Yorke Drive’s community spirit shines through thriving volunteer base

From social eating to parties, an estate’s community spirit shines through thanks to a dedicated team of residents and volunteers.

For many living there, Newark’s Yorke Drive estate is a home and a community which they love, despite negative opinions the estate has attracted due to issues with anti-social behaviour and a long-delayed regeneration scheme.

In particular, the Drive has a strong base of volunteers — both residents and those from other areas — who help deliver a range of community activities, food support and more.

The team deliver a range of schemes out of the Beaumont Walk community centre, which bring the community together and offer support for those in need, while Newark Food and Well-being Club puts a focus on providing affordable food while reducing food waste.

Held every Thursday, between 1pm and 3pm, the food club offers bags of groceries sorted and packed by volunteers for £4 a bag, with a £1 membership fee for the year.

These are packed with quality food items — from Fareshare and supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Lidl — including fresh fruit and vegetables.

It also runs a free hygiene product bank for both personal and household cleaning products.

On the last Friday of each month, the community centre plays host to a social eat.

One of the lead volunteers, Ginnette Hardy, said: “It’s a time for everyone to get together and have a chat, and we’ve welcomed a few new people who’ve just moved to the area too.

“We started the social eats because people were saying they didn’t get out so much, but they wanted to get out — it’s always a nice atmosphere.

“It gets them out and about, and sometimes you have to ask ‘are you leaving today?’ they stay and enjoy chatting for so long.”

The most recent event was a Christmas-themed event, where attendees paid £4 for a three-course dinner, an afternoon of games and a Christmas present. More than 40 people booked to attend.

It is currently a team of 16 volunteers which keep the food club running — and more are always welcome. Anyone interested in volunteering or supporting the schemes through donations, raffle prizes, or similar, can contact Ginnette on 07966181850.

Among the volunteers is Debbie Darby, who describes Yorke Drive as the the only place she has ever settled down, and said: “We do have a strong community, if anyone needs help there is always someone who would lend a hand.

“Without a good community these events and groups would not be possible. If you need a cup of sugar or a shoulder to cry on there is always someone to help.”

Ginnette added: “Whenever we put on an event we always get a load of helpers and good attendance, and we always get raffle prizes too.”

The food club is not on the only activity brining the estate’s community together — for those over 15 there is also the Connect Together club which offers opportunities to try new things and make friends.

For £2 each two-hour Monday evening session, attendees go on trips, learn new skills, crafts and more — and recently put on a pantomime at the Bridge Community Centre.

Residents also frequently come together for chair fitness and bingo sessions held at the community centre too.