Rockfield Centre

The Rockfield Centre in Oban is a cultural hub and social enterprise which acts as a home for different groups, enterprises and organisations. During the Covid crisis, the Rockfield Centre has continued to support the community and has become a local community anchor organisation for the Scottish Government Supporting Communities Fund and are supporting a PPE project now based at the centre, making face shields and masks for donating to front-line and key workers.

 

The Centre has repurposed a phone box on the premises (pictured below) to become a wee food bank for anyone struggling to make ends meet as lockdown continues. It contains non perishable items that have been disinfected, and anyone who needs can take a bag. They are also coordinating community Covid needs as and when requested from community groups, charities and individuals.

Their wonderful volunteer network continues to support the Centre and the community with lunch runs, prescription runs, keeping in contact and sharing information with the wider volunteer group, and getting their outside shelter ready for future use. Although their activities have been adapted as they respond to the current situation, trustees and staff continue to work hard with getting funds in place to continue work on the main building and progressing the project.

 

In light of Coronavirus measures, the Rockfield Centre has moved lots of their activities online, including art classes, online yoga, music sessions, camera club, writing group, a pen pal scheme, heritage hunters group, and a poetry/short prose challenge. Further information on these groups and how to participate, visit their website www.therockfieldcentre.org.uk

 

  • The Centre have moved lots of children’s activities online, and their heritage Officer Elisabeth is doing weekly art classes. On their website they have Art Explorers, Makerspace, a Lego Club, Junior heritage hunters, Mini Music & Culture, and kids can also get involved in the pen pal scheme.
  • To keep people connected and promote wellbeing, they have a Facebook gardening group – Oban Growers, Mowers, Potters and Planters with over 130 members. They are also running a Zoom Blether group, email heritage@therockfieldcentre.org.uk for further info on this.
  • On site, there is a book bank for use by the community, and the Centre are asking people to make knitted squares for a yarn bombing project which will help to decorate their outdoor shelter for future use. As per government guidance, the Centre are anticipating more events happening outside, and so the outdoor shelter will become more important.
  • They also engage and entertain through live Facebook and Zoom events, such as ObanVision and Oban Comedy Night (coming up on the 12th of June).

The Comedy Night will host well-known acts, dedicating night of fun and comedy to the community of Oban and surrounds. This is a Zoom event and people will be able to share the night with locals, friends and family. Check out the event on Facebook here.