A newsletter put together through a collective effort of third-sector organisations in the Darnall Ward has been distributed to over 8,000 households in Darnall, Tinsley, Attercliffe and Handsworth.

The newsletter titled ‘The Community Connector’ has been put together by representatives from local groups including Darnall Well Being (DWB), Darnall Forum, Tinsley Forum, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, local churches and with support from colleagues in the Council and NHS.

Fran Arnold, Communications Officer at DWB, said it is hoped to “brighten up the end of the year” and is filled with local good news stories, health and wellbeing information, and children’s activities.

Chris Nuttall, Manager at Darnall Forum, added, “Producing this newsletter lets the community know that we’re here, working for the benefit of everyone”.

The newsletter includes simple re-iterations of the government guidance to make sure that the community can act as safely as possible.

Lucy Melleney, CEO at DWB, explained the newsletter has been a real collective effort, that all involved are keen to continue.

Graham Whitfield, Manager at Tinsley Forum said “Covid has brought people together in different ways to do new things that work, and we’d like that to carry on”.

Claire Fretwell, Community Engagement Manager at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, said “It’s been wonderful to work on this project with so many local organisations and this is no doubt the beginning of a collaborative approach to more community wide initiatives in the future.”

The group hopes that the newsletter will be inclusive of everyone, as they are aware of the digital divide, and have included key information translated in Urdu, Arabic, Somali and Slovak.

Darnall Ward Labour Councillors have welcomed the newsletter. They have been working with community organisations throughout the pandemic and have carried out local work with the elderly, vulnerable, families, and young children to keep the community going throughout the pandemic.

Cllr Mazher Iqbal said: “I am really pleased that they have all come together to produce this newsletter which will tell people not only about the work they have been doing but will also help keep people connected during the months ahead until we are all able to meet up again and really enjoy our community”.

Sam Youngman and Janvi Jethwani, medical students from The University of Sheffield, hand painted rocks with individual designs to place around parks in Darnall Ward. The rock painting initiative is hoped to encourage locals to “get outside and be active to improve wellbeing”. The idea is designed to operate similarly to the wider Sheffield UK Rocks initiative and the newsletter includes more information on how residents can participate.

Click here to read The Community Connector

Article by Jessica Morris