Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage.

12 September 2025

Welcome to your monthly update on the latest news, events, and activities across the Dearne area.

We work closely with residents, volunteers, partner services, elected members, and Ward Alliances to build vibrant, connected communities.

Each edition will bring you local updates, including details of Ward Alliance-funded projects, commissioned services, and inspiring community initiatives.

You'll also find upcoming events, opportunities to get involved, and celebrations of the fantastic work happening across our area.

Thank you for reading - enjoy, get inspired, and stay connected!

Proud of Barnsley nomination for Craig from B.O.D.Y. Carnegie Gym in Bolton

Craig Jenkinson’s dedication to building a vibrant community of boxers has earned him a Proud of Barnsley nomination.

As the volunteer head coach for B.O.D.Y. Carnegie, Craig, affectionately known as Jenks, helps run the centre, which is located in Bolton-upon-Dearne.

As a self-sustaining charity, the centre aims to unite the community through sports and group activities.

Jenks is a 15-year, 61-fight veteran boxer who won eight titles in four weight divisions. He hopes to share his wealth of experience, especially to inspire the younger generation.

His volunteering journey started when he first joined the centre to train in 2018, officially becoming a volunteer head coach in December 2024.

Jenks transformed an empty gym with no students into a bustling and energetic community, with a wealth of novice fighters competing across the country.

He dedicates around 30 hours a week and runs a range of boxing and fitness classes for all ages and abilities, hoping to engage the community and keep them fit.

Councillor Deborah Pearson, who nominated Craig for the award, said: "He is an incredible personality and an excellent role model who has overcome so much adversity in his own life and he is an absolute inspiration to all who meet him, and a shining star in Barnsley’s Dearne South Ward."

Jon from Bolton fought off dog to win police award and Proud of Barnsley nomination

A Bolton-upon-Dearne man has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award after his brave actions during a dog attack were commended by police.

Last July Jon Robinson was inside his home when he heard a man shouting in a nearby park.

He immediately went to help, and as he got closer to the cries for help, he could see that a Japanese Akita was attacking a man and his own dog. Jon intervened, securing the dog until officers arrived.

Jon has been nominated in the Community Hero category by local Dearne South Councillor Deborah Pearson.

She said: "Without a thought Jon intervened, putting himself at risk, and removed the dog to a safe space his back garden until police arrived.

"This all happened during the morning school run, and had it not been for Jon’s quick-thinking and fearless response the day could have been so much worse."

Are you:

•  Currently unemployed?
•  Looking for work but struggling to find the right job for you?
•  Experiencing barriers that make it difficult to find suitable work?

Did you know that right here in Barnsley, you can benefit from one-to-one support to help you find and stay in work? Pathways to Work can help you with job applications, interview preparation, job searches, and can also help you find training opportunities to get you into your chosen career.

Are you ready to get back into work? Get in touch with one of our advisors today.

Support event for community and voluntary groups in the Dearne

Calling all small voluntary and community organisations - come and meet our team over coffee and cake! If your organisation has an annual income of under £100,000 per annum we would love to meet you.

We will have our staff there ready to chat with you about:

• Community Accountancy, Payroll, and Book keeping
• Volunteer recruitment, selection and retention
• Marketing, publicity and communications
• Applying for grants and monitoring
• Basic finance
• Governance
• Funding

Houghton Road Community Centre, Thurnscoe, S63 0JY
Tuesday 23 September
11am to 3pm

There’s no need to book, just turn up and we’ll do our best to answer your queries. Parking is limited, but additional parking is available across the road.

You will also get the opportunity to network with like-minded organisations from your local area. Please come along and meet our team and find out how we could support your organisation.

Dearne Community Arts Festival is back for another exciting year

Come and be part of a vibrant celebration of imagination, talent and community spirit at the Dearne Community Arts Festival.

This special event brings together artists, performers, writers and makers of all ages, showcasing the incredible creativity right here in the Dearne.

Astrea Academy Dearne, Goldthorpe, S63 9EW
Saturday 27 September
11am to 4pm

Enjoy exhibitions of paintings, crafts, handmade gifts, jewellery, and textiles.

Watch live demos including 3D printing and a screening of the film "The Town I Love So Well, which celebrates the culture of the Dearne and Barnsley.

Performances feature circus skills, storytelling, Clayton School of Dance, harp recital, and Barnsley Youth Choir Children’s Choir East.

Get hands-on in workshops covering hot-wax painting, glass engraving, creative writing, metal embossing, and more with AmazeLab.

Free entry and refreshments available – a perfect day out for all ages!

