Rotherham Rise's new women's centre after £10,000 revamp

Rotherham Rise now has a welcoming, colourful and stylish drop-in centre at the corner of Main Street and Market Street, and welcomed supporters to an open day on Wednesday.

The anti-domestic violence organisation scooped a five-figure windfall to refurbish the run-down building after winning a public vote in a national contest run by Johnstone’s Paints.

Chief executive Sue Wynne said: “Everything has happened so quickly, from the various contractors coming in three weeks ago to the position we’re in now.

“We wanted it to be welcoming, maybe a bit quirky, somewhere women could happily come and spend time - that was the vision - and we’re really pleased with the result.”

A reception-and-cafe area has unquestionably “quirky” decoration - a table supported by stacks of books is one of the features Sue hopes will prove a talking point.

The new women’s centre also houses a large, open meeting space featuring pictures and quotes designed to inspire and empower women, which is intended to be used for courses including cooking and IT, group work and possibly social events.

As Sue says: “The potential for this room is limitless.”

There is still plenty of work to do, not least because a large section the larger room’s floor has been ruined by damp from the neighbouring, disused, Exchange pub, but the revamp shows the charity - which only took on its new name last year - is moving in the right direction.

“Things like the Johnstone’s Paints vote and events like this help to raise our profile and show people we are here and tell them what we’re about,” said Sue.

“People are starting to know us better and the services we provide.

“Women will be able to just come here and meet up, but they can also access our services, including counselling and support, too.

“We had an open day a month ago, before all the work took place, and today is about inviting people back and saying: ‘Look what we’ve done!’

“We just want it to be a nice place to spend time. The whole idea is that we want it to be open for all women.”

Never ones to rest on their laurels, Rise staff and volunteers are now turning their attentions to further developing their Main Street HQ and creating a dedicated men’s centre in Wellgate.

Richard Mazurkiewicz, marketing manager for Johnstone’s Trade, which provided colour and paint advice and paid for the materials and labour, said: “Rotherham Rise does an incredible job and we are proud to support such a worthwhile cause. 

“We are proud to help create a very inviting and warm environment.”

Find out more about Rotherham Rise at www.rotherhamrise.org.uk. If you’ve been affected by domestic abuse or violence or child sexual exploitation and want to make a referral, or you want to donate, call 0330 2020571.