannah, recently wrote an article that was featured in the Gazette? If you missed us in the latest edition you can find Hannah’s article below.
Roseworth Big Local is a community led organisation which was set up to spend £1 million in Roseworth across a ten-year period, which was granted by the National Lottery.
Joining as the Community Engagement Worker in the 8th year of funding, it has been great to reach out to Roseworth residents, bring people together and build on the community spirit so many people carry.
Thanks to Big Local, we have been able to fund children’s activities over half term, youth clubs and a family link worker, set up a community garden space, fund coffee mornings, wellbeing sessions, chair yoga, and so much more.
Our partnership, which is made up of residents, ward Councillors and those who work in Roseworth, meet together once a month in our Community Room at Kiora Hall. They review any decisions on spending allocations, and ensure the priorities of young people, wellbeing and community spaces are being upheld in Roseworth.
As part of my role, I get to meet with residents, identify any gaps in provisions and ensure the views and needs of those who live here are shared with our partnership to then make a difference.
Building community is essential to my role, which has been a joy to see as residents come together, standing alongside one another and sharing in camaraderie. This has been found in our Roseworth Wildlife Champions group, and at the Casserole Club run alongside our friends Sprouts.
There is still funding left to be spent, and still projects we can run. If you are a Roseworth resident and would like to be involved in the decision-making process, we are always looking for volunteers to join us.
If you would like more information on being involved, or would like to attend our sessions please contact Hannah.Aspland@catalyststockton.or or visit our Facebook page.
Thank you to the Gazette for providing us the opportunity to highlight the work of Roseworth Big Local!
27th April 2024
Roseworth Big Local is currently seeking expressions of interest from organisations or persons interested in providing a handyperson service to Roseworth residents who may struggle with general maintenance in and around their property and need additional support through a community led programme.
Roseworth Big Local is funded through the Big Local Initiative, led by the Local Trust. This is an exciting grant programme pioneering resident-led, place-based funding. It has provided an opportunity for Roseworth residents to voice how they can empower the community for the better.
Roseworth Big Local has invested a significant amount of money since its inception into the community focusing on our main priorities of: Children & Young People, Community Spaces, Bringing People Together and Health & Wellbeing and this project is the next step in our journey.
Deadline for any submissions is 09:00am on Monday 13th May 2024. Please do share if you know of anyone who would be interested.
Invitation to Tender for Handyperson Services Further Information below:
26th April 2024
Roseworth residents, we need you!
As we prepare to come to an end in March 2026, we still need the involvement of local residents and those who find community within Roseworth.
Please complete our RBL Survey and let us know your thoughts. All who complete will be entered into a prize draw to win a £20 Tesco voucher.
To enter the survey please follow the link: https://forms.gle/Ak4Yhbnhcg6DZkzg9
6th April 2024
One resident shared how the sessions had increased her confidence, not only in cooking, but in leaving the house on an evening, and making new friends.
The four-week sessions will be held 4:30pm-6:00pm at Kiora Hall. All who attend will receive a slow cooker. Booking is essential and spaces are limited. To book a place please email marc.besford@cataylststockton.org or ring 01642 733 906.
5th April 2024
The Community Garden Week 2024 celebrates the amazing community and school gardens across the UK and will take place from 1-7 April this year.
4th April 2024
Becoming a first time parent can be quite a challenge as you learn to navigate a new baby with demanding needs all while trying to establish routines and keep your own head above water. It can be hard. The sleepless nights – or even worse broken sleep, between the 1am, 3am and 5am feeds…. It is okay to need some support. We all do.
Roseworth has so much on offer for first time parents with some amazing free resources to support you on your parenting journey. From the very beginning you can attend parenting classes and learn how to safety proof your home before your new arrival, to feeding support at the Family Hub. The Hub alongside the Library also offer groups to socialize the baby, and also for the mums to make new friends who are at the exact same stage as them.
As a first time mum I have watched my own little girl thrive in these groups and seen her grow while making new friends. Her face lights up as she sees the same children week after week.
This week, as we sat in the corner with our nearly walking little ones, we could see all the new little arrivals coming. We could see new friendships forming as tired mums came in for the first time, newborn in arms, ready for a coffee. We could say, ah yes I remember that stage. Being able to offer that peer support , without it being unsolicited advice is so helpful to new mums. Having someone there in the trenches with you who knows what it is like – not just as a health care professional – which is needed also, but someone to say well this worked for me and it may work for you too.
It won’t be long before my little one will be too big for Babbling Babies – but it has been a huge area of growth for her and for me and I am so proud of where we have come because of it! Babbling Babies runs 10am-11:30am every Monday at The Family Hub in Roseworth.
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