An intergenerational hub offering a wealth of services, activities and support for the Stalybridge community has been launched in the heart of the town through a partnership between Active Tameside, Tameside Council and Jigsaw Homes.

Stalybridge Community Hub, on Grosvenor Street, was officially opened by Dukinfield / Stalybridge ward councillor and Executive Member (Adult Social Care and Population Health) Councillor Eleanor Wills, who has been helping to spearhead the project.

Along with partner organisations such as the NHS, Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind, Mind Matters, Be Well Tameside and the Youth Justice Service, the hub aims to help tackle health and social inequalities and proactively provide solutions to address anti-social behaviour within the town. 

Overseen by Active Tameside, it will offer a range of mental health and wellbeing services, health workshops, Fuel 4 Fun nutrition education, youth intervention activities, parent and toddler sessions and drop-in support for residents who need help and advice.

Essentially the hub will offer a warm, welcoming drop-in space for people of all ages through its café and chillout areas. 

Active Tameside’s Everybody Can Supported Internship students and Adult Services users helped to transform the former Jigsaw Homes housing hub into an inviting space with community rooms, café, a newly installed life-skills kitchen and consultation rooms.

Stalybridge Community Hub, which has been transformed into a bright and welcoming space

Shaun Higgins, Active Tameside’s Director of Health & Social Outcomes, said: “The hub has a complete open-door policy where people can drop in for tea, coffee and cake in a warm space, some where they can have a chat and enjoy social interaction. 

“There will be early years sessions such as Rhyme Time for families to attend and Friday night youth sessions with video games and music. Those referred through our Fuel 4 Fun programme will be able to do six-week cooking courses as a whole family.

“It will be used as a creative base for our Adult Day Service users and our Live Active team will also be in there to support local residents with a range of health interventions.

“The hub will open for a couple of days a week from 1 April but from Easter onwards it will be opening seven days a week, allowing residents to access help and direction around matters like health, housing or finances - it will be a one-stop shop for a whole host of support.

“The aim is to roll out similar hubs across our Active centres in partnership with Tameside Council in a bid to tackle health and social inequalities differently by creating local and accessible help and support points for residents.”

Cllr Wills said: “I’m delighted to have opened the Stalybridge Community Hub. It will be a fantastic new asset for residents, offering a wealth of support from health and wellbeing services to creative sessions for young people.

“I’ve been working for some time with key partners to create a facility such as this in Stalybridge. Key community ventures like Steven Barton’s Barty’s Community Foodbank reach out into the community and this will provide further accessible support services that people in need can be directed to.

“It will offer something for everyone and be open to all to drop-in and make the most of the wonderful facilities available. This is just one part of our work to invest in and regenerate Stalybridge.” 

Sue Cox, Head of Neighbourhoods at Jigsaw Homes, said: “The opening of the community hub in Stalybridge will give numerous opportunities and activities for local people of all ages.  

“This is a welcome and much needed addition to the Stalybridge area.”

Residents who want to find out more about what is on offer and how they can get involved can email Helen.Wilson@activetameside.com 

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