It's good news for Gamesley Community Centre this winter

Almost three weeks since its doors were boarded up by Derbyshire County Council, Gamesley Community Centre has been saved from permanent closure by a group of dedicated volunteers.

After months of battling bureaucracy and feverish fundraising, the Centre is set to reopen its doors, giving Gamesley residents including young people, somewhere to go, something to do and people to talk to.

The battle began suddenly in February when the volunteers running the youth club from the centre were told they had four weeks left before council budget cuts bit and the building was shuttered forever.

A group of volunteers came together to fight the closure by raising money, forming a community interest group capable of running the Centre without council support, creating a business plan and attracting other interested groups to make the Centre viable long term.

After months of uncertainty and administrative hurdles, what many thought was impossible is now reality after the council agreed to transfer the building lease to the group.

“It’s been a tough but worthwhile fight to keep one of the last community facilities open for Gamesley residents and we’re grateful to everyone who’s supported our efforts, ” said Helen Thornhill – Trustee and Move More Glossop Lead. 

“Now we can look to the future with real optimism and create a genuine community hub with something for everyone that’s run by local people for local people. 

“The good this will do for the whole community can’t be underestimated, whether that’s creating a place for our kids to channel their energy and enthusiasm into something positive or giving older residents somewhere warm to come together and chat.

“Community and youth facilities are closing all over the country with untold harm on society and in that sense, we’re proud to have made sure that Gamesley is one of the few lucky areas to find a way of escaping the impact of these damaging council cuts.”

Dawn, a mum, grandma, daughter and sister living in Gamesley, said: “This means so much. We now have somewhere for families to meet and come together, and also get the kids off the streets. And just give them somewhere to go and socialise.” 

Jon Pearce MP commented on the situation, saying: "We are now so close to having the Gamesley Community Centre back in the hands of the community where it belongs and being run in the interests of the community. We never gave up hope. It’s great to see it opening back up. I’ll continue to support the Community Group to get the deal over the line and to implement their exciting plans."

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh added: "As a local councillor this has been a top priority for me. It has it been a bumpy road, with many twists and turns, but I'm so glad that working together with the Community Group and keeping the pressure on that we're nearly at the finishing line with the Centre rightly in community hands for community use."

To start with, there will be the return of the Youth Club, the Boxing Club, Children’s clinical services, health visitors and the TMP children’s services. The community centre will also be rehoming the Snack and Chat and the Knit and Natter group from the Geoffrey Allan centre, which is unfortunately another community building closing. 

Helen said their intentions are to redecorate and refurnish the centre to make it welcoming for all. Once this is done (before Christmas), they will start to bring in many activities and support services for the whole community, including basketball, athletics, badminton, cricket, and pickle ball, to name a few of the sports, as well as a daily social café, discos, bingo, hall hire for parties, darts club and many other social events.  

Support-wise, groups include: The Bureau, Live, Life, Better Derbyshire, sexual health clinic, alcohol and drug awareness, debt management, adult education and much more. 

Gamesley Community Centre will be planning a grand opening in December, which will be a chance for the community to meet the team behind the scenes and tell them what they want to happen at the centre.

Over the coming months, the centre will be completely refurbished after years of under-investment, which will create a space that everyone in Gamesley can be proud of. If you can donate or give time as a volunteer to help, contact Helen@the-bureau.org.uk