Impact Report 2025 and 2026

Introduction

2024 marked the beginning of Valley Youth Hub’s journey — a year of vision, commitment, and community spirit. From our first sessions and pop‑up play events, we established ourselves as a trusted presence within Gleadless Valley, responding to the urgent need for safe, inclusive spaces for children and families. What began as a small initiative quickly grew into a recognised CIC, rooted in local values and driven by the belief that every child deserves opportunity, belonging, and joy.

Throughout 2025, Valley Youth Hub focused on deepening its impact across the estate. We built strong partnerships with schools, churches, and community organisations, creating trusted relationships that now form the backbone of our collaborative work. By listening to local families and working alongside them, we strengthened community confidence and created a shared sense of ownership in the projects we deliver. This year has been about growth — not only in numbers, but in trust, visibility, and the quality of experiences we offer.

2025’s achievements

2025 was a year of remarkable growth and community connection for Valley Youth Hub. Across April, May, July, October, and December, we delivered a full calendar of holiday provisions that brought families together through creativity, play, and learning. Our annual trip to the pantomime remained a highlight, alongside memorable days out to Rufford Abbey, Blackpool, and two visits to Gulliver’s Theme Park—one in summer and another at Christmas, where children met Santa and enjoyed the festive magic.

We strengthened our partnerships and community presence through flagship events such as the Gleadless Valley Christmas Light Parade, delivered in collaboration with the Tenants and Residents Association, and the Gleadless Valley Talent Show, which showcased the incredible skills and confidence of local children. Our involvement in the grand opening of the new nature trail at Rolleston Woods, working with the Local Area Committee, reflected our commitment to outdoor learning and environmental engagement. Alongside these, we introduced a spooky after‑dark treasure hunt, cooking classes, and a range of creative sessions that encouraged teamwork, imagination, and resilience.

Community Impact

The impact of Valley Youth Hub’s work throughout 2025 has been felt across every corner of Gleadless Valley. Families who once faced barriers to participation are now actively involved in shaping local activities, and children have gained new confidence through shared experiences that celebrate creativity, friendship, and belonging. Our holiday programmes and trips have offered safe, joyful spaces for children to explore beyond the estate, broadening horizons and strengthening family bonds. Each event — from the pantomime to the nature trail opening — has helped rebuild pride in the community and reminded residents that Gleadless Valley is a place full of potential and care.

Through collaboration and consistency, Valley Youth Hub has become a trusted anchor for families and partners alike. The relationships we’ve built with schools, local committees, and community groups have created a network of support that continues to grow stronger. Our commitment to inclusion, training, and professional development ensures that every child, including those with SEND, can access high‑quality, nurturing experiences. Together, we are helping the estate thrive — restoring opportunity, building resilience, and creating a lasting legacy of hope and connection for future generations.

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Case Study 1: Supporting a Family Through Connection and Care

One of the most powerful examples of Valley Youth Hub’s impact is our ongoing support for a local family of nine children living together in a cramped three‑bedroom home. With children ranging from six months to sixteen years old, daily life brings constant challenges — from managing routines and behaviours to meeting individual needs, including those of children with SEND. Through our provisions, we’ve been able to offer this family a safe, structured environment where all the children can take part, learn, and play together. These sessions provide much‑needed respite for the parents while giving the children opportunities to socialise, build confidence, and experience positive, consistent care.

Our team has worked closely with the family to understand and respond to their unique circumstances. Emma provided written support for EHCP plans, helping ensure the children’s educational needs were properly recognised, and assisted with documentation for social services and court proceedings during a particularly difficult period. This collaboration has strengthened trust and created a genuine support network — Valley Youth Hub has become an extended family for them. By offering understanding, advocacy, and practical help, we’ve helped the children feel valued, and the parents feel less isolated.

Valley Youth Hub’s commitment goes beyond activities; it’s about standing alongside families who face daily challenges and ensuring they never feel alone. We continue to support the wellbeing and development of these children for as long as we can, believing that every small act of care contributes to lasting change — for the family and for the wider Gleadless Valley community.

