Footsteps

Things all got started because a new Minister at the Whaley Bridge Uniting Church was impressed by the large number of local residents attending a Tuesday Coffee morning. She felt that over 100 people attending on a regular basis said a lot for the sense of community in the town and asked one of the church groups to examine the feasibility of providing a drop in centre to develop a focus for the town and the church. Churches in Whaley Bridge were used to sharing ideas and a small group was set up to refine the choice of facilities alongside needs. The group visited other centres in the Greater Manchester area and reported back in early 2001.

Two key decisions were made at this time. The first one was that though the churches strongly supported the idea of the centre they had no spare cash and, therefore, decided that the project should involve civic and social partners. The second one was an individual choice made by George and Pauline Hill who had run a very successful footwear shop right in the centre of the town since 1972. They wanted to retire but they also wanted the shop to be used for the benefit of the community. The Feasibility Group welcomed their decision and set about widening the partnership.

Every organisation approached came on board immediately. These included : The Town Council, the Lifelong Learning district unit and the Derbyshire Dales Health project. Other local organisations like the local traders, the Amenity Society, the Volunteer Group, The Residents Action Group and many individuals pledged support.

Things proceeded apace from that point and the First Trust Meeting was held on March 10th 2002.

Even before that date George & Pauline's shop was renamed Footsteps and volunteers, mainly from the churches set about redecoration. It had been decided to appeal to the community for second hand books on the grounds that this would be a sure sign of local support and income from their sale would sustain the project in its early days.

The shop was opened on February 12th 2002 and the response from the book appeal was so overwhelming that the shelves were filled in less than two weeks. Over 30 people volunteered to help out and the opening hours extended to six days a week.

Donations from the churches and individuals supplemented book income and the centre was an instant success attracting over 270 visitors a week in that early period.

The first wider gesture was made by Jobcentre Plus in New Mills. They helped to provide a hotline to help individuals find jobs and training.

The Countryside Agency made a maximum grant of £25,000 under the Vital Villages Scheme to provide a computer centre while the High Peak Borough Council weighed in with a grant of £3,500 to provide furniture and equipment.

The Derbyshire Lifelong Learning Unit started using the centre to run courses in January 2003.

The Whaley Bridge Community Trust has Charitable Status and its own Architect and now has a major grant to extend the facilities to the disabled and to extend the range of its activities.