It has been a while since we last updated you on the fantastic work that the Rotherham United Community Sports Trust have been doing in our local community, but rest assured, they are now even busier helping people in the local area than when the lockdown first came into effect.
With Government guidelines on the lockdown having eased recently, the Community Sports Trust have been slowly reactivating a number of key services to people in the local area – whilst taking the appropriate measures to deliver their programmes in a safe environment.
Their work on the COVID-19 outbreak response has continued, with members of their staff regularly shopping for the vulnerable members of our community, those shielding and other unable to get to the supermarkets.
In addition to dropping off groceries, RUCST have played a key role in ensuring that people in our area have been able to continue to take important medication to maintain their health throughout these difficult times, by collecting prescriptions to drop off at the doorstep.
Our furry friends in the local area have also continued to benefit from their work, with staff offering to take dogs on walks for people who are self-isolating and are unable therefore to give their pet the exercise they need.
Supporters who use the Trust’s facility at Parkgate Astro will notice a number of improvements to the site when it is safe to return, following a series of building works to make the site even more enjoyable for those who visit.
In addition to this, work has been done in anticipation of the public being allowed to return to the Trust’s venues including Parkgate Astro and their facilities at AESSEAL New York Stadium to ensure that people have a clear visual indication of social distancing measurements, as well as the facilities to safely wash and sanitise their hands on site.
Taking time out of another busy day interacting with various people and worthwhile causes in the area, Head of Community Jamie Noble admitted he has been delighted that his staff have been able to play such an integral part in helping people through some tough months.
“Despite us having to strip back a number of the programmes we would normally offer in the community throughout the year as a result of COVID-19, we have remained as busy, if not busier, in our work out in the community recently,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“Of course, it has presented ourselves and a lot of the people we interact with in the area with a number of new and difficult challenges, but that has seen our staff become even more innovative in serving the community.
“We have tried to adapt to meet the needs of the people who require our help and I think the dog walking that we are doing is a prime example of that. Pets weren’t necessarily the first thing we thought of when the outbreak of the virus first started, but having spoken with a number of people unable to get out and take their dogs on walks, we were only too happy to offer it as a service to everyone.
“Whilst we would of course love to see our facilities including Parkgate Astro thriving with the people who so regularly use it, we totally understand that it isn’t safe for that to be the case at present. However, an empty facility has given us the chance to really get stuck into making a number of planned improvements to the site, which we hope will mean when people return they are able to enjoy the facility even more than before.
“We recognise that the lockdown is easing, but we will continue to make sure the people in the local region know we are here to help in any way we can.
“The effects that the virus outbreak has had on people will not all be visible and we want people to have the comfort of knowing that if they are struggling mentally, or are lonely, we are always here if they need to talk.”
For more information about RUCST and the fantastic work they continue to do in the Rotherham United name, visit their website here.