Vision
Our vision is to develop, in partnership with others, inclusive and welcoming spaces for people in and around Dronfield to enjoy and use; these spaces will include facilities designed to meet the needs of children and families, young people, the elderly and people of all ages who would like to meet and socialise.
Values
To achieve our vision we will:
- Work in collaboration with other organisations and community groups
- Provide a loving, supportive and safe environment which is open to all
- Have a person-centred focus that puts the needs of the individual first
- Deliver an excellent and affordable provision
Priorities
Life is all about actively supporting everyone in our local community regardless of age, race, religion or gender. As a charity we also have some specific objectives and priorities around the following groups
Families
Dronfield and District is a fantastic place to bring up a family. It has easy access to Sheffield and the Peak District, as well as excellent schools and plenty of green spaces. Many young families move into Dronfield, often without support networks of close friends and extended family. This can lead to parents or caregivers feeling isolated and lonely. Fortunately, several baby and toddler groups exist across the town – these fill a gap, but there are times when there is no place for parents with young children to meet and socialise without the pressure of keeping their children quiet and entertained.
Young People
With its outstanding secondary school, Dronfield sees 1,800 pupils in the town each weekday heading to and from school. With the pressure on local government funding, youth support from Derbyshire County Council has shrunk. While that support is excellent, the hours are extremely limited. The biggest request young people have in Dronfield is for a warm, safe place to socialise with their friends.
Life aims to meet this need, opening into the evenings as a place for young people to hang out in a structured and supported way. We also hope to open before and after school, offering a quick breakfast and a study venue where support can be given for homework.
The Lonely and the Isolated
In recent years the issues around loneliness and isolation have been brought to the forefront through media and national campaigns. We recognise that there are people in our community who feel lonely and isolated. A weekly lunch club already runs in Dronfield through one of its churches, and those who attend talk about how much they love coming out to it and having the chance to chat and catch up with others.
Life looks to build on this, offering simple, affordable snacks as well as a nutritious hot meal of the day. There are no expectations on anyone to buy food – you can simply come in, read a book, play a board game and engage with others. We have specific “chat tables” where, if you want to talk to someone, you can sit and someone will come over for a conversation. We want Life to be a place for everyone, where all feel comfortable and cared for.