A special showcase event will celebrate the many achievements of Rotherham’s hard-working tenants and residents groups over the last year.

Organised by the Rotherham Federation of Tenants & Residents (RotherFed), the free event on Tuesday, January 26, will highlight the excellent work carried out by Tenants and Resident Associations (TARAs), which make invaluable grass-roots improvements to local people’s lives.

Open to everyone, the TARA Showcase will take place at RotherFed’s Springwell Gardens Community Centre base, Eastwood View, from 2-4pm, beginning with a free buffet at 2pm. Through presentations, stalls, or whatever means they wish, Tenants and Residents Associations and community groups from across the Borough will showcase the excellent work they have carried out on behalf of local residents in 2009. Achievements include bringing communities together through social events such as canal boat trips, helping create a children’s play area, and starting a much-needed mother and toddler group.

Steve Ruffle, RotherFed Development Manager, said: “We are extremely proud of the achievements of all our Tenants and Resident Associations who work unpaid and tirelessly on behalf of their fellow tenants and residents. The TARA Showcase is a celebration of successes over the last year and will allow good ideas to be shared and adopted by others.

“Each group has different aims - some are working to improve the health and well-being of residents, others are promoting community spirit through social gatherings, while yet others are helping reduce anti-social behaviour and improve community safety. Through presentations, stalls or whatever means they want to use, groups will have a chance to highlight the work they have done and get the recognition their hard work so justly deserves.”

RotherFed is hoping that not only existing tenant and resident group members will attend the TARA Showcase, but is hoping to attract those thinking of joining an established group or who wish to set up a new group in their area.

To order a free ticket for the event, please contact RotherFed’s Joyce Chatterton by phone on 01709 368515, or by email at info@rotherfed.org.

Editors’ note: RotherFed is an independent federation representing all Tenants and Residents Associations (TARAs) in Rotherham. It is there to support all tenants and residents.