The Duke of Gloucester Observes the Impact of Gathering Ground on Sheffield Community

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Age UK Sheffield’s Gathering Ground project in Hillsborough Park, meeting local volunteers, community groups and staff and seeing how the project is making a difference to people across the area.

The Duke of Gloucester visited Gathering Ground on Friday 4^th, spending time with the people involved in the project and hearing about how a historic part of Hillsborough Park has been transformed into a welcoming space for the local community.

During the visit, The Duke of Gloucester heard about the history of the site and the work that went into restoring the Grade II listed Old Coach House, which dates back to 1779. Once a neglected building, the Coach House reopened in 2022 as a community hub and café, alongside the Bradbury Makers’ Shed.

Today, Gathering Ground is home to a wide range of activities, including dementia-friendly sessions, creative and wellbeing activities, gardening, crafts, woodworking, community events and social groups.

The Duke of Gloucester met people involved in many of these activities, including volunteers from the Walled Garden, representatives from Hillsborough Bowling Club, members of the RVS Art Group and Gen from Kadampa Meditation Centre Sheffield.

His Royal Highness also heard from Age UK Sheffield staff and trustees about the development of Gathering Ground and the difference the project is making in the local area.

For the volunteers and community groups involved, the visit was a chance to share what makes the site special and the importance of having places where people can meet, build friendships and take part in activities together.

Teresa Barker, Chief Executive of Age UK Sheffield, said:

“It was a real pleasure to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester to Gathering Ground and show him what the project is all about.

“Gathering Ground is about bringing people together. We’ve taken a historic site and created somewhere that people of all ages can enjoy, whether that’s through volunteering, creativity, gardening, getting involved in community activities or simply having a coffee and a chat.

“The visit was a great opportunity to celebrate all the people who have helped make Gathering Ground what it is today and the difference it is making in Hillsborough.”

The project was developed by Age UK Sheffield in partnership with Sheffield City Council and a range of funding partners, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund and Wolfson Foundation.

Gathering Ground shows how restoring Sheffield’s heritage can also create something valuable for its future – providing spaces for people to meet, connect and get involved in their community.