Reflections and Learning

Supporting this family has deepened Valley Youth Hub’s understanding of what true community care means. It reminded us that behind every activity or provision lies a story — one of resilience, hope, and the need for connection. Working closely with parents and professionals taught us the importance of flexibility, empathy, and consistent communication. We learned that small acts of support, such as helping with paperwork or listening during difficult times, can have a profound impact on a family’s sense of stability and trust.

This experience has shaped how we approach our wider work across Gleadless Valley. It reinforced the value of partnership — between families, schools, social services, and community organisations — and the need for wraparound support that meets both emotional and practical needs. As we move forward, these lessons will continue to guide our practice, ensuring that Valley Youth Hub remains a safe, responsive, and empowering space for every child and family we serve.

Case Study 2: The Christmas Light Run – Bringing Magic to Gleadless Valley

In December 2025, Valley Youth Hub proudly brought back the much‑loved Christmas Light Run, a tradition that has become a highlight for families across Gleadless Valley. This year, we teamed up with the Gleadless Valley Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) to ensure every child experienced a little Christmas magic. With a small pot of funding from TARA, Emma and the team created 90 Christmas Eve gift bags for Santa to hand out along the route — a gesture we hoped would be enough to reach every child.

The parade travelled through five key stops across the estate: Newfield Green, Holy Cross Church, Herdings Park, Gleadless Valley Methodist Church, and The Horse and Groom. From the very first stop, the turnout exceeded all expectations — by the second stop, every gift bag had been given out, and still hundreds of children and families lined the streets to join in the celebration. Thankfully, we had the First Bells of Christmas to continue sharing with the children, ensuring no one left empty‑handed.

This year’s parade featured Santa, the Grinch, and the Naughty Little Elf, bringing laughter, excitement, and festive cheer to every corner of the valley. Families interacted warmly with the characters and staff, creating a sense of togetherness that perfectly captured the spirit of the season. All staff volunteered their time to make the event possible, demonstrating Valley Youth Hub’s deep commitment to community joy and inclusion.

The Christmas Light Run has now become a cherished annual tradition, eagerly awaited by families each 23rd December. Its success reflects the growing strength of Valley Youth Hub’s partnerships and the trust we’ve built within the community. As we look ahead to 2026, we hope to expand the event even further — reaching more families, spreading more smiles, and continuing to bring light and happiness to the children of Gleadless Valley.

Learning and Legacy

The 2025 Christmas Light Run reminded us of the incredible power of community spirit and collaboration. What began as a small idea supported by a modest fund grew into a valley‑wide celebration that brought hundreds of families together. The overwhelming turnout showed us how deeply local families value shared experiences and how important it is to keep traditions alive, even when resources are limited. It also highlighted the strength of partnership — working alongside the Gleadless Valley Tenants and Residents Association allowed us to reach more children and create a truly inclusive event.

This experience has become a cornerstone of Valley Youth Hub’s legacy. It taught us that joy and belonging are as vital to community wellbeing as practical support. The event strengthened our resolve to plan ahead, secure more funding, and expand our capacity for future celebrations. Most importantly, it reaffirmed our mission: to bring light, laughter, and hope to Gleadless Valley, ensuring every child feels seen, valued, and part of something special.

Challenges Faced in 2025

Throughout 2025, Valley Youth Hub faced significant challenges linked to the lack of a permanent base. Without a dedicated venue of our own, we relied heavily on public community spaces to deliver our sessions — most notably the Terry Wrights Community Centre. In April 2025, we learned of a rumoured plan for a mental health hub to move into the building, a decision that had not been communicated to the community groups who depended on the space. With no other organisation stepping forward to protect the rights of local children and families, Valley Youth Hub took the lead. We brought together all users of the centre, gathered concerns, and approached the NHS mental health team directly. This collective action prompted the NHS to take local voices seriously, opening up dialogue and establishing a stronger partnership between residents, community groups, and service providers.

