Being such a diverse community, there are inevitably many different kinds of groups and activities taking place in Broomhall.
The Broomhall Centre on Broomspring Lane hosts a variety of activities including several youth clubs, English language classes, dance and fitness classes, community events and children’s groups, including a very successful Homework Club. St Mark’s is involved in a drop-in project on Wednesday afternoons from 3.00-5.00pm called ‘The Welcome Place’, where all are welcome to meet together for a drink and a chat. The Welcome Place is a great way to find out more about what’s going on in the area. For more information, look up ‘Broomhall Centre’ on Facebook or contact the Centre Manager, Sharon Gill at broomhallcentre@broomhallcentre.f9.co.uk.
The Broomhall Forum is a hub of community activity, co-ordinating training events and providing support for those wanting to find work, offering UK Online where local residents can access the internet, and supporting local community initiatives in their bids for funding and support. The Forum also runs weekly youth clubs and holiday play-schemes. For more information, contact Linsey Taylor Auad at linsey@broomhallforum.org.uk.
Because of the diversity of the community, one of the most important groups in Broomhall is the “Group of Groups” or GOG, an umbrella organisation which invites representatives from different groups to meet together and share information and concerns. It meets every couple of months or so and provides an open forum in which to discuss the life of the community through the eyes of different local people and interested parties. For more information contact Mike Fitter at mikefitter@blueyonder.co.uk
Broomhall has a number of Parents’ Groups representing the Somali Community and the Afro-Caribbean Communities that are active in the area, and there is a vibrant Mentoring Scheme for Somali young people to gain extra support with their school work from local students.
There are also two active residents associations (TARAs) which run various activities, including a Toy Library.
These are just some of the groups you might be able to get involved in, but if you’d like to find out more, come along to The Welcome Place, meet some local residents and pick up the information you’re looking for. See you there on Wednesday?