Community hub launched in Middleton

We were delighted to witness the launch of Your Hub, based in the heart of Langley with volunteers and members of the local community in attendance. 

We provided over £10,000 funding to support The Angel Project which helped them set up Your Hub and The Angel Café.  The ethos of the project is to engage with a wide audience whether they choose to volunteer, or need support.

Sian Martin-Baez from Riverside said ‘We are delighted to be able to provide funding to enable ‘Your Hub’ to get off the ground. “Your Hub” will provide a much needed community facility and the groups and activities that will be run from there will give many Riverside tenants practical, emotional and social support. We are committed to revitalising neighbourhoods and the money we have invested in this project will go a long way in achieving this in the Langley area’.

Sue Scott who runs the Angel Project is currently working with a local provider to enable the skills of the volunteers whilst learning and developing to be accredited which will boost their confidence and enhance their opportunities of employment for the future.

Sue said “the services that we will be running from Your Hub are vital for the sustainability of our community and we are extremely grateful to Riverside for the

funding, as well as to all of our volunteers and for giving up their time. We would encourage local people to access these services”.

The Angel Project also offers group sessions targeted at people with mental health issues to help them engage with the wider community which has attracted a significant number of people and it is intended to move these sessions to Your Hub where there is more room and will offer a learning opportunity.

A local forum will also be formed to include a group of local residents, the local CCG, Health and Well-Being Board, Riverside, Job Centre Plus and the local council to ensure the needs of the community are being met and to resolve any problems

Councillor for North Middleton Chris Furlong officially opened the hub with Sue and her daughter Emma.

Chris said “I am really honoured to be opening Your Hub, it is great to see the building go from an empty shell to how fantastic it looks today.  It just shows the dedication to the community from the local people and it will be a great addition to the area.”

Various activities were available for children such as a bouncy castle, horse riding and various stalls.  Riverside’s Employment & Training Officer Kate Alderson was on hand to give advice on training opportunities and job clubs that are available.

Andrew Timlin, pictured (left on photo), is a recovering drug and alcohol addict. He met Emma on a work placement and now volunteers to help other local people who may be in the same situation.  He now works for NHS pathways and has turned his life around.

Andrew said “I wasted 27 years of my life on drugs and alcohol and hope that local people will use Your Hub to get help and support at the drop in sessions.”

If you would like further information please contact Sue on 0161 637 4010 or email [email protected].