Barnsley 2030

Healthy Barnsley stories

Jake's story

Jake runs Friday night football sessions at Barnsley College for all ages. These sessions are not only about football, but they also provide a safe space to open up and have conversations in a friendly environment. They want to grow this project and encourage people to come and join in.

Natalie's story

Totally Runable is a social enterprise company proudly based in Barnsley. They work with primary schools across the north of England and the midlands, helping them measure and close the gender sports gap.

The company began as a start-up in 2015, and the help of a network of people and groups was vital to Totally Runable’s growth. Based at the Business Village @ Barnsley BIC since 2017, the support received has been a huge factor in their success. They have two Olympians in their team and have high aims for Totally Runable’s future. There's nowhere they'd rather call home for their head office than Barnsley.

Luke's story

Barnsley Singers is an un-auditioned adult community choir founded in 2016. The founders are Mat Wright and Luke Mather. The choir currently has 120 members and sing in concerts and events around Barnsley town centre.

Members of all ages come together every Tuesday evening to meet, sing together and have fun. Since many members had never sung in a choir before, the musical directors and volunteer team emphasise inclusivity and training. This means everyone and anyone can join. The choir sings many different music genres, so there's always something for everyone. Rehearsals are always fun and engaging for all members.

Since its beginnings, Barnsley Singers has wanted to be a voice for all adults in the Barnsley community. It's aim is to give back to the town through local events. They hope to continue this into the future and are always looking for ways to become even stronger. Singing has many proven health benefits, and Barnsley Singers seeks to brighten your mid-week evening. They're doing this with fun, laughter and song.

Annie's story

Annie is a governor for Barnsley Hospital and is encouraging people to join the hospital membership. Barnsley is united by a shared sense of pride where we look after and support each other.

Like Annie, becoming a member of Barnsley Hospital gives you a voice and a say in how the hospital is run. Membership is free and open to anyone over the age of 14. You’ll receive regular hospital updates, you can register for the NHS discount scheme, and you can become a hospital governor. Find out more about Barnsley Hospital membership. 

Learning Barnsley stories

Natalie's story

Natalie comes from a working-class background, growing up on a council estate. She struggled at school, and to do well she always had to work hard due to having dyslexia. She left school with the minimum knowledge of English, maths and science and went straight into the workforce cleaning at the local bingo hall. Life remained troubled until Natalie met her husband and had her two children.

When her children were one year and six months old, Natalie moved in to Northern College as a resident and completed a diploma in social science and GCSEs. She finished with a distinction and B in maths. She then went on to Huddersfield University and completed a BSc Psychology and Criminology with a first class with honours, then an MSc in Investigational Psychology with a distinction.

Natalie was offered a scholarship to complete her PhD in a topic of her choice. Today, she's in her final year exploring individuals’ experiences whilst working in disaster victim identification. She's now employed by Huddersfield University as a tutor in professional policing. Natalie's changed her life in 10 years and she’s now opening doors and chasing rainbows.

Abraham's story

Having troubles finding a place to study, Abraham was recommended Northern College by his uncle. He's now happy that Oxford didn't work out, as the academic strength Northern College has given him has been outstanding.

Abraham thinks that it's amazing to think how many people’s lives have been and will be changed by this place in Barnsley. And he can’t state enough how important Northern College has been for him, which made anything possible.

Carl's story

Carl never considered a job in construction, but now he's on his way to a career path that's right for him. After a chat with our information, advice, and guidance advisors, Carl was looking for a job where he could get hands-on.

We offered Carl a two-week work experience to have a go at a range of skills with Oakwell Training. In that time, he's found a new passion, learnt new skills and wants to start a career in construction.

Now, Carl's carrying on working hard and is looking forward to complete his construction skills certificate.

Wyatt's story

Wyatt loves to learn, but living with Tourette's syndrome means it can be challenging to enjoy reading books.

Wyatt spoke with an information, advice, and guidance advisor from the council's employment and skills team. We discovered that an audio pen would help Wyatt fulfil his learning potential and open new ways for learning in the future.

Wyatt enjoys developing his skills and talent and the new audio pen has renewed his love for reading and learning.

Graham's story

Graham lives and works in Barnsley while his artwork is known worldwide. He has over 30 public sculptures across the UK. These include Barnsley’s very own Kes statue which you’ll find by The Glass Works.

Graham believes that communal studios encourage, protect and give artists the creative freedom to do something positive for Barnsley. Graham loves the place, the people and the town, and says he wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Maddison's story

Maddison is the Chairwoman at Barnsley Sea Cadets, which gives young people a safe and friendly environment. It transforms them into confident young people who thrive in a complex world. Through activities and adventures, and teach young people about teamwork, respect and honesty. This helps them be the best version of themselves as the future of Barnsley.

Growing Barnsley stories

Bee's story

As part of our ambitions, we want to make sure our residents can find an affordable home that’s right for them. Bee was supported to become a homeowner through the shared ownership scheme, receiving help from us and other organisations to make his dream a reality.

After facing a sudden eviction during lockdown, Bee now owns a three-bedroom new build home in Barnsley which has him bursting with pride. Now settled in his new home, Bee hopes his story can inspire others to follow in his footsteps, knowing the schemes and the support are there to give them what they need to thrive in life.

Brook Corporate Developments' story

Brook Corporate Developments moved into the new offices at the Business Village @ Barnsley BIC and expanded their team. The family run business provides a wide range of consultancy and training services for small to medium enterprise businesses in South and West Yorkshire.

