The Fields: Two Batley community spaces given makeover with help from Lottery Community Fund
Two community spaces at schools in Batley have been given a much-needed makeover to create The Fields, with help from the Lottery Community Fund.
The Fields, at Field Lane Junior, Infant and Nursery School, on Albion Street, and at Manorfield Infant and Nursery School, on Manor Way, will provide a place for people to come together to learn, to gain support and advice, as well as to meet new people.
The schools, which are both part of Batley Multi Academy Trust, offer a range of workshops and courses, including ESOL; baby massage; breastfeeding support; baby weigh-in clinics; ‘create time for wellbeing’; craft club; maths courses; phonics training; breast health info-sessions; menopause info-sessions; diabetes info-sessions; eat well for less and cooking courses, as well as an ‘unwind with gardening’ course.Huda Khan, The Fields coordinator, said: “We strive to help everyone in our community feel a sense of belonging and help promote mental wellbeing.
“I feel passionate about this, having moved to the area eight years ago. I want to help others feel more connected through face-to-face contact, in this digital age.
“A huge thank you to the Lottery Community Fund for their support in helping us make this happen.”
The Fields community spaces on each site can accommodate 15 to 20 people. At Manorfield there is also a smaller room for a private meeting setting, which can be used for one-to-one meetings, interviews, appraisals and suchlike.
Sam Vickers, CEO of Batley Multi Academy Trust, said: “As the Trust is at the heart of the Batley community, we are really proud of what we are able to offer in our Fields Community Spaces.
“It is crucially important to us that we are able to fully support the families of the young people in our schools, as well as the wider community. The benefits really are endless, in the pursuit of helping people in our community to learn new skills and connect with one another.
“The Fields Community Spaces are located at the heart of the Batley community and are accessible for everyone. We strongly believe that community makes us, and it’s the unity in community that is key.
“We would like to thank, again, the National Lottery Community Grant for supporting us to establish The Fields.”
Both Fields community spaces have fully equipped, and spacious professional conference rooms that can also be hired out for meetings, training, seminars and workshops. The Fields community spaces are also well-equipped with a range of facilities including; large digital screens, white boards, free high speed wifi and light refreshments to accommodate everyone’s needs.