A deserving charity in a deprived and disadvantaged area of Derbyshire is set to get a boost to develop a community wellbeing hub thanks to almost £200,000 of funding from the East Midlands Mayor’s Community Development Fund.
Mayor Claire Ward, of The East Midlands Combined County Authority, has awarded £191,570 to the Glossop-based community wellbeing charity The Bureau from her £3m Community Development Fund pot and the money is to be used to develop the Gamesley Wellbeing Hub, at Gamesley Community Centre.
Ms Ward, High Peak MP Jon Pearce, and the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon, originally launched the Mayor’s community funding scheme with a visit to Gamesley Community Centre, near Glossop, in September, after Gamesley and nine other deprived areas in the region were invited to bid for a share of the £3m Community Development Fund.
The East Mildands Mayor said: “Communities like Gamesley know better than anyone what they need to thrive, and this funding is about backing local people to lead change in their own neighbourhoods.
“This investment will help turn Gamesley Community Centre into a welcoming, accessible hub where residents can connect, support one another, and access health, wellbeing and employment opportunities close to home.
“By supporting community-led projects like this one, we’re building stronger, healthier neighbourhoods, boosting pride in place, and making sure everyone across our region has the chance to share in its future.”
The new Mayor’s Community Development Fund is aimed at tackling deprivation and improving lives in disadvantaged areas and it aims to boost community resilience, increase local skills, and enable people to take control of shaping their own neighbourhoods.
In Gamesley, health, sport, learning and volunteering opportunities will be brought together under one roof after The Bureau charity has been granted £191,570 under the Mayor’s Community Development Fund for the neighbourhood’s Gamesley Wellbeing Hub at the Gamesley Community Centre.
The Mayor and the English Devolution Minister met with staff, volunteers and users during the funding scheme’s launch at Gamesley Community Centre which hosts many activities including boxing, football and holiday clubs.
Ms Ward has said she wants to see real change in East Midlands’ communities particularly in areas that have been left behind and not had the chance to build things and build skills and investments in their communities and to build a transformational investment.
Gamesley Community Centre Chief Officer Helen Thornhill, who has been working in different ways with the community for ten years, has said that Gamesley has been neglected because it is set so far north but so close to Manchester and she feels it has been isolated and the amenities have been poor and the estate has become run down.
The Gamesley Community Centre was saved from closure in 2024 thanks to support from MP Jon Pearce and High Peak Borough Cllr Damien Greenhalgh.
Ms Thornhill has said that there is a sense of community support in Gamesley and the funding will help to give the neighbourhood a boost because the centre wants to help residents to find jobs, boost their confidence and life skills.
And Ms Ward explained the criteria when considering applicants for the funding included evidence based on places with the highest levels of deprivation, and the lowest levels of investment, and where there has been a lack of support.
The fund will support 10 priority areas across the East Midlands Combined County Authority region, including Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, where communities face high levels of disadvantage and have limited numbers of local community and voluntary groups.
Community-led schemes in key areas, including Gamesley, have now each been awarded up to £300,000 to support projects designed to build skills, strengthen resilience and help residents shape the future of their own neighbourhoods.
The community fund aims to help communities build skills and confidence so they can take a stronger role in shaping their future and share in the region’s growth.
Natalie Rhodes, The Bureau chief officer, said: “We’re delighted to receive this funding, which will help secure Gamesley Community Centre as a welcoming, community-led hub.
“It means local people can connect, improve their health and wellbeing, and access new opportunities close to home. We’re proud to be working alongside residents and partners to create something that will make a lasting difference.”
Plans for the wellbeing hub include social prescribing, NHS health outreach, social connectedness, volunteering and employability programmes, and a range of social, educational and wellbeing activities.
The scheme aims to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and increase volunteering, employability, entrepreneurship and active lifestyles.
The Bureau stated in its application for the funding: “We want to secure and grow Gamesley Community Centre as a welcoming, community-led health and wellbeing ‘Hub’ where people can connect, be active and get support when they need it.
“Working with local residents, The Bureau, Gamesley Community Group CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and partners will bring health, sport, learning and volunteering under one roof.
“Together we’ll improve the building and facilities, create more opportunities for young people and families, offer health and wellbeing activities in partnership with the NHS and local services, and develop volunteering and skills pathways.
“This is about giving local people more choice and control, improving health and confidence and increasing opportunities for work.”
