Foundry Street Community Centre Newsletter – May 2025

may_newsletter_2025

Welcome to our monthly update! May has been a month of sunshine, swift meetings, fresh faces, and continued progress at Foundry Street. Here's everything we've been up to:

 Governance & Meetings
  • Trustees met on Monday 5th May, followed by a new Management Meeting on 19th May. Both meetings were swift and productive – decisions made and actions moving forward smoothly.

Clothes Swap & Special Visit

We were delighted to welcome Kate Dearden MP to our monthly Children’s Clothes Swap on 22nd May, thanks to an invitation from Kirsty Day who runs the Children’s Clothes Swap, and who connected with her at a Little Movers session in the Lower Valley.

Marketing & Publicity

Social Media

  • Facebook Group: Now at 881 followers, up from 874 in April.
  • Facebook Page: Up to 71 followers from 67.

Accessibility

  • A draft Accessibility Guide is in the works for our website, in partnership with Calderdale Council.

CalderConnect

  • We’re now listed on the CalderConnect website! Updates and improvements are ongoing.

Membership Perks – In the Pipeline
We're exploring welcome packs for new members.

Maintenance & Upgrades

Inside:

  • Ongoing stairwell plaster repairs by volunteers.
  • Window frames prepped and ready for final painting.
  • Kitchen prep complete; drop-down flap removed from the lounge entrance.
  • Kitchen delivery is imminent. Sessions affected have been rescheduled with only one minor clash.
  • 5 year fixed wiring test and gas boiler servicing scheduled for June/July.

Outside:

  • Fire escape refurb continues – handrails and steps cleaned, scraped, painted.
  • Drainage holes added to prevent rust on the top platform.
  • Weeding tackled in the top car park and down Foundry Street – two saplings cut back.
Grants & Support
  • Locality/VSI grant funds now fully received
  • Ward Forum Grant approved – to fund:
    • Two pairs of curtains for Leslie Godfrey lounge
    • A new widescreen projection screen
    • Funds not yet received, so purchases pending

Huge thanks to Locality/VSI and Ward Forum for your continued support!

Centre Users. Who’s Been In?

New This Month:

  • Youth Justice Service
  • Medicine Drum Journey

Exciting Developments:

  • Big Hugs trialled an adult session on Saturday 10th May
  • Monday Chat Room now includes seated exercise (trial) with Carolyn from St Paul’s – a big hit!
  • Women’s Support Group paused 

Regular Users (24 groups!) From boxing and karate to yoga, language lessons and mental health support. A vibrant mix! 

Non-Regular Users:

  • Reed Wellbeing ran 6 diabetes sessions
  • Sound Bath returned on 27th May
  • Tai Chi Social held on 29th May

Free Sessions Offered:

  • CPR Training (15th May)
  • Sowerby Bridge Wellbeing Meeting (20th May)
  • Clothes Swap (22nd May)

Upcoming Bookings & Enquiries

  • Jewellery Workshop: Saturday 7th June (1–3pm)
  • Julian Carr, local author, in talks for a book talk in Aug/Sept
  • Read Easy exploring local adult literacy opportunities
  • Youth Justice Service occasional panel meetings 
Volunteer Corner

A huge thank you to our dedicated team!

Hours in May

Trustees - 108.25

Volunteers - 42

Want to volunteer? Email us at: info@foundrystreetcc.org.uk

Local Partnerships
  • Working with Sowerby Bridge Rotary Club on the kitchen refurb.
  • Our Board member Sheila Eastwood gave a Foundry Street history talk to the Rotary on 19th May.
  • Board member Andrew Broadbent represented us at:
    • Calder & Ryburn PCN Meeting (15th May)
    • Crow Wood Park Great Get Together planning
  • New connection with Gemma Murphy from Space at Field Lane, arranged through Emma Carter.

Free Defibrillator Training

  • Held on Thursday 15th May. Big thanks to Calderdale Community Fund who sponsored this event.
  • 17 attendees, including trustees, user groups, Goodall Transport staff, and community members.
Coming Up Next...
  • Finish first coat on the fire escape (weather permitting!)
  • Receive delivery of kitchen and begin installation
  • Wall insulation in Eric Taylor Lounge
  • Order new curtains for Leslie Godfrey Lounge
  • Continue stairwell painting
  • Purchase jet washer for outside maintenance
  • Schedule electrical safety testing and gas servicing

Thank you for being part of our Foundry Street family!
Let’s keep growing, creating, and connecting – together.

Contact Us
Email: info@foundrystreetcc.org.uk
Visit: www.foundrystreetcc.org.uk