WHAT'S ON: Around Rotherham

KIVETON PARK INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE: A drop-in session, with no appointment necessary, will be held on Thursday 9-11.30am at The Arnold Centre in Rotherham (telephone for details). To contact (office hours) 01909 773966. The advice centre believes there is a demand for appointments on a Saturday for clients who are unable to attend weekday appointments due to employment, child care or transport issues so there will be a number of case-work type appointments on a Saturday.

ROTHERHAM CITIZENS ADVICE: Rotherham CAB has employed more debt advisers. The CAB won extra funding from the Money Advice Service which it is using to improve its debt provision. The CAB has two more debt workers and more support staff at the Rain Building next to the indoor market on Eastwood Lane, Rotherham. If people can’t get there they can see an adviser at one of 14 debt outreaches across the community. People can see a debt adviser on Thursday 9am-7pm at a debt drop-in at the Rain Building. The advisers can see people face-to-face or give advice by telephone. Contact 03444 111 444 or visit the office in the Rain Building.

ROTHERHAM SOCIETY OF ARTISTS: Meet at Unity Centre, St Leonard’s Road on Fridays 7-9pm. Membership £30 per year, visitors £5 per session. Contact [email protected], www.rotherhamsocietyofartists.org.uk. April 15 – life drawing (may be with tutor). April 29 – life drawing. May 13 – AGM plus art experience if time.

ROTHERHAM SAFE HAVEN: The Rotherham Safe Haven at Talbot Lane Methodist Church operates on Fridays from 10pm until, if necessary, about 4am on Saturday. A small team of volunteers provides this temporary refuge for vulnerable people in the town centre, working alongside Street Pastors. The team could benefit from more volunteers, especially women. Contact town centre chaplain Barrie Thomas 01709 532203.

FRIENDS IN HARMONY CHOIR: The choir meets at Badsley Primary School under the direction of Graham Cowley on April 12 6.15-7.45pm. The choir is currently rehearsing a selection of new and current numbers for concerts later this year. www.friendsinharmony.co.uk.

ROTHERHAM VOLUNTEER CENTRE: Co-ordinates and facilitates a free bi-monthly Volunteer Coordinator Network which brings together volunteer managers whether in a paid or unpaid capacity to network, share good practice and troubleshoot. Contact 01709 834462, [email protected]. RVC can also support groups to recruit new volunteers or make the most of existing volunteers.

ROTHERHAM RAMBLING CLUB: Contact Sylvia Duncan 01709 374841, www.rotherhamramblingclub.co.uk.

ROTHERHAM METRO RAMBLERS: April 13 – short walk in Thorpe Hesley area, leaders Tom and Rita Doncaster 0114 2463437, meet 9.30am inside Holy Trinity Church, Thorpe Hesley, parking at church or use 66 bus to Chapeltown from stand B6 at Rotherham bus station. April 16 – choice of two walks: a 10 mile moderate circular walk around Langold, Blyth and Hodsock, leader Tony Lodge 01709 547246, meet 10am Langold Country Park, main car park near Lake; a five mile Mam Tor-Castleton moderate circular walk, leader Wing Kong 07749627711, meet 10am Castleton visitor centre car park. www.ramblers.org.uk/rotherham-metro.

TALBOT LANE CHURCH: Maundy Thursday service was led by Rev Karen Beecham and included an act of Holy Communion. On Good Friday a meditation was led by Rev Karen Beecham and Brett Jackson. After the service members of the congregation joined the procession of witness in All Saints’ Square. The Easter day service was introduced by Barrie Thomas. The children were taken on an Easter egg hunt downstairs in the church. An act of Holy Communion was celebrated. On April 4 a coffee morning was held to raise money for church funds and monologues were given by Brian Copley. On April 5 evening the Ladies Group was given an update on the building of an extension at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Anne Thomas gave a cheque for £300 on behalf of the Ladies Group to Cheryl Davidson.

MARIE CURIE VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISING GROUP: A treasurer is needed for the group. Rebecca Bramley, local community fundraiser for the charity, said: “We know there are people living in the local communities across Rotherham who could give a few hours up every month to join other volunteers in fundraising for Marie Curie, and I would love to find them. With full support from me, they could join a really friendly fundraising group that would meet every four to six weeks, and help with any ideas to raise the vital funds needed for Marie Curie’s services. The treasurer role also requires them to use their financial skills to maintain the group’s income records and provide updates to members at meetings.” Contact Rebecca on 07525 392984, 01274 386190, [email protected].

YORKSHIRE COUNTRYWOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (ROCHE VALLEY BRANCH) : The branch is supporting dementia charity Lost Chord with a coffee morning at Firbeck Village Hall on May 7 10.30am-1pm, admission £3. lost-chord.org.uk.