This event is supported by funding from Barnsley Council's Cultural Development Fund.

World Heart Day Walk in Goldthorpe

Celebrate World Heart Day with a free community walk in Dearne to promote heart health and wellbeing.

Goldthorpe Library, S63 9NE
Monday 29 September
Free parking at S63 9ND

Schedule:

• 10am–10.30am: Free blood pressure checks (How’s Thi Ticker)
• 10.30am–11.30am: Wellbeing walk
• 11.30am–12pm: Cuppa and chat

Please note: The walking route is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Contact: sport&activerecreation@barnsley.gov.uk
Facebook: Barnsley Sport and Physical Activity Team / Ramblers Barnsley Wellbeing Walks

Take a step towards better heart health and connect with your community.

Communities working together to thrive - come to our More Money in Your Pocket event

Join us for a special community event designed to put More Money in Your Pocket and support local families across the Dearne.

On the day, residents – both working and non-working – can access a wide range of free services and support to help ease food and fuel poverty, improve home safety, and boost overall wellbeing.

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet local services, gain valuable knowledge, and take away both practical items and advice to help your household thrive.    

Renaissance Centre, Priory Road, Bolton upon Dearne, S63 9AE
Wednesday 24 September
9.30am to 12pm

Find out more about Barnsley Council's More Money in Your Pocket campaign by clicking the button below.

Free jewellery-making course at Goldthorpe Library

Unleash your creativity with a free three-week jewellery making course.

Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this hands-on workshop offers a chance to craft beautiful pieces in a friendly setting.

Goldthorpe Library
Thursdays: 2, 9, and 16 October
4pm to 5.30pm

Funded by the Know Your Neighbourhood initiative and supported by Libraries Connected, Arts Council England, and the UK Government, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn, connect, and create.

Free lantern-making workshops across the Dearne

Thanks to funding from Barnsley Council's Unity and Inclusion Grant as part of the Love Where You Live programme, we are able to offer some free-lantern making workshops in the Dearne.

Get creative, have fun and learn how to design your very own lantern.

There are three workshops:

• Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church - 29 October from 10am to 1pm 
• St Helen’s Church Hall, Thurnscoe - 3 November from 12.30pm to 2.30pm
• The Renaissance Centre, Bolton-upon-Dearne - 5 November 4pm to 6.30pm

You'll have the chance to show off your creation at the Glowthorpe Lantern Parade from 4pm to 7pm to 25 November.

Perfect for all ages - no experience needed. Spaces are limited, so book your place today and bring a little extra light into your week.

Family Fun Day in Thurnscoe raises over £1,800 for local causes

The Dearne North Ward Alliance members and volunteers from Thurnscoe Tap, recently led on as family fun day and charity match in Thurnscoe.

The event was very well attended with well over 1,000 people attending and an amount of £1,409.48 raised for Samaritans in the Dearne.

A further £405 was raised for the ward alliance to use towards next year's event. The fun day offered lots of free activities for the children to enjoy, thanks to funding from Dearne North Ward Alliance and also provided an opportunity for local businesses to grow and showcase their products. Our fun day wasn't just about raising awareness of mental health, it was about bringing the whole community together. To get involved as a volunteer at community events or be involved with the ward alliance email: darrylhand@barnsley.gov.uk

Join our community events team

Do you love bringing people together? Want to make a real difference in your community? We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us plan and run exciting local events.

Whether you can lend a hand with organising, setting up, welcoming guests or sharing creative ideas, theres a place for you on our team.

No experience needed - just a positive attitude and a passion for community spirit.

Dearne Stay Fit is looking for new members at their Goldthorpe group

Get fitter and have fun by joining Dearne Stay Fit!

These sessions involve gentle, music-based exercise in a welcoming and inclusive space. Perfect for those with reduced mobility, sessions are led by qualified instructors and designed to support your wellbeing.

Goldthorpe Pentecostal Church, Market Street, S63 9HA
Every Tuesday
10am to 11am

• Safe, seated movement
• Music to energise
• Just £2 per session

Annual General Meeting at Station House Community Association in Thurnscoe

Your voice matters. The Annual General Meeting isn't just formality, it's your chance to:

• Shape the future of Station House Community Association 
• Stay Informed about their achievements and plans for the year ahead
• Meet, connect and network with fellow members, leaders and decision makers

By showing up, not only are you supporting the work they do, you're strengthening the community behind it.

Station House Community Association, Lidget Lane, Thurnscoe, S63 0BX
Thursday 25 September
11.00am to 11.30am

                           ​