A group of 12 local residents found out more about how they can influence change and be involved in decisions that affect their own community as part of a ‘Making a Change’ course that is running in Rotherham.

This session was led by Cllr Mahroof Hussain, Cabinet Member for Community Development Equality & Young People for Rotherham MBC, who took the group on a tour of Rotherham’s Town Hall, including the council chambers, meeting rooms and Mayor’s office.  He also discussed the role of a councillor and how to get involved in local politics.

Cllr Mahroof Hussain explains: “It is very important that people feel they can make a difference within their local community and it was great to show the group around the Town Hall and to talk to them about how they could become a councillor.  It is important that every local authority has a good representation of people and I hope that some members of the group take this forward and we see them in the council chambers one day soon!”

The course, which is being run by South Yorkshire Pathfinder and Rotherham’s One Town One Community, involves a series of eight sessions over a six month period covering different aspects of political involvement – whether it be on a local, regional, national or international level. 

Throughout the course, the following sessions are planned:  Making a change through lobbying MPs and Parliament, a visit to the Houses of Parliament, Making a change on a regional level, influencing change in Europe and finally Making a global change.  The course culminates in a final event in March at Northern College, to celebrate the achievements of the delegates.

One Town, One Community is about creating a feeling of belonging to one community here in Rotherham, where individuals demonstrate unity, mutual understanding and shared values, celebrating our differences and what binds us all together.

 For anyone who would like to find out more about future Making a Change courses, contact Asim Munir on 01709 822786 or Shirley Allen-Jackson on 0114 2615425 or visit the website www.takepartpathfinderyh.org