Active Independence

13/01/2026

It was so lovely to see some of our members back at our Creative Textiles group after the festive break.

​Quilting, cream teas, and plenty of laughs... what more could you want on a wet Tuesday? So glad to be back.

09/01/2026

We’ve just released our 2024/25 Annual Report, and we’d love for you to see what your support has helped us accomplish.

From successful PIP appeals to our vital work supporting Personal Assistants and individual employers to thrive, to building new friendships in our Art of Wellbeing groups, every page is a testament to the power of independence.

We’ve just released our 2024/25 Annual Report, and we’d love for you to see what your support has helped us accomplish. From successful PIP appeals to our vital work supporting Personal Assistants …

09/01/2026

Check out these incredible transformations!

We are so proud of what our members did at this week's Crafting Together: Recycling for Good group. Here is a collection of the old, tired frames that have been completely brought back to life using decoupage and crackle print techniques.

Don’t you think they look amazing? It’s incredible what a little creativity (and a lot of fun) can do!

09/01/2026

Crafting Together is BACK for 2026!

Our first Upcycling for Good session in Rotherham was a blast! If you missed out on transforming old frames this week, don’t worry—we have a whole year of creativity ahead and plenty of space for you to join in.

If you’re looking to learn a new skill, enjoy a cuppa, and have a good laugh with a friendly group, we’d love to see you there!

🗓️ The Details:
When: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Where: Brecks Community Hub, Rotherham (S65 3HU)

Our sessions are a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space specifically for: ✅ Disabled People ✅ Carers ✅ Personal Assistants (PAs)

Check out the poster below for all the key dates, or visit our events page for the latest updates:
activeindependence.org/wp/events/

Help us spread the word! If you know someone in Rotherham who would benefit from a creative boost and some friendly company, please LIKE and SHARE this post with them. Let’s get crafting.

The Brecks Community Hub

09/01/2026

NHS South Yorkshire is currently reviewing the Community Equipment Service in Rotherham and Sheffield. Community equipment includes items such as walking sticks and walking frames, commodes, beds, and pressure relieving cushions as well as many other items. These are provided to help people at home with daily living. In Rotherham and Sheffield, the Community Equipment Service is provided by Medequip.

They would like to hear people’s experiences of using the community equipment service and the equipment that has been loaned to them. This will help us to plan the service in the future.

The survey can be completed online at

09/01/2026

08/01/2026

Kick off the New Year with Artful Balance

We are back for our first session of the year on Wednesday, January 14th at 2:30 PM, and we’d love for you to join us. Doors open at 2pm.

Whether you prefer using a chair, a wheelchair, or a mat, this session is designed for every body. Cathy is fully qualified to work with people of all abilities and modifies all poses, ensuring everyone feels supported.

Why join our friendly group?

Strengthen & Stretch: Gentle poses set to music—some of our members even say it’s better than physio.

Go at your own pace: You can join in as much or as little as you like in a safe, relaxing atmosphere.

Calm the Mind: We finish with breathing exercises to help you de-stress.

A Little Treat: Cathy also brings essential oils for a quick, soothing hand, head, or shoulder massage to end the session if you wish.

All are welcome to join our lovely community. Come along and start your year feeling refreshed.

Please share this post with anyone you know who may be interested. We would love to see some new faces.

08/01/2026

Have Your Say on Policing Priorities & Precept

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard has outlined his ambition for more visible policing on our streets and to reduce neighbourhood crime and tackle anti-social behaviour through more investment in policing.

The Mayor is inviting residents to share their views on his proposals by indicating if they are willing to pay a little more towards the policing element of their council tax bill to enable that investment to be made, in order to keep South Yorkshire communities safe.

Local police and fire services are funded through a mix of government grants (around three quarters of the total budget) and the remainder is raised through the council tax precept. In South Yorkshire, the policing precept makes up about 11% of a typical council tax bill.

Extra funding for policing means better policing: safer neighbourhoods, more visible policing, quicker response times and for officers to be equipped with the modern tools they need to do their job.

The proposal is to increase the council tax precept by £15 per year (29 pence per week) for on a Band D property. Which equates to a £10 increase (19 pence per week) for a Band A property.

It’s important that you have your say and help to shape the future of policing. The responses you provide will be used to inform the proposals for the policing budget for the coming year.

The survey can be undertaken via this link below:

https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90990195/Policing-Precept-2025

The survey will close at 12 noon on Thursday 22 January.

Policing Precept 2025.

07/01/2026

Take a look at these!!

Here a small sample of the 275 amazing quilts made last year that have been donated to Project Linus UK - Rotherham.

A massive, heartfelt thank you goes out to the wonderful ladies of our Creative Threads sessions. You are all incredible! Your generosity and the time you dedicate to such a beautiful cause truly make a difference. These quilts provide a "special big hug" to children and babies when they need it most. ❤️

We are so proud of this team!

07/01/2026

Creative Threads is Back!

We will be reopen our doors on Tuesday 13th. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just picking up a needle for the first time, we’d love for you to join our group.

You can bring along your own sewing projects to work on in good company, or join our amazing team of quilters making blankets which are then donated to Project Linus UK - Rotherham

❤️ Why it matters: Last year, our group donated 275 quilts! Project Linus then gift them (along with others from their other local groups donations) to local babies and children in hospitals, foster care attend children centres and needed a "special big hug." Such a fantastic cause.

All skill levels welcome. Come for the sewing, stay for the chat. See you there?

06/01/2026

New Year, New Crafting, New Connections! ✨

Our 2026 Artful Balance sessions in Doncaster are here! Whether you're looking to learn a new creative skill, find a moment of peace with our monthly yoga and relaxation, or simply have a cuppa and a chat, we would love to see you.

📅 When: Fortnightly on Wednesdays ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM 📍 Where: Church Balk Gardens Hall, Edenthorpe, DN3 2NT

What’s happening between now and the end of March? From mastering new crafts to our soothing relaxation sessions, there is something for everyone. Our sessions are a safe, welcoming space specifically for Disabled People, Carers, and PAs.

Check out the full schedule:
Take a look at the poster attached below for all the key dates or visit our events page for the latest updates: https://activeindependence.org/wp/events/

Help us spread the word! If you know someone in Doncaster who would benefit from a creative boost and some friendly company, please SHARE this post with them.

Let’s make this winter a little brighter together.

06/01/2026

New Year, New Hobby, New Life for Old Frames! ✨

Looking for a creative way to kick off 2026? Join us TOMORROW at Breck Community Hub for our first Crafting Together: Upcycling for Good workshop of the year

We’ll be mastering the art of Crackle Glaze to turn tired, old picture frames into stunning vintage masterpieces. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or have never picked up a paintbrush, you’re more than welcome!

The Brecks Community Hub