Community and volunteering

Take a seat in Worsbrough

Official opening of our first 'Take a Seat Barnsley’ bench at Haverlands Lane car park, Worsbrough.

Take a seat in Wombwell Park

Our second 'Take a Seat Barnsley' bench has been installed in Wombwell Park.

Everyone who attended the launch thought it was a great addition to the park with a lovely aspect.  They preferred it to other benches which often have a higher seating position. One lady told us "us walkers like to sit and rest a while, and this is a great bench".

Sylvia, who was walking with her dog Skye, is just regaining her confidence in coming back outside after an illness. She said "I will use this bench often as a place to rest and reflect". Sabeena and Dave, two volunteers from the Friends Of Wombwell Park group, said they were "thrilled with the new addition".

Take a seat in Cubley, Penistone

A new 'Take a Seat Barnsley' bench has been installed in Penistone, at the Hackings Avenue/Mortimer Road Junction on the road to Cubley Hall.

Everyone who attended the launch thought it was a great location. On a steep hill, at a popular junction and near a bus stop, so there are plenty of options for it to be used. Joanne told us "halfway up the hill is the perfect spot, just the right place to catch your breath and take in the view".

Joanne and Beth brought their youngsters along to help make this a real Age Friendly Barnsley moment.  Reminding us it’s more than just being ‘old age friendly’, as important as that is.

Photos show left to right:

Karen Dennis (Age UK Barnsley), Tanya Dickinson (Barnsley Council Penistone Area Team), Jayne Sagar (Berneslai Homes), Joanne Toner, her friend Beth and their families, and Jolene Allan (Barnsley Council).  

Also, two local residents taking in the view and enjoying a well earned rest in the springtime sun.

Take a seat in Oxspring

To celebrate our Take a seat Barnsley bench in Oxspring, we have Ann Walker from the Oxspring parish council and member of Penistone ward alliance. Oxspring residents Mr and Mrs Mitchell, Tanya Dickinson from Penistone area team and Christopher Booth from Healthier Communities.

Take a seat in Darton park

Another Age Friendly 'Take a Seat Barnsley' bench has been installed in Darton Park.

What a glorious day it was to celebrate it being installed. Ladies from Age UK Barnsley’s Darton walking group, workers from Barnsley Council’s Parks Department, Healthier Communities, North Area Team and local Councillor Trevor Cave all came along. The ‘Take a Seat Barnsley’ project is a real partnership effort and is seeing more seating across the borough for people of all ages.

The ladies are thrilled with it ‘It’s just the job, it’s an ideal spot on this side of the park.’
Local Darton West Councillor Trevor Cave added.  “I visit Darton Park regularly with my dogs and since the new bench was installed I’ve had lots of positive comments from park users about it. Lots of people stop and sit for a while during their walk around the new footpath. People have been asking for a bench in that location for some time so it’s really good that Age Friendly Barnsley were able to provide one for that site.”

Photo shows left to right:

Photo Front Wilma, Irene, Anne, Delia (Darton Ladies Walking Group), rear Russ Boland BMBC Parks, Leslie (Walking Group), Rosie Adams BMBC North Area Manager Cllr Trevor Cave, Chris Booth BMBC Healthier Communities

Take a seat on the Trans Pennine Trail 

Walkers, cyclists and Maddie the dog enjoying some of the wonderful new seating along the Trans Pennine Trail.  

Take a seat at Bower Hill and Bower Dell, Oxspring 

Whether you’re at the bottom of Bower Hill, enjoying Bower Dell, or if you’re up at the top of Bower Hill at the 4’s… please Take a Seat Barnsley!  

Thanks to Twiggs Grounds Maintenance Ltd  and a brilliant team of local volunteers for titivating and beautifying Oxspring’s Bower Dell.

Take a seat at Milton Pond, Hoyland

Age Friendly Barnsley are pleased to unveil a new bench at Milton Pond, Hoyland.

This was made possible by Barnsley Council, Age UK Barnsley, Mates of Milton Community Group and local contractors AES South Yorkshire Ltd.

This is the latest in a series of benches and seats that have been located across the borough. These improve accessibility for older residents when they are out and about.

A big thanks to the Mates of Milton and to AES South Yorkshire Ltd for their support in making, installing and part-funding the bench. This would not have been possible without them.

Photo from the unveiling event shows left to right (standing): Christopher Booth (BMBC); Charlotte Moulds (BMBC); Diane Hardy (Mates of Milton Group); Caroline Saunders (Age UK Barnsley) and seated local residents Bob and Sharon.

Take a seat in shops in Penistone

Feel free to take a seat in Penistone's Co-op,  Spar or Cafe Creme.  

Take a seat in shops in Hoyland 

We're delighted that Hoyland based shops have joined our Take a Seat campaign.  Thank you to Walkers Newsagent, Clayton Slippers and The Community Fridge/Food Bank.  

Take a seat in shops in Kendray 

Caring for Kendray Community Shop has joined the Take a Seat Barnsley campaign. Our window sticker is proudly displayed on their window.

Take a seat in Royd Community Gardens, Millhouse Green

Twiggs Grounds Maintenance Ltd worked with community volunteers to spruce up and tidy the lovely Royd Moor Community Gardens in Millhouse Green. We recognised their Bench as age friendly.

Take a seat in Hoylandswaine

Why not take a seat and admire the view from outside Hoylandswaine's church?

Take a seat in Howbrook 

Thanks to Twiggs Grounds Maintenance Ltd  and a brilliant team of local volunteers for titivating and beautifying Howbrook. 

Take a seat in shops on Eldon Street, Barnsley 

When you're shopping for a bargain in Age UK Barnsley's shop on Eldon Street in the town centre.  Please feel free to take a seat.

Take a seat in shops in Wombwell

Shops on Wombwell's high street have joined our Take a Seat campaign. Many thanks to Akram's Pharmacy, Wombwell Animal Rescue and Specsavers.

Take a seat in Penistone 

Our latest ‘Take a Seat Barnsley’ bench is a great example of community collaboration between Barnsley Council, Berneslai Homes, Age UK and Penistone’s ‘Men in Sheds’.

The Men in Sheds kindly donated their time and materials to refurbish this damaged bench, which is in an ideal spot for residents to catch a breather and chat with neighbours.

Cllr Hannah Kitching said: ““This bench has been out of action for too long, so I am pleased it is now repaired and back in action as part of the Age Friendly Barnsley “Take a Seat” campaign. It is in a crucial location for our older and less mobile residents to take a rest when out and about on our High Street. Huge thanks to the Penistone Men in Sheds team for mending it!”

Back row L to R: Elaine Equeall, Area Manager - Cllr Mandy Lowe-Flello - Christopher Booth, Healthier Communities - Chris Wright, Berneslai Homes.

Front row L to R: Jim Lei, Penistone Men in Sheds - Cllr Hannah Kitching.

And just around the corner, next to Penistone Paramount's car park, here's Elaine and Craig enjoying another bench. This one was cleaned and badged up by our colleagues. Find out more on the Twiggs website.

Take a seat in Thurlstone

Please ‘Take a Seat Barnsley’ from one end of Thurlstone to the other!

There are benches on the A628, Manchester Road near Millhouse, at Thurlstone War Memorial, and on the bridge over the River Don.

Come and explore Thurlstone.