Warmer welcome for visitors to Ardsley church hall thanks to investment from Barnsley Council's Love Where You Live programme

A church hall providing a vital hub for the community is now offering a warmer welcome thanks to a new heating system funded by Barnsley Council’s Love Where You Live programme.

Over recent years, the Community Hall at Christ Church in Ardsley has benefited from a series of improvements that have transformed it into a vibrant space for local groups. 

The church, Stairfoot Ward Alliance and other partners have funded upgrades including new flooring, electrics, emergency lighting, and redecoration.

The hall’s modernisation is now complete with the installation of a modern, eco-friendly electric heating system, made possible through Love Where You Live funding.  

As part of this borough-wide programme, Barnsley Council is working with local councillors and community groups in all 21 Barnsley council wards to fund investment in community facilities and environmental improvements.

It’s part of the wider Love Where You Live initiative, which encourages everyone to take pride in their neighbourhood and get involved in the local community.

At Ardsley Church, the new heating system will ensure the hall is warm and accessible year-round.

This is supporting activities for all ages. A toddler group, chair-based exercise sessions for people with limited mobility, Age UK and the Scouts are already making the most of the revitalised space.

The church hall will also play a vital role in the community this autumn and winter by offering a warm space for residents to gather and socialise while keeping their own energy bills down.

Stairfoot ward councillors, church officials and members of the Ardsley community gathered this week to celebrate the work being completed.

Cabinet spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, Cllr Wendy Cain, said: “This project will make a big difference to a vital community asset.

“I’m pleased we have funded the new heating system, which is the final piece in the jigsaw of the church hall’s refurbishment.

“I hope everyone will enjoy meeting up and spending time together in this warm, welcoming space.

“Our Love Where You Live initiative is all about bringing our communities together and this project embodies that sense of neighbourhood pride and togetherness. Well done to everyone who has helped to make it happen.”

Church warden Robin Webb said: “We are so grateful for the funding through the Love Where You Live programme which has paid for us to install this wonderful new heating system.

“We are proud to be at the heart of the community and making the church hall fit for the future is essential to serving the people of Ardsley.”

Barnsley Council is investing £3.5 million into our Barnsley communities through Love Where You Live to drive real change in our neighbourhoods.

As well as community enhancement projects in every ward, we’ve allocated £2.1 million to parks and green spaces improvements.

We’ve launched a new Housing and Environmental Neighbourhood Task Force to tackle excess waste, graffiti and environmental issues across the borough and our Unity and Inclusion Grants are funding events and projects bringing communities together.

We want everyone to play their part, whether it’s by joining a community clean-up, volunteering, attending an event or activity session or just trying something new. Together, we can make a difference and show our pride in where we live.

Find out how you can get involved and what’s on in your area at www.barnsley.gov.uk/LoveWhereYouLive.