South East LAC: you said, we did

The South East LAC focuses on 4 key themes, identified by our wonderful community members:

• children and families
• crime and community safety
• environment
• health and wellbeing

Each theme has its own priorities, and in 2024 to 2025, we invested in projects that make a real difference:

• £50,000 towards crime and community safety
• £17,000 in environmental initiatives
• £15,000 in health and wellbeing projects
• £15,000 to support children and families across the South East

Below are a few snapshots of what we have delivered over the past year under each theme.

Children and families

This theme focuses on:

• current activities
• provisions
• support for children
• younger residents
• families

On 3 December 2024, we held a fantastic Children and Families, Health and Wellbeing event at Westfield Community Centre. The event was shaped by your feedback from previous meetings, where you asked for more:

• informal gatherings
• activities for young people
• stronger connections with local organisations
• food for attendees

We listened, and we made it happen!

The event brought together 16 local organisations, including both football teams, and created a great opportunity for people to connect with services in the area. 

A competition for local primary schools was a big success, with 4 lucky winners each receiving a £100 Waterstones voucher. Families and children enjoyed a variety of activities, including Christmas gift bags, a delicious buffet, games and the chance to chat with their local councillor. Around 50 people attended, and we want to thank everyone who came along and made it such a wonderful day!

We also gathered lots of brilliant ideas from the community on how we can improve services for children, families and health and wellbeing in the area. Many of you suggested more youth activities, including:

• football sessions
• clubs for different age groups
• craft and musical activities
• outdoor play
• knife crime awareness sessions

To support health and wellbeing, you asked for:

• more sports opportunities
• mental health sessions
• ESOL classes
• fitness groups

Families also shared their desire for:

• more trips
• free community events
• football activities
• family fun days
• support groups (such as playgroups)
• financial advice services
• food banks
• support for those affected by drug abuse

Crime and community safety

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

Putting the heart back in Woodhouse: A community plan

Sheffield City Council, local police and community groups are working together to make Woodhouse a safer, cleaner and more welcoming place to live. This is part of the Clear, Hold and Build plan, which tackles crime and improves the area.

What’s been done so far

Phase 1: Clear

In July 2024, the police took action and made arrests, seized illegal items and protected vulnerable people.

Phase 2: Hold and Build

Now, we’re working with you to create a long-term plan based on what the community wants.

Your priorities

From surveys, meetings and a Family Fun Day, here’s what you’ve told us matters most:

Children, families and play

More youth clubs, toddler groups, after-school activities and family services.

Community safety

More police presence, better CCTV, tackling anti-social behaviour and improving safety in parks and public spaces.

Woodhouse Square and business regeneration

Making the area more attractive with shop shutter art, flags and better signage.

The environment

Cleaner parks, graffiti removal, better lighting and well-maintained public spaces.

What’s next

We want your ideas! Do you agree with these plans? Have more suggestions? Help shape the future of Woodhouse by sharing your thoughts!

Environment

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

You said

On 12 September 2024, we hosted a public meeting at Beighton Top Club that focused on the local environment. We asked residents what they love about their surroundings, what could be improved and ideas for small environmental projects.

Many of you appreciate the green spaces, trees and bushes, as well as the litter-picking groups that help keep the area clean. Events like Orchard Day, tree pruning workshops and walking routes in Owlthorpe were also highlighted as positives. This is along with the efforts of local volunteers. 

However, concerns were raised about:

• underused green spaces
• littering
• dog fouling
• air pollution
• misuse of areas by e-bikes and quadbikes

Residents shared ideas for improvement, which included:

• more flowers
• hanging baskets
• nature walks
• dog bins
• better litter collection 

There was also interest in community events, garden competitions and installing bird and bat boxes. 

Suggestions for small environmental projects included:

• clearing Ochre Dyke
• supporting a community allotment in Beighton
• creating a BMX park
• developing S20 into a green corridor with more wildflowers, hedges, and seating

We did

Following the success of the Environmental Stewardship Pilot, we’re excited to announce that the project is being extended for another year in the South East of Sheffield. 

To support this, we funded an Environmental Stewardship Team, which helps young people gain training while improving local spaces.

Over a rolling twelve-week programme, 6 young people who are not in employment, education or training will spend 2 days a week with an Amey Supervisor. They’ll work to clean up and enhance community spaces across the area. Their work will include:

• repairing fencing
• fixing benches and street furniture
• cutting back hedges
• removing graffiti
• litter picking
• deep cleaning

Alongside this, they’ll receive health and safety training and spend an extra day improving their maths and english skills with the Lifelong Learning and Skills team.

Now that the programme is well-established, you’ll start seeing signs on work vans and A-Boards featuring the Environmental Stewardship logo, so you can easily spot the fantastic work being carried out.

This project not only helps to keep our neighbourhoods cleaner and greener, but also gives young people hands-on experience, new skills and a sense of pride in their local area. Keep an eye out for them working in your community, and if you see them, give them a wave!

Health and wellbeing

The South East LAC dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of local residents. To support this goal, the LAC provided funding to Hero of Health, a community initiative focused on promoting healthier lifestyles and improving access to wellbeing services. This funding has allowed the project to expand its reach and deliver vital support across the South East area, including Birley and Westfield wards.

How the funding helped

With the support of the South East LAC, Hero of Health has been able to deliver a range of activities aimed at educating and empowering individuals to take control of their health. This funding has facilitated:

• health and wellbeing workshops
• providing valuable information on nutrition, mental health and physical activity
• fitness and exercise programmes
• encouraging community participation in regular exercise through accessible classes and events
• community engagement initiatives
• bringing people together to create a supportive environment that promotes long term health improvements

Impact on the local community

The funding has made a real difference across Birley, Westfield and the wider South East area to ensure residents have access to essential health resources. 

Key benefits include:

• improved health awareness - more people are now equipped with the knowledge to make healthier lifestyle choices
• increased physical activity - community-led fitness programmes have helped residents stay active and engaged
• enhanced wellbeing support - by focusing on prevention and education, Hero of Health has contributed to reducing health inequalities in the area

The partnership between Hero of Health and the South East LAC highlights the impact of local investment in community-led health initiatives. By funding projects like this across Birley, Westfield and the surrounding areas, the LAC continues to play a key role in enhancing the wellbeing of residents and creating a healthier, more connected community.