As refurbishment work began, all community users were required to vacate the building, creating immediate challenges for our provision. To ensure continuity for children and families, we partnered with Holy Cross Church, who welcomed us into their space and offered a safe, stable environment for our sessions. We also made use of local green spaces to continue delivering outdoor activities. By the end of 2025, Valley Youth Hub had become fully embedded within Holy Cross, forming a warm and supportive relationship with the church community. Their hospitality allowed our children to thrive during a period of uncertainty and transition.

As discussions continued about the future of Terry Wrights Community Centre, Valley Youth Hub had to make a difficult safeguarding decision. After reviewing the mental health team’s plans and recognising that the refurbished building would allow mental health service users unrestricted access to shared areas, it became clear that the space would no longer be safe or appropriate for children’s provision. We carefully considered every scenario and ultimately decided not to return to the centre once it reopened. This decision prioritised the wellbeing of our children and upheld our commitment to safe, inclusive practice.

Despite these challenges, Valley Youth Hub continued to grow, adapt, and strengthen its partnerships. Our relationship with Holy Cross Church remains a vital foundation, and we remain hopeful that in the future, a dedicated space within Gleadless Valley will become available — a place where Valley Youth Hub can build long‑term stability and continue supporting children and families for years to come.

Resilience and Adaptation

The challenges of 2025 tested Valley Youth Hub’s resilience, creativity, and commitment to the community. Losing access to our regular venue could have disrupted our work entirely, but instead it became a turning point. We adapted quickly — moving sessions to Holy Cross Church and local green spaces — ensuring that children and families continued to have safe, engaging opportunities to connect and play. This flexibility demonstrated our team’s dedication and the strength of our partnerships across Gleadless Valley.

Through adversity, we discovered new ways to collaborate and grow. Working alongside Holy Cross deepened our sense of belonging and opened doors to new relationships and shared projects. The experience reinforced our belief that community spaces thrive when they are inclusive, transparent, and responsive to local needs. It also strengthened our advocacy voice — showing that Valley Youth Hub stands firmly for children’s rights, safeguarding, and the protection of community assets.

Despite uncertainty, we emerged stronger, more united, and more determined to secure a permanent home for Valley Youth Hub. Our adaptability and teamwork have become defining features of who we are — a trusted, compassionate organisation that continues to bring hope and opportunity to Gleadless Valley, no matter the circumstances.

A Chance to Make Positive Changes to the Area

2025 presented Valley Youth Hub with a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Gleadless Valley. As the new regeneration team began forming, Emma worked tirelessly to ensure that children and families were represented in every conversation. She attended numerous meetings, championing the need for safe, accessible spaces that promote play, wellbeing, and opportunity. Her voice — and Valley Youth Hub’s presence — became a consistent reminder that regeneration must include the voices of young people and the families who live here.

This period proved to be an influential time for Valley Youth Hub to embed itself as a trusted, consistent organisation within the estate. By collaborating with the regeneration team and other local partners, we positioned ourselves not only as a provider of children’s activities but also as an advocate for community rights and inclusion. Our involvement helped shape plans that prioritise safety, creativity, and long‑term opportunity for local families. We believe the impact of our contribution will continue to resonate throughout the transformation of Gleadless Valley — ensuring that children remain at the heart of its renewal.

Working with Sheffield Play Partnership – Creating Child‑Focused Spaces

Throughout 2025, Valley Youth Hub worked closely with Sheffield Play Partnership to explore opportunities for outdoor spaces that could be transformed into safe, child‑focused environments. With the regeneration team beginning to reshape the area, we saw a vital chance to ensure children’s needs were central to future planning. Together, we developed numerous business proposals and concept plans to adapt unused or under‑utilised spaces into vibrant, play‑led areas that would grow organically over time — spaces designed to reflect children’s voices, creativity, and wellbeing.

