May 2025 Newsletter

From the incredible Children’s Capital of Culture Festival to the arrival of new restaurants at Forge Island, this summer promises something for everyone – whether you’re enjoying time with family, discovering a new event, or simply making the most of our parks and green spaces – there’s loads to do locally this summer.

The Rotherham Together Partnership – made up of the Council, NHS, Police, Rotherham College, and voluntary and community groups – continues to work closely to deliver opportunities, offer support, and provide great experiences across the borough.

This edition of the newsletter captures just a snapshot of all the great things happening in Rotherham – from investment in local places to new ways of getting involved. I hope it inspires you to explore, take part and enjoy everything our town has to offer this summer.

Councillor Chris Read, Chair of the Rotherham Together Partnership

Stay Connected with Rotherham Together on Instagram

Want to see how partners across Rotherham are working together to make our borough a great place to live, work and thrive? Follow @RotherhamTogether on Instagram for the latest updates.

Read all about it in the Rotherham Round-Up

If you want to keep in touch with what’s happening around the Rotherham Borough, sign-up to receive the fortnightly Rotherham Roundup e-newsletter. Visit: www.rotherham.gov.uk/stay-connected

Forging ahead - exciting new restaurants coming to the Rotherham Town Centre

Two brand-new restaurants are opening this spring at Forge Island, bringing a vibrant mix of food and drink to Rotherham’s new leisure destination. These openings mark another step forward in the regeneration of our town centre – and we can’t wait for you to try them.

Vetro Lounge

Opening 30 April 2025

Vetro Lounge will offer a relaxed, all-day dining experience – from breakfast and brunch to dinner and evening drinks. Part of the Loungers family, it also caters for a wide range of dietary needs with kids’, gluten-free, and vegan menus.

Pronounced vay-tro, Vetro is the Italian word for glass, a nod to Rotherham’s proud glassmaking heritage.

John English, Head of Community at The Lounges, says:

“We’re passionate about becoming a genuine part of the communities we serve. We’re looking forward to meeting everyone and playing our part in Forge Island’s food and drink scene.”

Sygnature Dish

Opening late Spring

For steak and seafood lovers, Sygnature Dish promises a premium experience. Choose from expertly cooked T-bone, sirloin and rib-eye steaks, or enjoy a range of seafood dishes including salmon, prawns and the catch of the day. A selection of chicken, pasta, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options ensures there’s something for every taste.

Dalu Sikhosana, Sygnature Dish owner, says:

“Sygnature Dish will offer something for everyone – it’s a unique addition to Rotherham, where you can enjoy top quality dishes and great value".

What’s On in Rotherham – Spring & Summer 2025

Mark your calendars! Rotherham has a packed line-up of festivals and family fun coming your way. Here's what’s happening across the borough:

Saturday 10 May           

Find out more about the WOW festival

• Various town centre venues

The WOW Rotherham festival returns for 2025. The vibrant, colourful, bold, fun, and fearless festival is celebration of women, girls, trans and non-binary communities, connecting Rotherham to other women and girls across the globe as part of the WOW – Women of the World family.

After last year’s successful event, the festival returns to Rotherham town centre, featuring talks, live music, WOW Marketplace, performances from the Rotherham community and beyond.

May half term

Festival of Stories         

• Grimm & Co, and other venues

Saturday 17 May

Mayor of Rotherham Parade and service to celebrate new incoming Mayor

• Rotherham town centre              

Saturday 7 June

Rotherham Pride           

• Rotherham town centre

Saturday 21 June                         

Armed Forces Day        

• Rotherham town centre

Saturday 5 July                              

Ferham Festival             

• Ferham Park

Thursday 31 July – Saturday 2 August              

Uplift - Urban Sport and Arts Festival

• Rotherham town centre

UPLIFT Skate and Art Festival is back.

Get ready for three days of high-energy action as UPLIFT Skate and Art Festival returns to the town centre.

Expect skateboarding, BMX, live music, art, workshops, food and more as we take over the streets once again. Whether you're a pro, a beginner, or just want to enjoy the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.

Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 September

Find out more about Rotherham Show

• Clifton Park

Rotherham’s biggest free cultural festival is back this September, bringing Clifton Park to life with live music, outdoor theatre, circus fun, sports, workshops, food, fairground thrills and so much more!

From family-friendly activities to show-stopping performances, there's something for everyone. Get ready to celebrate the spirit of Rotherham with a weekend packed full of fun, creativity, and community!

Exciting changes are happening at Clifton Park as work begins on a £900,000 transformation of its much-loved Water Splash play area - and it’s all set to be ready for the summer holidays.

Originally built in 2008, the waterplay has been a firm favourite with families for over 15 years. But with so many visitors over the years, parts of the equipment have become worn or stopped working altogether.

After listening to feedback from residents, schools, and community groups, the area is being completely revamped to create a fun, modern and inclusive space where all children can play and cool off in the summer months. The new facility will feature:

• Modern, interactive play equipment
• Improved safety and accessibility
• Environmentally friendly water systems
• A design that promotes creativity, learning, and active play

With a focus on environmental sustainability and community wellbeing, the new-look waterplay area will continue to be a place where local families can enjoy free, outdoor fun for years to come.

On Tuesday 3 June, join us in Rotherham town centre for a special event celebrating the amazing contribution of volunteers across the borough.

Organised by Voluntary Action Rotherham, in partnership with the Rotherham Together Partnership, the event is part of Volunteers’ Week – a national celebration that shines a light on the people who give their time to help others.

