Look out for your local Connected Communities centre

Venues across Cheshire East will soon become ‘Connected Communities centres’ in a scheme to make a wider range of activities and support services more locally available.

As part of the council’s Connected Communities strategy, more than £150,000 has been pledged to help community venues develop the services they offer and encourage more people to use them.

From coffee mornings, computer classes and line dancing, to learning a language, sharing a problem and support for stroke sufferers – there’s something for everyone.

Every centre will also have a computer tablet connected to our Live Well community information website, helping residents to easily find out what’s available in the area.

The first Connected Communities centres are inviting local residents to have a look at what’s on offer at open days as follows:

● Friday, September 22 – Barnies, St Barnabas Hall, West Street, Crewe. Open from 10am to 2pm with official opening ceremony at noon. For more information about what’s

on at Barnies, ring Lesley on 07949 240371;

● Friday, September 29 – Welcome Café, Longridge, Knutsford. Open 4pm to 6pm. For

more information visit: thewelcome.org.uk or ring 01565 750905;

● Saturday, September 30 – St John’s Church, Weston Estate, Wilwick Lane, Macclesfield. Open from 11am to 1pm. For more information visit: stjohnsmacclesfield.org.uk or ring 01625 612511.

The Bridgend Centre, Bollington, has also become a Connected Communities centre, since September 1. More information at: bridgendcentre.org.uk or ring 01625 576311.

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: “We are thrilled to see the first Connected Communities centres offering a much wider range of services more locally to people across the borough.

“This initiative is very much a partnership between the council and community, working together to ensure the right services, support and infrastructure are in the right places. What works well in one area won’t necessarily work in another, so it’s about being responsive to local need and finding solutions that work for everyone.

“We want everyone to live the best life they can in Cheshire East and have access to social, health, work and leisure opportunities near to where they live. Please do look out for a Connected Communities centre near you and do go along and find out what’s on offer for you, family and friends.”

The council is working with community venues and partnerships across the borough to open up to 30 centres over the next 12 months.

For more information about the centres, contact our communities team via email at: communities@cheshireeast.gov.uk or ring 01270 685880.