The regeneration board welcomed our joint efforts, recognising the importance of embedding child‑friendly design into the wider vision for Gleadless Valley. However, despite positive discussions, no final decisions were made about the allocation of land or development of these spaces. Valley Youth Hub and Sheffield Play Partnership continued to work tirelessly, revising plans, presenting fresh ideas, and advocating for a long‑term commitment to children’s play and community inclusion. This collaboration strengthened our shared determination to secure outdoor environments where children can thrive — and laid the groundwork for future opportunities as regeneration progresses.

Laying the Foundations with the Regeneration Board: Championing Children’s Voices

In 2025, Valley Youth Hub began working closely with the Gleadless Valley Regeneration Board to ensure that children’s voices were not only heard but actively shaped the future of their community. Through numerous meetings and consultations, we helped identify areas most in need of regeneration — focusing on safety, accessibility, and the creation of spaces where children could play, learn and thrive. Our involvement gave families a direct platform to express their views, feeding valuable insights to the board while sharing updates and plans back with residents.

This partnership laid the groundwork for a more inclusive regeneration process — one that recognises children as key stakeholders in the design of their neighbourhood. By capturing their ideas, hopes and concerns, we began to build a foundation for long‑term change that reflects the needs of future generations.

In 2026, Valley Youth Hub was formally invited to join the regeneration board as a Youth Voice Panel Representative, marking a significant milestone in our advocacy journey. This role has allowed us to work alongside the regeneration team on the ground, ensuring that children’s perspectives remain central to every stage of planning and delivery. We continue to champion the importance of child‑focused design, community safety and family inclusion — fighting to make sure that the voices of young people are considered, respected and embedded throughout the regeneration programme.

Our collaboration with the regeneration board has not only strengthened community trust but also established a lasting framework for meaningful engagement between families and decision‑makers. Together, we are shaping a future where children’s voices guide the transformation of Gleadless Valley — creating a legacy of empowerment, belonging and opportunity for generations to come

Building Strong Partnerships Across Gleadless Valley

Valley Youth Hub’s success is built on collaboration. Over the past two years, we have developed strong, trusted partnerships with organisations that share our commitment to improving opportunities for children, young people and families across Gleadless Valley. Working together, we have created a network of support that connects community voices directly to decision‑makers and ensures that regeneration is shaped by those who live here.

Our partnership with the Gleadless Valley Regeneration Team remains central to this work. Through regular meetings and joint projects, we have helped capture children’s voices and feed their ideas into regeneration plans — ensuring that the next generation’s needs are considered in every stage of development. Alongside this, we have worked closely with the Gleadless Valley Tenants and Residents Association, helping families understand and engage with the changes happening in their area.

Collaboration extends far beyond regeneration. We are proud to work alongside Sheffield Play Partnership, Community Recreation CIC, Family Hubs, StreetGames, Holy Cross Church, Gleadless Valley Methodist Church, Happy Saplings Mother and Baby Group, Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, Adventures Playground, MASKK, and many more local organisations. Each partnership brings unique expertise and energy — from playwork and youth engagement to family support and community development.

Together, these partnerships have created a strong foundation for inclusive, child‑focused partnerships. They allow us to share resources, exchange knowledge, and deliver joined‑up provision that meets real community needs. Most importantly, they ensure that families are not just consulted but actively involved — shaping the future of Gleadless Valley through collaboration, creativity and shared purpose.

2026: Where Are We Heading?

At the beginning of 2026, Valley Youth Hub and Sheffield Play Partnership came together with a shared ambition: to identify a piece of land within Gleadless Valley that could be transformed into a child‑focused outdoor space. Our vision was simple but powerful — a place that could grow organically with the community, shaped by children’s voices and rooted in the needs of local families.

Throughout early 2026, we explored multiple sites, assessed options, and presented ideas to the regeneration board. Despite our best efforts, each potential location was turned down. Although disappointing, these setbacks did not dampen our determination. Instead, they strengthened our resolve to find a long‑term solution for children in the area.