This year’s theme is “Give It A Go” – and you’ll have the chance to try your hand at a range of fun and creative activities, learn more about volunteering, and discover how you can get involved.

You’ll also hear first-hand from some of Rotherham’s incredible volunteers, whose inspiring stories show how giving just a little time can make a big difference in our communities.

Whether you're curious about volunteering or looking to try something new – come along and see what it’s all about!

Find out more

Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture 2025

Rotherham has stepped into the spotlight as the UK’s first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025, a bold initiative created by Rotherham’s youth to empower, showcase creativity, and redefine the borough’s future.

Children’s Capital of Culture was born from the ideas, passion and talent of Rotherham’s children and young people, who challenged the Council to create an arts, music, performance, and community-driven programme to place the next generation at the heart of Rotherham’s regeneration.

This isn’t just entertainment - it’s real change. By investing in traineeships, creative industries, and cultural spaces, we’re ensuring young people see Rotherham as a place to build their futures. With support from businesses, schools, artists, and national partners, we’re fostering pride, ambition, and opportunity.

Rotherham is a town of resilience, innovation, and community spirit. Now, as Children’s Capital of Culture 2025, we’re turning a new chapter - written, led, and inspired by young people.

This is their time. This is Rotherham’s time.

Find out more at: www.childrenscapitalofculture.co.uk/

Creating Job Opportunities for Local People

Rotherham Council is investing £718,000 to make the successful Employment Solutions programme permanent. Since its launch in 2020, this initiative has already supported over 1,250 residents into work or training—and now it’s here to stay.

Employment Solutions is designed to help those who face the biggest barriers to finding a job, including people with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or limited work experience. By offering tailored advice, skills development, and one-to-one support, the programme is helping more people access opportunities and achieve lasting employment.

For more details contact: employmentsolutionsteam@rotherham.gov.uk or follow us on Facebook.

Skills Street: Inspiring Careers Through Hands-On Learning

What do you want to do when you grow up? For many young people, that’s a tough question—but a new, state-of-the-art learning centre in Rotherham is about to make it easier (and a lot more fun).

Opening this spring at Gulliver’s Valley, Skills Street is a unique and immersive ‘world of work’ centre designed to give young people a taste of real-world careers. With over 16,000 school-aged visitors expected annually, the centre offers a hands-on approach to developing skills, building confidence, and discovering new passions across a wide range of industries.

The project is part of a wider £20 million investment by Rotherham Council to boost skills and leisure in the borough, and it plays a key role in the Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 initiative.

Skills Street isn’t just about learning—it’s about lighting the spark of ambition and showing young people how they can make a difference in their community.

Find out more at: www.skills-street.co.uk

Skills for Employment – Preparing Young People for the World of Work

The RNN Group - Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College. has launched an exciting new programme, Skills for Employment, helping young people gain the real-world skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. Backed by local businesses, the initiative focuses on developing “power skills” – the transferable qualities employers look for most, like confidence, communication, time management, and adaptability.

While qualifications are important, it’s these skills that help learners stand out in interviews and thrive in the workplace. As part of the programme, students demonstrate their progress by collecting digital badges for each skill – building a digital certificate that they can share with employers and on social media.

Rotherham Hospital – Investing in Services

The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has received £7million of government funding to increase capacity within the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre.

The expansion will provide more space for minor injuries and urgent primary care, along with a new purpose-built medical Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit, which is expected to open in June.

To make room for the expansion, some other services are moving into newly renovated areas to help improve the environment and experience for patients, visitors and staff.

The pre-operative assessment unit has moved to a new location near Day Surgery, meanwhile, the sexual health service will be moving to a new location next to the hospital’s main entrance in the summer. A new fracture clinic, which will feature its own dedicated x-ray facility, will open in winter 2025/2026 alongside refurbished departments of Orthotics and Therapy Services.

Rotherham mental health service supports NHS worker prepare for surgery

A mental health service, that supports people across Rotherham with low mood and worry, has helped a needle-phobic NHS worker to overcome her fear and prepare for surgery.

When Jess Needham was told she needed open heart surgery, it wasn’t just the operation that worried her. Having had difficult experiences in hospital as a child, Jess developed a fear of needles — she couldn’t even look at a picture of one.

But with support from Rotherham Talking Therapies, Jess worked through her fear. Thanks to free, confidential sessions tailored to her needs, she can now manage her medication at home, face her phobia, and live more independently.

“Therapy has changed my life for the better,” Jess says. “I’m now able to do things I never thought I could — like injecting myself or even just pricking my finger for a blood test. I feel in control again.”

Jess’s story shows that support is available — and it works. If you’re struggling with low mood, anxiety, stress, or a phobia, Rotherham Talking Therapies could help you too.

Talking Therapies offers a range of effective treatments, which are completely free and confidential.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with symptoms of common mental health conditions such as stress, depression, anxiety or a phobia, self-refer to Rotherham Talking Therapies.

You don’t need a referral from your GP — just visit talkingtherapies.rdash.nhs.uk or call 03000 215 108.

Have you registered for your Rotherham Baby Pack?

If you’re expecting a new addition to the family, ask your midwife about signing up for the Rotherham Baby Pack – a Rotherham Council initiative to give every child in Rotherham the best possible start in life.

Each free pack is full of useful items for you and your baby – including baby clothes, a soft toy, a book, and other essentials for those important first six months. It also comes in a sturdy storage box, perfect for keeping precious memories safe.

Many local families have already signed up – so don’t miss out. Ask your midwife for more details or register through the Council’s Family Hubs network.

Please register with your local Family Hub by visiting: www.rotherham.gov.uk/family-hubs