Whitewell Bottom Community Centre: A Vital Hub for Local Residents
At a recent meeting, Rossendale Rotary members were astonished to learn just how important the Whitewell Bottom Community Centre is to its local community. Since taking over the building from Lancashire County Council in 2017, the Community Association has run and continuously improved the centre with just a single part-time employee, Centre Manager Robyn Jones.
Robyn and trustee Jackie Oakes – a former Mayor and recently the Mayoress of Rossendale – detailed some of the activities that happen on a weekly basis. These include a breakfast club, keep fit sessions, craft activities, friendship lunches, ‘make do and mend’ workshops, Zumba, board games, knit & natter, gardening, and yoga.
For children, there is a pre-school nursery, school uniform reuse days, and plenty of activities during school holidays, some of which take place on the splendid football field or netball court. The centre also has several different rooms available for hire at very affordable rates.
All of these activities cost money, and the Community Association also has to keep the building and grounds in good repair. Despite having invested in solar panels in recent times, the cost of heating the building – especially in winter when the centre acts as a warm space – is a continual worry.
Grants have been secured for the solar panels, a new kitchen, and other items, but the centre still needs to raise money through events, a lottery, a 100 club, and similar initiatives. The team came to talk to Rotary to see if they could help in some way. Robyn and Jackie were congratulated on their selfless work for the local community and were assured that Rotary will do all in its power to assist.
For more Rossendale news, read about Rossendale Rotary’s other community initiatives.
