This month sees the start of Chinese New Year and people across Rotherham are being encouraged to get involved with virtual celebrations as part of the Rotherham Together programme.
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important festival celebrated over 15 days by Chinese people all over the world, with this new year of the Ox beginning on 12th February 2021.
Look out for fabulous performances by some very talented young people on the RMBC Events Facebook page, throughout the day on Friday 12th February.
Jo Mailer from Rotherham Wah Hong Chinese Association said: “Understandably, due to the impact of Covid-19, this year’s celebration will undoubtedly be very different; so I would like to thank RMBC Rotherham Together programme for supporting Wah Hong Chinese community in their virtual New Year celebration and also to the parents in encouraging their children to participate and share their talents.”
Creative writers are also being called into action this month and being asked to create a short story or poem which reflects life during lockdown.
Entries will be used in a Life in Lockdown Exhibition, then added to an archive collection for future generations to see.
Residents across the borough can also join fitness sessions online via Zoom both mornings and afternoons every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
These popular fitness sessions, run by instructor Raja Khan, are for men 50+ and hope to help tackle loneliness, depression, obesity and illness.
If people want a more leisurely fitness kick, they can get involved with #RotherSteps.
Everyone can take part, whether you’re going out for a socially distanced walk or walking around your house/garden. All you have to do is monitor and screenshot your weekly steps to be in with a chance to win a prize.
Cllr Sarah Allen, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener Communities said: “We can’t come together to celebrate Chinese New Year in the usual way but we wanted to make sure that people across the borough could still take part in the celebrations virtually.
“Health and wellbeing are really important right now and we hope that by getting involved in some creative writing or virtual keep fit sessions that people can lift their spirits in these difficult times.”
The events are part of the Rotherham Together programme which was launched in September and is aimed at bringing residents and communities together safely as people in the borough start to rebuild their confidence following months of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A number of other projects are currently running throughout the borough and more information on Rotherham Together can be found by visiting: www.rotherham.gov.uk/rotherham-together