On Friday evening I had the great pleasure of joining over 500 children and families at New Hutte for Torrington Drive Community Association’s Twinkle Twinkle Christmas  event. Much of the fun was outside with a snow globe and Santa, in his grotto. There was something for everyone, including fun, games and Christmas spirit.

The turnout from across the local community was incredible and shows both how much local families rely on support from TDCA and how committed the workers and volunteers there are to their residents. The level of extra effort they have had to put in this year to make the event Covid-safe is a credit to the dedication of all involved with putting the event on.

TDCA do a great job throughout the year and are a focal point for the local community. On one hand it is heartening to see the community responding itself to the needs of neighbours and friends, but it’s also a stark reminder of how much the government have cut funding and support to families over the last eleven years. In areas like ours the local response is often the only response when someone needs support, or food, or a problem that they can no longer access government help for.

TDCA and organisations like them deserve to be applauded for all they do, because they make a real, appreciable difference  to local families.

There is no doubt that more will be needed as the cost of living crisis, rising inflation and ongoing Covid crisis puts even more pressure on communities. The best present we could ask for is a Labour government that will put proper funding for communities at the centre of everything we do.