A team of eight volunteers at Mums United Charitable Bank are renovating their community centre to expand their help to mums and young people on the streets of Sheffield.
The charity tackles youth violence and drug exploitation in the S3 area, teaching young children the severity and societal problems with knife crime, pertinent in this area.
Mums United use their platform to create safe spaces for children, and mothers through workshops, job opportunities and sports activities all taking place in the community centre.
The centre is located at 13 Wicker, S3 8HD.
Sahira Irshad, 44, volunteers for the charity: “We just want to create a place for mums and children to come to, that they have ownership and control over.
“This is what people said they wanted, and what the community needs- something to put their stamp on.”
Although the community centre is already open, there is an ongoing project downstairs to build a gym, which the boys in the area have eagerly requested.
Mrs Irshad from Sharrow Vale told us: “The gyms and sports centres are confined to postcodes.
“This community centre is centrally located, meaning it is more accessible and a safe space for everyone.”
At present, the centre usually hosts 35-40 young people per day.
With ongoing developments, the bigger centre hopes to cater to age ranges of 8-15, offering specific roles aiding their future.
The plan is to arrange the older children in the soup kitchens, the shop and the gym, where they can gain work experience and enjoy the new facilities.
The younger children will have access to the workshops in the upper floor of the centre, where all issues are discussed from friendships and relationships, to more pertinent issues such as gun and knife crime.
The charity also expands their aid and campaigning for mums in the area, helping them build and understand their relationships as their young children grow.
The charity also aims to support victims of domestic abuse using this safe space.
Mums United uses their social media platform to reach youngsters, as well as visiting schools to encourage those to visit the ever-increasing centre.
The charity also reaches those on the streets by asking them what they want and need from a community charity and this has led them to the renovation of this centre and the outreach to mums and families too.