NeighbourhoodUnitesTogether
Spring2026
A community partnership to drive out serious crime, promote pride and improve the lives of local people has launched in Sheffield. Local people rallied together at a public meeting recently to show their support for the initiative which aims to create a thriving, safe and welcoming neighbourhood for the people of Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe to live, work and grow up in Find out more.
CommunityActionWeek
As part of our commitment to U&N Together Friends of Zest have been busy organising a Week of Action Beginning on 23 March the spring-clean themed week aims ot tackle a range of opportunites to boost local community efforts.
First on the agenda will be a Business Network Meeting on the Monday This event will bring local businesses together. It’s an opportunity for them to engage with each other to get creative and discuss ideas on how to grow their businesses We’re partnering with Business Sheffield who will be on hand to provide advice. Want to increase footfall? Concerned about safety measures? Fed up with litter? Keen to improve your signage? if you’re lookging for a business answer or know someone who is you’ll find it at our business networking meeting We’ll also be holding a special event to celebrate EID outside NUBase Community Centre in Netherthorpe, details to be confirmed and there will be activities for children including a spring clean at Netherthorpe Primary School.
Jointhegiantlitterpick
Couldyoubeacommunitychamp?
It’s early days yet but we would like to recognise groups and individuals who help make the community a better place to live.
One idea is to create a community awards to celebrate and raise awareness of local people’s achievements. We hope to support efforts with a range of categories that distinguish grassroots initiatives, fundraising success and the fostering of community cohesion. Stay tuned to Zest’s social media for updates.
Another planned community action will be the giant litter pick Local residents’ associations, community groups and schools will also be invited to join in the fun with spring clean themed treasure hunts before a Giant Litter Pick on Saturday 28th During the pick people will be encouraged to take pictures and reels of the community on their phone We’re looking for the good and not so good aspects of community life to contribute to a joint Community Collage. If you'd like to take part in any of these activities, drop a line to Susannah 07493 721 380.
Looking further ahead our neighbourhood Local Area Committee (LAC) is organising a special children’s event to celebrate EID & Easter at Zest’s Shipton Street Sports Hall. The event will be held during the first week of the school holidays, details to be confirmed.
Gettingtogripswithorganisedcrime anddevelopingcommunitypolicing
Policerequestcooperation
It’s a sad truth that the deep-seated problem of drug supply exists in our community Drug supply drives other crime and deprives people of opportunities to grow. It causes pain in families, on streets, and in neighbourhoods. A few people make money from it while others suffer from their actions
Your local Neighbourhood officers have been working with our organised crime team to get to the root of this complex challenge as part of an approach called 'Clear, Hold, Build ' This has been proven to work nationally and involves the police primarily tackling drug supply networks with the vitally important help of community intelligence Essentially, we gather evidence, arrest, charge to court and seek lengthy prison terms for the people driving this crime.
This approach isn't new, but what could be different is what comes next Do we create a vacuum that enables other dealers to move in? Or do we all come together as a coalition of good to say that this community will not accept this We want our children to be educated, be their best, and go on to be good citizens We do not want them to be drawn into “will you just deliver me this package” and before they know it, they are trapped in a world of life altering and threatening consequences The graphic describes what has been achieved so far from Clear This work doesn’t stop.
Together, we must develop the initiatives which make Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe a stronger, more connected, and safer place to live. Please continue to tell us about crime in your area. Speak to your local officer - who can be found on our website - or call the confidential charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Superintendent Paul Ferguson, South Yorkshire Police
Lookingahead
You can see the some of the fantastic results from recent policing efforts in the infographic above But police work isn’t just about catching criminals They work equally hard developing community relations.
Inspector Nik Dodsworth from Sheffield North West Neighbourhood Police Team explains the community work they’ve been doing and plans for the work ahead.
‘After a really successful start to our 'Clear Hold Build' Campaign, the Walkley Neighbourhood Policing Team moves on to the next phase where we work with the general public and our partners to improve the community in all areas After our successes in removing criminality, we now look at diversions for youths, improving the environment and sustaining these improvements.
We will be taking part in the Community Litter-Pick with residents next week, attending the Business Network event discussing how to support local businesses and visiting the Eid Tea Tent outside NUBase Community Centre in Netherthorpe. We will also be providing reassurance to communities of all faiths and denominations during the current international events.’
Communityconversations:here’s whatyou’resaying
People want change. They want action. They want both to be visible, community led and with shared purpose. The infographic below neatly outlines precisely what people in our communities are worried about and where they want action to be taken It also offers an insight into the importance of a stronger voice for women and girls in the community. The results come from Zest’s Community Conversations initiative and local community safety meetings Find out more
Fundraisinginthecommunity
In each issue of Upperthorpe & Netherthorpe Together we’ll be looking at initiatives in the community that focus on bringing people together. In this edition we’re highlighting a collaboration between Zest and Netherthorpe Primary School in support of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
NetherthorpePrimarySchooljoinstheprideto nameandpaintcub
U&N Together has a commitment to the young people in our neighbourhood. Improving lives and building brighter futures for everyone through a process of committed engagement. With this in mind say hello to Zesty the lion cub. Don’t worry he’s not real! He’s one of 150 sculptured lion cubs taking part in Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity Pride of Yorkshire event. Zesty will also be joined by 150 full size lion and lioness sculptures painted by some Sheffield’s best known artists.
Our own Zesty has been named by the children at Netherthorpe Primary School But not only have the children chosen Zesty’s name they will be designing and painting him themselves too
Find out more and how to donate
wwwzestcommunitycouk/upperthorpe-netherthorpe-together
Makingnextstepstogether
Through the engagement and participation of local people and the many partner organisations committed to supporting Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe Together we hope this newsletter will grow and become a valued voice for the community
It’s a great opportunity to bring together people from a multitude of different backgrounds with the goal of a better life for all Already through the work of Zest’s This Community Can (TCC) team we’re beginning to see precisely what people want and the challenges they face.
Acalltoaction
Community Action Week is dependent on the support and direct engagement of the public and the commitment of the partner organisations involved. Working together, South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield City Council, Zest, community organisations including YAFA, and residential groups can achieve more than any single group acting in isolation With the public onboard achieving the dream isn’t as impossible as some might imagine.
Zest CEO Matt Dean says: ‘Let’s start as we mean to go on by coming together in support of our of Action Week. I would ask everyone to contribute to or participate in the week wherever they can so that this truly becomes a partnership effort.’
Timetable
To ensure people know what to expect and when to expect it we are setting out our short-term goals for the weeks and months ahead
March – publication of key themes that have emerged through a series of surveys and community conversations in recent months. These can be seen above and in more detail on the infographic on page 3.
Emergingthemes &keyconcerns
Here are just some of the key themes that have emerged from the community work undertaken so far. The results are clear people want to see more:
Working with and for young people: To further develop coordinated youth provision and support pathways across the area.
Working with and for parents: Improving support for parents
Creating safe and welcoming neighbourhood with more welcoming spaces across the area.
Promoting cross community celebrations
Precisely how these themes will be addressed will become clearer as the commuity plan takes shape.
Ongoing enforcement activity and police initiatives will be reported in the newsletter as and when they become available to the public
Keeping people informed is vital to the success of any community programme Help us help you and keep the communication channels flowing.
April / May – the development of a local action plan where there will be opportunity to reflect on themes
May – formation of a U&N Together Community Action Group to shape and review the plan.
Further details will be announced once dates have been confirmed. Check Zest’s social media posts regularly to keep informed
We’re looking for volunteers to be a part of our community action group. If you’d like to help contact David McNeil on: david.mcneil@zestcommunity.co.uk
