North East LAC: you said we did

This theme focuses on improving local businesses and shopping areas for residents.

The North East LAC is supporting local businesses and shopping areas with their appearance. This includes:

• installing banners
• planter
• updating utility boxes with artwork
• making general improvements

We’re also working with Business Information Officers to create and develop business forums. Areas that were unsuccessful with the last two Economic Recovery Fund (ERF) bids will benefit from this project. These areas are:

• Margetson
• Buchanan
• Longley 4 Greens
• Nether Shire Shops
• Hartley Brook
• Spital Hill

Some initiatives to improve these areas include:

• replacing old benches and bins and reporting any repairs or maintenance issues to the correct services
• creating a unique identity with branding
• installing the correct sockets and frames for Christmas lights
• installing banners, flower baskets, planters and utility box artwork to add colour to the high streets and make them more welcoming
• establishing community gardens around shops to boost community engagement

This theme focuses on helping and supporting residents to live happy and healthy lives.

The North East LAC has purchased and fitted 10 defibrillators in the area. These are located at:

• Hartley Brook Road
• Four Greens Community Centre
• 127 Page Hall Road
• Wolf Road Forum
• Concord Golf Club
• Margetson Crescent Thomas More
• Wordsworth Avenue Mount Tabor
• Verdon Street Recreation Centre
• Spital Hill Sorby House
• Sicey Avenue Shiregreen Community Centre

The LAC contributed £100 to each community building holding a defibrillator to cover energy costs for about 3 years. We also pay for replacement pads, which are required after the unit has been activated, and have funded the replacement of vandalized units and cabinets.

We’re pleased to report that these defibrillators have saved lives and have been used 51 times between December and April.

 If you spot an issue with any of these defibrillators, please contact us and we’ll organise repairs as a matter of urgency.

This theme focuses on improving the environment, making it greener, cleaner and safer for residents.

We’re working in collaboration with local services to tackle and reduce fly-tipping. In some hotspots, sites have been cleared and bollards have been installed to prevent people from pulling up in their cars and fly-tipping. 

In partnership with Amey and our Environmental Stewards, we’re transforming unloved pockets of land prone to fly-tipping into community gardens. The targeted areas include:

• Ecclesfield Road Laybys
• Harleston Street
• East Earsham Street
• Petre Street
• Ellesmere Green
• Spital Hill
• Pagehall Wensley
• Longley 4 Greens
• Firth Park

Additionally, we’re working with local services to create and share information with residents on the best and easiest ways to report litter and fly-tipping. This is an ongoing project, so if you’re aware of an area prone to fly-tipping, please report it.

This theme focuses on:

• current activities
• provisions and support for children
• younger residents
• families in their area

The North East LAC successfully organized a Youth Conference where young people from across the 4 wards were invited to share their views on issues such as:

• health and wellbeing
• cost of living
• activities available to children, young residents and families

In the new academic year, we hope to develop this further by going into schools in the North East and gathering young people’s views on these matters.

This theme focuses on safer communities that support vulnerable residents and victims.

The North East LAC distributed 12 Dark Night grants across the 4 wards, funding additional activities and provisions for young people during the dark nights period (31 October to 5 November, 6pm to 10pm).

These grants funded events such as:

• cinema evenings
• arts and crafts sessions
• children’s activities
• youth club sessions
• boxing sessions
• football sessions
• street dancing sessions

Due to its success, we’ll continue this project. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved.

“On those nights, we did not have a single Anti-Social Behaviour job all evening in my area, which is brilliant.” – South Yorkshire Police Officer

This theme focuses on tackling speeding and improving road safety. This includes parking and the way people can travel to improve their lifestyle.

The North East LAC and Police Community Support Officers are collaborating with schools to reduce dangerous and inconsiderate parking at peak times. 

We visit schools to promote discussions with children about good parking practices. The children design Good Parking Tickets, which they distribute in the areas near their school’s grounds to celebrate safe and considerate parking. We’re delighted to be working with 9 schools so far in the North East.

This theme focuses on the enhancement, regeneration and improvement of parks and open spaces.

The North East LAC works closely with the 'Friends of' groups, such as Friends of Concord Park and Woolley Wood (FOCPWW). We funded festivals, events and activities in our parks, including: 

• the Lantern Parade
• Parson X Park Fun Day
• Firth Park Festival
• Longley 4 Greens Fun Day
• Abbeyfield Park Fun Day

The North East LAC also purchased more bins wrapped in colourful artwork for Concord Park. 

We funded the purchase and installation of accessible picnic benches for Friends of Ellesmere Park. Funding and support were provided to the Friends of Firth Park Community Allotments and Hope Community Allotments.

This theme focuses on building capacity and infrastructure based on the needs of the communities.

Over the last year, the North East LAC ran and funded various events in the area, such as:

• fun days
• pop-up cafes
• events in parks
• youth conferences
• switching-on of lights
• many more

Longley Fun Day

Longley Fun Day was a successful event located at Four Greens, a patch of land in the Firth Park Ward, during the October Half Term. It was organised and funded by the North East LAC as a Fun Day for children and families.

International Youth Day

International Youth Day was a busy event held at Concord Park and funded by the North-East LAC. Held during the 6-week summer holidays, it included various activities for children, such as art tables, dancing and a popular bouncy castle.

Other events funded by the North East LAC include:

• Burngreave’s Got Talent
• Page Hall Spring Event
• Friends of Abbeyfield Park Festival
• Community Event at Vestry Hall

This theme focuses on distributing small grants to voluntary and community groups and organizations. The aim is to support projects addressing cost of living issues in the North East of Sheffield.

In partnership with VAS, the North East LAC provided funding to groups setting up as Welcoming Places. These are friendly and safe places that offer support to people dealing with issues linked to the rise in the cost of living, such as mental health and poverty.

The North East LAC has funded many groups and organisations holding activities or events that support people suffering from the cost of living crisis. We have funded events such as:

• lunch clubs with quizzes, bingo and digital advice
• Christmas lunch and gifts for approximately 100 people
• craft groups
• knit and natter groups
• afternoon tea and coffee sessions
• international meals (meals prepared and shared by local asylum seekers, volunteers and residents)