Regeneration

New Lodge Community Centre, a facility in St Helens that offers various activities and support services for the local community, is undergoing a major renovation and refurbishment project.

Works at the centre, which is managed by community group Ad Astra, include extensions to the offices and storage facilities, new doors, roof improvements, fencing and brickwork repairs and solar panels.

The staff and users of the centre are excited about the outcome and look forward to continuing their community cohesion work in the St Helen’s area.

This centre in the Dearne South ward hosts various craft, fitness and community groups.

It was closed last November for a major renovation project as part of our Principal Towns and Local Centres programme.

The renovation works include replacing the roof, rewiring the electrical system, redecorating the interior, and installing new doors, radiators and lights.

The centre – which is managed by Dearne Valley Venture - will also benefit from an air-source heat pump, which will reduce its energy consumption and environmental impact.

The modernisation of the Renaissance Centre will make it more attractive and comfortable for the users and the community.

Mapplewell and Staincross Village Hall is a popular venue in the north of the borough which hosts various community groups and activities.

The centre was refurbished and future-proofed under our Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme, with the works completed in August 2024.

We updated all the lighting to LED lighting inside and out, replaced the main boiler and heating system and made improvements to sewerage, as well as to the foyer and other key areas of the building.

The village hall is now more welcoming to all visitors, as well as being more sustainable and energy-efficient.

A range of activities are available every week, from aerobics, art and ballroom dancing to a toddler group, yoga and Zumba, with more details available on the Mapplewell and Staincross Library webpage.

The council-funded works to the village hall took place alongside transformation works to the library in the same building, which were funded by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

Great Houghton Miners' Welfare Hall has been officially reopened after it was made fitter for the future.

We completely replaced the roof of the popular community hub, installed LED lighting, built an office extension and updated the kitchen.

Local firm O&P Construction carried out the renovations as part of our principal towns and local centres programme.

Sustainability is at the heart of this programme, and the works at Great Houghton will help save on energy costs. This will help in turn to keep rental fees down for people hiring the venue.

The Mayor of Barnsley, Councillor John Clarke JP, cut the ribbon to celebrate the successful works at the hall, which is managed by Great Houghton Parish Council.

In the video below, parish council chair Cllr Dorothy Coates talks about how the works have made the hall more welcoming and energy-efficient.

Wombwell Town Football Club is undergoing a makeover as part of the Council's plans to revitalise local centres. 

The clubhouse will be refurbished, rewired and damp-proofed and a new outside decking area added. 

The transformation is part of the Principal Towns and Local Centres programme, which aims to enhance community facilities around the borough. 

The works are expected to be completed by the end of the year. 

You can find volunteering opportunities on the Barnsley CVS website, or contact your local area team.

Find out more about how to get started as a volunteer.

We post photos of people taking part in projects like community clean-ups and bulb-planting, as well as upcoming activities you could get involved with. For more information email southareateam@barnsley.gov.uk.

We like to hear your ideas about how to improve where you live. You might even find other like-minded people in your area who'd be happy to get together to make improvements.

You can also apply for funding through your ward alliance for a project if you can show that it meets the local priorities for your area.

Our Area Teams are at the heart of their communities, organising, supporting and promoting local events and helping people access council services and advice.

Contact our area teams to let them know about your events.

Your neighbourhood policing team is responsible for crime prevention and community safety.

You can meet the teams, get in touch and find details of Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings on their dedicated pages on the South Yorkshire Police website.

Report crime and anti-social via the South Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101. Dial 999 in an emergency.

Our neighbourhood wardens are working hard in our communities to combat environmental crime and anti social behaviour, but they rely on your help and support.

Make a fly-tipping report.