This year marks a decade since we launched our area arrangements way of working to support communities, including Area Councils, Ward Alliances and our Area Teams.
Barnsley is split into six different areas. In each area, Area Councils help to make decisions based on the area’s priorities, and Area Teams provide support in our communities. Ward Alliances work on supporting separate wards within an area, supporting communities to build upon their strengths, skills and resources. With it being 10 years since this way of working began, this year we’re taking a look back over some of the fantastic work that’s taken place over the past decade.
Since 2013, our communities have seen an amazing 52,967 volunteers get stuck in throughout the years as well as an average year-on-year increase of 520 new groups set up to support others and benefit the community. Residents have been supported through the pandemic, events set up to bring communities together, help and support provided to the residents that need it, and much more.
On Wednesday 1 March, join us at the Barnsley Markets atrium from 11am to 12.30pm, and be part of the 10 year celebrations. There’ll be live entertainment from local performers, thanks to Markmark Productions and Angel Voices Performing Arts Academy, and you’ll be able to meet and chat to members of your local Area Team and Ward Alliance, and elected members.
During the month of March, come along and visit our display in the Barnsley Markets atrium to read more about some of the brilliant projects and community work that’s taken place in each of the six areas since 2013.
Throughout the year, there’ll also be celebration events taking place within each area. There’ll be more information about these events coming soon, so keep an eye on your local Area Team’s Facebook page to find out more.
There are plenty of ways you can get involved in your local community. We really value any contributions that you make in your local area. Whether it's some kind of volunteer work or being involved in decision-making, it makes a real difference for people who live there. If you want to get involved, you can get in touch with one of our Area Teams or visit their Facebook page to find out about volunteering opportunities, events, and more. Find out more about your local area, including how to get in touch, at barnsley.gov.uk/your-local-area.
Cllr Caroline Makinson, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “We’re really proud to be celebrating 10 years of our area arrangements way of working this year. Each of Barnsley’s six areas are different to one another, and by working this way we’ve been able to support these communities in different ways to reach their different needs and priorities. We’re one of the only councils in the country that support our communities in this way, and since 2013 we’ve seen just how fantastic this way of working is for people in Barnsley. If you’re in the town centre in March, please do pop into the Markets and take a look at the work that’s taken place in our areas over the past decade.”
You can also find out more about your local area and ward alliance at barnsley.gov.uk/your-local-area.
