A ‘Covid Bounce Back’ learning event in Barnsley brought together representatives from 60 local businesses and other organisations to promote the message that culture, creativity and community were firmly at the heart of Barnsley’s post-pandemic economic recovery plan.
All have recently completed a seven-month Covid Bounce Back business development programme funded by Barnsley Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
The event celebrated the success of the programme, and also the potential of these sectors to support community renewal and economic growth post-pandemic.
Kathy McArdle, Barnsley Council’s Director of Regeneration and Culture, said: “The Bounce Back programme was set up to help key players in our diverse creative and cultural economy and our vibrant community and voluntary sector come out of the terrible shock of the Covid pandemic actually stronger than they went into it.
“This event enabled us to celebrate what the businesses have achieved through the programme and share the learning. We now look forward to continuing to support these sectors to thrive and make a real difference to communities across the borough.”
The borough’s cultural, creative and visitor sectors will now benefit from further investment in networking, programming and facilities thanks to a £3.93 million grant having been awarded to Barnsley by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, and delivered by Arts Council England.
Wayne Hemingway, who has worked on regeneration projects in several UK towns said: “The distinctive identity of any place comes from its culture and its community and it is so important to recognise their value. Taking Barnsley into the future means putting independent cultural thinking at the heart of the town; deciding what you stand for now and what you want to do.”
John Loughton, who set up a social enterprise that fed thousands of vulnerable families during the lockdowns, said: “It’s the people living in a place who so often know how best to tackle the public health and economic challenges they face. Covid showed us that community groups, when trusted and empowered, can take the lead and deliver well-placed, fast-paced and values-based action.”
The Covid Bounce Back programme is one of seven Prioritised Recovery Projects, part of a £2m economic investment, funded by Barnsley Council and Sheffield City Region. As part of Barnsley’s Economic Recovery Action Plan, these projects aim to help the local economy bounce back from Covid; and support people, businesses, traders, charities or community organisations to safeguard existing jobs as well as creating new jobs and businesses.