The Business Village is ideally located, right in the middle of South Yorkshire with easy links up the road to West Yorkshire. These two areas are where the majority of the businesses they deal with are based.

Chris's story

Barnsley Council runs markets across the borough of Barnsley; the indoor and outdoor market in Barnsley town centre, local outdoor markets in Hoyland, Goldthorpe, Penistone and Wombwell, and Market Kitchen. 

Markets are ideal places to test, launch and grow a business. There are flexible and cost effective options in all markets. Plus they work closely with colleagues to provide business support at whatever stage the business is at. 

In 2030, all the markets will be thriving and will reflect the needs and wants of Barnsley's local places. They'll be places for people to shop, socialise and spend time, and somewhere that everyone can be proud of.

Leonie's story

Leonie Briggs is the Director of Amazelab, putting a fun and creative take on all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) to inspire young people to close the skills gap.

The team has won the STEM Learning Award and received national credit for providing an inspiring way to learn STEM subjects. Now, they're scaling up to work with more children in our region to foster and grow ambition.

Caroline's story

Caroline's Barnsley-based business, Purple Genie Digital, provides marketing and advertising services to businesses all over the UK. Caroline thinks that Barnsley is an amazing place to live, work and do business. She's excited about the future of Barnsley, and for her business to grow and thrive.

Zoe's story

Zoe started her event management company, Fab Events, in 2016. At first this was as a hobby business alongside her regular job. It developed over the years into a viable part-time enterprise before Zoe finally took the plunge in March 2019. She left the security of full-time employment to run her business.

However, COVID-19 affected the industry. With just two clients left on the books, Zoe quickly shifted her focus and began offering Fab Strategy services. Since then, Zoe has been going from strength to strength.  Scooping up a further award for over coming adversity during the pandemic. This resulted in a 750% growth rate since 23 March 2020.

Formerly known as Fab Events and Marketing Strategy, her business has continued to grow. On her sixth birthday in business she decided to rebrand to Ask Zoe, showing her business’ evolvement over the past two years.

Nicoletta's story

Nicoletta is the owner of Marshmallow Blends. This is a local business that sells handmade bath, body, artisan products and home fragrances in Barnsley.

Nicoletta started making products at home in her kitchen when her children were small, 13 years ago. Since then, her business has grown from strength to strength. They’ve recently expanded from their Victorian Arcade shop to a space in The Glass Works.

Nicoletta thinks Barnsley is a great place to start and grow a business. She believes Barnsley people are so supportive of small businesses. She’s excited about the future of Marshmallow Blends and plans to continue growing her business, increasing productivity and creating more jobs in our borough.

Michelle's story

Michelle runs a small business called Knitaway. She's from Barnsley and started her business in her fifties during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it was difficult, she's had a lot of support from Barnsley Business Village which made her business possible.

Knitaway puts together easy knitting kits, including a new beginners kit. Michelle's also recently designed a new pompom, tassel and bow maker. This was then made by a local company in Barnsley.

Recently, Michelle's started to go on Craft TV - The Craft Store, and she really loves it. She also has a YouTube channel, a new website, and social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. All of these help to promote her business.

Sustainable Barnsley stories

Charles's story

Booth Brothers is a sustainable and responsible umbrella business located at Bullhouse Mill in Millhouse Green, on the edge of the Peak District National Park. The mill is a shared workspace of carbon neutral offices, industrial units and hybrid workspace. Over 15 companies are based there, comprising a wide range of commercial activities.

The mill is served with a range of renewable energy including solar PV on the roof spaces, wind turbines in the adjoining meadows and hydroelectric generation on the River Don which flows through the site. Winter heating is provided by geothermal heat pumps and a biomass boiler. It has an energy performance certificate of A+ which means ‘carbon negative’ and the company was the first ever UK participant in the Renewable Heat Incentive which is the first of its kind in the world.

Sustainability is paramount amongst the businesses on site; all paper, card and plastics are baled and re-cycled and a ‘target zero’ initiative is underway to encourage the reduction and elimination of all waste.

The Terrific Tree Task story

Barnsley’s Youth Council and Remedi Restorative Justice worked with a local grounds maintenance company, Twiggs to tidy a disused space on West Road, Pogmoor.

The project was inspired by the results of the ‘Make Your Mark’ survey, where young people highlighted environmental concerns as a key priority. An unused piece of land has been transformed into a community green space, with over 450 trees planted.

The project named 'The Terrific Tree Task' ran from 2020 to 2023. Residents of the area are amazed at the work and now litter pick the site and watch over it as well as planting daffodil bulbs.

Lauren's story

Lauren specialises in unique, hand-crafted homeware. She started designing her products during the COVID-19 lockdown. She does this in her studio in Barnsley, using the skills she gained at university.

Lauren is always trying to make her business, LJB designs, as sustainable as possible. She uses eco-friendly casting material, recyclable packaging and includes her waste material back into her products. In 2022, she won the Best in Category for Arts and Craft, and the Yorkshire Young Trader of the Year Award.

Shawlands Primary School's story

Children at Shawlands Primary School showed us how they're working towards a Sustainable Barnsley by planting two pear trees in their school field. Between the trees, they buried a time capsule including notes about their future aspirations and what they'd like to see in Barnsley by 2030. The time capsule will be left in place until 2030. The trees are a healthy addition to the school orchid, which already has apple trees for the children to pick and eat, and they'll soon be able to eat the pears too.