Trust appealing for local venues in Barnsley
The South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is on the look out for local community groups and organisations in Barnsley that have venues available for hire.
NHS community and mental health services in Barnsley recently joined the Trust, who holds many meetings and events each year.
NHS services in Barnsley generally use their own venues where possible but when they do need to hire an external venue, the Trust is making a commitment to hold these in the heart of the local community. This includes ensuring any money the Trust has to pay for hire costs goes back into local community funds – rather than to private companies.
The Trust recognises its responsibility to be a good corporate citizen by putting social, economic and environmental considerations at the heart of its decision making. One of the ways it hopes to do this is by using community venues rather than commercial and private venues – such as hotels and exhibition centres.
The Trust is appealing to local venues in Barnsley to get in touch to make sure their details are recorded in the Trust’s recently launched directory of community venues. The directory is available to all staff who book venues for meetings and events across all the Trust’s districts of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
The Trust is keen to hear of any venues it may not already be aware of in Barnsley run by organisations such as places of worship, youth groups, local associations and voluntary groups. These venues may then be used for NHS events that can’t be hosted on NHS premises.
By using community venues, the Trust will not only be playing a part in sustaining the Barnsley community, but it will also promote the use of accessible venues; giving people more sustainable transport options such as getting the bus or walking to a meeting instead of using a car.
The Trust’s director of corporate development Dawn Stephenson said, "Our Trust is fully committed to being a socially responsible organisation and we are keen to use our purchasing power, influence and resources to help support strong, healthy and sustainable communities. We will use our own venues whenever possible, but by also using community venues we can continue to conduct our business in the very heart of the communities we serve."
"I hope all types of local venues will get in touch with us as our meetings and events throughout the year vary with their requirements in terms of times, venue type and size."
If you’d like to register your local community venue for use by the Trust please contact the inclusion team on 01924 328656 or email inclusion@swyt.nhs.uk.
For more information about the Trust including how to become a member visit www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk