Celebrating 6 years of The Arc
The Arc community centre in Westcliff, Scunthorpe celebrated six successful years with a big birthday party for all to enjoy.
The event took place on Friday 31 May with different activities for everyone to get involved in, making bug hotels, arts and crafts, pool, photo area and a picnic.
Alex Graham who attended the event with her children said: “It’s been a great afternoon and it’s been so nice to come together with friends for the party today, and the kids have loved it.”
Since opening in 2018, The Arc has been a central hub for the local community, providing housing and financial advice, mental health support, fun family activities, youth sessions, coffee mornings, and help with education and training.
Some of their key achievements over the past six years include;
- Maintaining a constant stream of volunteers and work placements
- Delivering over 11,000 food parcels and staying open throughout covid
- Creating winter warm spaces and food banks
- Awarded a defibrillator for the estate in 2022, now attached to the outside of the building for public use
- Supporting local businesses and the local community
- Employing local people from the estate, helping them through apprenticeships and seeing them go on to achieve their potential
- Empowering volunteers to get involved
- Organising weekly groups for bingo, knit & sip, stay & play and coffee mornings
- Receiving a Safer Streets grant of £650k to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the area
Kerry Copson, Community Development Manager at Ongo said: “We cannot believe it has already been six years. The purpose of The Arc is to provide a place for everyone, no matter their circumstances, to feel safe and supported.
“I am extremely proud of my amazing team, and our community who make The Arc such a great place, it’s all thanks to them. We put events on like this to see everyone coming together to celebrate everything we’ve achieved.”
Vicki Bradshaw, Activities and Family Co-ordinator said, “Every day is amazing, the opportunity to help people, gives you a real sense of purpose and achievement and a privilege to come to work. Yes, there are some really difficult days, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
To find out more about The Arc, visit their website www.arcwestcliff.co.uk. For more about the event, go to their Facebook page.