The Council has launched a survey to help shape the future of the borough’s Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy and is calling on residents to get involved and have their say.

The strategy is a plan of action with the aim of preventing homelessness and ending rough sleeping in Rotherham and ensuring people get the help and support they need. The survey will give local people the opportunity to shape how this is achieved. 

The Council has been delivering against the commitments in its Homelessness Strategy over the past three years, focusing on six key aims including; supporting people with complex needs, increasing support for young people and ensuring there is sufficient decent emergency accommodation. 

This consultation will refresh the strategy and set out the key priorities for 2023-26 with the aim of the survey to identify what is important to residents and help find solutions on how to end rough sleeping for good.

The survey will only take a few minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous. To take part visit - www.rotherham.gov.uk/consultations.

In 2017, local partner organisations including Rotherham Council, working through the Rotherham Together Partnership, developed and launched the Rotherham Plan 2025. This plan sets out the major programmes partners are focusing on to deliver improvements for Rotherham.

We have made significant progress since 2017 and are now in the process of updating the plan to reflect current opportunities. These include the significant regeneration funding that has been secured and to respond to challenges such as living with Covid 19 and the rising cost of living.   

Based on research, analysis and engagement carried out to date, the partnership has identified a number of priority themes. To help us shape these themes and prioritise action, we’d like you to share your views by completing this short survey.  

All responses are anonymous and any data you provide will be handled in line with our privacy policy, which you can find at www.rotherham.gov.uk/privacy   

Read more about the partnership and plan.

An archaeological dig at Rotherham’s Forge Island site has uncovered a treasure trove of ancient industrial artefacts.  

Town centre developer Muse, along with partners from Rotherham Council and BWB Consulting teamed up with West Yorkshire Archaeological Services (WYAS), to take part in a dig on the Forge Island site, with residents and community groups invited on site to look at the findings.

Read the full story.

A nationally significant archaeological discovery has been made in Harthill, with thanks to Harthill with Woodall Archaeology Group.

Formed in 2016, Harthill with Woodall Archaeology Group (HWAG) is a group of over 50 volunteers. Members range in age from 3 years old to their late 70s. All of the members are dedicated to investigating and publishing the heritage of Harthill with Woodall, a very special corner of South Yorkshire. Read the full story.

An adopt a tree scheme has been launched in Brinsworth, where over 100 new trees have been planted on Bawtry Road.

Local residents can get involved by adopting a tree. It’s free for residents to take part.

Trees are an important part in the fight against climate change and this scheme is the first of its kind in Rotherham.

This project was supported by the Urban Tree Challenge Fund and Trees for Cities who helped the Council gain funding for the new trees.

Read full story.

The summer holidays may be over but there are still plenty of activities and days out to keep your family entertained.

There are low cost and free places for you to explore, from Rotherham's own Clifton Park to places further afield.

Yorkshire Tots showcases a range of events, activities and venues suitable for young families. All you need to pay for is the travel and the parking. 

Free family days out on Yorkshire Tots

If your children attended the activities that Rotherham Healthy Holidays had on offer over the summer – we want to hear from you!

Please could you spare 5-10 minutes to fill out the below surveys about Rotherham Healthy Holidays. Your valuable feedback will help us to make improvements ahead of the next programme. One is for you as a parent or guardian and the other one is for your children to complete. 

Children and Young People’s Survey 

Parents and Carers

It’s nearly October and there are lots of fun events taking place across Rotherham. 

This month, Rotherham Civic Theatre (in partnership with Off the Shelf festival) welcomes the journalist and TV presenter Dan Walker on Saturday 15 October, 7:30pm to talk about his new book Standing on the Shoulders, which is a beautiful, illuminating celebration of ordinary people and the incredible things they do.

Read our full 'What's On' guide.