Shaping Stainforth Visit Heart of Blyth

Shaping Stainforth visit Blyth to support ‘Heart of Blyth’ project.

Both ‘Shaping Stainforth’ and ‘The Heart of Blyth’ are two of the five approaches funded by The Health Foundation. Both Blyth and Stainforth share numerous similarities, one being the mining heritage and the passion to keep memories alive.

On the 16th November 2023, Karen and young apprentices Lucy and Grace from the Shaping Stainforth team visited Blyth to see how they engage with residents and the impact it is having in their community, taking ideas to test and learn in Stainforth.

The day started at Community Voluntary Action (CVA) with a cuppa and chat about what they do and about the Shaping Stainforth project. The team leant how CVA support volunteers and different groups.Next the team took a short walk over to The Headway’s Arts for the launch of the new ‘Crofton Mills Pit Remembered’ exhibition. Of the exhibition, Grace "It was a great way to start the day and we met so many lovely people and gathered some good ideas of how we can engage our local primary schools. One idea is encouraging them to create their own mining banners which will be used to support Doncaster to celebrations of the 40 years anniversary of the miners strike."

After the exhibition the team headed over to one of the many youth provisions within Blyth, where they hear about the great things they do with young people. Not only do they have the building open for the young people, but they also have a detached service who will go out and about on the streets and engage with young people who are engaged in anti social behaviour.

After a short pit stop for lunch, the team visited ‘Project Space’ which utilises an empty shop in a shopping centre, displaying pictures of past events and achievements in the community.
Next, the team arrived at ‘Boxing Well’. Grace went on to say; " We were greeted by the loveliest bunch of people. Hearing stories on how much the Boxing Well has impacted, in a positive way, on their mental health. Boxing Well have offered to support Doncaster to create a similar service".

The day ended at Forget Me Not Community House, which is a house in one of the estates that has been transformed community hub where everyone can go to access support. Ran by a group of volunteers, Forget Me Not, serves hot meals daily to anyone within the community and always have fresh vegetables available to take. The team really enjoyed their day in Blyth and are now planning for the ‘Heart of Blyth’ team to visit Stainforth to share the fantastic places and people in Stainforth. Watch this space!