'Great relief' as community group saved

The Chat 'n' Chill service was set to close in July because Rotherham Borough Council could no longer afford to fund it.

But now Kimberworth Park Community Partnership (KPCP) has announced it will pay for the service until at least April 2017.

A KPCP spokesman added that the group was "confident it will be able to source new funding opportunities to keep it running beyond this time".

KPCP's online mission statement says it aims to boost community spirit by "taking action and delivering services and activities to meet local need".

Chat 'n' Chill will stay open at both of its locations - the Chislett Centre in Kimberworth Park and the Linx Centre in Maltby - and provide the service for everyone who previously attended.

Zoe Ellis, a member of the Chislett Centre group, said: "I can now continue to feel supported and see people I consider family.

"It's so important to me to come here, I was heartbroken it was going to end. It's changed my life."

Jenny Minns (24), of Herringthorpe, has Asperger Syndrome and has attended Chat 'n' Chill for ten years.

Her mum Sharron said it was a "great relief" to know her daughter's lifeline would still be in place.

She added: "The weekly fee has gone up from £2 to £3 and I hear that they're not doing trips, just focusing on the club.

"But this is definitely great news and a number of other organisations have apparently been in touch to see how they can help.

"I think that's one good thing to come out of all this - better communication which will hopefully lead to more opportunities for the members."

KPCP youth work manager Dawn Heald said: "Chat 'n' Chill is a provision unique to Rotherham and maybe the region.

"There are few or no other services these young people can access - they fall through the net of most existing provision.

"This is a much-needed service and KPCP are loath to see it disappear, so we have pulled all stops out to keep it going.

She added: "We are quite adept at attracting funding for our services.

"An income generation strategy for the group is already in place and we are looking to a range of sources to attract the necessary finance."

Rotherham Borough Council's children's services department will fund the group until mid-July and has made the Linx Centre available to it.

Department director Ian Thomas said: "It's great news for the young people and their families who use this facility that it will now continue.

"It's important these young people have a stable environment which they like going to."

Dawn said the club would run on a "bare bones budget" of £12,000 per year, including "reduced staffing".

Remaining staff will be employed by the council up to July, when KPCP will take on the cost.

She added: "Everyone who has or who is already accessing these services will be able to continue.

"Other young people aged 13-25 years with an autism diagnosis who are not currently attending will be welcome."

For more information on the service, visit tinyurl.com/zvvukk7.