About

Croft House

For over a century Croft House has given the community a space to meet, a space to learn and a space to enjoy. We’re a friendly bunch here and want everyone to feel welcome at Croft House.

Current users

The centre of your community

For over a century Croft House has given the community a space to meet, a space to learn and a space to enjoy. We’re a friendly bunch here and want everyone to feel welcome at Croft House.

We’re very fortunate to be nestled in the city centre and have easy access to public transport and parking. Croft House is fully accessible on the ground floor with a disabled toilet and kitchen facilities.

We’re open seven days a week, so if you have any questions you can give us a call on 0114 249 1460 or email info@crofthouse.org.uk

We think Croft House would be the perfect home for your group to meet. Welcome to the centre of your community.

View our video from our Celebration At The Crofts event.

Celebration At The Crofts

Current users

Our vision

It’s our aim to improve the health, wellbeing and potential of our local community. Croft House has a long and rich history, and we want to make sure the next 100 years are just as bright and memorable as the last.

Croft House is here to help improve and enrich peoples’ lives. Our values play a huge part in the day to day running of the facilities and we pride ourselves on being:

  • Flexible
  • Responsive
  • Vibrant
  • Inclusive
  • Collaborative
  • Dynamic
  • Diverse
  • Creative
  • Forward thinking
Our history

History

The Croft House Settlement was opened on 26th October 1902 by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield. The original settlement provided a space for the community that included a gym, a snooker room and reading room, a hall for meetings, social events and public lectures. There was even a soup kitchen, and activities were provided for poor children.

We hosted the armed forces during both wars and Sheffield’s first ever scout troop started here. Over the years we’ve accommodated all sorts of groups, clubs, drop ins and social projects – even the Operatic Society called Croft House home.

Today, we’re still the heart of our community and our building is a physical centre for all different kinds of activities. It’s over 100 years since Croft House opened and while we’re busy looking at the future we start each day with the same values we had in 1902.

Our Management Council

Our wonderful trustees make sure that Croft House welcomes everyone with open arms and that anyone who needs to finds a home here does – just like the trustees have.

  • Derek Newman

    Derek Newman

    Chair

    Derek has followed a career in IT moving between different businesses in ICI, before becoming European IT Director based in Brussels. He then moved to Zeneca (now AstraZeneca) in London as Group Chief Information Officer (CIO). Following a period of independent consultancy working with European agrochemical and pharmaceutical companies, Derek was appointed CIO of Northern Foods based in Leeds. He also was a non-executive Director of NHS Direct, the national telephone and internet healthcare service, for 6 years before it was converted into the current regional NHS 111 service. Since retiring, Derek has become involved in local community service initiatives including Croft House and the Manor Church & Community Project. He is a trustee representative of the Central URC.

  • Glyn Boyington

    Glyn Boyington

    Treasurer

    I first became involved with Croft House in 1989 and have been a Member of the Council of Management for most of that time. I have been treasurer since 2009. I recently retired following 30 years working in various civilian jobs for South Yorkshire Police and I have always been active in community work. In addition to my volunteering at Croft House I am Chair of the South Yorkshire Pension Authority Local Pension Board. It is an interesting and exciting challenge to help to maintain Croft House’s legacy and also ensure that it moves with the times and stays relevant.

  • Roger Steel

    Roger Steele

    Centre Manager

    I have a background in the engineering and construction industries before transferring rather late in life to teaching. My interests have always been in voluntary youth work, helping in Scouts, Air Cadets and currently marching bands and I am a volunteer puppy-walker and boarder for Guide Dogs. I am married to Cathy with one grown-up son, Mark, and one grand-daughter. I became involved with Croft House in 1988 with Concord Youth Music, joined the Council of Management and was appointed Centre Manager in 1999.

  • David O’Mara

    Member

    David is site manager at the Central United Reform Church.

  • Dave Staniforth

    David Staniforth

    Member

    I first became an active member of the trustees 12 years ago however during my 30 years as a police officer with South Yorkshire Police I worked in the area and was a regular visitor to the centre and was engaged in a large number of Community liaison projects, mainly in the Sheffield area. Since retirement I have worked at the Niagara Sports and leisure centre and assist with the co-ordination of sporting activities.

  • Nisha Lall

    Member

    I am the Director of Nisha Lall Dance and Festival Director of Chance To Dance. I became a trustee of Croft House in 2014. I have used Croft House for dance classes and events since 2004. I have also run fundraising events for Croft House. As a active member of the dance community in Sheffield, sourcing suitable, centrally located venues are important to the events I organise. Croft House has been a reliable and valuable venue that supports dance in Sheffield.