A turning point came when the derelict Gleadless Valley Methodist Church on Blackstock Road held an open day, inviting residents to share their ideas for the future of the building. Valley Youth Hub was delivering holiday provision at the time, but Emma made it a priority to track down the organisers and submit a detailed proposal outlining a child‑centred vision for the space — a permanent base dedicated to children’s wellbeing, play, learning and community connection.

Over the following months, conversations continued back and forth. We refined our ideas, listened to community feedback, and worked closely with the regeneration team to demonstrate the long‑term value of a dedicated children’s hub. In July 2026, Valley Youth Hub officially signed the licence for Gleadless Valley Methodist Church — securing a permanent home where our provision could expand, evolve and respond to the needs of the estate.

From this foundation, we began shaping a future that places children at the heart of local regeneration. Our plans include:

Wraparound care for local families
Youth club provision
Holiday club programmes
Homework clubs
Girls’ groups
Coffee mornings for parents and carers
Stay & Play sessions
Community‑led activities and partnerships

In September 2026, we opened our doors and held a grand opening event that welcomed families, partners and local residents. The turnout was incredible — a clear sign that the community is ready for a dedicated, child‑focused space that belongs to them.

This new base will also support training and upskilling within the regeneration programme, offering families safe childcare while they attend courses, workshops and learning opportunities. It creates a bridge between community development and family support, ensuring regeneration benefits everyone — especially the next generation.

As we move forward, Valley Youth Hub is committed to working in partnership with local organisations to expand opportunities for children across the estate. Our journey in 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter: one where children’s voices, needs and futures are firmly embedded in the heart of Gleadless Valley’s regeneration.

Finances for 2026

Looking Ahead to 2027

As we move into 2027, Valley Youth Hub is entering a period of growth, stability and long‑term development. With our Ofsted inspection now in place, we are positioned to offer the full range of activities, childcare and youth provision that families across Gleadless Valley have been asking for. Our new base at Gleadless Valley Methodist Church is becoming firmly embedded within the community, evolving into a trusted, child‑focused centre that reflects the needs, voices and aspirations of local families.

A key focus for 2027 is our continued upskilling and learning alongside the regeneration programme. By working closely with the regeneration team, we will support families to access training, courses and development opportunities, while providing safe, reliable childcare within our centre. This partnership ensures that regeneration is not just about buildings and infrastructure, but about investing in people, confidence and long‑term community resilience.

We are preparing to create four new job opportunities within Valley Youth Hub, expanding our team and training local staff to work directly with children and young people. This will strengthen our capacity, support local employment, and ensure that our provision continues to grow in a sustainable, community‑led way.

Outdoor provision will be a major priority for 2027. We will explore two potential options:

developing the land across the road where the John O’Gaunt pub once stood, or
creating a fenced, purpose‑built outdoor play area attached to the side of the church.

Both options would give children a safe, dedicated outdoor environment and further embed our centre as a long‑term asset for the estate.

We will also expand our work in capturing children’s voices, gathering their opinions through surveys, questionnaires, family fun days and ongoing consultation. Understanding how children feel about where they live — and what they want for their future — will continue to guide our planning and strengthen our role within the regeneration programme.

Our flagship community events, including the Big Blow Out Fun Day, Talent Show, Christmas Light Run, and Family Day Trip to the Seaside, will remain central to our calendar. These events have become staples of the area, bringing families together and creating shared memories. In 2027, we aim to grow and adapt these events, making them even more inclusive and reflective of the community’s evolving needs.

Partnerships will continue to be at the heart of our work. We are committed to strengthening our relationships with Sheffield Play Partnership, StreetGames, Sheffield City Council, Youth Services, the Regeneration Team, and the Local Area Committee. By working collaboratively, we can ensure that families in Gleadless Valley receive the widest possible range of opportunities, support and high‑quality provision.

2027 will be a year of expansion, innovation and deepened community connection. Valley Youth Hub is proud to be shaping a future where children’s voices lead the way, families feel supported, and the centre becomes a permanent, thriving part of Gleadless Valley’s identity.

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